Live fire exercise: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Military exercise using live munitions}}

A '''Live fire exercise''' is any [[exercise]] in which a realistic scenario for the use of specific equipment is simulated. In the popular lexicon this is applied primarily to tests of weapons or weapon systems that are associated with the various branches of a nations [[armed forces]], although the term can be applied in the civilian arena as well.

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{{Original research|date=September 2007}}

{{globalize|date=December 2010}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2015}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

[[File:Fearless Guardian live-fire exercise Ukraine.jpg|thumb|[[National Guard of Ukraine]] soldiers firing live munitions during a live fire exercise]]

A '''live fire exercise''' ('''LFX''') is a [[military exercise]] in which live [[ammunition]] and [[Explosive weapon|ordnance]] is used, as opposed to [[Blank (cartridge)|blanks]] or [[Dummy round|dummies]]. The term can also be found in non-military usage.

==Military==

==The Armed Services==

[[File:French, U.S. Soldiers conduct joint artillery live-fire exercise 7151274.jpg|thumb|French and American soldiers firing live [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] rounds during training]]

The armed services[[Military|Militaries]] usually use live -fire exercises as an opertunityopportunity to use real [[ammunition]] in a realistically created combat situation. The area in which these tests are conducted wilwill be devioddevoid of people to avoid unnessecary causaltiescasualties, and will likely be owned by the government whichthat authorized the test in the first place. Most live -fire tests are conducted either against derelict eqipment,equipment (such as tanks and ships,) or against remotlyremotely controlled drones.

The purpose of this type of exercise is two foldtwofold: First, it offeresoffers recruits the chance to get accustomaccustomed to their weapons so that they will know how to properly operate them. Secondly, this provides [[soldier]]ssoldiers with an opurtunityopportunity to fire [[live ammunition]] without having to worry about an actual enemy returning fire. This allows soldiers to get reaquaintedreacquainted with the feel and time of actually using and expending ammuntionammunition, rather than simply simulating the experinceexperience. Live -fire exercises of this type can be observed either by remotely controlled [[camera]]scameras or by long -range [[telescope|telescopic]] devices, such as [[binoculars]].

===The Army===

TheAn army, being the main branch responsible for land combat, is perhaps the best known group that conducts live -fire exercises. Most live -fire exercises occur within the [[fortmilitary base]]s where the units conducting the exercise are located. In some cases, onean fortinstallation wilmay host units from another fort for a larger live -fire exercise. Equipment tested under these circumstances range from [[small arms]] and [[assaultrocket riflelauncher]] fire all the way up to [[missile]] systems and [[artillery]] fire. In the case of thesmall formerarms, the tests are usually proficiency based and aimed at ensuring a soldier can fire thetheir weaponassigned issued to himweapons. In the case of the latter missileMissile systems such as the patriot may be test-fired at remotely controlled drones to simulateemulate a situation in which enemy missiles or aircraft are launched at allied or friendly forces, while artillery units can take the opertunityopportunity to test new shells or to fire under adverse [[weather]] conditions for a chance to seetest howperformance theof artillery pieces will perform.

[[Image:Patriot missile launch.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A U.S. Patriot Missile launches from a a truck mounted canister]]

The army, being the main branch responsible for land combat, is perhaps the best known group that conducts live fire exercises. Most live fire exercises occur within [[fort]]s where the units conducting the exercise are located. In some cases one fort wil host units from another fort for a larger live fire exercise. Equipment tested under these circumstances range from [[small arms]] and [[assault rifle]] fire all the way up to missile systems and [[artillery]] fire. In the case of the former the tests are usually proficiency based and aimed at ensuring a soldier can fire the weapon issued to him. In the case of the latter missile systems such as the patriot may be test-fired at remotely controlled drones to simulate a situation in which enemy missiles or aircraft are launched at allied or friendly forces, while artillery units can take the opertunity to test new shells or to fire under adverse [[weather]] conditions for a chance to see how the artillery pieces will perform.

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===TheAir Marine Corpsforces===

[[Image:LiveB-2 FireSpirit Tankbombing, 1994.jpg|thumb|rightupright|250pxA [[B-2 Spirit]] dropping [[Mark 82 bomb|U.SMk.82 Marinesbombs]] conductin a live1994 firetraining exercise withoff an[[Point M1A1Mugu]] Abramsin Tankthe in[[Pacific Iraq.Ocean]]]]

TheAn Air[[air Forceforce]], due to its nature, usually limits live -fire exercises to the air, although bombing exercises can be conducted as well.

For the most part marine corps live fire exercises are similar to the military's live fire exercises. One notable difference stems from the amphibous nature of the marine corps duty, which can lead the corp to incorporate [[Amphibious assault ship]]s when they conduct live fire exercises.

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During live -fire exercises dealing with air-to-air combat, remotely controlled [[droneUnmanned aerial vehicle|drones]]s are frequently used to simulate enemy [[planeaircraft]]s. In modern times, the drones are fired on by planes loaded with some type of [[air-to-air missile]], with the objective of the exercise being to destroy the drone. These testtests are usually done to ensure that guidance packages within the missiles will work, although they can be done to test other factors, such as a missilesmissile's suseptabilitysusceptibility to [[Radar jamming and deception|jamming]] or to see if a new type of dodging technique will work against the missiles fired.

