“Successful completion of the RDAP project and acquisition of military usability and operability certification”
DureTek’s Eco-Friendly & High-Performance Ammunition (Dr16A1) obtained the “certification of military usability and Operability” through the field test and tactical operability evaluation of the Rapid Demonstration Acquisition Project (RDAP) during 12 months conducted by the ROK military on February 17, 2023.
5.56mm and 7.62mm Dr16A1 were judged through this project and evaluation. It was confirmed through field tests and evaluations by the Special Force and the ROKA’s Test & Evaluation Team that the developed ammunition increased performance about 2 to 3 times in terms of effective range, concentration, destructive power, and man-stopping power compared to the ammunition currently used by the ROK military.
DureTek’s Eco-Friendly & High-Performance Ammunition (Dr16A1) allows the use of existing firearms used by the ROK military without replacement or modification. Also, it is lighter than conventional ammunition, increasing personal combat capacity (B/L), and significantly improving effective range and other performance. It has the advantage of being able to greatly expand operational combat capabilities.
In addition, unlike ammunition made of lead to increase the weight in order to increase the performance of the ammunition, DureTek’s Dr16A1 does not use lead and is an ammunition with reduced weight but improved performance. As a result, our military can dramatically increase combat power, prevent damage to soldiers and eliminate soil contamination caused by lead (Pb) dust generated during training and practice.
Over the past two years, DureTek has put off overseas expansion and has continuously conducted field tests with the ROK military and Korea Coast Guard to supply Korea with top priority. In addition, after several years of research and development, we have developed and secured all technologies that can replace special ammunition for counter-terrorism/underwater operations imported from abroad, enabling the immediate supply of ammunition with the performance required by the ROK military and police.
DureTek, the ROK Army, and organizations related to the RDAP expect that the overall power of our military will be enhanced by utilizing Dr16A1.
First of all, DureTek will actively cooperate to maximize the performance of individual rifles without replacing firearms, and to introduce the highest performance rifles in line with Dr16A1 if individual firearms are improved in the future.
In addition, when the caliber of ammunition to which the same technology is applied is enlarged, it is possible to operate without replacing all small and medium weapons, and through this, unnecessary firearm replacement and culling costs will be reduced to save the defense budget and strengthen national defense capabilities.
DureTek, which obtained this certification of military usability, proved that the technology can be applied to ammunition of all calibers, and completed the preemptive technology acquisition. In addition, it has accumulated know-how, technology and experience in production and application of other calibers. Based on this, in cooperation with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) and partner companies, we plan to provide a mass production system that can supply the required amount of Eco-Friendly & High-Performance Ammunition (Dr16A1) in a timely manner required by the ROK military, police, and other demand organizations.
Based on the success and achievements of this project, DureTek is continuously researching and developing ammunition for small, medium, and heavy weapons, tanks, naval guns, and range-extended artillery ammunition, and plans to actively contribute to strengthening the combat power of the ROK military step by step.