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The M202Al rocket launcher is fired on the right shoulder in the standing, kneeling, or prone position. These positions will enable the gunner to fire from any cover on the battlefield. Each position has several factors which facilitate a steady hold, and is representative of how the weapon should be fired in training and in combat. The exact position may vary slightly to conform to the configuration of the gunner's body or the location of the target in relation to his firing position. You must insure that the position selected is stable, comfortable, and most suitable for engaging the target. Regardless of the position used, keep the launcher pointed toward the target with the muzzle end up. A modified sitting position may have to be used in a fighting position or on an APC. These are discussed later in this chapter.
a. The first firing position to be discussed is the standing unsupported position (fig 4-1). This position is very similar to the standing position when firing a rifle. To get into this position, face the target and execute a half right face. Spread the feet a comfortable distance apart, and place the weapon on the right shoulder. The body should be well balanced with the hips level. The left hand should be placed on the front cover handle or under the trigger handle assembly of the launcher. The right shoulder should be placed against the rear cover and launcher for stability. The left hand is used to further steady the weapon by grasping the front cover handle and applying a steady rearward pressure.
Figure 4-1. Standing Unsupported Position.
b. The standing supported position is designed to make use of any cover the gunner might find and to aid in stabilizing the weapon for more accurate firing. The type of support that will be most commonly found on the battlefield will either be vertical (a tree or high wall) or horizontal (a berm, fallen tree, fence, or a partially fallen wall).
(1) To use a tree or high wall for support the gunner would use the position shown in figure 4-2. His left shoulder, forearm, thigh, and knee should rest against the tree or wall. His left knee is flexed and the right leg straight. The gunner should not bring the front of the launcher too close to the support or his sight will be blocked. When using this position the gunner is highly vulnerable to fire from his right side. It should not be used unless the target cannot be seen from the kneeling position.
Figure 4-2. Standing Supported Position.
(2) The gunner may choose to fire over his cover in the standing position. A great deal of support can be obtained from a fallen tree, berm, fence, or partially fallen wall. To fire over his cover the gunner would use the position as shown in figure 4-3. His left hand would be on the handle on the front dust cover with only his index finger through the hole in the handle. The remaining fingers should form a fist and the bottom of the fist should rest on the cover. His feet would be spread a comfortable distance apart. The gunner elevates or depresses the weapon by either increasing or decreasing the distance between his legs.
Figure 4-3. Standing Supported Position (Over Cover).
a. The kneeling supported position is similar to the kneeling unsupported position for firing the rifle (fig 4-4). Kneel on the right knee with the right thigh at a 90 degree angle with the line of aim and sit back on the right heel, shifting the weight forward to a comfortable position. As viewed from the front, the lower left leg is vertical. Place the launcher on the right shoulder, keeping the rear cover forward of the right shoulder. Rest the upper left arm forward of the left knee, with the left hand on the front cover handle. Place the right arm against the side, right hand on the trigger assembly. This position is more suitable for engaging stationary targets. To engage moving targets, the gunner should straighten his body and remove his elbow from his knee to aid in tracking the target.
Figure 4-4. Kneeling Unsupported Position.
b. The kneeling supported position can be used to fire around or over the gunner's cover.
(1) To fire around the cover the gunner would use the position shown in figure 4-5. He would lean his left shoulder, upper arm, and thigh against the support. He should sit back on his right heel. The left elbow should rest on the upper portion of the left leg, near the knee. The left hand can be moved to support underneath the right hand for long-range targets. The gunner should not bring the front of the launcher too close to the support or his sight will be blocked.
Figure 4-5. Kneeling Supported Position.
(2) If the gunner must fire over his cover, the kneeling supported position should be used. The gunner would fire as shown in figure 4-6. The gunner's elbows are on his cover for support. He kneels on both knees. Changes in elevation are made by spreading the elbows or bringing them together
Figure 4-6. Kneeling Supported Position (Over Cover).
This position (fig 4-7) is the most stable of the three positions; however, its use is limited to a maximum range of 200 meters. (To engage targets beyond this range requires elevating the front of the launcher which may cause injury from the backblast.) To get into this position, lie down at an angle of not less than 45 degrees to the line of fire in order to keep clear of the backblast area. Your back should be straight and the right leg directly on a line running through the right hip and right shoulder (if possible). Position your elbows well under the launcher in a comfortable position. You must insure your legs do not extend into the backblast area. The front dust cover or left wrist can rest on the ground for support. This position is very difficult for some gunners to attain. One or two sandbags under the upper arm or forearm may help, but this procedure is time-consuming and therefore impractical on the battlefield. This position should not be used unless it is absolutely necessary.
Figure 4-7. The Prone Position.
The M202Al rocket launcher can be used in both an offensive and defensive role because it is lightweight, has an extended range, and has a minimal maintenance requirement. Due to the weapon's accuracy and the trajectory of the rocket, it can get into areas and enclosures which other weapons cannot enter. It can produce personnel casualties in bunkers, buildings, and covered or open foxholes, as well as damage unarmored vehicles and destroy combustible supplies, ammunition, and materiel. The M202Al rocket launcher produces a psychological effect--the brilliant splash of the bursting warhead makes it an excellent weapon to suppress RPG and Sagger missile firing sites and when fired near armored vehicles, will normally make the crew button-up.
