THE PROBLEM: 200,000 small-arms rounds per enemy casualty in Vietnam
THE CONSEQUENCE:
SOLDIER LETHALITY is low:
he almost never hits anything
SOLDIER BURDEN is high:
200,000 rounds is 2 tons physically carried into battle
AMMUNITION COST is high:
200,000 rounds cost approximately $40,000.
LOGISTICS BURDEN -
after soldier transport - is dominated by ammunition resupply
THE SOLUTION: electrically-fired rifle, actuated only when bullet will hit the target. Soldier selects target, aims, and no shot is wasted. Or he just holds down the trigger and sweeps the free-fire zone... and anything warm becomes nonbelligerant.
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