Dirty Harry round
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| Dirty Harry round | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production history | |
| Designer | BAE Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Parent case | 5.56×45mm |
| Bullet diameter | 5.56 mm (0.219 in) |
| Overall length | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Dirty Harry is the name given to the special round chambered 5.56×45mm. The rounds are designed by BAE Systems and were safety and performance tested by QinetiQ to supplement the existing 5.56 standard NATO ammunition issued to British Forces.
Background
[edit]The necessity to use a more powerful round in place of regular 5.56mm NATO round was felt due to its unsatisfactory performance in medium-range engagements.
This resulted in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) requesting the development of a special round to be used from the existing SA80 rifles resulting in Dirty Harry.[citation needed]
The reference inaccurately refers to the bullet fired by Clint Eastwood's fictional character Dirty Harry in the eponymous movie series. Eastwood's character actually fired a .44 magnum load from his iconic Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver, neither the same charge nor the same bullet as any .45 caliber round, including the 5.56×45mm. Still, the Ministry of Defence (MoD)'s intent was likely more about shock and awe than it was about the actual ordinance characteristics itself.
Status
[edit]The ammunition was tested in 2010 in the Future Dismounted Close Combat research program.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ "UK military scientists develop 'Dirty Harry' bullet for Brit troops to fight Taliban in Afghanistan". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
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