The full range of small arms and automatic weapons encompasses a diverse array of firearms and related equipment designed for individual or crew-served use. These weapons serve various purposes, including personal defense, infantry support, and specialized combat roles. Here are some key points based on the search results:
Small Arms and Light Weapons (SA/LW) Overview
- Small arms munitions typically contain projectiles that are 0.5 inches or less in caliber and are fired from various sizes of weapons, such as pistols, carbines, rifles, automatic rifles, shotguns, and machine guns
- The category of small arms and light weapons includes a wide range of armaments, from handguns and rifles to machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars under 100 millimeters in caliber
Types of Small Arms and Automatic Weapons
- Assault Rifles: These firearms are designed for automatic or semi-automatic fire and are characterized by their high rate of fire and relative accuracy at ranges of less than 1,600 feet. They typically use 5.56-mm or 7.62-mm ammunition
- Machine Guns: These weapons can function as either squad light automatic weapons (light machine guns) when fired from the shoulder or as sustained fire long-range weapons (heavy machine guns) when mounted on a tripod or light vehicle. They are capable of providing sustained and suppressive fire
- Submachine Guns: These firearms are designed for close-quarters combat and are known for their compact size, high rate of fire, and maneuverability. They are often used by special forces and for personal defense .
- Automatic Grenade Launchers: These weapons have a caliber of 30 or 40 mm and are capable of firing high explosive or high explosive dual-purpose ammunition with a maximum range of up to 2200 meters
- Mortars: Mortars are indirect fire weapons capable of providing accurate high explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds out to a maximum range of several thousand meters. They are often used for infantry support and can be mounted on vehicles for increased mobility
Specialized Firearms
- Sharpshooter Rifles: These rifles are designed for precision shooting at extended ranges and are often used to complement the standard weapons used by military forces.
- Personal Defense Weapons: These firearms are developed to provide effective self-defense for personnel not otherwise armed with high-caliber firearms. They are designed for rear and “second-line” personnel and are often compact and lightweight
The full range of small arms and automatic weapons encompasses a wide variety of firearms, each tailored to specific combat roles and operational requirements. These weapons play a crucial role in modern military and law enforcement operations, providing personnel with the means to engage targets at various ranges and in diverse operational environments.If you need further details on specific types of small arms and automatic weapons or their applications, feel free to ask for more information!