Description
25mm Enhanced PGU-20 Non-Energetic Fragmenting Armor-Piercing Test Projectile Cutaway
Item Overview
This inert 25mm cutaway represents the Enhanced PGU-20 Non-Energetic Fragmenting test projectile developed for the 25x137mm ammunition family. Its cutaway construction reveals the internal arrangement of the projectile and makes it an excellent display for studying modern medium-caliber ammunition. The offered item is a projectile only. It contains no explosive filler, incendiary composition, tracer mixture, propellant, or live primer and is not a complete cartridge.
Identification and Features
The Enhanced PGU-20 was an experimental multipurpose projectile intended to combine armor penetration with useful fragmentation while avoiding an explosive warhead. Public technical material identifies an aluminum projectile body, an advanced tungsten core, a two-piece nose cap, and a sintered-iron rotating band. The cutaway makes these design elements easier to see and helps distinguish this test concept from standard service PGU-20/U ammunition.
- Program name: Enhanced 25mm PGU-20
- Technical description: Non-Energetic Fragmenting, or NEF
- Common functional description: Fragmenting armor-piercing test projectile
- Caliber family: 25x137mm
- Offered configuration: Inert cutaway projectile only
- Projectile body: Aluminum
- Penetrator: Advanced tungsten core
- Nose construction: Two-piece nose cap
- Rotating band: Sintered iron
- Intended gun system: GAU-22/A 25mm Gatling gun
- Intended aircraft family: F-35 Lightning II
- Status: Inert and non-explosive
Cutaway Construction
The open section shows how the dense tungsten core fits inside the lighter aluminum body beneath the nose cap. On a complete projectile, the rotating band engages the gun barrel and helps seal the bore while the projectile is fired. The full developmental cartridge shown in technical material used a 25x137mm steel case, an M115 percussion primer, an IB-52 ignition pellet, and BALL POWDER propellant, but none of those cartridge components are included with this projectile-only listing.
Original Service Function
The proposed NEF projectile relied on speed, mass, and controlled mechanical breakup rather than an explosive charge. Against an armored target, the advanced tungsten core was designed to carry concentrated impact energy into the target. Against a thin-skinned target, the nose cap transferred impact forces into the aluminum body so the body and core could produce a fragment pattern. Because the projectile contained no explosive or incendiary payload, the term “non-energetic” described its terminal-effect design; a complete test cartridge still required primer and propellant to fire it.
Enhanced PGU-20 Development
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center worked together on the Enhanced PGU-20 concept. A public 2010 technical presentation connected the project to Joint Strike Fighter needs and described intended performance against both thin-skinned air targets and armored ground targets. Detailed penetration figures were not released publicly. Available records identify it as a development and test effort, so this listing does not claim that the Enhanced PGU-20 NEF projectile was type-classified, placed in regular production, or issued for operational combat use.
Difference From the Standard PGU-20/U
The Enhanced PGU-20 should not be confused with the established PGU-20/U armor-piercing incendiary cartridge. The service PGU-20/U is a separate 25x137mm design qualified for the five-barrel GAU-12/U and associated with the AV-8B Harrier. Published specifications describe that projectile as steel and list an incendiary function. The Enhanced test design shown here instead used an aluminum body and advanced tungsten core to create penetration and fragmentation without an energetic projectile payload.
Weapon System History
The Enhanced PGU-20 concept was developed around the GAU-22/A, an externally powered four-barrel 25mm Gatling gun selected for the F-35 Lightning II. General Dynamics derived the GAU-22/A from the five-barrel GAU-12/U while reducing its size and weight for the newer aircraft. Each barrel has its own bolt, and the rotating design spreads heat and firing loads across the gun. The F-35A carries its cannon internally, while the short-takeoff F-35B and carrier-based F-35C can use an external gun pod. The GAU-22/A can fire at rates up to about 3,300 shots per minute and uses linked or linkless feed systems depending on the installation.
History of Testing and Use
The program was intended to give one 25mm projectile useful effects against more than one target type. Test work focused on armor penetration, projectile breakup, and fragment distribution so the design could address both armored and light targets. The F-35 and GAU-22/A later entered military service and have been used in training and combat operations with approved service ammunition. No public record located for this listing confirms operational issue or combat firing of the developmental Enhanced PGU-20 NEF projectile itself, making this cutaway best understood as an engineering and test artifact rather than a fielded combat round.
Condition
This is an inert surplus test projectile with a cutaway section for display and study. It may show machining marks, cut edges, scratches, finish wear, discoloration, oxidation, handling marks, or other signs of age and storage. Internal component fit, finish, markings, and minor details may vary. This listing is for one inert cutaway projectile only; a cartridge case, primer, propellant, link, container, display stand, gun, and other accessories are not included unless specifically stated. Please check the pictures for the general condition and configuration of the item.
Ideal For
This uncommon cutaway is well suited for collections and exhibits focused on modern aircraft ammunition, experimental ordnance, medium-caliber projectile design, and the development of the F-35 gun system.
- 25mm and 25x137mm ammunition collections
- F-35 Lightning II and GAU-22/A displays
- Cutaway and sectioned ordnance collections
- Experimental ammunition exhibits
- Military museums and educational displays
- Engineering and projectile-design study
Approx length 2", Approx width 1", Approx height 1", Approx weight 0.1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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