A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team fires his M249 squad automatic weapon at insurgents during a firefight in Afghanistan’s southern Ghazni Province June 15, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod, Task Force 1/82 PAO)

Weapons can be fascinating machines, taking simple mechanical components and causing all sorts of devastation. Getting behind one of these military weapons and using it must be absolutely exhilarating. Of course, when you might be on the receiving end of things, these weapons change from a fascinating feat of modern technology to “OMFG WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?” Here are seven such weapons.

1. Barret M107

Military Factory

Classified as an “anti-material rifle,” this weapon has an effective range out to 1,800 meters. With its 50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) rounds it can be used by snipers to take out enemy infantry and even some lighter vehicles; basically anything but a tank.

2. M67 Grenade

Wikipedia

What is so terrifying about a grenade? It is so small and cute, kind of like a little apple. Oh, but if you pull that pin and drop it down here you will have a casualty area of… 15 METERS! That’s right; a little spherical shaped object measuring about 3.5”x2.5” that can potentially kill everything in a 50 foot room.

3. Mk19 Grenade Launcher

“Richard Castanet fires Mark-19 in Quantico September 2000” by Private First Class Andrew Revelos, United States Marine Corps – This Image was released by the United States Marine Corps with the ID 000905-M-0000R-002

OK, maybe the grenade wasn’t so scary. This belt-fed grenade launcher can propel 40mm grenades about 1,500 meters at a sustained fire rate of 40 rounds per minute. These 40x53mm rounds are even more powerful than the usual 40x46mm ones you find on a handheld launcher.

4. FGM-148 Javelin

Brought into service in 1996, this weapon has a frightening level of technology powering it. This powerful anti-tank missile can take out just about any target you might imagine and only requires a two man team to operate. When did it become possible for two infantry-men to destroy a tank?

5. M109 Howitzer

“M109A6 Paladin night fire” by Photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

Just the name “howitzer” is somewhat frightening, but this baby takes the cake. Unlike most, it is self-propelled and can move at speeds up to 35 mph. It includes a 155mm round as the main weapon and can have an array of different support weapons; like the above-mentioned Mk19 Grenade Launcher. The main 155mm round will fire nine miles and can potentially destroy a tank.

6. M1 Abrams

A U.S. Marine Corps M-1A1 Abrams main battle tank races across the desert at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Jan. 27, 1998. These tankers from the 2nd Tank Battalion are taking part in Combined Arms Exercise 3-98. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. W. Makela, U.S. Marine Corps.

Talking so much about tanks, it only makes sense that we include one. Many new Abrams use depleted uranium armor, which helps make them resilient even to anti-tank weapons. They are armed with either a 105mm or 120mm main gun, a .50 caliber machine gun, and two 7.62mm guns.

7. AH-64 Apache

Global Security

Who needs a tank when you can have more firepower flying through the sky? If you ever have this attack helicopter coming for you, don’t run. Just stand there and accept your fate. It comes ready with a 30mm chain gun and can include all sorts of missiles such as: Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 missiles, Stinger missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and more. In case you don’t know, all of these = death.

So there you have it. Oh, and this is just a list of weapons used by the United States Army. We’re only just touching the surface.

What do you think? Are there any other weapons you find to be absolutely terrifying?

Additional Image: warnewsupdates

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