The golden age of polymer cased ammunition has probably already begun. Certainly, Norwegian-Finnish ammunition manufacturer Nammo seems to believe that, as they recently took a significant stake in American company MAC, LLC, makers of polymer-cased composite ammunition, some of which has already been type-classified by the United States Navy. MAC, LLC will continue as an independent company. Nammo announced the acquisition via a press release, which is embedded below:

Bay St. Louis. MS. January 26 2018, 08:00 CST.
Nammo is proud to announce that it has taken an ownership position in MAC LLC, a leader in the development and production of lightweight polymer cartridge cases for small and medium caliber ammunition.

Managing the weight of weapons and ammunition continues to be a major challenge for today’s armed forces, causing fatigue for individual soldiers, while reducing range and endurance for vehicles and aircraft. Responding to this challenge, MAC LLC has spent several years developing and commercializing lightweight, polymer-based solutions for military and aerospace markets, significantly reducing the weight of military ammunition products. Nammo, as one of the leading providers of specialty ammunition for military and commercial customers in the western world, believes that this technology will strengthen its ability to provide a reliable advantage to its customers.
Morten Brandtzæg, President and CEO of the Nammo Group says, “Our ownership position in MAC LLC is perfect for Nammo. Their technology and products are complementary to our product portfolio and we see a strong future for lightweight solutions. MAC LLC will strengthen our group’s strategic position in the US and international ammunition markets.”

Reijo Bragberg, Executive Vice President of Nammo Small and Medium Caliber Ammuniton says: “This is a very exciting opportunity for Nammo. We are now joining with a company that is the frontrunner in development of lightweight technologies, which are of great importance for our defense customers”.

Nick Malkovich, President of MAC LLC , “Supported by Nammo, MAC LLC will continue to develop technologies and support our troops with superior lightweight ammunition solutions. We are extremely satisfied to have Nammo as one of our owners. Nammo is well known for their high performance products and for being a reliable supplier of products that give advantage to US and allied customers. Nammo and MAC LLC are in many ways a perfect match.”

MAC LLC will continue to operate as they have, providing a leadership role in lightweight ammunition solutions, and will be an important partner in Nammo’s US growth plan going forward.

The acquisition has been reviewed and approved by the US government.

MAC, LLC is already making polymer cased composite ammunition for General Dynamics’ .338 Norma Magnum caliber Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG). It seems likely that Nammo will partner with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) if the company participates in any upcoming military contracts, as the lightweight ammunition provider leveraging MAC, LLC technology. Given that the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) have already solicited for 5,000 .338 caliber machine guns, this acquisition gives Nammo the ability to provide lightweight cased ammunition in support of this and any future contracts. Acquisition by Nammo will greatly increase the amount of ammunition that can be produced; previously MAC, LLC was only capable of producing 10 million rounds a year – a number that is greatly insufficient for military needs.

The .264 USA in both brass and polymer composite cased configurations. Image credit: Anthony G. Williams, used with permission.

MAC, LLC is also the maker of .264 USA lightweight polymer cased composite ammunition, which is a likely component of the recent solicitation for a .264 USA rifle system released by the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) and the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG).

Polymer composite cased ammunition in the incarnation seen so far from MAC, LLC consists of a single-piece polymer body, coupled with an enveloping brass or steel case base, which extends midway up the first part of the case, similar to how high wall brass polymer shotshells are constructed. Polymer cased composite ammunition promises lower costs, and approximately 20% lighter round weight (variable with caliber and projectile weight) savings versus conventional brass cased ammunition.

H/T to Soldier Systems Daily