Leading SME: NoWar

Introduction to Heavy Weapons

Heavy Weapons specialists are certified in multiple types of weapon systems that are designed to increase the firepower of the fire team or squad. These weapon systems require intricate knowledge of procedures and tactics to ensure proper deployment of the weapon system. They are expected to be proficient in the employment and effective use Machine guns, Grenade launchers, Shoulder fired weapons and Crew served weaponry.

Basics and Objective of Heavy Weapons

Heavy Weapons users main objective in the field is the suppression and destruction of the enemy by means of overwhelming, precise and effective fire. The purpose of suppression is to stop or prevent the enemy from observing, shooting, moving or carrying out other military tasks that could interfere with the activities of friendly forces.

Regardless if the user is employing a Machine gun, Grenade Launcher or Launcher his main role in the squad is to hinder and stop the enemy’s ability to see and move. This means to always employ your weapon systems with the goal of suppressing the enemy.

Remember you do not have to see the enemy to engage it. The Heavy Weapons user is not a marksman, he does not wait for the perfect shot to eliminate the target. The sooner fire is being returned in the direction of the enemy, the chances of winning that engagement are higher for your squad.

Basics of Machine-guns

“The machine gun acts by fire alone; movement of this weapon has no other purpose than to secure positions from which more effective fire can be delivered. Maximum usefulness is obtained only when every gun within range of the enemy is firing effectively against him.”

Types of Machine Guns

Machine guns are classified as light, medium, or heavy. Classifications are determined by a combination of weapon caliber, weapon system weight, crew size, and the primary type of intended target.

• Light machine gun. The light machine gun (LMG) classification generally includes 5.45mm to 6mm (.22 to .250 caliber) automatic weapons. An LMG typically weighs between 6kg (15lbs.) and 13kg (30lbs.), complete. An LMG is normally manned by a crew of one or two. Neither a tripod nor a spare barrel is normally used with an LMG when it is manned by a single individual. They are optimally employed against exposed and lightly protected personnel at ranges less than 1,000 meters.

• Medium Machine Guns. The medium machine gun (MMG) classification generally includes 6.5mm to 8mm (.264 to .33 caliber) automatic weapons. Typical MMG weights are 13kg (25lbs.) or more. Remaining ammunition, ground tripod, spare barrel, and other accessories can add another 13kg (25lbs.) or more to the overall weight of MMG systems. The MMG is generally employed by a crew of three. Optimally, they are employed against personnel and light materials ( e.g., motor vehicles) at ranges of 1500 meters or less.

• Heavy Machine Guns. The heavy machine gun (HMG) classification generally includes 12.7mm to 15mm (.50 caliber) or larger automatic weapons. The system weight of a heavy machine gun is substantial. In a ready to fire configuration using a ground tripod, an HMG without ammunition can weigh more than 56kg (125lbs.) An HMG is normally manned by a crew of four or more personnel (although a crew of three may be sufficient if motor vehicles are employed for transportation over distance). HMGs are primarily employed against field fortifications, vehicles, and aircraft. They are generally effective against these types of targets at ranges of 1,000 meters or greater.

Machine Gun Deployment and Tactics

The most effective way to engage enemies with a machine gun is by 3-5 round bursts. This allows the user to put accurate and effective fire down range while preventing the weapon from overheating and conserving ammunition.

As mentioned, keeping the weapons temperature low ensures that the weapon fires accurately and with a low chance of misfires or jams. To prevent a barrel from overheating it is advised that the user packs a spare barrel.

Employed in Pairs. Employing machine guns in pairs ensures a continuous, high volume of fire. It also gives the guns the capability of efficiently engaging targets of larger width or depth than one machine gun could effectively engage alone.

Coordination of Fire. Ensures machine gun fire is coordinated with the fires of other machine guns and other weapons, commonly referred to as “Talking guns”. While one team reloads or changes barrels, the other team ensures that fire is always going down range.

Lastly, when using anything above an LMG it is advised that an Assistant gunner is assigned in a pair with the machine gun to allow for: Increased ammo capacity, faster barrel swaps, linking of ammunition and faster acquisition and engagement of enemies. This is all done by ACE interacting with the weapon, or ACE self-interacting. A very important thing to note, for ammunition to be linkable it is required that the ammunition is exactly the same (This includes the color of the ammunitions as well).

The Basics of Grenade Launchers

The grenade launcher is a weapon that helps the unit bridge the gap between direct and indirect fire assets. At the squad level, it provides the team the ability to cover the dead space within a sector of fire. Other abilities include the ability to deliver point fire on caves, bunkers, and windows. Grenade launchers are also effective at stopping vehicles. The ability to provide illumination and marking of enemy and friendly positions is yet another capability this weapon provides. Limitations of the weapon system include the need for a clear trajectory, the relatively slow rate of fire, and the minimum engagement distance of 30 meters in combat.

Types of Grenade Launchers

• M320 – Single shot modular launcher with a maximum range of 350m.

• M203 – Single shot modular launcher with a maximum range of 250m.

• GP-25/30/34 – Single shot modular launchers with a maximum range of 400m.

• M32 – Six shot revolver-type grenade launcher with a maximum range of 300m.

• 6G30 – Six shot revolver-type grenade launcher with a maximum range of 350m.

• Mk-13 – Single shot modular launcher with a maximum range of 400m.

Ammunition Types

• HE – High explosive round.

• HEDP – High explosive dual purpose. Ability to damage soft targets and penetrate armor.

• Canister – Flechette round.

• Smoke – Marking rounds.

• Masking smoke – Concealment rounds.

• Flares – Marking rounds. IR variant available.

• Flares illumination – Illuminating rounds. IR variant available.

• HUNTIR – High-altitude Unit Navigated Tactical Imaging Round.

