Squad automatic weapon

A squad automatic weapon (SAW) is a light or general-purpose machine gun, usually equipped with a bipod and firing a 7.62 mm or 5.56 mm rifle bullet. A SAW is used to provide suppressive fire for an infantry squad or section.

Related Topics:
Light - General-purpose machine gun - Bipod - 7.62 mm - 5.56 mm - Suppressive fire - Squad - Section

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The basic use of this weapon is to force enemy troops to take cover and reduce the effectiveness of their return fire while friendly troops attack. This increases the likelihood of a successful attack against an enemy position. Therefore, a SAW must be light enough for an individual soldier to carry.

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A SAW can also be used to defend against a massed assault. However, it is not as effective in this role as a medium or heavy machine gun, as a SAW is not mounted on a tripod, and therefore cannot be set up to cover preset arcs of fire.

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Many SAWs (such as the RPK-74 and L86) are modified assault rifles. Most SAWs in current operation are derived from only three basic patterns: RPK, the Stoner Weapons System, or FN M249.

Related Topics:
RPK-74 - L86 - Assault rifle - M249

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