Can You Identify These Heavily Regulated Military Weapons?

By: Mark Laufgraben
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These Heavily Regulated Military Weapons?
Image: Wiki Commons via US ARMY

About This Quiz

FRAG OUT! No one fights enemies bigger than the US Military, and big armies demand big hardware. Big in every dimension- size, weight, velocity, explosive force; these weapons demand that the big guys drop what they're doing and pay attention. You have the right to bear arms in the United States, but these babies demand special authorization, as well they should: Not just anybody is safe handling an intercontinental ballistic missile in their backyard! 

There are certain key traits between many of these tools of destruction- they tend to either pack explosive power or be capable of fully automatic fire. This category also contains many vehicles, which due to their size and speed could be potentially lethal in and of themselves if left in the wrong hands. The list also includes weapons that require a great deal of specialized training; you need a lot of particular knowledge to use these weapons, and they would only prove dangerous to the user without it. 

In well-trained, well-intentioned hands, these killers can help make the world a safer, more peaceful place. How many of them can you recognize? Get ready to go on a deadly journey of martial discovery. Make sure you arm up and are ready for action! 

M60 family
Wiki Commons via U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sheldon Rowley
Introduced in 1957, it has served with distinction in every branch of the US Military. Can you identify this weapons pack?
M197
M60 Family
The M60 family of machine gun fires 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a belt that falls apart as the weapon is fired. It is operated by a team ranging from 2-3 people, but can even be fired from the shoulder accurately at close ranges.
M30
M19 Mod 3
The PK M
Wiki Commons via U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine
Can you name the Soviet weapon known as "Kalashnikov's Machinegun"?
XM312
M140/E3/E5
The PK
The PK is a gas-powered, open bolt machine gun with 7.62 mm rounds. It is of course a Soviet weapon, and has been in use from 1961 to the present day. As is often the case with Soviet weapon systems, it emphasizes cheapness and reliability, two traits that have served it well.
M73/A1
XM25 CDTE
Youtube via arronlee33
Known colloquially as The Punisher, can you ID this grenade launcher?
Mk 153 Mod 0 SMAW
XM25 CDTE
An airburst grenade launcher, the XM25 has fallen under a lot of criticism and its contract for production has been canceled, putting its future into doubt. It requires the replacement of a soldier's primary weapon, is extremely heavy, has limited ammunition and has been troubled with reliability issues.
M3 MAAWS
M85/M85C

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M249_Light_Machine_Gun
Wiki Commons via 玄史生
Can you ID the weapon known as the SAW, which stands for Squad Automatic Weapon?
M249 light machine gun
Partly replacing the M60, the M249 SAW can fire 50 rounds per minute at a sustained rate of fire. One problem it has is the purported lack of lethality of its 5.56 ammunition. Stories exist of opposing forces taking multiple hits but still returning fire, which is less than ideal.
Degtyaryov light machine gun
Bren
Breda 30
Patriot System
Wiki Commons via Darkone
It is a "Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target" system. Do you have the name?
Advanced Light Strike Vehicle
MIM-104 Patriot
The MIM 104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system. Modular and highly mobile, the Patriot specializes in being an anti-missile system- it shoots missiles right out of the air!
Caterpillar D7
BAE Caiman
Heckler & Koch MG4
Wiki Commons via KIZILSUNGUR
The general purpose squad-based machine gun of the Bundeswehr; which is it?
FN Minimi
MG3
IMI Negev
Heckler & Koch MG4
The Heckler & Koch MG4. A 5.56 weapon, it emphasizes reliability and the ability to use many different types of ammunition. The MG4 will also be the secondary armament of the new Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

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M61A1
Wiki Commons via US NAVY
Known as the "Vulcan", after the Roman God of the Forge, what is the ID of this machine gun?
FGM-148 Javelin
M61A1
The M61 is known as the Vulcan Cannon, and has been in service from 1959 to this day. It is an electrically fired rotary Gatling-style cannon, and can fire an astounding 6,000 rounds per minute. Please do not stand in front of it.
EX 17 Mod 0 SCAR-H (SV)
Colt Model 655/656
Robar_RC-50
Wiki Commons via Rizuan
Bolt action, with an astonishing 12.7 × 99 mm NATO cartridge! Do you know which gun this rifle is?
M240 Family
M249 Family
RC-50
The RC-50 anti-sniper rifle is also capable of shredding light vehicles, radar installations and aircraft, making it an ideal Special Forces weapon. It only has 5 shots per magazine, however, so make them count!
L/60 Bofors
MK19
Wiki Commons via U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Erik S. Hansen.
In rapid fire mode, it has a practical rate of fire of 60 rounds per minute. What is its ID?
M2HB/M2A1
GAU-19/A/B
Mk 11 Mod 1
Mk 19 Mod 3
First used in the Mekong Delta, Mk 19's latest upgrade will allow it to pack airburst ammunition, perfect for fighting against insurgents in cover. as well as upgraded sights.

