DSG Technology has a new .50-caliber round that can travel an impressive 60 meters underwater, according to Jon Andre Garberg, the CEO of the Norwegian company.

The company produces a line of what he describes as “ground breaking” technology that allows gunners to fire bullets underwater.

Currently in production are the 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50-cal. rounds, which use CAV-X technology. It’s that technology that allows the rounds to travel underwater, Garberg explained.

The round “opens up water and creates a bubble,” allowing the round to travel underwater, he said.

The rounds can be used to shoot air-to-air or air-to-water, Garberg explained.

This is technology that didn’t exist just three months ago, he said.

The new technology can be very advantageous to the U.S. Navy, Garberg said. Currently, if U.S. Navy vessels want to engage small vessels out at sea, there is a danger in using traditional ammunition.

Standard ammunition will ricochet off the surface of the water, potentially putting other U.S. ships in harm’s way, Garberg said.

To solve this problem, U.S. Navy ships have been using expensive 30 mm rounds.

However, the new DSG rounds with CAV-X technology solve this issue, Garberg said. Ships can fire without fear of a round skimming the surface. The round will just penetrate the water, Garberg said.

This also could be useful in large scale swarming attacks by smaller craft, Garberg explained.

U.S. vessels in the tightly congested Persian Gulf have been routinely harassed by Iranian small boats. The CAV-X round could provide U.S. warships with a new capability to engage these craft with minimal risk to other U.S. or allied ships.

A representative at U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Center told Military Times that they are currently testing the rounds.

About Shawn Snow

Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.

Share:
More In Your Army