Oh yes, forgot . . .
- Can the USF mortar smoke be made to arrive quicker
OR
- Make all the smoke rifle grenades unlocked as standard.
Even as USF I struggle to deal with MG42s early game in 2v2 and up. The mortar smoke is just so slow . . .
I can't say I've ever seen anyone decry a lack of good smoke options from USF before. The USF mortar has standard smoke drop speed to my knowledge. It does a fine job of screening for your troops, and then providing some damage on top of that. The mortar itself is a little eclipsed by other options USF players typically use though.
Smoke Rifle Grenades being standard is maybe not such a good idea. It's a very powerful tool, and USF Rifles walk over unsupported OST Grens. The MG42 being easier to circumvent means you'll be squishing Grens a little too readily, I think.
If you're facing multiple MGs in a 2v2 (and up), you need your partner(s) to help pick up the slack as well. You shouldn't be expected to have to counter both(or more) player's 42s by yourself.