无壳弹是一种小型枪械弹药，它并没有一般用来容纳底火，推进剂及抛射物的弹壳。无壳弹无壳弹是试图透过消除过往所由黄铜或钢铁制成的弹壳以降低重量及成本，同时通过免却退膛及上膛来简化操作

无壳弹在广义上，并不是一个新概念。一些早期的纸弹壳设计运用了可燃弹壳，于发射后没有显著的残余物；纸弹壳中包含火药、底火及弹托。这种设计是更早期纸弹壳的演变，为了外部点火枪口填装枪支及日渐广泛采用的金属弹壳。

1848年，美国发明家瓦特·杭特（Walter Hunt）将一种新型无壳弹应用到连发枪支上并申请专利。特殊形状的米尼式子弹后方中空的位置摆放了黑火药。杭特于连发杠杆式步枪中使用这些子弹。

Caseless ammunition is a type of small arms ammunition that eliminates the cartridge case that typically holds the primer, propellant, and projectile together as a unit.

Caseless ammunition is an attempt to reduce the weight and cost of ammunition by dispensing with the case, which is typically precision made of brass or steel, as well as to simplify the operation of repeating firearms by eliminating the need to extract and eject the empty case after firing. Its acceptance has been hampered by problems with production expenses, heat sensitivity, sealing, and fragility. Its use to date has been limited to prototypes and low-powered firearms.