What is the ultimate goal when engaging targets with a machine gun?

The ultimate goal when engaging targets with a machine gun is to achieve maximum effectiveness of fire. This means delivering sustained and accurate firepower to effectively neutralize enemy forces and accomplish mission objectives. It involves not just the sheer volume of fire, but also the precision and coordinated use of the machine gun to achieve desired tactical effects, such as suppressing enemy positions, providing cover for maneuvers, or destroying specific targets.

Achieving maximum effectiveness of fire includes considerations of range, fire rate, and the ability to adapt to changing battlefield conditions. A machine gun is most effective when used within a well-planned fire strategy that integrates with the overall tactics of the unit, ensuring that the impacts are felt significantly by the adversary.

This focus on effectiveness ties into the understanding that machine guns are not merely weapons to be kept in top condition or used to merely create confusion, nor is it just about having a clear line of sight. While those elements contribute to overall success, they do not encapsulate the primary objective of machine gun employment in combat scenarios.