yes...a former grunt wanted something to stop the bad guys quicker..bursts not needed. It was developed by a civilian who then took the idea to the military. Has about 40 % more energy than the 5.56 Nato round, but still fits in the M-4 format..mag holds less of course, from what I have read only the special ops guys are using it now.. I will have to ask a Marine Corp Colonel I go to church with to see if the Marines are using it yet.