From PP

Question 1

What FM’s cover Machine Gun Employment

Answer 1

FM 3-22.68 Crew Served Machine Guns

FM 3-21.8 (7-8) Infantry Platoon and Squad

Question 2

What are the Characteristics of Fire

Answer 2

Trajectory
Maximum Ordinate
Cone of Fire
Beaten Zone
Danger Space

Question 3

What is Trajectory

Answer 3

The path of the round in flight to the target. (Recoil, stability, and control of the weapon all effect the trajectory of the round.)

Question 4

What is Maximum Ordinate

Answer 4

The highest point of the trajectory between the muzzle of the weapon and the base of the target. Occurs about 2/3 of the distance between the weapon and the target. The Maximum Ordinate increases as the range Increases.

Question 5

Explain the Cone of Fire

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

How is the Cone of Fire created

Answer 6

Vibrations of the gun
Variations in ammunition
Atmospheric conditions

Question 7

What is the Beaten Zone

Answer 7

The elliptical pattern formed on the ground on the target by the striking rounds and the primary way for adjusting fire.

(The length of the beaten zone changes as the range to the target increases. Sloping terrain and short range will lengthen the Beaten Zone.)

Question 8

What is Danger SPace

Answer 8

The space between the Machine Gun and the target where the trajectory rises less than 1.8 meters (average height of a man) from the ground.

Question 9

Classes of Fire

Answer 9

Respect to the Ground

Respect to the Target

Respect to the Weapon

Question 10

What are the two fires in Respect to the Ground

Answer 10

Grazing Fire

Plunging Fire

Question 11

What is Grazing Fire

Answer 11

Occurs when the center of the cone of fire rises less than 1 meter above the ground.

Question 12

What is Plunging Fire

Answer 12

Occurs when the Danger Space is within the Beaten Zone, at longer ranges when firing from high ground onto low ground, and when firing into abruptly rising ground.

Question 13

Explain Respect to the Target

Answer 13

The angle or orientation at which the gun is to the target.

Frontal

Flanking

Oblique

Enfilade

Question 14

Explain Frontal Fire

Answer 14

Occurs when the long axis of the Beaten Zone is at a right angle to the front of the target or in line with the target.

Question 15

Explain Flanking Fire

Answer 15

Occurs when the gunner is to the flank of the target.

Question 16

Explain Oblique Fire

Answer 16

Occurs when the long axis of the Beaten Zone is at any angle other than a right angle to the front of the target.

Question 17

Explain Enfilade Fire

Answer 17

Occurs when the long axis of the Beaten Zone coincides with the long axis of the target.

(Either frontal or flanking and is the most desired type of fire because it makes the most of the Beaten Zone.)

Question 18

What are the subcategories to Respect to the Weapon

Answer 18

Fixed

Traversing

Searching

Traversing and Searching

Swinging Traverse

Free-Gun

Question 19

Fixed Fire

Answer 19

Delivered against a point target when depth and width of the Beaten Zone covers the target.

(Only one aiming point is needed to provide target coverage.)

Question 20

Traversing Fire

Answer 20

Fire distributed IN WIDTH with successive changes in direction.

(The gunner selects several aiming points throughout the width of the target.
Aiming points are close enough to provide coverage without wasting ammo.)

Question 21

Searching Fire

Answer 21

Fire distributed IN DEPTH by changes in elevation.

(Gunner selects several aiming points.
Changes made to each aiming point depend on the range and slope of the ground.)

Question 22

Traversing and Searching Fire

Answer 22

Fire distributed IN WIDTH AND DEPTH by changes in elevation and direction.

Question 23

Swinging Traverse

Answer 23

Wider distance covered with distribution of fire laterally.
No change to the elevation/range.
Used against a target with great width.

Question 24

Free Gun

Answer 24

Fire distributed against a target that requires rapid, major changes in direction and elevation that can not be achieved while using the T & E.

