5,45х39mm
Performance characteristics
5,45х39mm (7N10, with a bullet of increased penetration)
Caliber, mm
5,56
The diameter of the bullet, mm
5,62
bullet weight, g
3,61
Muzzle velocity, m / s
870-890
muzzle energy, J.
1360-1430
This cartridge owes its birth to the success of the American program to re-equip its army with weapons for a small-caliber cartridge. (5,56h45 mm NATO). As a result, in the mid-1970s, a complex of small arms was adopted by the Soviet Army., cartridge, AK-74 assault rifle (File-74) and RPK-74 light machine gun. Later, the shortened AKS-74U assault rifle joined this family.. Currently evaluating this step (transition from caliber 7,62 mm to caliber 5,45 mm) quite ambiguous.
In recent years, it was felt (not without taking into account the experience of the Afghan war and recent local conflicts), that the lethal effect of the cartridge 5.45x39 mm inadequate. Despite, that the transition to a cartridge of caliber 5,45 mm has improved the accuracy of shooting (by reducing the recoil and increase the blank range almost 100 m), many fighters, acting in conflict zone, AKM caliber prefer 7,62 mm for their great penetrating ability and lethal force. Supporters of the cartridge 5,45 mm argue, that the problem is in the outdated cartridge 7N6, and that new ammunition 7N10 (enhanced penetration) and 7N22 (piercing) caliber weapon 5,45 mm is comparable in its combat characteristics with the old patterns under chuck 7,62h39 mm.
