MG Employment Flashcards
What are the classes of fire?
Respect to the ground
Respect to the weapon
Respect to the target
What are the characteristics of fire?
Trajectory Maximum Ordinate Cone of Fire Beaten zone Danger Space
What is trajectory?
The path of the fired round in flight to the target
What is the maximum ordinate?
The highest point of the trajectory between the the muzzle of the weapon and the base of the target.
When does the max ordinate occur in the trajectory?
About 2/3 of the distance between the muzzle of the weapon and the target
Explain cone of fire…
Each round fired in a burst from the same weapon has a slightly different trajectory. The pattern these rounds create on the way to the target is the cone of fire.
How is the cone of fire created?
By vibrations of the gun, variations of ammo, and atmospheric conditions.
What are the two ways to determine round impact?
The beaten zone
Tracer rounds
What is danger space?
Space between gun and target where trajectory rises less than 1.8 m(average height of man) from the ground.
What are the two types of fire in respect to the ground?
Grazing fire
Plunging fire
What is grazing fire?
Occurs when the center of the cone of fire rises less than 1 m off the ground
What is plunging fire?
Occurs when the Danger space is within beaten zone. Occurs at longer ranges when firing from high ground onto low ground and when firing into abruptly rising ground
What are the 6 classes of fire in respect to the weapon?
Fixed Traversing fire Searching fire Traversing and searching fire Swinging traverse Free gun
Define fixed
Delivered against point target when depth and width of the beaten zone covers the target. Only one point of aim needed to provide target coverage.
Define traversing fire
Fire distributed in WIDTH with successive changes in direction. The gunner selects several aiming points throughout the width of the target that are close enough to provide coverage without wasting ammo.
Define searching fire
Fire distributed in DEPTH by changes in elevation. Gunner selects several points of aim. Changes to aim points depend on range/slope of ground.
Define traversing and searching fire
Fire distributed in WIDTH and DEPTH by making changes in elevation and direction. Provides good coverage of target.
Define swinging traverse
Wider distance covered with distribution of fire laterally. No changes in elevation or range. Targets usually have great width.
Define Free gun
Fire distributed against a target that requires rapid major changes in direction or elevation that is difficult with the T&E.
What are the 4 types of fire in respect to the target?
Frontal fire
Flanking fire
Oblique fire
Enfilade fire
Define frontal fire
Occurs when long axis of target is at right angle to the front of the target or inline with the front of the target.
Define Flanking fire
Occurs when long axis of the beaten zone is at rt angle to front of target or inline with front of the target
Define oblique fire
When the long axis of the beaten zone is at any angle other than a right angle or inline with the front of the target.
Define enfilade fire
Occurs when long axis of beaten zone coincides with the long axis of the target. Either frontal or flanking
What class of fire in respect to the weapon is used for point targets
Fixed
Class of fire in respect to the weapon for area targets(or linear with depth)?
Aim center mass and traverse and search to either flank and then reverses to other flank
Target engagement for linear targets?
Initial point of aim is midpoint, use traversing fire
Target engagement for deep targets?
Searching fire; midpoint initial aiming point
How do gunners work as pairs?
When engaging targets each gunner fires on his half of the target. They then divide each respective half into 2 sections. Using midpoint references in each section, both gunners distribute fire by applying direction/elevation changes for best coverage, working their way from the middle of their respective section out to the left/right limit of target, and then back inward. Rapid rate of fire after fire superiority is gained.
What is the purpose for “talking guns?”
By default it gives a sitrep on friendlies, conserves ammo
What are the keys to overhead fires?
Coordination
Communication
Situational awareness
What gun configuration is required for overhead fires?
Must be delivered from tripod or vehicle mount using a T&E
Explain the gunners rule
- Applied when friendlies are at least 350 m in front of gun and range to target is 850m or less
- Set gun, and put rear sight to proper range
- Without disturbing lay of gun, set rear sight to 1600 m
- Look through sight and notice where new new line of aim strikes the ground: this is the limit of troop safety. When friendly feet reach this point, fires must be shifted or lifted.
What are some safety measures for overhead fires?
- Securely emplace tripods
- Use field expedient stops to avoid barrel dipping
- avoid overhead obstacles
- ensure whole crew knows safety limits
- use good reliable barrels
Define defilade position
When a gunner and his crew are completely masked by terrain
What does a defilade position require?
An observer to rear of position along target line
What are the methods of fire control?
Verbal Hand and arm signals Prearranged signals Personal contact Range cards SOPs
What are the 6 elements of fire commands?
Alert Direction Description Range Method of fire Command to fire
What are the 8 principles of MG Employment?
Pairs Interlocking fires Coordinating fires Mutual support Defilade Enfilade Economy of Ammunition Protection
How are the guns teams best employed in defense?
Used to best advantage in W and D
Makes use of channelizing obstacles
Mutually supported by other wins
Has primary, alt, and spplmntry positions
Rates of fire for SAW?
Sustained - 50 rpm w/ 3-5rd bursts BC every 10 min
Rapid - 100 rpm w/ 6-8 rd bursts BC every 2 min
Cyclic - 850 rpm BC 1 min
Rates of fire for the M240B and the M60?
S - 100 rpm w/ 6-9 td bursts BC every 10min
R - 200 rpm w/ 10-12 rd bursts BC every 2 min
C - M60: 550 rpm
M240B: 650-950 rpm
BC every 1 min
What are the two techniques for air defense for machine guns?
Football field technique
Reference point technique
What are the two methods of measurement for the football field technique?
Fast mover = 2 football fields
Slow mover = 1/2 football field
What are the 3 assault firing positions for MGs?
Hip
Underarm
Shoulder
What are the three types of wire obstacles?
Protective wire
Tactical wire
Supplementary wire
Placement of protective wire?
Outside of defensive trace
Out of grenade range
Placement and function of tactical wire?
Placed on friendly side of final protective line (FPL)
Gives defensive gun positions enfilade
Placement and function of supplementary wire?
Disguises tactical wire
Channelizes enemy into tactical wire
What sector does an alternate fighting position cover?
same as the primary position
What sector does a supplementary fighting position cover?
A different one than the primary/alternate
Define sector of fire
Area to be covered by individual, weapon or unit
Who covers the Primary sector of fire
Usually the gun team
What does the secondary sector of fire cover?
The second most likely avenue of approach of the enemy
What is FPF?
Final Protective Fire
Prearranged barrier of fire between advancing enemy and friendlies for all direct fire weapons
What is the FPL
Final Protective Line
For MG’s, Line along which grazing fire is placed to stop enemy assault
What is the PDF?
Principal Direction of Fire
Covers an area that has good fields of fire or has good likelihood of dismounted approach by enemy
On the M122 tripod T&E what value is the scale graduated in?
5 mil increments
What values does the the scale on the T&E bar go to on the left and on the right?
Left: 100-450 mils
Right: 100-425 mils
What is the total value of mils on the T&E bar?
875 mils total
What is the range of mils on the traversing hand wheel on the M122?
100 mils of movement
What is the range of mils on the elevating hand wheel on the M122?
50 mils
What is the range of mils on the elevating bar on the M122?
Up: 200
Down: 200
Total: 400
What is the military designation for the range card?
DA Form 5517-R
What is the range on the elevation scale on the M192?
0-530 mil
What is the range on the traverse scale of the M192?
0-900 mil
How many mils does one full handle manipulation equal?
5 mils
Define beaten zone
Elliptical pattern formed on the ground on target by the striking rounds.
