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Performance Steps
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1. Assume a suitable firing position. Based on the
situation, assume the position that
allows you to observe and engage
targets yet minimize your exposure to
enemy fire.
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a.
Tripod firing. A number of
firing positions can be used based on
situation (prone, sitting, or
kneeling; or standing if firing from
prepared position).
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b.
Bipod firing. Prone
supported position and bipod-supported
fighting position are the best for
delivering effective fire on targets.
Assume these positions when possible.
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(1)
Shoulder firing position.
Use this position to engage specific
targets during movement when you can
assume no other position or the
situation dictates its use, such as
the final stages of an assault.
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(2)
Underarm firing position.
Use this position when closing with
the enemy, when a heavy volume of fire
in the target area is required, and
when rapid movement is necessary.
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(3)
Hip firing position. Use
this position when a heavy volume of
fire in the target area is required
and rapid movement is not necessary.
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2. Identify targets in your designated sector of fire.
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3. Align the sights on the target.
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a.
Obtain sight alignment by
centering the front sight blade in the
aperture of the rear sight with the
top of the front sight blade even with
the top of the rear sight slide.
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b.
Obtain a sight picture by
centering the target over the front
sight blade so it appears to rest on
top of the front sight blade and on
top of the rear sight slide.
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4. Load and engage targets using correct M240B firing
techniques.
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a.
Use correct trigger
manipulation.
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(1)
Pull straight to the rear
and release.
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(2)
Fire the weapon at the rate
of fire appropriate for the target
(sustained, rapid, or cyclic).
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b.
Use correct fire engagement
technique based on target type.
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(1)
Deliver fixed fire against
a point target when only one aiming
point is necessary to cover the target
with fire.
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(2)
Use traversing fire to
distribute fire on wide targets by
successive changes in direction.
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(a)
With the tripod-mounted
gun, make changes in 2- to 6-mil
increments on the traversing hand
wheel between bursts.
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(b)
With the bipod-mounted gun,
make minor changes by shifting your
shoulders to the right or left to
select successive aiming points
throughout the width of the target
area. For major changes, move your
elbows and align your body to remain
directly behind the gun.
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(3)
Use searching fire to
distribute fire on deep targets by
successive changes in elevation.
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(a)
With the tripod-mounted
gun, make changes in 2-mil increments
on the elevating hand wheel between
bursts.
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(b)
When using the bipod, move
elbows closer together to lower the
muzzle, or farther apart to raise the
muzzle.
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(4)
Use traversing and
searching fire to distribute fire on
wide and deep targets by successive
changes in direction and elevation.
Make adjustments in the same manner as
described for traversing and searching
fire.
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(5)
Use swinging traverse fire
(tripod-mounted gun only) to deliver
fire against targets too wide to cover
with the traversing hand wheel or
against fast moving targets. Loosen
the traversing slide lock lever and
make changes in direction by moving
the muzzle left or right. Make changes
in elevation by turning the elevating
hand wheel.
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(6)
Use free gun fire (tripod-
or vehicle-mounted gun only) against
targets requiring rapid major changes
in direction and elevation. To deliver
this type of fire, remove the T&E
mechanism from the receiver to allow
the gun to be moved in any direction.
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c.
Use correct application of
fire to engage specific types of
targets (for single gun engagement).
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(1)
Point target. Engage point
targets with fixed fire.
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(2)
Area target. Initially aim
at the midpoint of the target area.
Traverse and search to either flank,
then back to the opposite flank.
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(3)
Linear target. Initially
aim at the midpoint of the target.
Traverse fire to one flank then to the
other to cover the entire target.
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(4)
Deep target. Initially aim
at the midpoint of the target unless
another portion of the target is more
critical or presents a greater threat.
Search down to one aiming point in
front of the near end and back up to
one aiming point beyond the far end.
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(5)
Linear target with depth.
Initially aim at the midpoint of the
target unless another portion of the
target is more critical or presents a
greater threat. Traverse and search to
the flank closest to your position,
then back to the other to cover the
entire target.
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(6)
Moving target. To hit a
moving target, estimate the speed of
the target and the lead required to
fire and hit it. Fire and track the
target as it moves. Adjust the lead by
observing tracers and the strike of
the bullets.
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d.
Adjust fire to place
effective fire on the target. Based on
time, range, and amount of adjustment,
use one of the following methods:
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(1)
Sight correction method.
When the initial burst is not
correctly placed, adjust elevation and
windage as required. This method is
time-consuming.
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(2)
Adjusted aiming point
method. Use the adjusted aiming point
method to adjust fires quickly without
making a sight adjustment. If the
initial burst misses the target,
rapidly select a new aiming point the
same distance from the target as the
center of impact of the initial burst
but in the opposite direction.
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