Grendel LMG

[LRRPF52]

Yes it does have a QCB.

But I do not believe a QCB should be a requirement for a SAW.

To have the QCB functionality adds a little bit weight, but to actually bring an extra barrel adds much more weight.

I would rather double the number of SAWs in the squad. That way the SAW gunners would be a bit more mobile, and the squad would have a bit more firepower.

Of course this is not a good solution if the SAW is heavy and difficult to handle when standing. But with Ultimax, Stoner LMG, or the lighter Minimi-versions, it should be possible.

This is BTW how the SAS were outfitted in GW1 (B20).

SOG did a similar thing with Hatchet Forces when they were expecting contact, or planning to do ambushes. They used cut-down RPDs, XM177E2s, AKs, light mortars, M79s, M203s, and B40s. They had a pretty sick IAD where they would all deploy online upon frontal contact and unleash hell with that weapons mix, then break contact via Aussie Peel. Imagine making contact with that element, even as a Company-size unit filled with conscripts or 1st-term soldiers.



It is interesting that the Soviets got rid of the RPD in favor of the RPK around the same time they added the SVD to the Infantry Platoon, bringing us back to the discussion about the roles combined weapons play with each other.

More precise fires from an SVD seemed to offset the need for the RPD, but they still retained the PKM in the LMG role in Motorized Infantry Platoons, with Snipers and PKM gunners often filling the support groups (Support By Fire position in the US) during attacks or ambushes.

When they switched to the SCHV Rifle cartridge system and dumped the AKM to reserve unit status, they updated the RPK to the RPK-74, kept the SVD and PKM.

The biggest failure we have in the US in both the Army and USMC is lack of a dedicated, MTO&E'd Squad Designated Marksman with a specific rifle, ammo, optics, and MOS training pipeline.

Our selection of a 5.56 LMG that weighs as much or more than the 7.62x54R PKM was just another self-inflicted hinderance.

That 6mm SAW would have been interesting, especially in the Ford Aerospace or Stoner LMG configuration, using constant-recoil instead of AK "beat myself to pieces" operating system, which the SAW does superbly.

As to Ultimax use by units with short duration mission profiles, it makes a lot of sense even with drums. Peruvian Special Forces used it in a mix with Colt Commandos, USAS-12 Shotguns, and South African rotary grenade launchers in the jungle.

For conventional forces, I think the QBC makes a lot of sense. You can choose whether or not to take spare barrels or not based on METT-TC. At one time, we had 4 different barrels for the Para-SAWs in 82nd, 2 Commando barrels and 2 20" barrels before the 20s got turned in.

The Israeli Negev is another great little LMG that can fire from the belt or STANAG 5.56 mags, one-handed QBC, compact little pig. It still weighs about what the original M249E1 weighed though.

If you could use the Negev feed system on the Ultimax, now we're cooking with crisco. Linked or STANAG mags, constant-recoil, Ultimax lightweight, chambered in something with a much higher BC/SD.