List of weapons of the United States Marine Corps
Weaponry used by the U.S. Marine Corps From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Weaponry used by the U.S. Marine Corps From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of weapons used by the United States Marine Corps:
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The basic infantry weapon of the United States Marine Corps is the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. Suppressive fire is provided by the M240B machine gun, at the squad and company levels respectively. In addition, indirect fire is provided by the M320 grenade launcher in fireteams, M224a1 60 mm mortar in companies, and M252 81 mm mortar in battalions. The M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun and MK19 automatic grenade launcher (40 mm) are available for use by dismounted infantry, though they are more commonly vehicle-mounted. Precision fire is provided by the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System and M40A3, A5, A6 bolt-action sniper rifle.[1]
The Marine Corps uses a variety of direct-fire rockets and missiles to provide infantry with an offensive and defensive anti-armor capability. The SMAW and AT4 are unguided rockets that can destroy armor and fixed defenses (e.g. bunkers) at ranges up to 500 meters. The FGM-148 Javelin and BGM-71 TOW are anti-tank guided missiles; both can utilize top-attack profiles to avoid heavy frontal armor and are heavy missiles effective past 2,000 meters that give infantry an offensive capability against armor.[2]
Marines are capable of deploying non-lethal weaponry as the situation dictates. Part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit earning the Special Operations Capable designator requires a company-sized unit capable of riot control.
Some older weapons are used for ceremonial purposes, such as the Silent Drill Platoon's M1 Garands, or the use of the M101 howitzer for gun salutes.
Marines with MARSOC, Force Reconnaissance, and MEU(SOC)s occasionally use specialized weapons that the rest of the fleet does not. In addition, some weapons are tested and evaluated in select units before acceptance and large-scale adoption. In a few cases, older weapons are brought out of retirement for limited use.
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