Introduction The M2 caliber .50 machinegun supports the infantryman in both the attack and defense. It provides the rifleman with the heavy volume of close, accurate, and continuous fire necessary to accomplish his mission in the attack. The long range, close defensive, and final protective fires delivered by this weapon form an integral part of the unit's defensive fires. The M2 caliber .50 machinegun is also used to provide protection for motor movements, vehicle parks, and train bivouacs. It is also used to defend against low-flying hostile aircraft and to destroy lightly armored vehicles. In addition, it is used for reconnaissance by fire on suspected enemy positions. The M242 automatic machinegun is a 25mm gun found on the turret of the infantry and cavalry fighting vehicles. This weapon can be installed or removed in three assembly parts: barrel, feeder, and receiver. The machinegun has both electrical and manual fire control and it is externally powered. It also has a dual feed capability and 25mm ammunition cans that contain 70 rounds of armor piercing (AP), and 230 rounds of high explosive (HE) ammunition. The weapon can also fire single shots of 100 rounds per minute (low rate), or 200 rounds per minute (high rate). The M249 machinegun is designed as a fire team automatic weapon to be used for rear area security and special missions. The machinegun is gas operated, air-cooled, and fires from the open bolt position. It has a regulator for selecting normal or maximum (max) rate of fire. Use of the max rate is authorized only in the event that the weapon's firing rate slows down, otherwise stated: the weapon becomes sluggish. It also has an alternative 30 round magazine feeding provision. The use of the 30 round magazine is authorized only in an emergency situation since the use of the magazine reduces the performance of the machinegun.