At what sustained rate of fire does the M249 (SAW) operate when no barrel changes are needed?

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) operates at a sustained rate of fire of 85 rounds per minute when no barrel changes are needed. This rate is designed to maintain a balance between high volume of fire and preventing overheating. Sustained fire refers to the continuous firing of the weapon without barrel changes, which allows the gunner to effectively support infantry troops while managing heat levels and ensuring reliability.

In practice, maintaining this rate helps to minimize wear and tear on the barrel and prevents it from overheating, which can lead to malfunctions or decreased accuracy. The other rates listed were higher and typically correspond to rapid or cyclic firing conditions that require barrel changes to manage heat effectively.