What's the best weapons system of the United States Military?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:09:18 -0400

I'm just curious as to which weapon system everyone thinks is the best. Recently I've been out on a 249 range and absolutely love that weapon! Lemme hear what you all think!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 17 at 2015 11:11 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:11:58 -0400

Without a doubt, our Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen/Marines/Coast guardsmen are our best weapons!

Response by LCDR Bruce Cooley made Jun 17 at 2015 11:25 AM

LCDR Bruce Cooley — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:25:41 -0400

The mind of a trained service person! Ultimately, it is the individual Sailor/Soldier/Marine/Airman/Coastguardsman....

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 17 at 2015 11:34 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:34:24 -0400

this

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 17 at 2015 11:37 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:37:01 -0400

ICBMs with nuclear payloads... They solve problems, permanently.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 11:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:45:18 -0400

Not a big fan of the M249. tends to jam up more often. Especially when magazine fed.

Still like the M240, but the weight can ware on you after a while.

So far, my favorite is still the M4 retrofitted with the M320. It makes missions more versatile. Especially on dismounted patrols!

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jun 17 at 2015 11:47 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:47:34 -0400

The Brain!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 11:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:52:26 -0400

If you are talking about weapons that sling lead downrange, then the M2 .50 is the best. Unchanged after how many years....and packs a big punch.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 17 at 2015 11:58 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:58:01 -0400

I'm a fan of the 1911 series and the M14 series. Old but still going strong.

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jun 17 at 2015 11:58 AM

SCPO Lee Pradia — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 11:58:54 -0400

The people who operate those systems.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 17 at 2015 12:02 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:02:29 -0400

The individual service member! HOOOAH!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 12:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:05:02 -0400

A lot of responses say it's the person behind the weapon. Hmm..lets elaborate; how about weapons that are easy to operate and very effective? something anyone can pickup and use without much training. You can including various attachments..

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2015 1:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:09:35 -0400

The Kurds.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jun 17 at 2015 1:14 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:14:42 -0400

The highly trained military professional is the best weapon

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 17 at 2015 1:21 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:21:29 -0400

Guided weapons.

I can recall when we sent sortie after sortie out to take out a heavily defended bridge, with loss of aircrews, before the bridge was knocked down with dumb bombs. The enemy then rebuilt the bridge and we had to start the process all over again. Time was on their side.

Then with smart weapons, one aircraft, one bomb = one bridge. They would have to work to rebuild the bridge and then one more aircraft and one more bomb would knock it down again. Time was then on our side.

Since then the smart weapons have only gotten smarter, giving us an even greater advantage and running our kill ratio up.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 17 at 2015 1:23 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:23:25 -0400

The citizen soldier. The uniform and the weapons they are using does not matter as much as the free warrior in it or using them.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 17 at 2015 3:53 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:53:48 -0400

The US Marine with a service rifle.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 3:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:57:08 -0400

If were going with actual weapons then I would go with the 50 caliber Machine gun. It can be mounted on armored vehicles or trucks and does some real damage to whatever is in front of it. IMO the browning Machine gun is one of the best weapons ever created.

If were going with land based vehicles then I would go with the MRAP, Bradley Fighting vehicle and the M113. Great vehicles for moving troops with the slight advantage going to MRAP for protection from IED's.

If were talking aircraft then I would go with the A-10 Thunderbolt hands down. The most useful aircraft in the entire military without a doubt.

As for the sea going vessels I would have to go with the Navy's Aircraft carriers. Their ability to project power worldwide makes them a force to be reckoned with.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 4:00 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:00:08 -0400

General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems - GAU-19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VMHQzwDwc

General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems - GAU-19/B .50 Cal Gatling Gun [480p]

Three barrels, .50 caliber and 1,300 shots per minute all add up to one effective weapon system. General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems manufactures th...

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 17 at 2015 4:06 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:06:45 -0400

The service member clearly, but back patting aside, I vote for this sweet, sweet hunk of freedom.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 17 at 2015 4:11 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:11:24 -0400

My personal preference.......

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 17 at 2015 4:25 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:25:12 -0400

LaWS - Laser Weapons System being tested by the US Navy. The reason it's the best? It's a frickin' laser!

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 17 at 2015 5:11 PM

1LT William Clardy — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:11:40 -0400

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 17 at 2015 7:04 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:04:59 -0400

The Infantryman.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 7:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:40:57 -0400

I was going to go for the nuke option but it's already been claimed. Instead I'm claiming the M109 self propelled 155mm howitzer. When something needs to die and you don't want to bother walking or driving over there.

