Key insights

• ⚔️ Live fire drills simulate real combat scenarios
• 🚁 Weapons support from air includes helicopters, snipers, and machine gunners
• 🎯 Black Dart demonstration focuses on tactics against drones
• 🎯 Snipers practice hitting live targets from moving aircraft
• 🚁 Snipers monitor dangerous situations from helicopter's viewpoint
• 💥 Use of live ammunition in foreign exercises
• 🚢 Fast rope training and other exercises are conducted on military ship decks
• 🚀 AH-64 Apache designed for engaging targets on the ground and in the air within a 300-mile radius

Q&A

• How is an Apache prepared for transport, and what is its role in live fire training exercises?

  Preparing an Apache for transport involves ground crew personnel folding rotors and removing external weaponry. The Apache can only be moved by vehicles and ground crews due to the lack of a drivetrain. In the U.S. military, the Apache is used for live fire training exercises, which simulate realistic combat scenarios, emphasizing safety for all individuals involved.

• What are the features and capabilities of the AH-64 Apache aircraft?

  The AH-64 Apache is a powerful and versatile aircraft designed for engaging targets on the ground and in the air within a 300-mile radius. It features a chain gun, rocket pods, and multiple hardpoints for missiles, and is capable of taking off and landing virtually anywhere. While not solely an attack helicopter, it is designed for frontline operations.

• What kind of equipment do helicopter gunners use for ground support, and why is training for firing from a moving platform important?

  Helicopter gunners use guns and heavy machine guns for ground support. They also employ rocket pods like Hydra 70 and APK WS2 Rockets that can reach speeds of nearly 2,200 miles per hour. Training for firing from a moving platform is essential for their roles. The GAO 17 minigun is also used, known for its high rate of fire and range of around 3,200 feet.

• How do marines and ground combat troops train on military ship decks?

  Marines and ground combat troops train with small arms on ship decks. The decks also allow for other exercises such as fast rope training. Helicopters are used as combat platforms with side doors and permanent guns for engagement of potential enemies on the ground.

• What do military trainees practice during helicopter and ocean drills?

  Military trainees practice communication, shooting, and weapon operation during helicopter and ocean drills using live ammunition. This includes drills for snipers in communicating with spotters and pilots, using live ammunition in foreign exercises, firing small arms and machine guns from the deck in ocean training, and evaluating weapons such as close-in weapon systems and machine guns while shooting live ammo on open ocean with no backstop.

• What kind of scenarios are simulated in military live fire drills?

  Live fire drills simulate real combat scenarios. They involve weapons support from the air, including helicopters, snipers, and machine gunners. Additionally, there are demonstrations focusing on tactics against drones, with snipers practicing hitting live targets from moving aircraft and monitoring dangerous situations from a helicopter's viewpoint.

• 00:02 Military training includes live fire drills for personnel to simulate real combat scenarios such as providing weapons support from the air and protecting against drones. Snipers practice hitting live targets from moving aircraft and monitoring dangerous situations from a helicopter's viewpoint.
• 02:37 Military trainees practice communication, shooting, and weapon operation during helicopter and ocean drills using live ammunition.
• 05:52 Marines and ground combat troops train with small arms easily on military ship decks, which also allows for other exercises such as fast rope training. Helicopters are used as combat platforms with side doors and permanent guns for protection and engagement of potential enemies on the ground.
• 09:11 Helicopter gunners use guns, heavy machine guns, and rocket pods for ground support, training for firing from a moving platform is essential, GAO 17 minigun and rocket pods' capabilities make them effective for dealing with ground threats.
• 12:10 The AH-64 Apache is a powerful and versatile twin-turboshaft aircraft designed for engaging targets on the ground and in the air within a 300-mile radius. It features a chain gun, rocket pods, and hardpoints for missiles. Its ability to take off and land virtually anywhere makes it an ideal frontline aircraft.
• 14:57 Preparing an Apache for transport involves ground crew, maintenance, and careful handling. The Apache is used for live fire training to simulate realistic combat scenarios.