Question 25

Application of Fire

Answer 25

This refers to methods used to cover a target area. (Gunners are exposed to 2 types of targets in the squad or platoon sector; enemy soldiers and supporting automatic weapons. These enemy soldiers and supporting automatic weapons are the gunner’s priority targets and should be engaged ASAP.)

Question 26

Types of Target Engagements

Answer 26

Point Target Area Target Linear Target Deep Target

Question 27

Engagement for Point Targets

Answer 27

For point targets the gunner uses Fixed Fire. | If the target moves after the initial burst the gunner follows the movement engaging the target.

Question 28

Engagement for Area Targets

Answer 28

For an area target the gunner fires at the center mass of the target and then TRAVERSES AND SEARCHES to either flank and then reverses to the other flank.

Question 29

Engagement for Linear Targets

Answer 29

The initial point of aim is the midpoint and then the gunner manipulates his fire to cover the rest of the target. (The leader or AG may use reference points to make adjustments. The reference point should lie on line with the target for the most accurate results.)

Question 30

Engagement for Deep Targets

Answer 30

The gunner uses SEARCHING FIRE and initially aims at midpoint using single deep targets unless there is another more critical target. (Then SEARCHES down one aiming point in front of the near end and back up to one aiming point beyond the far end. The leader may use reference points if the gunner can not observe a deep target.)

Question 31

Working as a Pair of Gunners | Support by Fire

Answer 31

When a pair of gunners engage area targets each gunner fires on his half of the target area. This half is then divided up into 2 sections using midpoint references. Both gunners distribute fire by applying direction and elevation changes for the best coverage.

Question 32

Type of Fire for Point Targets

Answer 32

Fixed Fire

Question 33

Type of Fire for Area Targets

Answer 33

Travers and Search

Question 34

Type of Fire for Linear Targets

Answer 34

Traversing Fire

Question 35

Type of Fire for Deep Targets

Answer 35

Searching Fire

Question 36

Type of Fire for Linear Targets With Depth

Answer 36

Traverse and Search

Question 37

Keys to Overhead Fires

Answer 37

Coordination Communication Situational Awareness

Question 38

Overhead Fires

Answer 38

Overhead fire is only delivered from either the tripod or vehicle mounts using the T & E mechanisms. This type of fire is used from atop buildings, hill tops, vehicles, or any other location that is higher than the advancing troops and ONLY ON TARGETS BETWEEN 350 AND 800 METERS!

Question 39

Gunner's Rule

Answer 39

Can be applied when friendly troops are at least 350m in front of the gun position and the range to the target is 850m or less. Lay the gun on the target with the correct sight setting. Without disturbing the lay of the gun, set rear sight to 1,600m Look through sights and notice where the new line of aim Strikes the ground. This is the limit of troop safety. When the feet of the friendly troops reach this point, fires must be lifted or shifted.

Question 40

Overhead Fires Safety Measures

Answer 40

``` Securely emplace tripod. Use field expedient stops to avoid dipping the barrel. Avoid overhead obstacles. Ensure crew knows safety limits. Use good reliable barrels. Refer to AR 350-63 for further guidance ```

Question 41

Defilade Position

Answer 41

Defilade is when a machine gun and its crew are completely behind terrain that masks them from the enemy. An observer controls fires from the Defilade and adjusts them accordingly.

Question 42

Methods of Fire Control

Answer 42

``` Verbal Hand and arm signals Prearranged signals Personal contact Range cards SOP’S ```

Question 43

Fire Controls SOP's

Answer 43

``` Observations Leader checks Shift fire Mutual support Fire Return Fire Rates of Fire ```

Question 44

Prearranged Signals

Answer 44

``` Flares Smoke Phase Lines Tracers Lulls in Fire Taps (Left/Right) ```

Question 45

Six Elements of Fire Command

Answer 45

``` Alert Direction Description Range Method of Fire Command to Fire ```

Question 46

Principles of Machine Gun Employment

Answer 46

``` Mutual Support Coordination Interlocking Fire Sited in Defilade Sited to Produce Enfilade Fire Cover and Concealment Economy of Ammunition ```