Texas-based advanced technology company TV Ammo, Inc. (“True Velocity”) announced today a strategic development partnership with FN America (“FN”) that would enable one of the most prolific machine guns in the world to fire its proprietary 6.8TVCM composite-cased cartridge.
“This is the tip of the iceberg,” said True Velocity Chairman and co-CEO Kevin Boscamp. “We are working with top weapon manufacturers like FN America to change the paradigm for our soldiers and ensure that they have access to the very best technology that America has to offer. This level of innovation will not only breathe new life into a fantastic weapon system like the M240, but it opens the door to entirely new systems like True Velocity’s .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun.”
The two companies commenced an extensive First Article Test of the 6.8TVCM M240 conversion kit at FN’s Columbia, SC, facility on May 8, 2023. Over the course of three months, 30,000 rounds of True Velocity’s 6.8TVCM ammunition will be fired through a single M240 weapon system chambered for the proprietary cartridge. Upon completion of the First Article Test in August 2023, the two companies will then begin three additional 50,000-round endurance tests to fully qualify the M240 chambered for True Velocity’s 6.8TVCM cartridge.
“The performance implications of this ‘switch-barrel’ capability are eclipsed only by the magnitude of the business opportunity associated with it,” said True Velocity co-CEO Chris Tedford. “We’re talking about improving the effective range of one of the most prolific machine guns in the world by as much as 50 percent, providing our warfighters with a significant advantage on the battlefield.”
The U.S. Army has tested more than 700,000 rounds of True Velocity’s 6.8TVCM cartridge, resulting in its designation as the first and only lightweight cartridge to meet or exceed all U.S. military specifications, including performance across the entire temperature spectrum required by the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, True Velocity has fired in excess of 1 million rounds of 6.8TVCM in its internal testing, including more than 10,000 rounds through the M240.
The cartridge offers an approximate weight reduction of 30 percent as compared to traditional, brass-cased 7.62x51mm cartridges and delivers muzzle velocity in excess of 3,000 feet per second, while maintaining safe operating pressures. As a result of these performance attributes, the cartridge is capable of delivering significantly greater effective range than traditional 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition.
“FN’s partnership with True Velocity and the rigorous testing we are accomplishing highlight the rugged and capable design of the M240,” said Jim Williams, Vice President, Military Programs for FN America, LLC. “The adaptability of the M240 design to accept new calibers to address emerging threats and requirements provides more capability to the warfighter. We look forward to the results of this First Article testing and the bright future ahead for this proven weapon system.”
FN America is the preeminent manufacturer of the M240 machine gun, which is currently fielded by all branches of the United States military as well as dozens of foreign militaries around the world. The weapon system is capable of a cyclic rate of between 600-900 rounds per minute, depending upon which variant of the M240 is being fired.
True Velocity and FN America intend to market the M240 conversion kit and composite-cased 6.8TVCM ammunition to the U.S. and Allied militaries and have participated in multiple military live-fire demonstrations displaying the enhanced capability.
For military sales inquiries, please contact True Velocity Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development Kevin Sims at ksims@tvammo.com.
About True Velocity
True Velocity is an advanced technology and composite manufacturing company based in Garland, Texas. Founded in 2010, True Velocity has approximately 300 patents pending or issued surrounding its products, technology and manufacturing processes. True Velocity is focused on revolutionizing the ammunition industry through the use of composite materials. True Velocity products are manufactured in the U.S. in a state-of-the-art, 66,000-square-foot facility. True Velocity’s proprietary composite cartridge is designed to provide significant logistical advantages over traditional brass-cased ammunition and give end users unmatched accuracy, repeatability, and reliability, all in a light-weight cartridge.
For more information, visit tvammo.com.
About FN America
FN America, LLC, is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality, reliable firearms for military, law enforcement, and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, VA, with manufacturing operations in Columbia, SC, FN America is passionately committed to providing its customers with a portfolio of products, training, and support services under the FN brand name that enhance their performance and safeguard their lives.
For more information, visit www.fnamerica.com.
