IR-DIM Tracer – “low-profile” tracer ammunition?
IR-DIM Tracer rounds are special tracer cartridges from Sellier & Bellot that are visible only when night-vision devices are used. They feature a new fuel mixture that does not generate a flame visible to the naked eye. The result is ammunition with reduced visibility to an opponent not using night-vision equipment.
“With a suitable oxidant, which is zinc peroxide, the fuel forms binary mixtures which, during combustion, emit radiation in the near-infrared region invisible to the naked eye. As a result, the tracer compositions do not require any additional auxiliary pyrotechnic systems. They are intended for use in infrared tracers in conventional calibers of bullet ammunition.”
Excerpt from the abstract of patent application US 2014/0332126 A1
Photos: Sellier & Bellot
IR-DIM Tracers for the most popular NATO calibers
At present, Sellier & Bellot offers IR-DIM Tracer rounds for 5.56 mm × 45 NATO and 7.62 mm × 51 NATO ammunition, used in assault rifles, designated marksman rifles, sniper rifles, carbines, machine guns and Gatling-type weapons. Complete linked ammunition can be configured in various belt sequences.
The full metal jacket projectile features a brass-plated steel jacket and a core consisting of lead and the tracer fuel mixture.
5.56 mm x 45 NATO | 7.62 mm x 45 NATO |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
62 gr / 4 g | 140 gr / 9 g |
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| V₀= 945 m/s | E₀= 1 780 J | Fe/Cuzn 10 | V₀= 807 m/s | E₀= 2 931 | Fe/CuZn 10 |
| Pb/Tracer | Pb/Tracer | ||||
| 4.4 BOXER | 5.3 BOXER | ||||
More information is available on the official Sellier & Bellot website