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.5"
(12.7mm) Browning Heavy Machine Gun
There are few
more distinctive sounds than the .5" Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) being fired.
Once heard, whether it is on a shoot or during a battle inoculation exercise,
it is unlikely to be forgotten. The weapon's deep, rhythmic, almost sluggish
sound carries with it a message that seems to say, "Don't mess with me!"
Sgt Terry McLaughlin outlines its features...
The .5" Browning
machine gun developed from the .3" machine gun which was first introduced
to the battlefield by the American Army in 1917. The search for a high
calibre weapon with greater penetrative power began in response to the
increase in armour protection being employed by vehicles in the field.
The first .5" model arrived in 1921 and in 1923 an air-cooled version
was introduced. Ten years later it was renamed the M2 and, shortly afterwards,
changes were made which increased the size and weight of the barrel. It
then became known as the M2 HB (heavy barrel), as has remained virtually
unchanged since. It is a measure of the design's success that the weapon
is still in service today in armies throughout the world, with demand
showing no sign of slowing down. The .5 (point five), as it is commonly
known, is currently produced in the US and by Fabrique Nationale (FN)
of Belgium.
The .5 has been
in service with the infantry battalions of the defence forces since 1984.
One of the heaviest pieces of firepower on call to a battalion commander,
the weapon requires a crew of four, consisting of an NCO (detachment commander)
and three privates one of whom is a driver. Each detachment is provided
with a Nissan land rover and trailer for transporting the weapon, ammunition,
equipment and crew. The weapon is also used by B Coy Det, DFTC, where
it is mounted on the Mowag APC's, and by the Naval Service on their vessels.
Service ammunition
will travel a distance of 6,800m, but the effective planning range for
the weapon is 2,000m. The current ammunition is received in belts consisting
of rounds in the sequence of one ball, one tracer, and one APIHC (armour
piercing incendiary hard core). In addition to being used against troops,
the APIHC round gives the .5 the ability to take on lightly armoured vehicles
out to a range of 600m.
Training ammunition
comes in two different types; reduced range ammunition in belts of four
ball to one tracer and reduced range 'plastic' ammunition in belts of
two ball to one tracer. Manufactured in Germany this ammunition is the
latest type of training round and is ballistically accurate to ranges
just over 100m.
Prior to firing
the weapon, the headspace and timing of the gun have to be set by means
of gauges. This is a relatively simple operation that can be carried out
by the detachment in a matter of minutes. Nevertheless, it is vital that
it is carried out to ensure that the weapon operates safely and efficiently.
FN also produces a QBC (quick barrel change) version that does away with
the need for checking headspace and timing. The vehicle-mounted .5s employed
by B Coy Det, DFTC, are of the QBC variety.
There are currently
three mounts in use with the .5. The M63 and Cobra are the anti-aircraft
mounts for use in air defence operations. There are some slight modifications
to the gun when it is used on these mounts, including the fitting of a
detachable anti-aircraft sight and a trigger extension.
The M3 is the
tripod mount used in the normal role. A pintle, which is attached to the
gun, locks into the tripod. Underneath and to the rear of the receiver
section, a T&E (traversing and elevation) mechanism attached the gun to
a horizontal bar that runs between the two rear legs of the tripod. This
bar is graduated in mils and allows for the recording and setting of readings
for direction of fire. A Hand wheel on the T&E mechanism, also graduated
in mils, is used to set and record elevation. The T&E mechanism allows
the .5 to be locked at particular settings for both direction and elevation.
Target areas, such as likely enemy FUPs (forming up point) or obstacles,
can then be fired upon when visible and, after successful engagement,
recorded on a 'target information sheet'. During times of impaired visibility
- for instance, at night or during battlefield obscuration (smoke screen,
dust, etc) - the recorded target settings may be placed on the T&E mechanism
and re-engaged.
As with other
machine guns, the .5 is mainly an area neutralisation weapon. Rather than
being used against specific individual targets, its most effective role
is in dominating and denying key ground to the enemy and covering areas
where enemy forces are likely to concentrate. Obvious targets would be
likely FUPs, bridges, crossroads, and the like.
Covering obstacles,
such as minefields, with machine-gun fire greatly increases the effectiveness
of the obstacle by slowing down an enemy's advance or forcing an alteration
in their direction of attack to suit your defences. key ground can also
be denied to the enemy by laying down fire onto areas through which they
intend to pass, whether they are trying to reach an objective or reinforce
positions.
While in the offensive
role the .5 can provide assaulting troops with close supporting fire.
A large volume of fire can be brought to bear on enemy positions to neutralise
their fire and prevent them from withdrawing, or being reinforced, while
friendly forces move into positions to attack.
Although these
are only examples of the tasks which can be undertaken by the .5, it is
this flexibility that makes it such a valuable weapon in both offensive
and defensive operations.
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The
FN / Browning Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)is a battalion level support weapon
of the Irish Army. The support company of each battalion is equipped with
them. Known as "Point Fives", their job is to provide covering/supporting
fire in attack and protective fire in defence. The HMG is also used to
defend against low flying enemy aircraft and to light enemy vehicles.
Since 2005 Reserve Infantry Battalions have been issued it and training
courses are now run to train suitable crews.
