I don't understand why the people saying "it's a poor ability" are the same people saying "don't take it away". If it was that bad, why would you care?
Clearly you find it useful. I think usefulness should:
A) Have a cost
B) Not come in bundles of various types (AI, AT), especially in relatively cheap units.
In a game that could be called "Clumping of Heroes", splash damage weapons are very potent. The barrage is good.
"It's more like, "please don't make a small and unnecessary nerf to a unit that is not actually over performing."
Although i would reduce pen a bit (enough to deal with medium, a bit less effective against heavies). You could also increase a bit more the cooldown and i don't think anyone would complain.
Reducing range on the main gun or giving it a muni cost are not options i would contemplate.
If you think the barrage needs a muni cost, then i think that free "maphack" vet1 Kubels has been needing a rework since launch. Why is it that OH has to pay munitions and OKW get it for free ?