What used to be possible only on video war games is now a reality. A high-tech Norwegian firm has developed ammunition capable of traveling underwater. It has reportedly sold such " swimming bullets" to several foreign countries. The firm is eyeing the U.S. Navy as a potential client for the said ammunition.
DSG Technology has yet to reveal the countries and international militaries it has already sold the underwater bullets to. It would only describe the ammunition's features and functions. The firm said they used Supercavitation, an effect that creates a bubble of gas around an object submerged in a liquid to allow to it travel said liquid, to build its CAV-X ammunition that were particularly designed to travel large distances underwater.
The bullets with 12.7 mm, 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm, and other ones meant for smaller weapons, create an air pocket for their flight due to a turned tip and precisely calibrated mass and balance. The bullets are made from tungsten and have a brass shell, and can be particularly used with conventional weapons.
DSG director of Special Operations Forces Kristian Asknes also confidently said that with their bullets, one can fire from a helicopter and take out a sub if there's a big enough caliber.
The effective ranges of the bullets, however, can go down drastically when fired underwater. A 12.7 mm round for instance can reach as far as 2,200 meters in the air but only travels 60 meters when submerged. The calibers can reach as large as 155 mm.
The firm appears intent on expanding warfare all the way down, deep beneath the high seas. Its website also lists a classified and patent-pending underwater gun mount which could be fixed on unmanned underwater vehicles, ships and other submerged platforms as one of its warfare products.
Asknes said they hope to sell more of the underwater bullets to more countries. They appear to have a special eye for the U.S. military whom he would only say has already " fielded interest".
Source: http://www.newsweek.com/underwater-swimming-bullets-step-global-weapons-warfare-582309
