Concurrent Technologies Corporation Earns Two Patents for Metal Injection Molded Ammunition Cartridge Cases

CTC President and CEO Ed Sheehan (left) and CTC Executive VP and COO George Appley (right) congratulate the team on this successful patent. Shawn Rhodes (center) attended the recognition ceremony along with the rest of the team, who joined via video conference.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been awarded two patents for “Shell case design utilizing metal injection molding.” These patents detail the invention of a single-piece, high-strength metallic cartridge case that is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than traditional brass. The revolutionary new design is a joint development between CTC and the U.S. Army to improve warfighter effectiveness through increased lethality, improved accuracy, and reduced ammunition weight.

Several cartridge calibers have been demonstrated with distinct advantages over competing solutions, such as hybrid metallic-polymer and multi-piece metallic cartridge cases. Metal injection molded cartridge benefits include:  

• 30% case weight reduction vs. brass
• High-pressure capability, up to 100 ksi tested
• Increased muzzle velocity, up to 10% over brass
• Increased accuracy (sub-MOA [Minute of Angle])
• Durable stainless steel case material with reliable functionality from -65°F to 160°F 
• Rugged, single-piece design with no corrosion issues
• Compatible with existing brass case taper, trim, load, assemble, and pack manufacturing infrastructure 
 

CTC has earned a patent for an ammunition cartridge case that offers many benefits to the U.S. military and commercial manufacturers.

United States Patents 11465207 and 11493314 not only protect the U.S. government’s ability to organically produce and supply this technology to the warfighter but allow cost reduction and maturation through private commercialization. 
“This award comes at a time when global commodity prices for copper and brass are at all-time highs. The use of high-strength, lightweight stainless steel cartridge cases in ammunition production reduces manufacturing costs,” said Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., CTC President and CEO. “The CTC team has done an outstanding job of analyzing requirements, developing a solution, and ensuring it is cost effective and scalable.”  
Additional cost savings include:

• Reduced fuel and transportation costs from cartridge weight savings
• Easy firing range cleanup due to cases being magnetic
• Reloadable for consumer and competitive shooting

Invented by Todd Skowron, Juan Valencia, Shawn Rhodes, and William Brueggen, the activity that led to this patent is part of CTC’s overall ammunition and weapon systems engineering services.  “We’re extremely excited to get this advanced technology to the warfighter to reduce their combat load and increase their mobility and lethality,” said Shawn Rhodes, CTC Principal Mechanical Engineer. “It’s an honor to develop technologies that benefit those who protect our country.”