Should the C-6 MMG be upgraded??

[vonGarvin]

To bring this back online, the "upgrade" in the MMG role for the C6 should be (in the short to mid term) solely based on training.  We have an outstanding publication on the C6, but we don't train or practice it well.

For the other roles, well, I'm not sure.

An optical sight may not be worth it for a few reasons.  First of all, DLR would be involved, so forget that option.  Second of all, if the sight magically appeared on the Light Role C6 over night, I'm not sure then that the weapon would be employed in its proper role of "direct fire area suppression" (or words to that effect).  Let us not forget that there are "around" 7 light machine guns in every platoon (6 x C9 LMG and a minimum of 1 x C6 LMG).  One more sight, for all the trouble to get it mounted (involve DLR, alter the training publications, get it into theatre, into the field units, into the training system, etc), would probably not be worth it.

 

[1feral1]

You've been had, mate.

Better compare the lengths of your legs. One might be a little longer, now.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[a_majoor]

The Rise, fall and rebirth of the Emma Gee waas an outstanding example of military fiction used to teach training lessons, here is the link which includes the entire piece (you may have read part 2; using HMG's against a Soviet mechanized attack).

Using GPMG's and HMG's in the indirect role is discussed in some detail, I would suggest anyone who is teaching machine guns either on course or as unit refresher should take a read:  http://www.2ndbn5thmar.com/CoTTP/emmagees.pdf

 

[NavyShooter]

I'm now on page 14....dangit, gotta go pick up a kiddy though.  (Halloween party.)

A VERY good read, thank-you Thucydides.

NS

 

[vonGarvin]

It was mandatory reading for me and my fellow candidates on Small Arms' Instructor Course serial 9403 (A).  Very interesting read.

 

[dangerboy]

Interesting reading; just wondering what did the Advanced Machine Gunners course cover? Also when we stopped running the course did they move the lectures over to other courses or did they just stop teaching them (much like the anti-aircraft mount lectures for the .50).

 

[COBRA-6]

Kev already brought it up but FNH is already producing the M240 E6/Ti, which is 3.5lbs lighter. Not a huge difference but when you're lugging it around every bit helps. http://www.fnhusa.com/mil/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF015&gid=FNG008&mid=FNM0139

If an even lighter 7.62LMG is desired then FN also makes several 7.62 vesions of the Minimi (C9). Obviously less capable of sustained fire than the 240/C6, but could be usefull for some applications.  http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=306

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

I read that article in 1992. It came in handy on ITC 2.

I am not an infantryman, but I did see some opportunities to employ the C6 in the indirect role when I was overseas. There are lots of higher level enablers out there, but they aren't always available. I think that the Canadian Army has a tradition of squeezing every ounce of capability out of a weapon, and I think that is a good thing.

 

[vonGarvin]

Interesting reading; just wondering what did the Advanced Machine Gunners course cover? Also when we stopped running the course did they move the lectures over to other courses or did they just stop teaching them (much like the anti-aircraft mount lectures for the .50).

The advanced machine gunner course evolved into the Small Arms' Instructor course.  The course is no longer skill at arms specific, and now includes range work (from level 1 to level 5: collective field firing).  This may change in the future; however, the skills that the fictional Sgt West received on his course are still delivered.  Perhaps not to the same depth, but the info is there.

 

[Danjanou]

It was mandatory reading for me and my fellow candidates on Small Arms' Instructor Course serial 9403 (A).  Very interesting read.

Mandatory (and great) reading for me on my MG course (1981) and my QL6B (Pl WO) course in 1984 too. (God I'm old)

I just reread it  and think it still has some validity in today's  low intensity counter insurgency ops.

 

[Fusaki]

The Rise, fall and rebirth of the Emma Gee waas an outstanding example of military fiction used to teach training lessons, here is the link which includes the entire piece (you may have read part 2; using HMG's against a Soviet mechanized attack).

Using GPMG's and HMG's in the indirect role is discussed in some detail, I would suggest anyone who is teaching machine guns either on course or as unit refresher should take a read:  http://www.2ndbn5thmar.com/CoTTP/emmagees.pdf

I just finished Part 1.

It's starting to put a lot of what's been said in this thread into context for me. 

I'm humbled.  Thanks for the link.

 

[COBRA-6]

The article was a great read, thanks for posting it.

Now think of what MGs are capable of with modern ammo like SLAP and HEIAP!

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/slap.htm
http://www.nammo.com/templates/Product.aspx?id=204