Manufacturing Dates of Equipment
Afghanistan:M-16The M-16 was first manufactured in 1963 and first used in the Vietnam war. Today's version, the M-16A4, uses a 5.56 millimeter round. "The M-16 is lightweight, yet still pinpoint accurate, capable of hitting targets with precision at a maximum effective range of 550 meters."
AH-1Z Super Cobra/ViperWhether soldiers need cover from up above or help to direct other aircrafts to the landing zone saftley, the AH-1Z Super Cobra is the perfect choice. It was made in 1975 to provide firepower from the air and has done just that. The Super Cobra is frequently called on and is just what soldiers need when they cannot attack the enemy from their position. It is best for close air support.
M240BManufactured in 1977, the M240B is a long range machine gun that gives marines a continuos, high rate of fire. It is also accurate at distances of 880 meters with a bipod, and up to 1,980 meters with a tripod to provide soldiers to engage in long range targets. Most common use is with the bipod while patrolling.
M1A1 Abrams TankFirst created in 1980, the Abrams Tank is one of the strongest vehicles in war, but also one of the heaviest. Weighing at almost 70 tons, the tank is close to the heaviest tank in the world. However, it manages to make up for it's heavy weight with incredibly strong fire power and exceptional maneuverabily. It is also one of the best armor-protected firepowers for ground forces.
M32 Grenade LauncherThis weapon was manufactured in 1983 and gives soldiers the ability to fire off six 40 millimeter high-explosive grenades in less than three seconds. This weapon can be a huge advantage for a Marine rifle squad or firing team, giving them enhanced fire power and effectiveness.
M82A1Developed by the American Barret Firearms Manufacturing Company in 1989, the M82A1 is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic rifle with a .50 caliber. This is a highly effective sniper with a range up to 1,800 meters.
M9The M9 was manufactured in 1990 and has been one of the most common defense weapons of soldiers ever since. With a range of only 50 meters, this weapon is a lightweight, semi-automatic, double-action pistol that is great for close combat.
M4 CarbineIn 1994, the first M4 Carbine was manufactured and first used in the war in Afghanistan. With it's shortened barrel, this weapon ensures that soldiers are just as good a rifleman in short range as they are with long range targets.
KC-130J Super HerculesIn 1998, this plane was developed with one main purpose, to be able to precisely deliver fuel and cargo to our soldiers whenever and wherever they may need it. This transport aircraft is about 90 feet in length and has a 130 foot wingspan. The Super Hercules has also earned it's reputation as the best in the world at successfully completing the mission of tactical aerial refueling.
AN/PVS-14 Night Vision GogglesIn 2000, this new way of night vision was created. This is a single eye night vision device can be attached to the helmet, mounted to a rifle, or used simply as a hand-held scope. With its incredible night-eye adaption, lightweight, durable structure, and extended battery life, the AN/PVS-14 can be counted on whenever soldiers may need it.
Modular Tactical VestTo provide as advanced personal body armor as possible, in 2006, the Modular Tactical Vest was created. The idea of the vest is to simply provide as much protection against the enemy as possible, but at the same time being comfortable, lightweight, and easy to move around in. The newer version now includes a larger neck hole, a quick release system, and other important changes that have made the original vest even better.
M110This new, popular weapon was designed in 2008 as the new Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS).Considering that this weapon has a shorter barrel and is lighter than most snipers, it can only fire precisely up to about 800 meters. With its 7.62 millimeter round, it is still a very effective short range sniper.
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World War I:Colt-Browning Machine GunThe Colt-Browning Machine Gun was first manufactured in 1895. It was belt fed by a 250 round belt and had a rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute. This weapon was unique in the fact that it had a pistol grip and was gas cooled.
French 75mmThe French 75mm was first manufactured in 1896.It used several technological advances in its design. These advances included a hydro-pneumatic recoil sytem, a ground spade that could be used with this recoil system, and wheel anchors that kept the gun from moving during firing increasing the firing rate because the operators didn't have to re-aim the gun after each shot.
Colt 1911The Colt 1911 pistol used a .45 caliber round. This gun was fed by a seven round magazine, was recoil powered, and was capable of rapid fire.
Mills BombThe Mills bomb was first manufactured in 1915. It was the first modern fragmentation grenade and was adaptable to be fired from a rifle similar to a modern grenade launcher. The rod attached to the grenade was placed down the barrel of the rifle and fired with a special blank cartridge.
Stokes MortarThe Stokes Mortar was first manufactured in 1915. This weapon used a three inch mortar. It also had a maximum range of 800 yards and a minimum range of 100 yards for safety from the fragmenation of the round. The design was very simple, a smooth bore barrel, a base plate, and a bipod for aiming. All of the parts together only weighed about 108 pounds.
Curtiss JN-4DThe JN-4D was first manufactured in 1915 as a trainer for the United States. Early models of the FN series head difficulties with climbing and manuverability the JN-4D was the most successful of the series. Excess JN-4D's were converted to the first air mail service in the U.S. then later converted back with larger engines into JN-4H's.
FT-17The FT-17 was first manufactured in 1916. It was armed with one 37mm gun and two 7.63mm guns. This tank had a maximum speed of five miles per hour and a miximum range of 22 miles.
American DH.4aThe DH.4a was originally produced in 1916. This plane was a British aircraft that was given to the United States upon their entry to the war and was reproduced in the United States. Originally it was going to be the basis for a DH.9 bomber, but issues with the design caused that aircraft not to be deployed and rather reproductions of the DH.4a were deployed.
M-1917 EnfieldThe M-1917 Enfield was first manufactured in 1917 and used in the first world war. It used a .30 caliber round and was accurate at about 500 meters. However, the M-1917 was also notably heavy.
M-1917 Machine GunThe M-1917 Machine Gun was first manufactured in 1917. It used a .30 caliber round and had a firing rate of about 600 rounds per minute. The M-1917 machine gun was heavy though weighing 103 pounds.
Browning Automatic RifleThe Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was first manufactured in 1917. It used a .30 caliber round. This weapon fired 550 rounds per minute and could be used on semi-auto or automatic. It was loaded via a 20 round detachable box magazine (which in theory could be rapidly changed in 2-4 seconds; 6-8 in practice).
M-1917 6-tonThe M-1917 6-ton was first manufactured in 1917. It required a 2 man crew and had a maximum speed of five miles per hour and a range of 30 miles. This tank however didn't make it to Europe in time for the end of the war.
Loening M-8The M-8 was first manufactured in 1918. This plane was a monoplane compared to the biplanes being used by the military at this point. The army ordered 5000 M-8's but only two were delivered because the order was cancelled at the end of the war only 55 were ever built.
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