SMALL ARMS WEAPON SYSTEMS (SAWS). PART ONE: MAIN TEXT.
Abstract
Field experimentation was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of rifle and machinegun squads armed with US 7.62mm, Soviet 7. 62mm, Colt 5.56mm and Stoner 5.56mm weapons. This report describes the experiment, the effectiveness measures used, the results, and the conclusions. Results are concerned with training, materiel reliability, and the fire effectiveness of squads armed with the different weapons and firing both simplex and duplex ball ammunition. Measures of effectiveness were the level of target effects and the ability of the weapons to sustain the effects. Data includes the number of targets hit, total number of hits on targets, number of near misses as an indication of suppressive effects, and the amount of ammunition expended--all as a function of time. Squad size, organization, and weapon system weight were held constant. Squads armed with low impulse 5.56mm weapons were superior to squads armed with 7.62mm weapons in target effects, sustainability of effects, and overall effectiveness. Duplex ball ammunition was generally superior to simplex ball ammunition at close ranges. Data are related to lethality indices in a separate classified annex. Considerations of lethality support experimentation results indicating the superiority of 5.56mm weapons. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 10, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0488336