SSS.6.203 - Combat Application Technologies CAT/CACM 556 and the MK18 5.56x45mm Short Barrel Automatic AR15 Rifle (Free Version)
/Combat Application Technologies CAT/CACM 556 on the MK18 5.56x45mm AR15 with 10.3-in Barrel
The CAT/CACM 556 (“CACM 556” in this report) is designed by Combat Application Technologies (CAT). It is a .223 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, optimized to suppress the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge on reciprocating weapons, including the CACM 556 rifle system. It has a 1.6-inch diameter and the silencer core is 5.84 inches long. The included AI NANO QD mount has wrench flats that increase the total system length to 6.1 inches. The commercial CACM 556 silencer is DMLS (3D-printed) from a proprietary Inconel alloy, whereas the specimen evaluated in this test program report is titanium. The core of the titanium version of the silencer weighs 9.2 ounces and the 1/2-28tpi AI NANO mount weighs 2.4 ounces, for a total system weight of 11.6 ounces, as tested. The core of the Inconel version of the silencer weighs approximately 17.1 ounces, for a total system weight of approximately 19.5 ounces.
Currently, the CACM 556 silencer is only available from Combat Application Technologies as part of the CACM 556 rifle system. However, silencers using the CACM 556 suppression technology are slated to be available from the developer of the NANO muzzle device; Apparition Instruments. That subject silencer has model designation 5CM. Performance is likely similar.
This report presents a standard untuned MK18 rifle suppression evaluation with the CACM 556 silencer to provide maximum data utility and comparative performance analysis.
PEW Science is an independent private testing laboratory and also hosts the world’s only independent public suppressed small arms research cooperative. Testing, data analysis, and reporting is generated with funding provided by PEW Science members. Any test data that is generated with any portion of private funding contains this disclosure. The testing and analysis production for this Sound Signature Review was funded in part by PEW Science Project PEW-CAT-059-005-25. Therefore, data pertaining to the CAT/CACM 556 in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of Combat Application Technologies.
The testing and analysis presented in this Sound Signature Review is of the CAT CACM 556 mounted with its included AI NANO mount on the MK18 Automatic AR15 rifle rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO with a 10.3-inch barrel. Federal XM193 55gr ammunition was used in the test. The standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system is described in Public Research Supplement 6.51.
Report Table of Contents:
Section 6.203.1 contains a CAT CACM 556 Performance Summary and Example Hybrid Design Technology Comparison (CAT SURGE BYPASS vs. KAC PRT)
Section 6.203.2 contains CAT CACM 556 test results and analysis on the standard untuned MK18.
Section 6.203.3 contains overall Suppression Rating comparisons of the CAT CACM 556 with dedicated 223 and 30 caliber silencers on the current market, including the CAT KK, FOR Systems Monarch Recce, Engaged Industries Operator 5.56, Q Southpaw, Centurion Arms Maximus-L, Otter Creek Labs Infinity, PTR VENT Spiritus 556i, LMT AT ION LT, HUXWRX FLOW 556 Ti, Off Grid Operator Ti, Surefire SOCOM556-MINI2, KAC QDC/CRS-PRT, KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT, Surefire SOCOM556-RC3, Otter Creek Labs Polonium-30, AAC M4-2000 Mod 08, PTR VENT 3, SilencerCo Velos LBP, BOSS Guillotine, CAT WB, PWS BDE 556, CAT ODB, Aero Precision Lahar-30L, Lahar-30, HUXWRX FLOW 762 Ti, Maxim Defense DSX, Thunder Beast Dominus, KAC 5.56 QDC, CGS SCI-SIX, Dead Air Nomad-30, YHM Turbo T2, Dead Air Sandman-S, HUXWRX FLOW 556k, Energetic Armament ARX, KAC QDSS-NT4, Rugged Razor556, Otter Creek Labs Polonium and Polonium-K, Surefire SOCOM556-RC2, HUXWRX HX-QD 556 and HX-QD 556k, Q Trash Panda, CGS Helios QD, SilencerCo Saker 556, Rugged Razor762, and others.
Section 6.203.4 contains an article summary and PEW Science laboratory staff opinions.
