02-03-2012, 08:35 PM
Interesting read. One thing that might be cool to post is a graph depicting the dismounted infantry unit's ability to sustain a fight through a number of contacts-maneuvers, in a an ammunition-to-weight ratio. Specifically:
7.62x51 NATO battle rifle with "X" kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at "X" rpm per soldier, 1 window for maneuver, and one final contact/base of fire, whence ammunition has reached a critically low limit of "X" mags per soldier.
5.56 NATO assault rifle with same kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at same rpm per soldier, 1st maneuver, 2nd base of fire, 2nd maneuver, 3rd base of fire, maneuver, critically low limit reached.
6.5 Grendel Assault rifle with same kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at same rpm per soldier, 1st maneuver, 2nd base of fire, 2nd maneuver, 3rd base of fire, critically low limit reached.
And so forth. You can do it assuming that your SAW gunners have "Y" amount of ammo, able to sustain fire at 200rpm, with a SAW gunner load of 800rds of 5.56, or for a 7.62 weapon, the equivalent weight on his kit. Extra ammo is humped by the team and squad, or in an assault pack that needs to be accessed in a lull, if/when possible.
You could also account for DMR's firing at a much lower rate of fire, and the ammo they carry, if same as assault rifle, with the ability to distribute their load during moments of consolidation and reorganization.
All rates of fire for riflemen in the US system are absolutely on SEMI only, never AUTO. I have learned more and more that this practice is quite rare among foreign militaries, having worked with many of them first-hand.
7.62x51 NATO battle rifle with "X" kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at "X" rpm per soldier, 1 window for maneuver, and one final contact/base of fire, whence ammunition has reached a critically low limit of "X" mags per soldier.
5.56 NATO assault rifle with same kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at same rpm per soldier, 1st maneuver, 2nd base of fire, 2nd maneuver, 3rd base of fire, maneuver, critically low limit reached.
6.5 Grendel Assault rifle with same kg of ammo = 1 initial contact at same rpm per soldier, 1st maneuver, 2nd base of fire, 2nd maneuver, 3rd base of fire, critically low limit reached.
And so forth. You can do it assuming that your SAW gunners have "Y" amount of ammo, able to sustain fire at 200rpm, with a SAW gunner load of 800rds of 5.56, or for a 7.62 weapon, the equivalent weight on his kit. Extra ammo is humped by the team and squad, or in an assault pack that needs to be accessed in a lull, if/when possible.
You could also account for DMR's firing at a much lower rate of fire, and the ammo they carry, if same as assault rifle, with the ability to distribute their load during moments of consolidation and reorganization.
All rates of fire for riflemen in the US system are absolutely on SEMI only, never AUTO. I have learned more and more that this practice is quite rare among foreign militaries, having worked with many of them first-hand.