The Army’s Request For Polymer Cartridge Cases

The U.S. Army has put out a request to ammunition component manufacturers to develop a cartridge case out of non- traditional materials in an effort to reduce the weight of ammunition.

“The U.S. Army, Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI), on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems, is seeking to identify potential sources capable of delivering lightweight cartridge case technology for M855A1 5.56mm, M80A1 7.62mm and M33 Cal .50 cartridges that could be transitioned into production at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.”

The request specifies that the cases must be lighter and still perform as well as existing brass cases, but is not specific as to what material needs to be used. The most likely candidates will be polymer. Polymer cases aren’t entirely new but getting them to work reliably is.-[source]