Federal Cartridge Co. is being awarded $41.2 million by the Navy for MK 318 MOD 0 5.56mm barrier ammunition for M4 and M4A1 carbines. Photo by Cpl. Aaron Patterson/III Marine Expeditionary Force

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Federal Cartridge Co. is being awarded by the Navy $41.2 million for MK 318 MOD 0 5.56mm barrier ammunition for M4 and M4A1 carbines.

This ammunition is designed to penetrate light cover such as vehicle windshields and doors while still maintaining terminal performance. The contract is expected to be fulfilled by November 2023 and falls under Navy and Marine Corps procurement funding.


The MK 318 MOD 0 round has been tested and procured by the Marine Corps to address complaints concerning the penetration abilities of standard 5.56mm ammunition like the M855, which has shown relatively poor performance in shorter barreled carbines like the M4.

The barrier ammunition is a 62 grain jacketed round designed for use in carbines with 14-inch barrels while maintaining terminal effects after passing through light obstructions. The purchase is meant to supplement and not supplant.

Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers has tested and recommended the purchase of several types and calibers of product-improved ammunition to address performance issues in standard-issue rounds like 5.55mm, 7.62mm and in smaller quantities .300 Magnum sniper rifle ammunition.

The M4 carbine is a standard-issue weapon in use by the U.S. military and many other nations. It is chambered for 5.56mm and is capable of single-shot and three-round burst operation. It is generally loaded by NATO standard STANAG 30-round magazines.

Modern versions of the M4 usually have rail mounts is able to mount a variety of accessories such as optics, thermal sights, bipods, foregrips and lasers. It is a development of the AR-15 and M-16 series of full-sized rifles, featuring a shorter barrel, adjustable stock and lighter weight.

It has received a mixture of praise from users for its light weight, ease of handling and relative accuracy and criticism for jamming in dirty environments without constant maintenance and lack of range and stopping power.

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