Army Armaments Center Unveils New Ammo Packaging System

Blending lightweight polymers with a rugged steel shell, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center's new SixPAC system marks a groundbreaking leap in small-caliber ammunition packaging, one intended to reshape how soldiers use munitions. The SixPAC, named for its capacity to hold 6.8 mm cartridges, consists of two lightweight polymer ammunition containers in a steel outer pack. After successful implementation with the cartridges, the system is planned for adaptation across multiple legacy small-caliber ammunition production lines.

This initiative serves as the first major overhaul of small-caliber ammunition packaging since World War II. Supply chain vulnerabilities, rising costs and a need to prepare for tomorrow's military operations in varied climates necessitated a reevaluation of current munitions packaging. The system is designed with a lighter tactical inner pack, which will broaden its manufacturing base and increase efficiency. The system is defined by the absence of a traditional outer wood box, which often required remediation, had to be assembled manually and was susceptible to mold. It also reduces reliance on chemical wood preservative treatments, lowering environmental impacts and the risk of supply chain disruption.

The polymer inner pack reduces weight, enables easier transport and is more efficient to manufacture. The steel outer pack reduces the logistical footprint by allowing more containers and ammunition per pallet and has a notably larger supply base than its legacy wood counterpart.

According to the project's technical lead, Jason Runell, the SixPAC was partly driven by a desire to do away with the wooden box and largely pursued to modernize for present-day logistics, portability and supply chain challenges. His team tested several materials and received feedback from various user communities before landing on a polymer inner pack and a steel outer pack. This decision, he added, comes out of necessity — polymers aren't yet as proven in the U.S. as they are in other countries. However, the U.S. must be ready to engage at any time and fight in various climates, all with their own difficulties and needs. To meet military standards, polymers must hold up no matter the locale, even after years of storage. "It's a developing field, and polymers are unique — you can modify them, include additives that improve impact performance, stiffness or dimensional stability," said Edward Lucas, a mechanical engineer and polymer designer at the center. "You can add more ingredients to the cauldron and your potion will come out different, trading some characteristics for others." Several designs are in development, with inner tactical polymer containers expected to weigh about half as much as legacy steel containers. This weight savings will reduce the load on soldiers. The decrease will also be advantageous, particularly on weight-sensitive platforms such as light watercraft and aircraft. Weight affects whether these platforms can launch and plays a part in their agility. Beyond that, injection molding for these inner packs will offer supply chain advantages. More than 800 injection molders in the U.S. can likely produce these packs, creating competition, slashing costs and lowering barriers to entry for new suppliers.

Additionally, polymer inner packs can be produced largely through injection molding, where most components are formed in a single custom mold and do not require large dedicated fabrication lines. Because the same press can be used for other products by swapping molds, polymer production requires a much smaller footprint and fewer dedicated tools.

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