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FIM-92 Stinger
Wiki Commons via Maryu
A man-portable air defense system, can you name this anti-air weapon?
M18 recoilless rifle
M47 Dragon
FIM-92 Stinger
Besides being potent anti-air weapons, STINGERS got a certain amount of cultural fame through their role in fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It helped neutralize the enormous aerial advantage held by Russian troops.
M252 81 mm mortar
MK12 MOD1
Wiki Commons via Blcouch
Can you identify this weapon known as the Modular Sniper Rifle?
Mk 12 Mod 0 PSR
The Remington PSR has an effective firing range of 1,640 yards. The military is currently seeking armor piercing ammunition for it that would allow it to engage people wearing up to Class IV body armor.
Colt Model 655/656
M86
GAU-22/A Equalizer
FGM-148_Javelin
Wiki Commons via GARY L. KIEFFER, USA, CIV
Do you know the modern fire and forget anti tank weapon for infantry?
Mk 11 Mod 1
Mk 16 Mod 4/5
XM8 Sharpshooter/SMR
FGM-148 Javelin
The FGM-148 Javelin is a weapon for that unenviable situation where an infantryman must fight against an armored vehicle. It is excellent at what it does, as it has self guidance, allowing the user to keep a lower profile, and targets the top of the vehicle where the armor is thinnest.

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SEAL_recon_rifle
Wiki Commons via Jack Longhearse
Designed in-house for these special troops, can you ID this camouflaged rifle?
Sharps Rifle
SEAL Recon Rifle
This lightweight and more portable sniper weapon is termed the "recce rifle." Its most important specification when being designed was to shoot any .556 cartridge at hand.
XM500
M134D/GAU-17/A
AGM Lockheed_Martin_Hellfire_II
Wiki Commons via Stahlkocher
Its original use parameters were as a heliborne, laser, fire and forget missile. Can you ID this crater maker?
PGM-19 Jupiter
AGM-114 Hellfire
The AGM-114 Hellfire missile was originally designed as an air-to-surface missile for anti-armor use, but its use has broadened since its inception to include targeted killing of suspected insurgent officers.
RGM-15 Regulus II
SA-18 Grouse
Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile
Wiki Commons via United States Navy
An all-weather subsonic cruise missile, this one really flies! Can you ID this missile?
M252 Mortar
AT4
BGM-109 Tomahawk
While its exact operational range varies depending on model, the BGM-109 Tomahawk can fly as far as 1550 miles in some cases, striking its hapless target with half a ton of explosive munitions. Please do not stand where the Tomahawk falls.
M3 MAAWS

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M1-A1 Abrams
Wiki Commons via United States Navy
A third-generation MBT with horsepower to spare, what is it?
BAE Caiman
M1 Abrams
One of the heaviest tanks in existence, the M1 Abrams MBT has served with distinction all over the world, although its most significant role has been in both of the US wars with Iraq. In spite of its power and range, however, it still struggles in urban environment due to natural limitations of heavy armor in such terrain.
BAE Caiman
Stryker
Stryker
Wiki Commons via U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class John J. Pistone
Can you name this armed vehicle known as an interim fighting vehicle?
RG-33
Stryker
The Stryker program has come under a lot of scrutiny since its inception. Whatever its original purpose, this vehicle proved extremely ill suited to functioning in an IED-rich theater like Iraq.
BAE Caiman
Humvee
M109 Paladin
Wiki Commons via TSGT MICHAEL RICE, USAF
This long-range weapon saw its debut way back in Vietnam! What is its glorious name?
M109 Paladin
The M109 is the overall howitzer chassis for this weapon, the Paladin variant appends an A6 to the end. The Paladin is the US's main self-propelled artillery piece, and will continue to be so for at least a while- its competition projects were canceled!
Humvee
LAV-25
UH-72 Lakota

