History of SAW Use in the US Army

Published on July 26, 2024
Duration: 14:35

This video traces the evolution of the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) concept in the US Army, from early WWI reliance on foreign support weapons to the integration of the BAR in WWII and the adoption of the M249 SAW. It highlights the shift from platoon-level support weapons like the M60 to organic squad weapons, and discusses modern developments like the M27 IAR and the upcoming XM7/XM250.

Quick Summary

The M249 SAW, adopted in the mid-1980s, permanently integrated a machine gun into US Army rifle squads, providing organic suppressive fire. This followed lessons from Vietnam where platoon-level weapons like the M60 were often unofficially used at the squad level. Modern developments include the M27 IAR and the upcoming 6.8mm XM7/XM250.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to SAW History
  2. 00:31World War I Era Support Weapons
  3. 01:53Organic vs. Platoon Support Doctrine
  4. 03:12World War II and the BAR
  5. 05:59Post-WWII: M14 and M60
  6. 08:14Vietnam War Lessons Learned
  7. 09:40Stoner 63 and SAW Development
  8. 10:47Adoption of the M249 SAW
  9. 11:37Modern Shifts: M27 IAR & NGSW

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary role of the M60 machine gun in the US Army?

The M60 machine gun was adopted as a platoon-level support weapon. While intended to be separate from rifle squads, its effectiveness in providing necessary suppressive fire often led to its unofficial integration into rifle squads, particularly during the Vietnam War.

How did the M249 SAW change US Army squad organization?

The adoption of the M249 SAW in the mid-1980s marked a significant shift by establishing a permanent, organic machine gun within the rifle squad. This provided consistent suppressive fire capability directly at the squad level, a capability that had been inconsistently met by previous weapon systems.

What are the latest developments in US Army squad automatic weapons?

The US Army is transitioning to the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, which includes the XM7 rifle and the XM250 automatic rifle, chambered in a new 6.8mm caliber. This initiative aims to provide enhanced range and lethality, potentially redefining the role of the SAW.

What historical weapons preceded the M249 SAW in US service?

Before the M249 SAW, the US Army utilized various support weapons. In WWI, they used French Chauchat and Hotchkiss guns. WWII saw the integration of the BAR, and later the M60 served as a platoon-level support weapon. The M14 was also intended to fill some automatic rifle roles but lacked sustained fire capability.

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