replacing the propellant binder with a binder more environmentally and cost friendly. It also aims to reduce the heat ablation on the inside of the weapon by modifying the burn rate of the propellant, and by giving the round an exterior coating to absorb or prevent transferred heat. Benefits the system has gained from using the caseless ammunition go beyond the unparalleled weight and volume reduction to, for example, the lack of ejected shells (which both improves the weapon's protection from dirt and removes any need to 'police' cases after firing). The ammo was still in development as of 2012. See also Future Combat Systems Future Force Warrior References External links Army.mil article Kitup.military.com – Army Closer to Era of Lightweight Ammo Scribd.com article Defense Update Docstoc.com article 5.56 mm firearms Assault rifles Caseless firearms Light machine guns Personal weapons Proposed weapons Proposed weapons of the United States Upcoming products