Third Generation Battle Rifle

[Tony Williams]

A new LMG that can displace some of the 7.62 belt-fed weapons with a lighter ammunition footprint would benefit even the worst offenders, no matter how illogical the chain of command and leadership climate was, because machine gunners will typically engage targets at longer distances and there is a system in-place that is mandated Army-wide to ensure they at least get transition range training, which is a fun range to shoot.

In short, we need a 3rd Generation LMG if anything, and the organization needs to support the recently-adopted TO&E of DM's in the Infantry Squad by creating a program to sustain the skill sets that DM's need to have to be as effective as they can be. The equipment comes after that.

I agree with that - the main advantage of a new long-range intermediate calibre would lie in reducing the weight of the portable MGs and ammunition carried by dismounted troops (see my post on another thread), with DMRs also benefitting. Having got that sorted, though, the advantages of a standard rifle/MG calibre within the squad, plus more reliable hitting power and penetration than 5.56mm, might well lead to a single-calibre squad.