Machine Gunners Test Their Combat Marksmanship Skills

Machine gunners from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment have been training on the Pyla ranges in Cyprus as they prepared for their annual combat marksmanship test (ACMT).

The test is designed to make sure their weapons skills are up to scratch, concluding with a series of timed exercises.

The machine gunners from A Company spent a week training for the yearly test on the British Army’s general purpose machine gun (GPMG).

For some who joined the Poachers straight out of training, the ACMT has been the first opportunity to use the GPMGs

During the test, the two-man teams use the machine gun in sustained fire of SF mode.

The GPMG, also known as GIMPY, have the ability to fire up to 200 rounds a minute at targets up to 1800 metres away.

The GPMG includes two sighting systems, the ‘iron sight’ on the gun and a C2 sight that sits to the side of the machine gun.

By recording the angle between the lamp and the weapon the soldiers can plot the guns exact firing position.

Machine Gun Platoon commander, Lt Ben Humphrey’s explained the technicalities of the ACMT test team-work:

“You’ll have a gunner and your controller, that would be myself, together we work using the C2 sight we’ll come together and get the right bearing and elevation which will bring us onto the sustained fire target.”

Their preparation paid diligence as this year’s troops from Lincolnshire Company successfully passed their ACMT.