What does the economy principle entail in machine gun employment?

The economy principle in machine gun employment focuses on the efficient allocation and use of resources, particularly fire support, to achieve the desired tactical effects with minimal waste. This means leveraging available firepower in a way that ensures effective engagement of targets while conserving ammunition and maximizing the overall impact of the machine guns being employed.

By prioritizing the efficient use of fire support, operators can coordinate with their teams to deliver concentrated fire on the enemy, ensuring that each burst of fire contributes meaningfully to the mission objective rather than scattering fire ineffectually. This principle enhances battlefield effectiveness and helps prevent resource depletion, which can be critical in prolonged engagements.

Choosing this approach allows units to maintain a sustainable rate of fire over time, ensuring that they do not run out of ammunition quickly while still meeting the operational requirements. Additionally, this efficient use of fire support contributes to coordinated tactics where different units might rely on each other's firepower, further enhancing overall mission success.