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About the WING

The Armaments and Ballistics Wing carry-out research works related to armaments and ballistics. In addition to its core functions to develop new weapon systems and armaments, the Wing also undertakes ballistic related projects such as range constructions, development of new live firing training modules and quality testing and forensic assessment of firearms, ammunition and military protective gears of Tri-Services and investigation support to Tri-Services and MOD on firearms and ammunition related incidents.

Ongoing Projects

1. A Study on 9 x 19 mm and 7.62 x 39 mm Bullet Holes on Automotive Sheet Metals to Design Software Based Tool in Aid of Bullet Trajectory Determination in Shooting Investigations
2. A Laser Based Gunner / Crew Training System for Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (for 6 x units)
3. A Knowledge Based Wound Ballistics Study on AK (7.62x39 mm) and 9 mm Close Range Entry Wound Characteristics using Porcine Skin

Chief Coordinator

Lt Col SLD Fernando

Our Team

Maj WRC Ariyarathna

Research Officer

Completed Projects

Ballistic rubber is used to prevent bullets ricochet in indoor firing ranges. These products are highly expensive. The CDRD introduced the first locally developed ballistic rubber of Sri Lanka with a local company (Microcells Pvt Ltd) proved to be sufficient to contain a directly fired high-velocity shot from a close range, such as 6 inches. With the improved elasticity and strength to absorb a higher number of shots using a synthetic and natural rubber mixture, the rubber product finally proved to be very economical during the final test firing while assuring maximum safety to the firers.

The first sets of ballistic rubber were installed at Commando Regiment Ganemulla (MILO Firing Range) and in the Underground firing range Vavunia.

This 40 feet indoor live firring range is designed for target practice purposes. The range is a pistol rated with a single firing lane. The basic concrete infrastructure had been completed by Special Forces a few years ago and was being abandoned. On the request of the Commander of the Army, CDRD undertook the task of completing the range. The project was handed over to Special Force in the year 2019.

The project involved designing of assault shields to protect from direct small arms fire. This was completed as a special request by the Special Forces during the post- Easter Attacks. The project was handed over to Special Force in the year 2019.

Indexed as Ce-FRAD-2019, the pistol rated mobile live firing range is installed inside a 40 ft long shipping container and fully ballistic, protected with newly-developed ballistic rubber, that too has been manufactured and newly-developed by the same researcher.

CDRD successfully managed to develop the first low-cost prototype for Rs 4.6 million, with all facilities, available in such units produced overseas. Ce-FRAD 2019 is considered as a significant outcome for the Sri Lankan military as it also built as a module to introduce the indoor live firing range concept for the Sri Lankan Military.

Completing another successful research project, the Defence Ministry’s Centre for Research and Development (CRD) introduced a new method for ‘Blue Gun’ production to Sri Lankan Tri-Services. This initiative minimises the damages caused to real weapons of high value while increasing their lifetime and ensuring the safety of trainees. CRD has fabricated replicas of Browning HP Pistol and an HK Gun for the purpose. Blue Guns are heavily used by the world’s professional militaries for weapon handling and training sessions without live rounds.

CDRD Introduced the first Digital Close Quarter Combat Theatre (MILO Range) of Sri Lanka which could facilitate live-firing training sessions of Commandos and Special Forces.

This exceptionally-designed low-cost digital training theatre, equipped with live firing facility was specially designed for Commandos and Special Forces and operates on a digital platform similar to the MILO ranges in the US. The new system uses life size real videos running on surrounding digital screens to provide trainees real time feelings, combined with stress and ambiguity, instead of 3D objects, generally projected in traditional simulators.

Live firing can be used in this way to train special operation soldiers and evaluate their performance under stress and different training scenarios, like shoot or no shoot, skill-building, decision-making, etc. The system also includes an instant feedback system which playbacks every episode for the trainees and instructors to see their performances in return for self-evaluation.

“AK Bullet Trajectory Plotter”, use the dimensions of AK bullet holes produced in soft-skinned vehicles to estimate the trajectories of the fired bullets and proved to be effectively employed to identify the possible shooter direction, when it is unknown. The research outcome which saw the light after a series of scientific experiments was introduced as a reliable and novel method for the existing bullet trajectory reconstruction methods practised in the world. Due to the international significance of the findings to the field of Forensic Ballistics, the research outcomes have been published in the famed peer-reviewed journals in the world “Journal of Forensic Sciences” and “ Forensic Science International” published by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, USA and Elsevier Publishers.

The new method was introduced and demonstrated for the Police and Military Police units of the Tri-services, at the Army Field Firing Range, PANALUWA.

Customized 2 x ballistic blankets were developed for the use of the Commander of the Army. This was a special request from the Sri Lanka Army. Ballistic blankets are used to protect VIPs travelling in soft-skinned vehicles. The project was handed over to Army Commander's Security Unit in 2019.