Summary: When paired with the 10.3-in barrel MK18 and fired with Federal XM193, the CAT CACM 556 with the included AI NANO mount achieved a composite Suppression Rating™ of 43.0 in PEW Science testing.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings.
6.203.1 CAT/CACM 556 Performance Summary and Example Hybrid Design Technology Comparison
The PEW Science Silencer Sound Standard includes the 5.56x45mm NATO suppression evaluation of a variety of different rifle silencer technologies. Of the technologies proliferating in the current market, hybrid designs provide the greatest performance potentials while balancing operator and bystander protection and weapon system reliability and longevity. Specifically, these types of silencers use early venting and different pressure stages to relieve stagnation and increase suppression efficiency in a given design envelope, while also significantly reducing back pressure. For more details, performance evaluations, and in-depth signature comparisons of hybrid and conventional designs, the reader may examine analysis that is previously published in:
Member Research Supplement 6.103 (supersonic 5.56 NATO)
Member Research Supplement 6.115 (supersonic 7.62 NATO)
Member Research Supplement 6.124 (subsonic 300 BLK)
Member Research Supplement 6.169 (supersonic 5.56 NATO), and recently
Member Research Supplement 6.184 (subsonic 9mm).
The subject report presents an evaluation of the Combat Application Technologies CAT/CACM 556 rifle silencer that utilizes an iteration of CAT SURGE BYPASS, as previously examined in other CAT rifle silencers such as the WB (6.129), ODB (6.120), TSWIF (6.193), and KK (6.197).
The CAT CACM 556 and CAT KK silencers represent some of the most mature examples of SURGE BYPASS utilization in the group, achieving their greatest performance potentials using the AI NANO mounting system. The two silencers provide high suppression performance in their size classes, and both are able to do so on relatively short barrel lengths. The CACM 556 is approximately 6.1 inches long, whereas the KK is 4.75 inches long. Together, they represent extreme examples of silencer form factor optimization and are considered to be representative of the “state of the art.”
Other examples of hybrid design technologies, applied to different form factors on the same weapon platforms, exist in the research pedigree and have been evaluated in-depth. A relatively well known example is from KAC; their Pressure Reduction Technology (PRT) is a hybrid design class in which early time flow rate is significantly elevated compared to legacy KAC QDC silencer designs and advanced blast dynamics are used to reduce first-round-pop (FRP) propagation. An exhaustive evaluation of this technology is presented in KAC Report 6.156 with 16 tests.
For reader context, industry comparison, and a showcase of general suppression technology progress, a performance comparison of four silencers is presented in Figure 1, below: two CAT SURGE BYPASS units (CACM 556 and KK) and two KAC PRT units (556-QDC/CRS-PRT and 556-QDC/MCQ-PRT). The host weapon system is kept constant, and metrics shown are in terms of PEW Science Suppression Rating, which is a human risk metric calculated from raw free field blast overpressure test data. The calculated risk metrics for the unsuppressed case are also presented.
Figure 1. Suppression Rating Comparisons of CAT SURGE BYPASS and KAC PRT Technologies Using PEW-SOFT 5.56x45mm Supersonic MK18 Test Data and PEW Science Analysis
From the above data, it is clear that rifle silencer suppression technology is advancing at a rapid pace. The KAC PRT hybrid technology is relatively recent (developed in the past decade); the silencers are engineered, the designs optimized, and the manufacturing methods to produce them are advanced. The CAT SURGE BYPASS hybrid technology is also relatively recent (portions developed in the past half decade); these systems are also optimized and produced with advanced manufacturing. However, it is not only purposeful design and advanced manufacturing that can contribute to high performance for the end user. Some designs perform better than others, even in the same size classes; there are clear behavioral differences that are showcased with real measured test data and engineering analysis. The performance differentials may be nontrivial, even between new technologies released today. The above metrics are calculated from test data generated on a standard untuned host; weapon system tuning may raise performance potentials, as has been demonstrated in previous public research.
Detailed CAT CACM 556 test data and analysis follows.
