Heavy Weapons Certification

Leading SME: Guyan/NoWar

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.

## Phase I: Introduction to Heavy Weapons

### Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge of ACE3 crew served weapons system

	* Deployment of weapon systems
	* Knowledge of ammunition types
2. Demonstrate knowledge of machine-guns and 40mm grenade launcher systems
3. Demonstrate proficiency with shoulder-fired anti-tank launchers
4. Demonstrate proficiency with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft launchers

#### Understanding crew served weapon deployment

* Retrieve weapon system and appropriate tripod from the arsenal (launcher slot)
* Deploy tripod
* Deploy weapon system onto tripod
* Load weapon

#### Understanding ammunition types

* 12.7x99 mm

	+ Used in the M2 .50 cal HMG
	+ Provides superior damage and target suppression
* 9.3×64 mm

	+ Used in the HK121
	+ Provides excellent damage and target suppression
* .338 NM

	+ Used in the LWMMG
	+ Provides excellent damage and target suppression suppression
* 7.62x51 mm

	+ Used in the Mk 48 Mod 1, M60E4 and M240B
	+ Provides above average damage and target suppression
* 6.5×39 mm

	+ Used in the Stoner 99 LMG
	+ Provides average damage and target suppression
* 5.56x45mm

	+ Used in the Mk 46 Mod 1 and M249
	+ Provides average damage and target suppression
* 40mm Grenade belts

	+ Multiple types of HEDP and HE
* Tracers

	+ All ammunition types have tracers, some have greater variety than others.
	+ Tracers work “both ways”

#### The Basics of Machine Guns

* Suppression

	+ Rounds are fired in 3-5 second bursts.
	+ Sustained automatic fire reduces weapon accuracy
	+ If more than one gun is present, each gun will alternate bursts (talking guns)
* Weapon Temperature

	+ Weapon barrel will heat over time, during continued operation.
	+ Change the barrel before 50% (prone to jams and accuracy loss beyond 50%)
* Changing weapon barrel

	+ Self-interact to swap barrel
	+ Spare barrel located in arsenal
	+ If assistant swaps barrel, animation is shorter
* Linking ammunition belts

	+ Assistant can interact with weapon to “link” ammunition belt
	+ Linking belt will result in the gun instantly being refilled and the partially used magazine going into the inventory of the assistant
	+ Belts must be the exact same

		- M855A1 200rnd soft pack coyote not compatible with M855A1 200 rnd soft pack olive

#### The Basics of Grenade Launchers

* 40mm grenades fired from single-shot rifle mounted launchers and belt-fed automatic launchers
* Ammunition types

	+ HE - effective against infantry
	+ HEDP - effective against infantry and light vehicles
	+ Canister - effective against infantry at close ranges
	+ Smoke

		- RHS/BI smoke rounds used for marking
		- 3CB smoke used for concealment
	+ Flares

		- Regular flare - used for signaling
		- Illumination flare - used for lighting up an area
	+ HUNTIR

		- See this document

#### The Basics of Shoulder-Fired Anti-Tank Launchers

* Disposable

	+ M136

		- HEAT - effective against light and medium vehicles
		- HEDP - effective against light vehicles
		- HP - effective against medium and heavy vehicles
	+ M72A1 - effective against light vehicles

* Reloadable

	+ MAAWS Mod 0 - stadia rangefinder

		- HEAT 55 - effective against medium vehicles
		- HEAT 75 - effective against heavy vehicles
		- HE 55 - effective against infantry and light vehicles
	+ MAAWS Mod 1  - laser rangefinder

		- HEAT 55 - effective against medium vehicles
		- HEAT 75 - effective against heavy vehicles
		- HE 55 - effective against infantry and light vehicles
	+ Javelin -  effective against all vehicle types

		- Enter thermal mode
		- Locate target and hold TAB to lock
		- Fire once locked
		- Fire modes

			* Press F to switch fire modes
			* TOP - missile will fly upwards then towards the target and land on the vehicle room
			* DIR - missile will fly directly at the target

## Phase II: Supervised Practice

* Candidates and instructors will work on basic competency skills and practicing the skills covered in Phase I.
* Candidates should ask questions, seek guidance from peers and instructors and hone their skills.

## Phase III: Qualification

### Qualification Requirements

* Candidates must hit 4 targets within 2 shots utilizing a shoulder-fired anti-tank launcher
* Candidates must hit 4 targets within 2 shots utilizing a single-shot 40mm grenade launcher
* Candidate must demonstrate proficiency with machine guns, grenade machine guns and anti-air launchers

### Qualification Course Requirements

* The range to the target is preferably between 200 and 400 meters, but never more than 500m (except for grenade launcher, which should not exceed 350m)
* There should be a minimum of 4 targets and no more than 5.
* Targets should be spaced out approximately 100-150m.
* Targets should be set up on a flat surface and the firing position should be approximately on the same plane (+/-10 meters elevation).
* Course should start with a 200m "control target" that is not graded to ensure the candidate understands the instructors and to address any technical issues they may have.
* The instructor will call out the direction of the target and describe the target in detail.

	+ Candidate may ask clarifying questions.
	+ If the candidate describes the correct target, confirm the target.
* All targets should be set up in "real world" scenarios.

	+ Targets may be partially obscured by buildings, bushes or behind objects.
	+ Do NOT place every target in the open.