Previous: F-59: Target Selection and Engagement Control
F-60. The size and nature of the enemy target determines how machine gun fire is applied. Automatic weapons fire in one of three rates: rapid, sustained, or cyclic. The rates of fire for each machine gun are shown in table F-1. The situation normally dictates the rate used, but the availability of ammunition and need for barrel changes play important roles as well. The rate of fire must be controlled to cover the target adequately, but not waste ammunition or destroy the barrel.
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Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad