MAC, LLC, the Mississippi-based lightweight polymer tech specialists, have won a $10 million indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract to provide the US Marine Corps with uptp 2.4 million rounds of hybrid polymer/brass-cased .50 calibre ammunition. The contract will allow the USMC to evaluate the new ammunition in user trials

MAC, LLC describe themselves as “a technology-based company focusing on development and commercialization of lightweight, polymer-based solutions for military and aerospace markets.” In 2018, we reported the NAMMO, the Nordic munitions and defense corporation, had acquired MAC but the USMC contract is in MAC’s name, not their parent company NAMMO’s.

The USMC have been interested in polymer for a number of years, culminating in a sole source solicitation for .50 cal polymer cased ammunition. The $10 million award to MAC answers this requirement.

Here’s the Department of Defense’s contract award notice:

MAC LLC, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is awarded a $9,998,493 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of up to a maximum of 2,400,000 MK323 Mod 0 polymer cased .50 caliber linked cartridges, and .50 caliber armor piercing/armor piercing incendiary polymer cased linked cartridges. Work will be performed in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by January 2024. Fiscal 2019 procurement ammunition (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $3,051,359 will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following contract award and funds will expire the end of fiscal 2021. The contract was awarded on a sole source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1.The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-20-D-5200).

A U.S. Marine with II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, fires an M2 machine gun during the II MIG Field Exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 5, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Larisa Chavez)

The USMC have released an announcement offering some more details on the contract and their hopes for the new ammunition. The Corps is looking to make significant weight savings with the new ammo also likely leading to the adoption of polymer ammo cans to replace current steel ones and nylon links rather than metal ones. In theory lightening the load of Marines.

“Polymer ammunition meets the same specifications for effectiveness as the brass ammo,” said Lt. Col. Bill Lanham, MCSC’s deputy program manager for Ammunition. He continued “polymer ammo gives Marines the opportunity to carry more ammunition or make trades with what gear is important to carry during combat.”

The Marine Corps is also keen to stress the logistical and practical benefits of the new ammunition citing less fuel, vehicles and logistical effort needed to move the lighter ammunition while the polymer may also aid in minimising parts breakage and wear according to said John Carpenter, assistant
program manager for engineering with PM Ammunition.

The Navy will partner with the Marine Corps to further advance their lightweight case and link development
for a solution. While the US Army also continues to investigate polymer cased ammunition both inside and outside of its flagship Next Generation Squad Weapon small arms program.

Per the contract with MAC Technology, Marine Corps System Command will receive a small quantity of polymer ammunition in the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2020 and 2021. This will allow Marines to assess the ammunition and to increase familiarity with and “validate the polymer rounds during an Operational Validation scheduled for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021.” It is hoped that the round will begin fielding in 2022.

This marks a significant step towards the mainstream adoption of hybrid polymer cased ammunition and John Carpenter notes that  what we’re seeing “is not a quick surge of new technology, but the work of engineers, project officers and logisticians for the past decade.”