Checked into SSD this morning, was shocked to see this:

https://soldiersystems.net/2023/01/16/the-fn-america-fna-previews-the-lightweight-intermediate-caliber-cartridge-licc-individual-weapon-system-iws-developed-for-the-irregular-warfare-technology-support-directorate-iwtsd/

.264 USA returns!

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/08/31/modern-intermediate-calibers-021-us-army-marksmanship-units-264-usa/

IWS is chambered in the LICC, a .264 (6.5 x 43mm) round which was initially developed by the US Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), Fort Benning, GA and optimized by FNA’s team.

Here’s an interesting aside regarding the naming of the cartridge. While under development by the AMU, the cartridge was referred to as .264 USA. As the ammunition underwent development, the working name was altered to .264 International in honor of the Allied partner co-sponsoring and co-funding the program. Eventually, the team settled on a simplified .264 as the path forward.

For the LICC IWS effort, FNA leads a best in class industry team consisting of four ammunition manufacturers, one magazine designer and manufacturer, and one suppressor designer and manufacturer.

The very name of the program is straight out of a 2016 briefing presented to NDIA’s Armament Systems Forum by IWTSD’s SME Jim Schatz entitled “A Path to Overmatch: Next Generation Individual Weapon System” in which he envisioned a new weapon firing a lightweight cartridge in .264 or .277.

Looks to be Shell Shocks case design (unconfirmed)

(note projectiles listed as 103-125gr; the CU OTM projectiles are 109 and 120gr)

To achieve the weight savings they were aiming for, the team evaluated a variety of cartridge types, ultimately settling on a two-piece, lightweight steel design with stainless steel head and case body

This seemed like an odd choice to many. FNA related that …“stainless steel performs differently than what was initially expected with a new lightweight cartridge. As an industry, we understand how brass cartridges perform and behave in the weapon chamber. We learned lightweight cartridges behave differently, outside normal expectations. We had to understand the science of the cartridge technology and use its characteristics to produce efficiencies and performance improvements that are superior t

Rifle design looks nice, a sort of SCAR / AR hybrid. 

Note the new charging handle location, thats decidedly more 'AK style'. Its mirrored on both sides, not sure if reciprocating.

Our previous discussion of Shell Shock / 2 piece steel cases

http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/7121/1

Note the similarity to the FN .264 case base:

FN's seems more refined, it has a sort of 'step down' base. But both are heavily scalloped to reduce weight.

gatnerd said:

.264 USA returns!

Not really. The goal is the same, but the product is different.

The .264 USA was based on the .30 Remington case head and was 48 mm long.

After extensive tests, it was found that a shorter cartridge / action was needed to closely mimic the "AR-15 feeling", so the current case is based on the bigger "12 mm" case head (7.9 mm Patrone, .30-06", .300 Savage, 7,62 mm NATO...) but with a shorter case (43 mm), so the complete round is only ~2.5" long.

The ballistic is very interesting, with above 2500 J from a 14.5" barrel, and 2900 J from a 20".

Great info, thank you.

Is France involved in the project at all? 

Ah, quite pleased with this bit of internet detectiving.

I'm 85% sure now that it is indeed a Shell Shock case.

NovX, which has previously partnered with Shell Shock, has recently released rifle cartridges using an updated SS case design (the previous SS/AL case appears to have failed.)

Note the 'stepped down' base, as far as I can see identical to the one used by FN:

https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/novx-pentagon-5-56x45mm-with-nas3-stainless-steel-casing-and-55gr-solid-copper-hp/49568

EmericD said:

so the current case is based on the bigger "12 mm" case head (7.9 mm Patrone, .30-06", .300 Savage, 7,62 mm NATO...) but with a shorter case (43 mm), so the complete round is only ~2.5" long.

so we )they :) are basically back to the square titled "270/30 British" of the early 1950s fame, right?

mpopenker said:

so we )they :) are basically back to the square titled "270/30 British" of the early 1950s fame, right?

Yes, but with some improvements that gives the cartridge "unic" performances.

gatnerd said:

I'm 85% sure now that it is indeed a Shell Shock case.

You can write 100%.

gatnerd said:

Note the new charging handle location, thats decidedly more 'AK style'. Its mirrored on both sides, not sure if reciprocating.

The SSD article says it is non-reciprocating.