The M202Al rocket launcher may be employed like other direct fire weapons with the assault element or with a supporting element as a supporting or covering weapon. The M74 rocket is normally employed by infantry elements in the assault for the same purpose as flamethrowers; however, targets can be engaged at a greater range and with greater accuracy with this weapon than with the portable flamethrowers. Thus, the M202Al gunner is less vulnerable to enemy fire than flamethrower operators.
a. The decision to use this weapon in combat is based upon its availability, the availability of ammunition, and its relative contribution toward mission accomplishment. W14 planning the attack, the company commander andn leaders consider the use of the M202Al rocket launcher as part of their plan for fire support. Defensively, the weapon can be used in the coordinated plan for fires and in support of the counterattack.The M202A1 can be employed on likely avenues of approach against enemy over watch positions, to cover deadspace, or to set disabled vehicles aflame. Because of its range, lethality, and psychological pa the M202Al should routinely be employed in defensive situations and given specific targets or target areas that are incorporated into the platoon's final protective fires.
b. The M202AI can be employ at night using artificial illumination from the M203 grenade launcher, mortars, artillery, or field expedients. In the absence of illumination or if the available light is poor, it is difficult to distinguish the sight reticle. For this reason gunners must observe where rounds impact and shift to the target. If the gunner sees the first round impact through the sight, the burst-on -target technique can be employed using the light produced by the first round. Initial rounds can be fired at targets by using radar sightings, unattended ground sensors, directions from LP/OPs, muzzle ashes, noises, or reflections of light. Adjustment should again be accomplished using the illumination produced by the first round. Consideration should be given to disclosing friendly positions prior to firing at night.
c. The M202Al rocket launcher can be employed against disabled armored vehicles, dismounted troops, crew-served or individual weapons positions, wooded areas, fortified positions, or built-up areas. The M202Al is a particularly effective counter suppression weapon when employed against enemy RPGs and machineguns.
d. When contemplating employment of the M202A1, Consideration must be given to the smoke which will be produced. Firing the M202A1 close to your defensive position can start fires and the smoke can obscure your vision and aid the enemy.
a. The M202A1 may be fired from a fighting position (fig 4-8), but special attention must be given to the backblast area. A fighting position generally limits the maximum range of the M202A1 to 200 meters, as targets in excess of this range require the muzzle of the launcher to be elevated to aim and fire the weapon. Elevating the muzzle of the launcher directs the backblast into the fighting position, creating the possibility of injury to personnel in the position. Overhead cover on the fighting position will not affect the maximum engagement range as long as the rocket will clear the overhead cover and the backblast area is clear. To engage long-range targets, the gunner must sit on the back edge of the position, firing over the front berm, or he may kneel behind an adjacent berm. Special berms may be constructed.
Figure 4-8. Firing from a Fighting Position.
b. The M202Al should be positioned so that its backblast will not interfere with nearby friendly positions. In no situation should friendly positions be located within the weapon's 15-meter danger zone. If possible, position the M202Al so that no friendly position is within the 25-meter area between the outside edges of the danger and caution zone. If this is not possible, insure that positions within the caution zone are covered and the soldier is protected from flying debris.
c. A field expedient method of aiming and firing at preselected probable targets can be constructed for the most important probable target areas in both sectors. To construct the field expedient, six stakes (2-3 feet long) and some wire or rope are required. Figure 4-10 shows the construction.
Figure 4-10. Field Expedient Aiming Method.
(1) The rear stakes are driven in first. They should be at least 6 inches into solid ground and perpendicular to the target. The cross member is lashed to the target side of the rear stakes; it should not be too high.
(2) The front right stake is positioned next. Its position should be marked by an assistant as the gunner sights on his target. When the weapon is aimed at the target, this stake must be flush against the right side of the launcher and positioned between the front dust cover and the trigger mechanism. When the gunner is aiming, the rear of the weapon should be on the rear stakes. The bridge on the rear dust cover should rest on the rear cross member with the rear dust cover itself flush on the cross member. The right side of the launcher should be up against the right rear stake.
(3) The left front stake and front cross member are added last. To obtain the proper elevation the front cross member must be lashed at the proper height. This height should be marked by an assistant, as in 4-7c(2) above, while the gunner is aiming.
(4) The gunner may fire the launcher by placing it in the field expedient, pushing it up against the right posts, and squeezing the trigger.
The M202Al can be fired from an APC. Firing from the open cargo hatch requires close coordination with all squad members to insure the backblast area is clear. Additionally, the gunner's distance of traverse is limited as the muzzle and rear of the launcher must be outside of the open cargo hatch.EXTREME CAUTION MUST BE USED TO INSURE THAT THE SQUAD MEMBERS INSIDE THE APC ARE NOT INJURED BY THE MUZZLE OR BACKBLAST, EAR PLUGS MUST BE WORN BY ALL PERSONNEL. If the situation permits, the gunner should sit on top of the APC to fire the launcher (fig 4-11). This will provide a stable firing position while providing greater flexibility in engaging targets. Caution must be exercised to insure the backblast is clear and ear plugs should be worn. In this vehicular firing position the gunner may fire from either side of the hatch. The driver and caliber.50 machinegunner should button up when the M202Al is fired to the front. The gunner sits on the open cargo hatch. His outside leg (away from the cargo hatch opening) is bent, foot resting to the side of the cargo hatch. His inside leg is extended, foot resting on the front edge of the cargo hatch opening. Support for the launcher is gained by resting the right, or left, forearm on the outside knee. The left hand is placed under the right for additional support.
Figure 4-11. Firing from an APC.
The M202Al is an extremely effective weapon for combat in cities or built up areas. Flames can be delivered on distant targets through windows, doorways, or other holes in the structures with pinpoint accuracy. The detonation of rockets within a structure will create panic and confusion among the enemy occupying the structure. The launcher can be fired from inside a room provided there are no vertical surfaces within 5 meters of the rear of the launcher and the room has another opening to prevent the creation of overpressures. The backblast area must be clear of personnel, debris, and other items and ear plugs must be worn by all personnel in the room.