coachron said:
Enzo: I am a bit new to some of the terminology you use: shot placement, "stopping power," and soft targets, i.e. humans. Please develop those themes just a bit. I take it that a larger calibre weapon is recommended which with careful placement of the shot will deliver more stopping power to the soft target, i.e., the human, drugged or undrugged.
No problem Coach, the simple way to think of it is this. Sometimes the human body is capable of almost superhuman endurance. No two people are alike. In regards to physical damage, one individual may expire due to what may be considered a minor injury (quite literally a broken toe) while another may continue to function regardless of the mortal wounds that they have received until they "bleed out" - when the blood pressure falls to such a low level due to a lack of fluid that the heart is unable to continue providing said blood to the vital organs, etc. Introduce certain stimulants and drugs into the equation and you now have an individual who is artificially stimulated and is of enormous danger considering the altered state that they are in. Case in point, Miami in the early 90s. Metro Dade Police served a warrant on a known drug dealer who was considered armed and dangerous. The dealer ingested a large amount of cocaine and PCP as the team entered his premises and a gun fight ensued. The dealer managed to withstand multiple hits and returned in kind with a 9mm Uzi killing 2 officers and wounding others. The dealer was finally brought down when a SWAT officer managed to close the range and scored 2 hits from a 12 gauge shotgun using slugs. The dealer was shot a total of 33 times, many of those wounds were mortal which means that even with medical attention, he likely would not have survived. The current record holder that I'm aware of is a convicted drug dealer in California currently serving a life sentence; he survived 38 hits (don't ask me how, the doctors are still trying to figure that one out).
In regard to our profession:
"Soft Target" vs. "Hard Target" - To keep this simple, a tank would be considered a hard target, whereas a human is soft, get it? I can go into further detail, but I consider that to be explanatory.
"Shot placement" & "Stopping Power" - When you place the bullet into the target; accuracy matters. If you do not score a vital hit, then the target will not cease activity. Generally, the brain, heart, brain stem, spine, etc. result in a cessation of said activity. This brings us to "stopping power". If you shoot a person in the stomach with a .22LR, then the odds that this person will be incapacitated are low - which means they will likely be able to continue the fight. If you shoot the same individual in the brain with a .22LR, then the likely result is incapacitation - which means that they likely won't be able to continue the fight. Same bullet, different "shot placement". The .22LR is not a combat cartridge, but is still capable of incapacitation. This is considered to be a cartridge with a low "stopping power" - placement is more vital with this round. A 12.7mm cannon round fired from the LRSW (Long Range Sniper Weapon -
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_0_35.asp?uSubSection=35&uSection=2) is considered to be a cartridge capable of incapacitation almost regardless of where the round impacts - a knick to the arm may likely result in the loss of the appendage, if not death due to the high velocity and energy of the round. Bear in mind, this was originally a cartridge designed for use against vehicles, i.e., tanks & armoured cars. The 5.56mm NATO cartridge in use with US & Canadian Forces has come into question due to the performance against humans recently. This cartridge is designed for a wide spectrum of use, from "thin skinned" vehicles such as cars and light trucks, etc. to people wearing ballistic protection, i.e., armour. In this matter, the round is found to be "overpenetrating" - passing through the target, which is of concern in MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) due to the nature of the civilians in the area who may be beyond the target; in this manner, failing to incapacitate the target. Further follow up shots are then required to be certain that the target is "down", i.e., incapacitated. The danger inherent is that you will shoot your target, see him fall and then move on to the next only to find that he is still functioning and a danger to yourself or a section mate.
Those are the rough definitions. In Iraq, the US have been reintroducing the M14 (7.62mm NATO) as an alternative to the M16 in certain conditions - bigger bullet, more energy. There is interest in some circles to return to larger calibre firearms, but funds and development are limited and most of this attention will most likely not result in any major changes anytime soon. The focus may be on increasing the potential of the cartridge for the M16 (the MK262 cartridge is reportedly performing decently) in conjunction with newer armour, vehicles, anti-IED devices, etc. Where you'll find the "uppers" (complete barreled upper receiver in another calibre such as the 6.8mm SPC, 6.5mm Grendel or even a .50 cal Beowolf, that can be installed upon the existing M4-M16 variant in seconds with ease) being used may very well be with SF units and PMF (Private Military Force) contractors who have more input over individual and unit firearm aquisition. The advantages inherent are the ability to carry essentially 2 firearms in one for differing roles, i.e., long range engagement & CQB (Close Quarter Battle).
If opposition combatants are stimulating themselves in order to perform better in combat, then our forces require the tools to ensure that they will be able to meet this threat head on. Having reliable ammunition that ensures incapacitation is paramount to their safety.