US Army Considers Adopting an Interim Battle Rifle in 7.62NATO: eventually adopt 6.5

[LRRPF52]

This picture is a perfect example of why you won't be carrying a 200rd+ basic load of 7.62 NATO effectively. Notice the shingles on shingles interfering with movement over a common obstacle. Looks like one of the pics from the unit that tried going 7.62 NATO across the board and then stashed all their loaded mags in the ASP, saying, "We've learned our lesson."



It's a lot easier to carry linked 7.62 NATO than mag-fed 7.62 NATO because of the weight of the mags, and linked 7.62 NATO sucks big time already because there isn't a lot of space for it, let alone its weight problem. Trying to find a place for 210rds of 7.62 NATO is a fool's errand. Jokes are already running about a combat squire (which has been done).

A buddy of mine attributes a lot of his spinal issues to carrying a basic load of 7.62 NATO for the M14 EBR on several deployments to both OIF and OEF, where he put as many mags as he could in an unauthorized chest rig, as well as his assault pack. He also had to carry frags and smoke, NODs, water, suppressor, optic, LRF, meals, batteries, radio, etc.

In the line, we used to distribute linked 7.62 NATO out to Riflemen in their buttpacks and later assault packs to augment the insane load the gun teams were already carrying. Every rifleman that didn't have an extra 100rds of 7.62 linked would carry an extra 200rd drum for the SAW, 2 rounds for the mortars, and/or a CLS bag or some other important Squad Item of equipment. AT4s would also be dished out, so dudes are laden down with a lot of weapons, munitions, and equipment.

In the line, when you approach an objective, the line dogs dump off their mortar rounds to the mortar section, who is setting up to provide indirect fires for your advance or assault on the OBJ. Gun teams and attached snipers will get in closer for support by fire positions, while the Rifle Platoons or Squads set up for breech, local support, assault, and security elements.

Trying to assault an OBJ with strictly 7.62 NATO is one of the worst possible weapon/ammunition structures you could possible conjure, because your assault elements now are lugging that crap when they need to be really agile and maneuverable cutting through the OBJ, with high round count in the mags. They would be much better served with D60s and 5.56 as part of the pre-combat checks before hitting the OBJ. Reducing their magazine capacity, increasing their recoil, increasing their weapon weight, and increasing muzzle blast is pure regression back to 1940s, but at least they had M1 SMGs and M1 Carbines to choose from back then.