Colt ACR

The Colt ACR (Advanced Combat Rifle) was a prototype assault rifle developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company in the late 1980s as part of the U.S. Army's Advanced Combat Rifle program. This program aimed to improve the hit probability of soldiers on the battlefield compared to the standard M16A2 rifle.

Colt's entry, like other submissions in the ACR program, focused on improving first-round hit probability. The Colt ACR featured a duplex round, meaning each cartridge contained two smaller bullets instead of one. The intent was to increase the likelihood of at least one projectile hitting the target, even if the shooter's aim was not perfectly precise. The rifle also incorporated an optical sight to improve target acquisition and engagement.

The duplex ammunition used by the Colt ACR was specifically designed for the weapon. Upon firing, both projectiles would travel down the barrel and be ejected. The recoil impulse was expected to be less than that of the 5.56x45mm NATO round used in the M16A2.

Despite demonstrating a slight improvement in hit probability during testing, the Colt ACR, along with other ACR program entries, failed to meet the Army's requirement of a 100% improvement over the M16A2. As a result, the ACR program was ultimately unsuccessful, and the M16A2 remained the standard issue rifle. The Colt ACR represents an interesting, though ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to drastically improve small arms effectiveness through innovative ammunition and weapon design. The experience gained from the ACR program influenced subsequent small arms development efforts.