40-MM GRENADE LAUNCHER, M203 - BITS

1 HEADQUARTERS FM (FM 23-31) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 40-MM GRENADE launcher , M203 FEBRUARY 2003 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. *FM (FM 23-31) DISTRIBUTION RELEASE: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. _____ FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS NO. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington, DC, 13 February 2003 40-MM GRENADE launcher , M203 CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1-1. Training 1-2. Combat CHAPTER 2.

2 OPERATION AND FUNCTION 2-1. 2-2. 2-3. 2-4. Cycle of CHAPTER 3. DESCRIPTION AND MAINTENANCE 3-1. 3-2. Technical 3-3. 3-4.

3 3-5. Clearing 3-6. General Disassembly ..3-13 3-7. Cleaning and 3-8. 3-9. General 3-10. Care and 3-11. Care and Handling Under NBC 3-12. CHAPTER 4.

4 PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS AND DESTRUCTION 4-1. 4-2. 4-3. Immediate 4-4. Remedial *This publication supersedes FM 23-31, 20 September 1994, and rescinds DA Form 2946-R, July 1974. i FM Page 4-5. Destruction CHAPTER 5.

5 MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING Section I. Preliminary Marksmanship Training 5-1. Four Fundamentals of 5-2. Limited 5-3. NBC 5-4. Fire 5-5. Dry-Fire 5-6. Sensing and Adjustment of 5-7. GRENADE launcher Range 5-8. Description of Range and Section II.

6 Basic Gunnery 5-9. Zeroing the M203 GRENADE 5-10. Overall Qualification 5-11. Day Record 5-12. Day Record Fire Qualification 5-13. Mounting the AN/PVS-4 (Without the Rail System) ..5-32 5-14. Zeroing the AN/PVS-4 to the 5-15. Night Record 5-16. Night Record Fire Qualification CHAPTER 6. COMBAT TECHNIQUES OF FIRE Section I. Advanced Gunnery 6-1. Characteristics of 6-2. Classes of 6-3. Range 6-4. Predetermined 6-5. Types of 6-6.

7 Section II. Fire Control 6-7. Methods of Fire 6-8. Fire Section III. Application of Fire 6-9. Suppressive 6-10. Overwatch 6-11. Area and Point 6-12. Target Engagement ..6-17 6-13.

8 Limited 6-14. Overhead CHAPTER 7. TRAIN-THE-TRAINER PROGRAM Section I. Organization 7-1. 7-2. Mission-Essential Task 7-3. Trainer ii FM Page 7-4.

9 Assistant Trainers and Cadre 7-5. Command 7-6. Program Section II. Training Tasks 7-7. Phase I, Preliminary Marksmanship 7-8. Phase II, Basic Section III. Trainers Certification 7-9. Training 7-10. Certification APPENDIX A.

10 40-MM GRENADE launcher , APPENDIX B. UNIT TRAINING APPENDIX C. PROFICIENCY (PERFORMANCE) APPENDIX D. RANGE APPENDIX E. STANDARDS, STRATEGIES, AND iii FM PREFACE This manual provides technical information on and training and combat techniques for the M203 GRENADE launcher . Intended users include leaders and designated grenadiers, who will use this information to successfully integrate the M203 into their combat operations. This manual discusses gunnery training and train-the-trainer and includes an appendix on the 40-MM GRENADE launcher , M79. The tactical positions shown in this manual were drawn to enhance the reader s understanding of related subject material and are not tactically correct.