NATO PDW Trials: The Forbidden Saga of "MP7 vs P90" [ Collab with Oxide ]

Published on November 5, 2021
Duration: 24:28

The NATO PDW trials aimed to replace the 9x19mm NATO round, not specifically defeat heavy Russian armor. Both the FN 5.7x28mm and H&K 4.6x30mm failed to penetrate standard Soviet 6B3 armor, with the CRISAT target being significantly weaker. Political deadlock prevented a consensus until 2020, with Russia later developing its own PDW solutions within the 9mm framework.

Quick Summary

The NATO PDW trials aimed to replace the 9x19mm NATO round due to its diminishing effectiveness against modern body armor. Contrary to popular belief, the tested 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm cartridges could not penetrate standard Soviet 6B3 armor; the CRISAT target was much weaker.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: NATO PDW Trials & MP7 vs P90
  2. 01:28Common Myths vs. Trial Reality
  3. 03:23Trial Structure & Candidates
  4. 05:13Goal: Replacing 9x19mm NATO
  5. 06:59Armor Penetration: What Really Happened
  6. 10:33US Absence & Political Stalemate
  7. 13:08Technical Results: Who Won?
  8. 18:09Late STANAG & Russian Response

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main objective of the NATO PDW trials?

The primary goal of the NATO PDW trials was to find a replacement for the standard 9x19mm NATO cartridge. This was driven by concerns that the 9mm round was becoming less effective against increasingly advanced body armor used by potential adversaries.

Did the FN P90 and H&K MP7 cartridges penetrate Russian armor during the trials?

No, neither the 5.7x28mm (FN P90) nor the 4.6x30mm (H&K MP7) cartridges could penetrate the standard Soviet 6B3 armor tested. The 'CRISAT' target used was significantly weaker, designed to filter out 9mm rounds rather than represent heavy armor.

Why was there no consensus reached on a single PDW cartridge for NATO?

A political stalemate prevented a consensus. France and Belgium favored the 5.7x28mm, while Germany pushed for the 4.6x30mm. The US was also largely absent due to its own adoption of the M9 and focus on other priorities.

What was the outcome of the NATO PDW trials regarding standardization?

Consensus was finally reached in 2020 with STANAG 4509, standardizing both the 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm calibers. This occurred 18 years after the initial trials concluded, highlighting the long and complex nature of NATO standardization processes.

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