Response by 1SG Peter Jensen made Jun 17 at 2015 8:45 PM

1SG Peter Jensen — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:45:55 -0400

An Operational Detachment Alpha. "The most devastating weapon system known to man is the Operational Detachment Alpha...when you get there you'll know what I mean." Gen. William Garrison.

Response by MIDN 2/C Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:16 PM

MIDN 2/C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:16:11 -0400

Marines *drops microphone and walks away*

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:48:07 -0400

Ah, the M249.

That was my assigned weapon in Afghanistan.

I named her "Rita".

My brother--he was much younger then--would always joke about how it was 'so hot' in PA, that he just had to go to a place called Rita's to get a water ice. (The summer months in PA, needless to say, had nothing on the 100-120+ degree summers in Afghanistan...so, I always found it funny how he thought the 80s-90 degree weather was so bad...)

(Anyone ever been there? With their headquarters in PA, I do know that they have locations in something like 20+ states now and, I believe, Chine, as well....)

"Rita" packed a serious punch, that's for sure.

Response by PO1 Rick Duff made Jun 17 at 2015 11:19 PM

PO1 Rick Duff — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 23:19:47 -0400

A properly trained, healthy, soldier.
I'm a Cold War sailor, Ruskies biggest problem was the rank and file enlisted had poor training. If the officer was not there to tell them what to do, they had no idea....knowledge IS power!

Response by SFC Joseph Bosley made Jun 18 at 2015 8:22 AM

SFC Joseph Bosley — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:22:41 -0400

Rifles, machine guns, knives, no matter; they are all just tools for the soldier. What makes them is the quality and training of the soldier using them. That's the real secret weapon of any service.

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made Jun 18 at 2015 10:39 AM

SSG Brian Kresge — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:39:39 -0400

I miss the M60. I had four glorious years before they replaced them with the M240 variants.

Don't miss being an AG, though. That sucked.

When our Guard unit went Stryker, having previously been light or Airborne infantry, I had never used a .50 cal or a MK-19 before. The ma duece attached to a remote weapon system was surreal and magical, and the first time I did Stryker gunnery tables I think something may have stirred in my loins. I could almost--almost--get mechanized infantry.

I love the other answers being the individual service members, though.

Response by SSgt Everett Jones made Jun 18 at 2015 11:54 PM

SSgt Everett Jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:54:41 -0400

I know that everyone believes it's the service member, but once you get behind an .50, you'll know my favorite! As far as the best, the A-10

Response by SFC Steven Carlgren made Jun 19 at 2015 4:18 AM

SFC Steven Carlgren — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 04:18:26 -0400

I would reply a highly trained warrior, but there are more less trained that are ready for battle.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 12:39 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 12:39:46 -0400

That SAW isn't just an ugly hunk of metal when it isn't being operated. Although you should look up the GAU-19B...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 31 at 2015 4:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:39:43 -0400

It is situational and dependent on terrain, enemy location, fortifications.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Jul 31 at 2015 5:32 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:32:13 -0400

The Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, HB, Flexible. Anything that has been around since 1918 deserves the recognition.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 31 at 2015 5:48 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:48:21 -0400

There is no "best" weapon any more that a "best fishing rod or hunting rifle". It is the best weapon for that certain mission. 22 for squirrels, 30-06 for big game.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2015 5:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 17:24:38 -0400

That will be you Soldier

Response by PO1 Cliff Heath made Oct 22 at 2015 5:02 PM

PO1 Cliff Heath — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:02:22 -0400

I AM US NAVY VET BUT THE FINEST WEAPON SYSTEM IN OUR ARSENAL IS A UNITED STATES MARINE AND HIS RIFLE.THE CORPS IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SEMPER FI OORAH MARINES

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Sep 11 at 2016 7:33 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 19:33:49 -0400

PV2 Someone once said a Marine and their rifle. But all can be deadly.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 9 at 2020 9:51 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:51:49 -0400

A10 Warthog. Nothing better at CAS.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 22 at 2021 6:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 18:35:59 -0500

I am biased. Our tanks have a range of 3 miles, and our projectiles travel at 1 mile per second.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2021 7:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:38:54 -0500

Me when I’m bored

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2021 7:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:59:22 -0500

Phalanx CIWS.