M-134 (Was Anybody know this weapon?)

[Legbreaker]

I suppose it's got something to do with how that power is applied.
A high rate of fire from one barrel/weapon for example can only be applied to one location at a time. Even if it's firing off a ten thousand rounds a minute, there's not exactly a large increase in useful firepower.

Now firing off that same ten thousand rounds from twenty individual machineguns spread out across the battlefield IS going to have a HUGE impact. It also allows the commander many, many more options than with just one weapon - they can move around and take advantage of terrain, enemy disposition, etc.

Same concept applies to adding extra soliders, even if armed with bolt action rifles. After all, it only takes one bullet to remove the average enemy (or friendly for that matter) soldier from the fight, and with say one thousand riflemen firing ten rounds a minute you're able to cover and dominate a VERY large area.

That said, I still like my M60....