Raufoss Mk 211
The Raufoss Mk 211 is a
Design details
The multipurpose concept developed by Raufoss is unique in that, instead of using a mechanical
The multipurpose name is based on an
The Mk 211 is a very popular .50 caliber
The Mk 211/NM140 is graded into two accuracy classes: Class A is
Identification
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2010) |
This round is usually identified by a green over white paint tip mark.
The headstamp on the casing will not help to identify the round as Raufoss. Common headstamps are used, and only designate the location, and year of final assembly of the completed round. Headstamps in general will read as (but are not limited to): HXP 89, WCC 94, LC 01 or FN 91. The two or three letter prefix (HXP, WCC, LC or FN) designates the place of assembly; the two-digit suffix numbers specify the production year.
Legality
This section possibly contains original research. (December 2015) |
There has been much debate over whether the Mk 211 projectile is legal to use against personnel, or if it is strictly anti-materiel ammunition. The International Committee of the Red Cross has sought to have the ammunition banned, due to concern over the incendiary and explosive components and their effect on personnel. Under the Saint Petersburg Declaration of 1868 the "military or naval" use of explosive or incendiary projectiles with a mass of under 400 grams is forbidden.[7] However, that declaration does not govern the conduct of non-signatory parties. However, the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 – which superseded the St. Petersburg Declaration, and were signed by a far wider circle of nations – do permit the use of such ammunition for autocannon and heavy machine guns. Machine guns firing .50 cal./12.7mm ammunition are heavy machine guns. At best, the ICRC's position can be applied to only the group of nations that were parties to the St. Petersburg Declaration.[citation needed]
Trials conducted by
The official stance of the Norwegian government is that the 12.7 mm MP round should not be used against personnel, but an exception has been made for snipers using the round due to the practical limitations of snipers having to change the type of ammunition used when switching between hardened and soft targets.[citation needed] It is being exported strictly in an anti-matériel capacity.
See also
- Anti-materiel rifle
- High-explosive incendiary/armor-piercing ammunition (HEIAP)
- 20×102mm M940
- .50 BMG
- Mine shell
References
- ^ "Nammo AS - 12,7mm (.50 Cal)". Nammo AS. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "20mm AMR – New Use for Unused Ammo" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ a b "Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Small Caliber Ammunition" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. April 1994. p. 150. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ a b c https://www.nammo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/nammo_ammo_handbook_aw_screen_updated.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b c John Pike (May 13, 2010). "Mark 211 .50-caliber Multipurpose Ammunition". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Small Caliber Ammunition" (PDF). ATK. pp. 31–32. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "St Petersburg Declaration 1868". International Humanitarian Law Databases. International Committee of the Red Cross. Archived from the original on 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt. October 16, 2003. Retrieved 2010-08-22.[dead link]
- ^ Moosberg, Louise (August 18, 2003). "Does the Swedish use of the 12.7mm Multipurpose Projectile undermine the St. Petersburg Declaration?" (PDF). Uppsala University. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2006. Retrieved 2010-08-22.