• Stun – Less lethal concussion round.

• HE-T – Airburst HE round.

• WP – White phosphorus round.

• VOG-25 – High explosive round.

• GRD-40 (White) – Fast action white smoke.

• GRD-40 (Colored) – Marking rounds.

• VG-40MD – Instant deploy on Impact white smoke.

• VG-400s – Marking flare rounds.

• VG-40SZ – Less lethal concussion round.

• VG-40TB – Thermobaric round.

• VOG-25P – Airburst HE round.

Grenade Launcher Deployment and Tactics

The typical grenadier loadout consists of a balanced mix of HE, HEDP, concealment smokes, marking smokes and HUNTIR. Depending on the situation the user adapts for it, for example, IR illuminations flares employed against an enemy without night-vision devices gives a massive advantage to the force using it.

As mentioned previously coordinating fires with automatic rifleman is a devastating tactic against enemy forces and eliminates “dead spaces” and cover which the enemy would be shielded from machine-gun fire.

A very important thing to note is the ballistics of the 40mm grenade. As the name suggests the round is big and heavy, wind plays a massive factor when engaging targets further than 150m and should always be considered and accounted for.

The Basics of Rocket Launchers

The purpose of shoulder-launched munitions is to provide the soldier with a lightweight, disposable, man-portable, self-contained, one-shot system that is highly effective in incapacitating personnel located within protective barriers, such as buildings, fighting positions (earth and timber bunkers), armored vehicles, and other field fortifications.

They are generally split in to three categories.

Light anti-tank (LAT) light weight disposable launchers that weigh 6kg (15lbs.) and are effectively operated and transported by one individual. They are designed for light to medium armored targets, typically armored personnel carriers.

Heavy anti-tank (HAT) heavy recoilless and reloadable launchers that weigh 15kg (33lbs.) and are effectively operated and transported two individuals. They are designed for heavily armored targets, typically main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) portable surface-to-air missiles.

Types of Rocket Launchers

LAT:

• M136 – Disposable multi-purpose. Range 400m.

• M72A1 – Disposable anti-tank. Range 350m.

• RPG-26 – Disposable anti-tank. Range 250m.

• RshG-2 – Disposable anti-personnel. Range 350m.

HAT:

• NLAW – Disposable anti-tank. Range 1000m.

• APILAS – Disposable multi-purpose. Range 600.

• Bunkerfaust 3 – Semi-disposable multi-purpose. Range 400m.

• MAAWS – Multi-purpose. Range 900m.

• M47-Dragon – Anti tank. Range 1000m.

• Javelin – Anti-tank. Range 4000m.

• SMAW – Multi-purpose. Range 500m.

• Metis – Multi-purpose. Range 2000m.

• RPG-7 – Multi-purpose. Range 500m.

M. PG-7V - Light AT.

M. PG-7VM - Modernized light AT

M. PG-7VS - Modernized AT

M. OG-7V - HE

M. Type 69 – Airburst HE

L. PG-7VL - Heavy AT

P. PG-7VR - Tandem AT

P. TBG-7V - Thermobaric

MANPADS:

• FIM-92 Stinger – Anti-air. Range 8000m.

• 9K38 Igla – Anti-air. Range 5000m.

Rocket Launcher Deployment and Tactics

Like all heavy weapon systems rocket launcher users employ similar tactics. Employment in pairs and coordinated fires ensure fast and deadly attacks or infantry or armored columns with little to none chance for retaliatory fire.

HAT users should have an assistant gunner. This ensures faster target acquisition and larger carry capacity. In the event where the gunner is incapacitated the assistant gunner takes on the role of the gunner and is tasked with eliminating the threat. It is advised (depending on the situation) HAT users should carry a balanced mix of anti-tank and anti-personnel munitions.

When firing any launcher users need to be aware of back-blast. This is roughly a 2m, 30-degree cone behind the launcher where propellant from the launcher poses a serious threat to friendlies behind the launcher. When firing it is mandatory to inform friendlies by calling out “Back-blast” when “Back-blast clear” is called you are clear to fire. Apart from danger to friendlies when firing in enclosed spaces or at a vertical angle the back-blast cone of danger still applies.

The Basics of Crew-Served Weapons

Any weapon system that is issued to a crew of two or more individuals performing the same or separate tasks to run at maximum operational efficiency, as opposed to an individual-service weapon, which only requires one person to run at maximum operational efficiency. The weight and bulk of the system often also necessitates multiple personnel for transportation.

Typically used in a defensive manner they can also be employed in an offense. If transportation and manpower available a mobile crew-served weapons team is a massive force multiplier.

Types of Crew-Served Weapons

• Heavy caliber machine-guns – M2, KORD, DShK.

• Automatic grenade launchers – MK-19, ASG-30.

• Anti-Tank launchers – TOW, Kornet, SPG-9M.

• Anti-Air launchers – DMS FIM-92F, Djigit 9K38.

Certification

To acquire the heavy weapons tag candidates must display knowledge of all types of weapons systems, their basic functions, tactics and special functions.

The workshop will be structured in four segments:

Machine-guns – Display knowledge of ranging, suppressive fire, temperature management, barrel swapping, target acquisition, linking rounds, assistant gunning, “talking guns”, Candidates will engage targets up to 1000m.

Grenade launchers - Display knowledge of ranging, target acquisition, use of HUNTIR, knowledge of ammunition, Candidates will engage targets up to 300m.

Rocket launchers – Display knowledge of ranging, target acquisition, knowledge of ammunition, back-blast precautions, Candidates will engage targets up to 1000m.

Crew-served weapons – Display knowledge of transportation and assembly of weapon systems.

At the end of each segment candidates will display their knowledge of the weapon system.