New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[LRRPF52]

One of the things I've suggested in the Machine Gun department is a totally new classification of weapon, which embodies the benefits of both a LMG and MMG/GPMG, without either of their main limitations.

LMG
Pros:
* Lightweight (supposed to be, that was lost in the fiasco known as the M249)
* Low recoil
* Individually served
* Supposed to be capable of suppressive volume of fire (high mag cap or belt fed usually)

Cons:
* Limited range and terminal effectiveness, especially if small caliber/conventional projectile construction is used


Medium Machine Gun/General Purpose Machine Gun
Pros:
* Extended range and suitable terminal performance from 800-1200m on soft targets

Cons:
* Weight and weapon size limits maneuverability
* Ammunition weight and space limit carrying capacity
* Limited ammunition capacity significantly reduces unit combat endurance, tires soldiers quickly, and makes gun-mounted solutions even more difficult.
* Recoil and muzzle blast reduce hit probability, while increasing the gun position signature to the enemy

The happy medium 6.5mm takes the pros from each, while cutting out the cons. With a constant-recoil operating principle, we could have an 11lb belt-fed machine gun that is very well suited for the close range maneuver fight in the Fire Team, while being able to exceed the retained energy of both the 7.62 NATO and 7.62x54R belt-fed machine guns past 500yds, staying supersonic well into the 1100-1300m range.

What this suggests is a totally new machine gun classification, that I call the Multi-Role Light Machine Gun-a morphing of the LMG and MMG/GPMG.