Machine Gun Employment

Question 1

Define trajectory:

Answer 1

The arching flight path of the round from the muzzle of the weapon to the target.

Question 2

Define ordinate:

Answer 2

Elevation of the flight path of the round above the line of sight

Question 3

When does the round meet its maximum ordinate?

Answer 3

2/3 of the distance to the target.

Question 4

Define cone of fire:

Answer 4

The variance in space where the rounds traverse through the air.

Question 5

Define beaten zone:

Answer 5

Pattern formed by the impact of the rounds on the ground.

Question 6

How wide is the cone of fire and beaten zone on the M240B?

Answer 6

2 mils each way.

Question 7

What terrain factors alter the length of the beaten zone?

Answer 7

Uniform terrain, rising terrain, falling terrain

Question 8

What are classification of fires in relation to the ground?

Answer 8

Dead space
Danger space
Plunging fire
Grazing fire.

Question 9

Where is the danger space?

Answer 9

Any space 1.8m off the ground within the effects of the rounds.

Question 10

What are classification of fires in relation to the target?

Answer 10

Flanking fire
Frontal fire
Oblique fire
Enfilade fire

Question 11

What are classification of fires in relation to the gun?

Answer 11

Fixed
Traversing
Searching
Traversing and searching
Swinging traverse
Free gun

Question 12

What are the 8 Employment Principles?

Answer 12

Pairs
Interlocking fires
Coordination of fires
Mutual support
Defilade
Enfilade
Economy
Protection

Question 13

What are the positions of defilade?

Answer 13

Direct lay
Partial
Position
Maximum position
Minimum position

Question 14

What are the different shape fighting positions and what do they offer the machine gun team?

Answer 14

L - Only one sector of fire
T - Primary and secondary sectors of fire
U - Allows 180 degree traversing
2 Hole - Allows great protection and two sectors of fire but is harder to switch

Question 15

What are the classification of offensive fires?

Answer 15

Close supporting fires
Long range fires
Final protective fires
Fires in support of consolidation

Question 16

What are displacement planning considerations?

Answer 16

Method - Echolon or unit
Objective
Route
Time

Question 17

What is a PDF?

Answer 17

The weapons primary focus is covering a likely avenue of approach, key piece of terrain, or whatever object of interest that unit leader assigns it.

Question 18

What is an FPL?

Answer 18

This mission dictates that the weapon is primarily in a position to employ grazing fires across a units’ frontage as a last effort to defend the lines

Question 19

What does the fire command consist of?

Answer 19

Alert
Direction
Description
Range
Assignment
Control

Question 20

What is a range card?

Answer 20

A range card is a diagram drawn to record the firing data and mission of that machine gun position and also serves as a document to assist in defensive fire planning. A range card is constructed of a sketch of the position and also of the terrain that lies to the front of the weapon system.