6.203.2 CAT CACM 556 Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the CAT CACM 556 is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. The data acquired 0.15 m (6 in) right of the shooter’s ear is only available to membership supporters of PEW Science and the Silencer Sound Standard. You can support public PEW Science testing, research, and development with a membership, here. State-of-the-art public firearm sound signature testing and research conducted by PEW Science is supported by readers like you.
Table 1. CAT CACM 556 Sound Metric Summary
6.203.2.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 6-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. Six cartridges were loaded into the magazine, the fire control group positioned to single-shot, and the weapon was fired until the magazine was empty and the bolt locked back on the follower of the empty magazine. Only five shots are considered in the analysis. The signatures of Shot 6 are displayed in the data presentation but are not included in the analysis to maintain consistency with the overall PEW Science public dataset and bolt-closing signatures. The waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science laboratory sound signature testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz). The peaks, shape, and time phasing (when the peaks occur in relation to absolute time and to each other) of these raw waveforms are the most accurate of any firearm silencer testing publicly available. PEW-SOFT data is acquired by PEW Science independent laboratory testing; the recognized industry leader in silencer sound research. For more information, please consult the Silencer Sound Standard.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 6 shots with the CAT CACM 556 are shown in Figure 2a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in Figure 12b, in early time. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 6-shot test are shown in Figure 3a. In Figure 3b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shots 2 and 3.
Fig 2a. CAT CACM 556 5.56x45mm NATO MK18 Automatic Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 2b. CAT CACM 556 5.56x45mm NATO MK18 Automatic Rifle Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 3a. CAT CACM 556 5.56x45mm NATO MK18 Automatic Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 3b. CAT CACM 556 5.56x45mm NATO MK18 Automatic Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
The Combat Application Technologies CACM 556 is a standard size (6 inch size class) 5.56 rifle silencer intended for use with the 12-in barrel CAT CACM rifle system. However, the CACM 556 also provides significant suppression performance in high pressure applications on shorter barrels. Like its smaller sister silencer, the 4.75-in CAT KK (6.197), the CACM 556 is a hybrid design, and uses a unique adaptation of CAT’s SURGE BYPASS technology. In order to achieve the requisite performance from the system as designed, a 1x16 LH AI NANO mount is included with the silencer. Unlike the case with the KK, the CACM 556 will accept the use of longer standard 1x16 LH mounts. PEW Science urges caution in that using mounts other than the AI NANO with the CACM 556 will reduce performance, as verified by internal testing and analysis.
By every measurable blast propagation parameter and calculated risk metric, the CAT CACM 556 is a suppression performance leader on the standard 10.3-in barrel MK18. In addition to possessing the highest calculated muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating in the published research pedigree to date, its calculated ear (operator) Suppression Rating reaches 30 on the untuned host and the combustion propagation control from the silencer is significant. This combined level of performance is unprecedented, demonstrates extreme suppression and flow rate balance, and the conclusion holds regardless of silencer size. When considering the silencer has a 1.6-in diameter and 6.1-in total mounted length, it is likely that the CAT CACM 556 silencer is an example of one of the greatest performance balances with form factor examined in the research. There are further performance factors of note discussed below.
PEW Science Research Note 1: Unusual blast load propagation is produced by the CAT CACM 556 silencer on the 10.3-in MK18, in the context of the research. Notable observations from the above measurements are:
Unusually low free field blast pressure amplitude with more rapid blowdown than typical (Fig. 2a).
Relatively slow bolt carrier group (BCG) return to battery in all shots (Fig. 2a).
Extremely consistent and low amplitude first coupled jetting after defined precursor (Fig. 2b).
While FRP jetting is immediate (~30 ms, Fig. 2b), it is extremely low amplitude and minimal and steady rarefaction is maintained even during primary blowdown. FRP is quenched early (Fig. 2b and 3b).
FRP stability is achieved prior to peak accumulation, and at a lower amplitude than in subsequent shots (Fig. 3b).
