5 most powerful weapons of the US Marine Corps

As a force ready to deploy around the world, the US Marine Corps possesses many modern weapons to meet mission needs.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is a professional amphibious force, equipped with modern equipment to be ready to fight in emergencies, including the five most powerful weapons, according to National Interest.

M1A1 Abrams main battle tank

Although not as modern as the Army's M1A2 SEPv2 variant, the US Marine Corps' M1A1 tank still has an enhanced firepower package to take on infantry support missions. The M1A1 is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun and thick armor reinforced with depleted uranium. Thanks to the use of a 1,500 horsepower gas turbine engine, it can reach speeds of over 72 km/h.

US Marines train with M1A1 tanks

The USMC is not a heavily mechanized infantry force like the Army. They only have 3 tank battalions with a total of 400 M1A1s in service, most of which are stored in storage before deployment.

AH-1Z Viper helicopter

The AH-1Z attack helicopter is equipped with two 1,800 horsepower engines and four composite rotors, giving it high maneuverability. The helicopter is also equipped with a sensor system including Lockheed Martin's targeting device and Longbow radar.

Similar to the Army's AH-64E helicopter, the Marine Corps' AH-1Z helicopter can carry 16 AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

The AH-1Z also uses many of the same components as the UH-1Y Venom for logistical support. The downside is that the Viper helicopter is not built in as large numbers as the Apache and UH-60 Blackhawk, making it time-consuming and expensive to update its technology.

AV-8B Harrier II carrier-based fighter

The AV-8B Harrier II's short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability provides support for USMC expeditionary units in situations where they are not supported by heavy artillery and attack aircraft.

USMC AV-8B fighter. Photo: Wikiwand.

It’s not the best fighter in the US military’s inventory, but it can launch and return from medium-sized amphibious assault ships, rather than requiring aircraft carriers or large air bases. The AV-8B is considered one of the basic platforms in the USMC’s amphibious operations.

The US Marine Corps could retire the AV-8B fighter jet in 2025, five years earlier than previously planned, to replace it with the F-35B stealth fighter.

Light Armored Vehicle (LAV)

As a highly mobile force, the US Marine Corps relies not only on main battle tanks but also on the LAV light armored vehicle line. A USMC light armored battalion possesses many variants of light armored vehicles such as LAV-25, LAV-AT, LAV-L... with their own features, from anti-tank and anti-aircraft to battlefield command and control.

Fast and agile, the basic LAV-25 is armed with a 25 mm autocannon, two 7.62 mm machine guns and can travel at speeds over 101 km/h.

Human

Though not considered a “weapon” in the traditional sense, the rigorous training that goes into making the US Marines a formidable force to be reckoned with. From privates to commanders, they undergo months of infantry training, ensuring they are the most combat-ready of the US armed forces.

The US Marine Corps will be cut to 182,000 troops by 2017, but still equal to the total number of active-duty soldiers in the British army.

According to VNE