5 types of weapons that US Marines rely on for survival (8 photos)

The US Marine Corps (MCC) has its own aviation and armored forces, and, accordingly, a wide arsenal of modern modifications of this type of equipment.





The publication 19FortyFive compiled a rating and named the most stunning weapons of the USMC.

1. Aircraft gun GAU-12U Equalizer



The topic starts with the GAU-12U Equalizer cannon, designed according to the multi-barrel Gatling design. The rate of fire of the five-barreled machine gun reaches 4.2 thousand rounds per minute. The cannon shell retains destructive power up to 3.6 thousand meters.

2. Mk-20 Rockeye II cluster bomb





The following is the Mk-20 Rockeye II cluster bomb: this projectile contains 247 explosive elements with a cumulative warhead.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber



To deliver the Rockeye II bomb within reach of enemy armored vehicles, F/A-18 aircraft of the ILC aviation are used.

3. NEMESIS missile system on a vehicle chassis



Among the promising weapons is also the NMESIS coastal missile system, which is planned to be adopted by the USMC in 2023 (by assembling electronic components from components made in the People's Republic of China, author's note). According to experts, the coastal complex will provide advantages to the Marines if the situation in the South China Sea escalates.

4. M1134 anti-tank complex based on the Stryker wheeled armored personnel carrier.



The fourth position in the publication's list is firmly occupied by the M1134 anti-tank complex based on the Stryker wheeled armored personnel carrier.

Stryker BMP: in the illusory hope of escaping from the RPG-7



The vehicle received a launcher for two TOW ATGMs and an innovative sight with a thermal imaging channel.

5. AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter



The list of the most promising weapons of the Marine Corps is completed by the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter. The vehicle is equipped with the already mentioned Gatling gun and can carry containers with both guided missiles and NURS.

The selection was compiled by the author of the book “Men, Machines and dаta: Future Trends in War,” Ph.D., former US Army infantry officer Brent M. Eastwood. He first of all gave his preference to the Apache helicopter; the second - to the NEMESIS coastal complex.

P.S.

In turn, the author of the article believes that love for the Motherland, courage, unyielding determination and the will to win under certain conditions can make even an engineer’s shovel the most deadly weapon on the battlefield.