The measured performance observations in (1) through (5), combined, indicate that the CAT CACM 556 silencer has one of, if not the highest, balanced suppression performance potentials with flow rate that has been evaluated in the research to date, on this weapon system. Notable “runner-up” competitors with extremely balanced performance on this system are:
PTR VENT 3 (6.135) - two inches longer, similar gross performance, but unable to completely mask FRP on this platform
HUXWRX FLOW 556 Ti (6.167) - distal flow rate may induce undesirable blast load reflections near surfaces
Centurion Arms Maximus-L (6.180) - strong performance, but lacks advanced FRP control and consistency
PTR VENT Spiritus 556i (6.175) - excellent performance example, but it is surpassed in distal blast propagation control
CAT ODB (6.120) - over-bored and longer (a 7.62 silencer)
With the above five comparative examples, it is clear that the size-envelope and performance combination possessed by the CAT CACM 556 is atypical.
PEW Science Research Note 2: Another unusual performance attribute of the CACM 556 silencer is that the early-time flow rate with this adaptation of SURGE BYPASS is relatively high; but the late time flow rate, as measured by the distal blast momentum propagation rate derived from the impulse measurements and quantified by a higher PEW Science Omega Metric, is relatively low. In practical terms, the CACM 556 has “low back pressure” but protects the operator and bystander from undue reflections outside of the free field (near reflecting surfaces). This type of behavior is somewhat like combining the 5.56 suppression performance of an Otter Creek Labs Infinity 5.56 end cap (6.179) with the aforementioned PTR VENT 3, but in a 6-inch package with superior FRP control. This performance combination is not achieved with any other silencer tested by PEW Science to date, on this weapon system.
PEW Science Research Note 3: At the time of writing, the measured performance of the CAT CACM 556 places it at the top of the overall MK18 PEW Science Rankings, nominally above the much larger PTR VENT 3. With regard to free field operator protection, the CAT CACM 556 is in the top 5 on the MK18, at number 4, right below the PTR VENT Spiritus 556i. For further context regarding both performance and size balance, the reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool (Members Only) for further independent study.
PEW Science Research Note 4: It is extremely important for the reader to understand the Suppression Ratings are computed with free field test data, and are therefore universal when translating the weapon and operator to different environments without reflections. However, when the environment becomes complex with many reflecting surfaces, performance translation of different systems is not yet possible; sound field shapes and particle velocities result in varied blast wave time-of-arrivals, as well as changes of blast load angles of incidence; these variations change amplitude and phase waveform components. As a result of these inevitable environmental complexities, user impressions will vary, as both the shooter and bystander. Nonetheless, hazard reduction efficacy in the free field, as characterized by the Suppression Rating, holds. The Suppression Rating comparisons are the current state-of-the-art, and the most “apples to apples” sound suppression performance comparisons that currently exist. Further research is ongoing. The reader should note the performance description in Research Note 2 regarding the CACM 556 capabilities. For example, shooting a CACM 556 indoors and a HUXWRX FLOW silencer indoors may result in significantly different blast overpressure risk profiles.
PEW Science Research Note 5: As in all semiautomatic AR15 weapon testing, a second pressure pulse originates from the ejection-port signature of the weapon and it occurs early enough in time such that its waves coalesce with that of the muzzle signature. However, in late time (at approximately 93 ms in Figure 1a) the mechanical noise of the bolt closing is observed. The pressure signature of Shot 6 does not display this event due to the bolt remaining open after the sixth and final round is fired from the magazine.
PEW Science Research Note 6: The closing time of the AR-15 bolt is directly related to the flow restriction of a silencer for a given weapon system. PEW Science has determined bolt closing time variation from the unsuppressed state to be a reliable indicator of silencer back pressure, with strong correlation with the PEW Science Back Pressure Metric, Omega and the alpha parameter. However, PEW Science has also determined that the indicator is unreliable upon upper receiver fouling. Sound signatures are not influenced by this fouling, as these kinematics occur in late time, after gas venting to atmosphere. Momentum transfer, weapon condition (upper receiver fouling), and other factors, can significantly influence bolt closing time. PEW Science urges the reader to exercise extreme caution if using the published bolt closing time to make determinations regarding silencer flow restriction (back pressure) or weapon system kinematics. This type of calculation may provide erroneous results, as the weapon condition at the time of each test is not published data. The time-scale duration showing bolt closing time is only published by PEW Science such that the signature data pedigree may be verified.
