Enforce Tac 2026 – Fiocchi adds a new 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE C-UAS munition to its portfolio
As many ammunition companies, Fiocchi, part of the CSG group, is looking at the threat posed by drones, and is proposing solutions to provide the warfighter with a self-defence capability. At Enforce Tac it unveiled a new ammunition, the 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE, optimised for the C-UAS role
At DSEI 2025 Fiocchi unveiled two 12-gauge ammunition designed to counter UAVs; however, as EDR On-Line understood, adding a shotgun to the infantry team weaponry, and training soldiers to use it, is not as easy as we think, and moreover not many such rifles are available. Many of those comments came from the Ukrainian front, the Italian company based in Lecco having participated in a trade fair in Kiel in October 20025, getting some feedback from Ukrainian military.
Fiocchi therefore decided to develop ammunition compatible with the most common assault rifles, starting from the 5.56×45 which is definitely the most widely used in western countries, developing in parallel a round for rifles chambered for the Soviet-era 5.45×39 mm. These are known respectively as the 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE and the 5.56×39 DD W-BITE MB, which exploit the tungsten shot technology adopted in the 12-gauge rounds.
The NATO calibre is the one mostly used, and the new round does not require any changing in the weapon, as it is fully compatible with all assault rifles that accept NATO standard ammunition and magazines, EDR On-Line understanding that it has been tested with M4 and M5 carbines, Beretta NARP and AR160, Heckler & Koch assault rifles and others. Adding a couple of magazines filled with the 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE to the soldiers will provide them with a last ditch defence capability, something that might well become a lifesaver against the smaller drones like FPVs or DJI-type UAVs. Against those drones the new ammunition has an operating range of 50 to 70 meters, with excellent hit probability and excellent impact damage, according to Fiocchi representatives, and can be used both in urban and extra-urban scenarios. EDR On-Line was asked to avoid revealing exact numbers, but we can say that Fiocchi selected an option with a relatively high number of tungsten spheres of small dimensions, this increasing hit probability while decreasing the risk of collateral damages, especially in urban areas.
Tungsten was selected over lead, although the cost is one order of magnitude higher, as it is considered optimal for penetrating the light structure of the types of drones targeted by the 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE, we should not forget that its density is around 18 grams/cm3 versus the around 11 grams/cm3 of lead, which means over 60% more, adding to kinetic energy, its Brinell hardness being two orders of magnitude higher.
The new round is produced using the same lines employed for standard 5.56 mm ammunition, the case being the same, the jacket being in copper alloy while the tip is in plastic, its shape being studied for avoiding stopping when it is chambered. The tip is round, not the best aerodynamical shape, but contrary o armour piercing rounds, the 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE does not have to maintain speed during flight. As soon as it exits the barrel muzzle the two sides of the round open letting the spheres flying forward towards the flying target; in most cases it will fly towards the shooter, adding its velocity to that of the spheres, increasing considerably their energy on target. Muzzle velocity is 650 m/s, part of it being maintained by the spheres during their flight, and maximum range is considered 80-100 metres, although here both hit probability and kill capacity are reduced.
Industry tests were carried out, with 5-10 rounds bursts, against a 2×2 metres aluminium target 1 mm thick at 40 metres distance, and all spheres penetrated the target, jackets also adding their effect. A further test was done by an Italian Army elite unit; burst fire at 40, 50 and 60 metres again static targets gave similar results, a small and highly manoeuvrable FPV being neutralised at 30-40 metres distance in the dynamic test.
These tests led to some modification, mostly on the mass of the jackets, which were opening too early, dispersion becoming too high. A further test campaign was done in early December 2025 (development started in late September) with the Italian Army C-UAS Centre of Excellence of the Army Air Defence Command based in Sabaudia with the modified round which is considered the final prototype. At 60-80 metres a high percent of spheres penetrated the target, while in a real test against a DIJ drone this was downed at 60-65 metres distance. Depending on shooters expertise, one engagement could require from 5 to 10 rounds.
Those tests confirmed the design, and since then Fiocchi started developing the product line and industrializing it. The 5.56×45 SJ 77 MB DD W-BITE should be available in late April, around seven months after the idea was launched, just after DSEI 2025. But the company will not stop there: a new ammunition in 7.62×51 calibre, known as 7.62×51 SJ 135 MB DD W-BITE is already in development EDR On-Line understanding it uses, at least for the time being, the same spheres of the smaller calibre ammo, first in-house tests having already started. Unveiling at Eurosatory?
Photos by P. Valpolini
