Page 396 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

394 INFANTRY FIREPOWER ▼ RPG-7V The shoulder-launched RPG-7

GE 1945–PRESENT Although the modern assault rifle is a highly capable weapon, Origin Soviet Union propellant. As well as optical
fires a projectile with a
Date 1961
two-stage launcher/sustainer
Weight 13 ⁄4lb (6.3kg)
3
sights, the weapon has backup
it lacks sufficient firepower to support infantry fighting on their own,
iron sights and a passive
1
Barrel 37 ⁄2in (95cm)
and for this reason portable weapons with greater firepower were
infrared sight.
Caliber 40mm
developed. The light machine-gun (LMG) is one of the oldest support
3
Range 546 ⁄4 yards (500m)
weapons, capable of providing sustained automatic fire. At the next
Grenade type AT, AP, HE,
Barrel contains tail of
level is the grenade launcher, followed by the mortar, which provides
thermobarbic
expelling charge, with
infantry with miniaturized artillery. Portable anti-tank devices have
stabilizing fins folded
the just-portable MILAN, which fires missiles that the operator
guides by wire to avoid defensive countermeasures.
A also proved highly successful—ranging from the light RPG-7V to launching cartridge and
THE NUCLEAR Butt plate contains Muzzle, into which
projectile is loaded
cleaning kit
Trigger
Ammunition belt

Bipod leg
▲ PKM A general-purpose machine-gun
Date 1969 (GPMG), the PKM is gas-operated,
belt-fed, and air-cooled. It is an
Origin Soviet Union improved variant of the Mikhail
1
Weight 16 ⁄2lb (7.5kg) Kalashnikov-designed PK. The Skeleton light-alloy
1
Barrel 25 ⁄4in (64.5cm) butt plate is hinged and contains butt stock
a cleaning kit.
Caliber 7.62mm × 54R

▶ MILAN ANTI-TANK MISSILE
Date 1972
Origin France, West Germany
Weight (Loaded) 75lb (34kg)
Length 4ft (1.2m)
Caliber 125mm
Armor penetration 25 ⁄2in Missile exhaust tube
1
(650mm)
The MILAN is an anti-tank weapon
that enables an operator to guide the
missile to its target via signals sent
along long, thin wires attached to
the missile. Although many MILANs
are vehicle-mounted, they can be
deployed by a two-man infantry crew.

Carrying handle

Adjustable bipod
(folded)

◀ FN MINIMI An outstanding gas-operated,
Date 1975 air-cooled light machine-gun,
Retractable butt Origin Belgium the Minimi has been adopted
stock (extended) by the British Army and the
Weight 15lb (6.83kg) US Army, among others,where
1
Barrel 18 ⁄4in (46.5cm) it has been designated the M249
Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).
Caliber 5.56 × 45mm
Ammunition Bipod leg
belt container