Machine Gun Test Flashcards
TRAJECTORY
The trajectory is the path of the round in flight.The gunner must know the trajectory of
each machine gun round to effectively fire the weapon throughout its full range
MAXIMUM ORDINATE
Maximum ordinate is the highest point of the trajectory between the muzzle of the weapon and the
base of the target. It occurs about two-thirds of the distance from the weapon to the target
CONE OF FIRE
When several rounds are fired in a burst from any machine gun, each round follows a slightly
different trajectory. The pattern these rounds form on the way to the target is called the “cone of fire”
BEATEN ZONE
This area is the elliptical pattern formed on the ground or target by the
striking rounds. The length of the beaten zone changes when the range to the target changes or when the
machine gun is fired on different types of terrain.
DANGER SPACE
This is the space between the machine gun and the target where the trajectory rises less than 1.8
meters (the average height of a standing Soldier) from the ground
RESPECT TO GROUND
GRAZING FIRE/PLUNGING FIRE
GRAZING FIRE
Grazing fire occurs when the center of the cone of fire rises less than 1 meter aboveground.
PLUNGING FIRE
Plunging fire occurs when the danger space is within the beaten zone. Plunging fire also occurs
when firing at long ranges, from high ground to low ground, into abruptly rising ground, or across uneven
terrain, resulting in a loss of grazing fire at any point along the trajectory.
RESPECT TO TARGET
FRONTAL FIRE,FLANKING FIRE, OBLIQUE FIRE, ENFILADE FIRE
FRONTAL FIRE
Fire occurs when the long axis of the beaten zone is at a right angle to the front of the target. An
example is when firing at the front of a target.
FLANKING FIRE
Flanking fire occurs when the gunner fires at the side of a target.
OBLIQUE FIRE
Oblique fire occurs when the long axis of the beaten zone is at an angle other than a right angle to
the front of the target.
ENFILADE FIRE
Enfilade fire occurs when the long axis of the beaten zone coincides or nearly coincides with the
long axis of the target.
RESPECT TO WEAPON
FIXED FIRE, TRAVERSING FIRE, SEARCHING FIRE, TRAVERSING AND SEARCHING FIRE, FREE-GUN FIRE
FIXED FIRE
This is fire delivered against a point target when the depth and width of the beaten zone covers the
target
TRAVERSING FIRE
This is fire distributed in width by successive changes in direction. The gunner selects successive
aiming points throughout the width of the target.
SEARCHING FIRE
This is fire distributed in depth by successive changes in elevation. The gunner selects successive
aiming points in depth.
TRAVERSING AND SEARCHING FIRE
This is fire distributed in width and depth by successive changes in direction and elevation.
Combining traversing and searching fire provides good coverage of the target
FREE-GUN FIRE
This is fire delivered against targets requiring rapid major changes in direction and elevation that
cannot be applied with the T&E mechanism.
TYPES OF TARGETS
POINT TARGETS, AREA TARGETS, Linear Targets, Deep Targets, Linear Targets with Depth
DISTRIBUTION, CONCENTRATION, AND RATE OF FIRE
The size and nature of the target determine how the gunner applies his fire. He must manipulate the
machine gun to move the beaten zone throughout the target area. He must control the rate of fire to
adequately cover the target, but at the same time to conserve ammunition and preserve the barrel.
RATE OF FIRE
Use sustained, rapid, and cyclic rates of fire with the machine gun (Table 5-2). These rates enable
leaders to control and sustain your fire and to help you avoid destroying your barrel.
Sustained Fire
This is the normal rate of fire for the gunner
Rapid Fire
Used to gain fire superiorty on a target
