Collaborative Research into Small Arms Technology

Collaborative Research Into Small Arms Technology (CRISAT) is the name of a series of studies conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), identifying and defining threats with regard to the standardisation in the manufacturing of military equipment.^[1] The CRISAT target is defined as a 1.6 mm titanium (UK IMI Ti 318) plate supplemented by 20 layers of Kevlar (UK/SC/4468) as defined in STANAG 4512.^[1] This target is intended to replicate the personal protection used by former Warsaw Pact countries, and it is still used as a reference.^[1] The CRISAT target will stop the commonly used 9×19mm Parabellum full metal jacket cartridge,^[1] but it is pierced by the newer 5.7×28mm and 4.6×30mm personal defense weapon cartridges at ranges in excess of 200 meters.^[2]

Areas of Study

Technology Area 1

This study concerns Target Definition. It was done by the U.S. It defines for example the area of a CRISAT crouching man: 0.37m².

Technology Area 2

This study concerns Terminal Effects. It was done by the U.K. It defines the ability to incapacitate within a few seconds, the Rapid Incapacitation Target (RIT) model.

Technology Area 3

This study concerns Target Acquisition. It was done by France.

Technology Area 4

This study concerns Materials. It was done by the U.S.

Technology Area 5

This study concerns Propellants. It was done by Germany.

Technology Area 6

Undisclosed.

Technology Area 7

Undisclosed.

Technology Area 8

This study concerns Power & Electronics Systems. It was done by the U.S.

Technology Area 9

This study concerns Analysis of Effectiveness. It was done by the U.K.

References

1. Valpolini, Paolo (June 2009). "There are Two Types of Men in this World..." (PDF). http://armadainternational.com - Armada International (Online). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2010-02-13. External link in |publisher= (help)
2. Owen, William F. (2007). "Current Light Weapons Issues. Bullets, not guns!" (PDF). http://asianmilitaryreview.com - Asian Military Review. Retrieved 2010-04-12. External link in |publisher= (help)