To a certain extent, as a result of experience gained in recent conflicts and to a greater extent based on wound ballistic research performed over the past decade, new and somewhat different concepts are evolving. One very fundamental concept is that the high-velocity wound is not necessarily a totally different entity, as had been previously thought. Certain misconceptions continue to be associated with the high-velocity projectile. One misconception concerns the very development of high-velocity weapons. The explanation usually encountered is that these weapons were developed to deliver greater wounding power and higher lethality.
Proponents offer the kinetic energy formula in support of their position.
It was reasoned that an automatic weapon would obviate some of these shortcomings. From a practical standpoint, the automatic weapon, with its increased requirement for ammunition, necessitated lighter weight ammunition. To compensate for the loss in missile mass, if wounding power was to be maintained, it was necessary to increase missile velocity. These tradeoffs resulted in considerably less recoil, making it easier to maintain the sight picture on repetitive shots, resulting in increased accuracy. These are important considerations as the spectrum of warfare shifts more to the left, such as with guerilla-type warfare in which small units engage one another at isolated points, usually at considerable distances from strong points that offer safe haven and resupply.