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Heckler & Koch MP5
Wiki Commons via Samuli Silvennoinen
A 9mm SMG capable of fully automatic fire, do you know this anti-terror weapon?
SAM-R
M26 MASS
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 gained international recognition as an anti-terror weapon when it was used in part of an operation to storm the Iranian embassy in London. There is a civilian model capable of semi automatic fire which is humorously classified as a hunting weapon.
M27 IAR
MAAWS
Wiki Commons via U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Marnell
This weapon used for demolishing forts is nicknamed "The Goose!" What is its formal name?
The MAAWS
A Swedish weapon, the Carl Gustaf is known in the US as the M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System or MAAWS. Although a very old design, the modern army still finds it useful for demolishing fortifications and in an anti-armor role.
M500
Colt RO635 SMG
M72A5/A6/A7/A8/A9/A10 LAW
MP7
Wiki Commons via Remigiusz Wilk
This Personal Defense Weapon can fire 950 rpm. Do you know which it is?
SDM-R
M110 SASS
MP7
Although small and comparatively lightweight, the MP7 PDW is capable of fully automatic fire, and is designed with special armor-piercing, high-velocity ammunition.
Mk17 Mod 0

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MILS 500
Wiki Commons via U.S. Navy
Technically, the military variant is the 590A1. What's the name of this Mossberg?
M240
P226
500 MILS
The military variant of the Mossberg 500 MILS differs in that it has metal trigger guards and safeties as well as heavier barrels, up to 20 inch in size.
M1911
AGM-88 HARM
Wiki Commons via SSGT. SCOTT STEWART - Defense Visual Information Center
A tactical air-to-surface homing missile, do you know the name of this dangerous weapon?
AGM-88 HARM
The AGM-88 HARM is an air to surface weapon designed to home in on radiation signatures. Its purpose in so doing is to hit surface to air radar installations so as to blind the enemy and reduce their anti-air effectiveness.
FGM-148 Javelin
RGM-84 Harpoon
FGM-148 Javelin
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
Wiki Commons via U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Marvin E. Thompson Jr
A point defense ship-borne anti-missile weapon: do you know the name of this lighter missile?
RGM-84 Harpoon
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is a crucial part of our naval "layered" policy of anti-missile defense. It is a short ranged system tasked with knocking certain kinds of warheads out of the air, particularly those that skim the water en route to their target.
RUM-139 VL-ASROC
LGM-30 Minuteman

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AIM-9B_Sidewinder
Wiki Commons via RoyKabanlit
Air to air, mach 2.5, and infrared homing proves an enduring package! Can you name this classic target finder?
AGM-158 JASSM
AGM-84 Harpoon
RIM-66 Standard
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is the classic air-to-air weapon of Western air superiority fighters. Created in 1956, approximately 111,000 of these have been produced. The Air Force even celebrated its 50th birthday!
M67b
Wiki Commons via U.S. Air Force
A deadly anti-infantry weapon since 1968, can you name this grenade?
AN/M8 white smoke grenade
M67 fragmentation grenade
The M67 grenade is basically what people think of as the platonic ideal of a grenade. It has its distinctive round shape, the "spoon" safety lever that is held, and, of course, the pin that is pulled. You've got 4 seconds, so make 'em count!
M84 stun grenade
M84 stun grenade
AN:M14 thermite grenade
Wiki Commons via ORDATA US Government database
Primarily used to destroy material in a sealed environment, do you know the name of this fiery grenade?
M8
AN/M14 thermite grenade
The AN/M14 thermite grenade is an incendiary weapon designed for the destruction of material. Its flames use iron oxide rather than oxygen and consequently can even burn under water!
M116/A1 Flash Crash
V40 Mini-Grenade

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M32 MGL Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher
Wiki Commons via USMC Sgt. Ben Eberle
This six-shot revolver-like weapon is packing something bigger than bullets! Do you know its name?
M136 AT4 (Disposable recoilless rifle)
M32 MGL (Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher)
The M32 MGL (Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher) can hold 6 rounds. While the typical ammunition is of course explosive, recent modifications have allowed the weapon to use less-lethal ammunition as well!
Ithaca Model 37
Burnside carbine
US M18a1 claymore mine
Wiki Commons via Harald Hansen
The classic US anti-personnel mine, can you name this directional bomb?
Pancor Jackhammer
M18A1 Claymore
Bearing its legendary instruction "Front Towards Enemy" the M18A1 Claymore fires steel balls out at a 60-degree angle for about 100 meters in front of it. This simple device has proved to be both enduring and enormously deadly.
M15
Carl Gustav M/45
C4 explosive
Wiki Commons via Fabexplosive
It feels like the clay used for building or sculpting, but it has the ability to level those things. What is its name?
WD40
C-4
Contrary to what movies would have you think, C4 is actually quite stable, capable of sustaining sudden shocks or even gunshots without detonating. When it goes, though, the explosion proceeds at 8,092 m/s. Don't be there when it happens.
N8
L-2

