AUTORIFLE (NOT A THEORY)

*ROUGH DRAFT, WILL BE REVISED*

Purpose: Delivering supporting fires, suppressive fire against area targets during an assault. To delivering protective fires, cover sectorS of fire, protect avenues of approach in the defense.

The Autorifle's purpose in the past has

The purpose of defense action is to retain or control terrain, gain time,develop more favorable conditions for offensive action, or to economize forcesto allow the concentration of forces elsewhere.

Target priority: Discuss other weapon system priorities, Emplaced weapons (Saving Private Ryan), massed troops

Rifleman engage closest targets

Rates of Fire: Sustained, Rapid and Cyclic

Automatic Rifleman-Offense

The automatic riflemen cover the entire squad target

Assault Fire\ Assault fire is designed to keep the enemy fire suppressed, once covering fires are lifted, by fixing the defenders in theirfighting positions. Assault fire is characterized by violence,

volume, and accuracy. Assault fire is designed to kill and demoralize theenemy, and keep him down until the assault element can overrun theposition and kill or capture him

Automatic Rifleman-Defense

\The backbone of the squad's defense,the squad leader selects the exact fighting position for the automaticrifle. The remainder of the fire team is then positioned around it.

-principal direction of fire for the automatic rifle. FPL, FPF (Explain markings, different from 240 on a pintle mount)

Team Considerations

CARRY AMMO FOR THE AUTORIFLE-DOUBLES AS MORE AMMO FOR THE TEAM, EFFICIENT LOGISTICS

DONATE AMMO FOR TRAINING/ REALITY

OUTLINE FOR MANUAL

Purpose- current and past

employment- offense, defense, target priority, RTR drill,SBF concepts

Ammo Considerations- capacity, time=suppression (terrain and distance, rate of fire), the team providing ammo to the autorifle for budgetting, 240 rates of fire vs civilian SOP (2 rnd/4 rnd burst)

Weapons

Equipment-lbe, special equipment

Purpose, role, employment, rates of fire semi auto is usable

Purpose

The purpose of the auto rifle is to be the base of fire for the rifle squad or group. The auto rifle provides intermittent volumes of fire to suppress area targets and eliminate crew served weapons. When equipped with a magnified optic, it can also be used to provide precision fire as a secondary role.

The auto rifle does not fulfill the same purpose as a belt fed medium or heavy machine gun. Belt fed machine guns according to doctrine, are often crew served and heavier in weight. They have low mobility, but provide high volumes of fire. In contrast, the auto rifle is highly mobile but provides intermittent volumes of fire. The auto rifleman is able to move with the rifle squad more seamlessly because in essence he is using the same weapon.

The purpose and employment of the auto rifle is generally the same whether you’re in the military or part of a civilian group. Civilians often have the added consideration of funding and logistical problems, since the autorifle is similar to the AR15 pattern rifle, this helps to ease logistical problems.

Note: In the civilian community auto rifles are sometimes referred to as “Area Denial Weapons”, use caution in referring to auto rifles in this manner as it might be misleading. A rifle can only deny an area temporarily, and only as long as you are shooting at that specific area. The only true way to deny an area is through the use of active patrolling and defensive positions.

Capabilities/limitations

Capability

Mobility-the auto rifle is lighter in weight and has less bulk than the M249 saw or similar system and allows for greater mobility. The auto rifle based on the M-16 pattern of rifles and has the same manual of arms as a standard M16.

Accuracy-The autorifle is capable of providing highly accurate suppressive fire. It will also maintain accuracy better during higher volumes of fire than a standard M-16 rifle. It is also capable of precision fires similar to a designated marksman as a secondary role, however it does not match the full capability of a designated marksman rifle

Logistical ease due to common parts and magazines. Less strain on the unit when parts break or magazines get lost or worn out. Team members can carry 1 type of magazine and ammo common to all members of the group, where as with other systems, members would have to carry ammo specific to a separate system (such as linked 5.56 for the M249).

Limitations

Rate of fire can not achieve sustain high volumes of fire like a belt machine gun

Reduced barrier penetration versus belt, fed machine gun (caliber dependent)

Team considerations-donating ammo for training/ real world, carrying extra ammo