The shape, timing, and magnitudes of the early-time pressure pulses and overall shape of the impulse waveforms measured at the muzzle, from shot-to-shot, are relatively consistent. The consistency of the waveform amplitudes highlight the silencer’s overall sound performance consistency at the muzzle after the FRP, as well as the relative consistency of the tested automatic rifle firearm configuration.
As typically indicated, first-round sound signatures always differ from subsequent shots, as the atmosphere within the silencer changes. The FRP phenomenon cannot always be shown by viewing only the peak sound pressure. This is one of the reasons why The Silencer Sound Standard requires examining multiple sound signature metrics. Ammunition consistency can play a role in the determination of FRP, however, the close examination of measured pressure and impulse waveforms typically excludes ammunition from the possible factors influencing true FRP, due to the relative consistency of most high quality factory ammunition.
PEW Science Research Note 7: Note that the muzzle Suppression Rating of the CAT CACM 556 is 42.6 and the at-ear Suppression Rating is 30.0; different zones on the Suppression Rating Dose Chart, but both higher than typical on this weapon system. The lower back pressure of the CAT CACM 556, along with its advanced muzzle suppression, contributes to a less severe ejection port blast signature, which further decreases shooter hazard on the standard MK18 weapon system. Weapon tuning will influence hazard reduction efficacy, and is outside the scope of this study.
The signatures measured at the shooter’s ear are presented and analyzed in the full Member Version of this report.
Overall MK18 performance comparisons follow.
6.203.3 Suppression Rating Comparison (5.56x45mm from the MK18)
Figure 6 presents a comparison of the PEW Science Suppression Rating of the CAT CACM 556 with that of several other silencers on the MK18 weapon system. The standard PEW Science MK18 test host weapon system is described in Public Research Supplement 6.51.
Figure 6. Suppression Rating Comparisons of the CAT CACM 556 and other rifle silencers, Using PEW-SOFT 5.56x45mm Supersonic Test Data and PEW Science Analysis
Figure 6 presents an overall summary of the postulated hazards to the operator and bystanders when fielding a variety of different silencers on the standard MK18 weapon system. The CAT CACM 556 from this test program is shown in red. Hazards are expressed with the Suppression Rating; a holistic parameter that captures human inner ear damage risk potential from a measured impulsive complex blast overpressure signature during the entire time regime of weapon operation, including combustion, complete blowdown, and all mechanical operation, including the carrier group returning to battery, in the true free field. The parameter may be used with the dose chart at the beginning of this report. The PEW Science Suppression Rating is a damage risk criterion (DRC), a lower Suppression Rating indicates a higher personnel hazard in the free field - it is not a subjective quantity; it is an objective quantification of hearing damage risk potential. Due to its true free field test data origin and complete waveform analytical calculation basis, it is the only known universal suppressed weapon system signature comparison metric available. Analytically computed metrics are color-coded in the Rankings Table and keyed to the dose chart for user interpretation.
The following gross conclusions can be made from the metrics presented in Figure 6, above:
The CAT CACM 556 produces free field bystander hazard reduction on par with or exceeding that of the following silencers, on the MK18:
The free field operator (shooter) hazard reduction of the CAT CACM 556 with the standard untuned MK18 weapon system is higher than it is with several other designs due to its higher flow rate (lower back pressure) and efficient muzzle suppression for its size. The MK18 operator protection with the CAT CACM 556 is on par with or exceeding that of the:
The CAT CACM 556 exceeds the bystander hazard reduction performance of every silencer evaluated by PEW Science on the standard MK18, to date. Its operator Suppression Rating performance exceeds that of all conventional designs, on this weapon system.
As stated in Research Note 3, at the time of writing, the measured performance of the CAT CACM 556 places it at the top of the overall MK18 PEW Science Rankings, above the much larger PTR VENT 3. With regard to operator protection, the CAT CACM 556 is in the top 5 on the MK18, at number 4, right below the PTR VENT Spiritus 556i. For further context regarding both performance and size balance, the reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool (Members Only) for further independent study.