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BLU-82 bomb
Wiki Commons via U.S. Air Force
Known colloquially as the "Daisy Cutter", can you name this tree flattener?
AGM-130
GBU-57 MOP
BLU-82
The BLU-82B/C-130 is a 15,000-pound bomb with a "conventional" warhead. At ground zero, the blast is rated at an overpressure of 1,000 pounds per square inch. It got its name by turning swaths of jungle into empty prairie. Do not meddle in the affairs of Daisy Cutters.
AGM-154
GBU-57 MOP
Wiki Commons via Heriberto Arribas Abato
Known commonly as a "Bunker Buster", can you name this missile used for cleaning house?
GBU-57 MOP
The GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is a 30,000-pound warhead. Its blast can penetrate up to 200 feet down into the earth, leveling just about any normal bunker.
GAU-16
Delta II
Atlas V
Phalanx CIWS
Wiki Commons via Navy Camera Operator: DON S. MONTGOMERY, USN (RET)
Close-in anti-missile defense the old fashioned way! Do you know what the white rounded tube pictured here is called?
CBU-100 Cluster Bomb
AIM-7 Sparrow
Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS is a close-range anti-missile system used by the Navy. It features a radar station connected to a Vulcan cannon, aiming to literally blast the missiles out of the air. It is notable for its resemblance to Star Wars droid R2-D2.
AGM-65 Maverick

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AGM-65 Maverick
Wiki Commons via US Airforce Nuno Tavares
The single most prolific precision guarded munition in the western military sphere, can you name this missile?
Mark 48 torpedo
AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick has 11 separate models used for a variety of different situations. In general, this air to surface missile is used for close air support against ground and naval targets.
Mark 60 Captor Mine
Trident (D5) Ballistic missile
M3 Bradley
Wiki Commons via Photographer, SPC Diana Lindsey
It packs a 25 mm Bushmaster Cannon Turret. Know its name?
M3 Bradley
The M3 Bradley is a tracked reconnaissance vehicle that doubles as an APC of sorts. It is typically used in tandem with M-1 Abrams tanks as their "scout cavalry", effectively increasing their reach on the battlefield.
M-ATV
RG-31
Buffalo
AH-64 Apache
Wiki Commons via Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn Hussong, U.S. Navy
What is this helicopter with 4 blades, Hellfire missiles and Hydra rocket pods?
AH-6 Little Bird
RQ-11B Raven
RQ-20A Puma
AH-64 Apache
The AH-64 Apache is the main extant attack helicopter for the US Army. It has a 2-man tandem crew and a unique helmet mounted display that can be slaved to a main cannon for efficient targeting.

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MQ-1C Warrior
Wiki Commons via US Army
A long-distance, well-armed UAS, can you name it?
Prioria Robotics Maveric
MQ-1C Warrior
The MQ-1C Warrior is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS designed to take the place of the MQ-1 Predator. It can be armed with Hellfire missiles or Viper bombs, and is capable of long distance travel toward its target.
MH-60 Black Hawk
RC-12 Huron
AN:TWQ-1 Avenger
Wiki Commons via US National Guard Staff Sgt. Scott Tynes
This self-propelled SAM system can even shoot down missiles! What's its heroic name?
M142
M119
AN/TWQ-1 Avenger
The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger is turreted, and besides short range air defense by itself, it can also be linked to an overall defense network so as to keep the operator apprised of incoming threats.
FGM-148 Javelin
BGM-71 TOW
Wiki Commons via US Army PO3 Jeffery Russell
Wire-guided and currently produced by Raytheon, can you name this heavy duty missile?
M142
BGM-71 TOW
The BGM-71 TOW missile has a motor that only fires for a fraction of a second- after that it actually flies through gliding! The operator guides the missile to the target, keeping the crosshairs on the target until impact. Hope you have a steady hand!
M252
HEMTT

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LGM-30 Minuteman III
Wiki Commons via Fastfission
Not just an ICBM ... a MIRV ICBM. Can you name this triply destructive nuclear warhead?
R-26
DF-41
LGM-118 Peacekeeper
LGM-30 Minuteman III
The LGM-30 Minuteman III is a MIRV ICBM, which means that on re-entry it can split up into multiple separate nuclear warheads, each with its own distinct targets. It can carry 3 such warheads, each armed with 170 kilotons of explosive force. You may not own one.
You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons via US ARMY