Hybrid designs continue to demonstrate significant performance with supersonic ammunition suppression, and silencers like the CAT CACM 556, and others, show that performance can be achieved in relatively typical and even compact design envelopes. The performance of these next generation systems are significantly elevated when compared to that of highly prolific previous generation hybrids such as the Surefire SOCOM556-RC2 (6.52) and other newly released military silencer hybrids such as the KAC PRT family (6.156) on this weapon system. Advanced hybrids utilizing technologies like SURGE BYPASS provides superior operator protection in the free field and even near reflecting surfaces. Users now have additional practical options to reduce weapon system length and maintain hazard reduction.
As detailed in this report, signature at the operator’s head is a function of both muzzle and ejection port signatures from the AR-15 weapon system. Specific weapon system parameters will dictate hazard reduction efficacy.
Small arm weapon system suppression performance is a spectrum. The PEW Science Suppression Rating and the Silencer Sound Standard help quantify this spectrum for end users and industry, objectively.
6.203.4 Review Summary: CAT CACM 556 on the MK18 5.56x45mm AR15 with 10.3-in Barrel
When paired with the 10.3-in barrel MK18 and fired with Federal XM193, the CAT CACM 556 with the included AI NANO mount achieved a composite Suppression Rating™ of 43.0 in PEW Science testing.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
PEW Science Laboratory Staff Opinion:
The Combat Application Technologies CACM 556 is a standard size 5.56 rifle silencer intended for high pressure applications. The combination of suppression performance and back pressure reduction of the CAT CACM 556 is currently unprecedented in the research. At a total length of 6.1-in with its included mount, the silencer provides hazard reduction that exceeds that of a significant amount of models on the current market, and even models that are significantly larger. The CACM implementation of SURGE BYPASS technology in the silencer demonstrates the further industry advancement in hybrid designs that continues to eclipse the performance of legacy systems. Though the silencer is intended for use on the dedicated CAT CACM 556 rifle platform, silencers using the CACM technology are slated to be available from the NANO muzzle device developer, Apparition Instruments, with model designation 5CM.
The CAT CACM 556 should be used with its included mount; it is not available in a “HUB” configuration. The retail version of the silencer is 3D printed Inconel alloy and future iterations are also available in titanium. In order to achieve the requisite performance from the system as designed, a 1x16 LH AI NANO mount is included with the silencer. Unlike the case with the CAT KK, the CACM 556 will accept the use of longer standard 1x16 LH mounts. PEW Science urges caution in that using mounts other than the AI NANO with the CACM 556 will reduce performance, as verified by internal testing and analysis.
By every measurable blast propagation parameter and calculated risk metric, the CAT CACM 556 is a suppression performance leader on the standard 10.3-in barrel MK18. In addition to possessing the highest calculated muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating in the published research pedigree to date, its calculated ear (operator) Suppression Rating reaches 30 on the untuned host and the combustion propagation control from the silencer is significant. This combined level of performance is unprecedented, demonstrates extreme suppression and flow rate balance, and the conclusion holds regardless of silencer size. When considering the silencer has a 1.6-in diameter and 6.1-in total mounted length, it is likely that the CAT CACM 556 silencer is an example of one of the greatest performance balances with form factor examined in the research.
At the time of writing, the measured performance of the CAT CACM 556 places it at the top of the overall MK18 PEW Science Rankings, above the much larger PTR VENT 3. With regard to operator protection, the CAT CACM 556 is in the top 5 on the MK18, at number 4, right below the PTR VENT Spiritus 556i. For further context regarding both performance and size balance, the reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool (Members Only) for further independent study.
PEW Science has not evaluated the durability of the CAT CACM 556. Its Inconel construction should provide requisite durability for a variety of use case. However, as always, the user should remain cognizant of their personal firing schedules. The user should contact Combat Application Technologies to ensure compatibility for their use case.
In this review, the CAT CACM 556 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task. PEW Science encourages the reader to remain vigilant with regard to all supersonic centerfire rifle suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by the firing of the supersonic 5.56x45mm cartridge are significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact. Silencer performance on automatic (reciprocating) rifles depends on many factors. Weapon configuration may significantly influence total suppressed small arm system performance.
The hearing damage potential of supersonic centerfire rifle use is significant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use.