===The Air Force===

[[Image:B-2 spirit bombing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A B-2 Sprit dropping Mk.82 bombs in a 1994 training excercise off Pt. Mugu in the Pacific Ocean.]]

The Air Force, due to its nature, usually limits live fire exercises to the air, although bombing exercises can be conducted as well.

Live -fire exercises involving air -to -surface work are usually centered around [[precision-guided munition]]s. In some cases, tests involving bombs will make use of [[wikt:derelict|derelict]] buildings or vehicals, even more frequently, the latter than the formervehicles. Live -fire bombing exercises are usually conducted with prescion precision-guided munitions to ensure that they work correctly, but are also used to test new and experimental weapons to ensure that they work as they were originally designed to. These testtests are usually moniteredmonitored by [[chase plane]]s and by cameras to determine if everything worked as it was origniallyoriginally intended to.

During live fire exercises dealing with air-to-air combat remotely controlled [[drone]]s are frequently used to simulate enemy [[plane]]s. In modern times the drones are fired on by planes loaded with some type of [[air-to-air missile]], with the objective of the exercise being to destroy the drone. These test are usually done to ensure that guidance packages within the missiles will work, although they can be done to test other factors such as a missiles suseptability to [[jamming]] or to see if a new type of dodging technique will work against the missiles fired.

Live-fire exercises may also be conducted against planes for the purpose of testing a plane's susceptibility to SAM sites, or as a means to test a plane's stealth features.

Live fire exercises involving air to surface work are usually centered around [[precision-guided munition]]. In some cases tests involving bombs will make use of [[derelict]] buildings or vehicals, more frequently the latter than the former. Live fire bombing exercises are usually conducted with prescion guided munitions to ensure that they work correctly, but are also used to test new and experimental weapons to ensure that they work as they were originally designed to. These test are usually monitered by [[chase plane]]s and by cameras to determine if everything worked as it was orignially intended to.

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===TheNaval Navyforces===

[[Image:USSTheSullivans-firingmissi.jpg|thumb|rightleft|250px[[United States Navy|U.S. [[ArleighNavy]] Burke class destroyer{{Sclass|''Arleigh Burke''-class|destroyer}}s destroyers]] firefiring anti-missile missiles during a live fire exercise.]]

Naval live -fire exercises aremay almostuse exlusivly concerned withanti-ship [[missile]]s and [[torpedo]]ses, although tests involving air-to-air and [[Airair-to-surface missilemissiles]], guns and bombs are not uncommon. UsuallyNavies the Navy conductsconduct live -fire exercises to test elements of an integrated defense system, such as the US [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]],; namely, its ability to track and destroy enemy [[anti-ship missile]]s. Tests can also include Aegisan integrated defense system's compatibility to fire new missiles or newer versions of the same missile. Live -fire tests are also conducted with the [[Phalanx]]a [[CIWS]] system, which is designed as the last line of defense for a ship. Surface ships also frequently testfiretest-fire the various guns kept and maintained aboard the vessel,; these can range from side armssidearms and rifles up to the [[16-"/50 caliber Mark 7 gun|16" 50-caliber artillery riflesguns]] of the mothballed [[IowaUS class battleship{{Sclass|''Iowa''-class battleships]]|battleship}}s. TheseThis areis done to maintain the skill and knowlageknowledge needed to operate the weapon. In the case of [[aircraft carrier]]s, the pilots assigned to the carrier may conduct air-to-air and air-to-surface missile exercises similar to whatthose of the air force would do; additionally, these pilots may also conduct live -fire exercises against derelict ships. Recent aircraft carriers have incorpratedincorporated missile -launching systems, and have taken part in live -fire exerciesexercises involving missiles.

For [[submarine]]s, both fast attack and ballistic missile (or "boomers"), live -fire tests may include firing sea-to-land missiles at targets on shore or launching dummy ballistic missiles; however, the most frequent live -fire exercises conducted by submarines involve firing [[torpedo]]storpedoes at a target. The most well best-known tests of torpedoes are those conducted against a derelict ship, typically on shipsa ship from thea Navynavy's own [[reserve fleet|mothball fleet]] that has become totoo old or obsolete to warrant maintaining. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the torpedo will work under combat conditions, and such tests can be used to determine whether or not [[noisemaker]]snoisemakers or other [[decoy]]s will have any effect against the unit when launched.

[[Image:Mark 48 Torpedo testing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A submarine tests fires a torpedo by sinking the derelict vessel [[HMAS Torrens (DE-53)]].]]

For [[submarine]]s, both fast attack and ballistic missile (or "boomers"), live fire tests may include firing sea-to-land missiles at targets on shore or launching dummy ballistic missiles; however, the most frequent live fire exercises conducted by submarines involve firing [[torpedo]]s at a target. The most well known tests of torpedoes are those conducted against a derelict ship, typically on ships from the Navy's own [[mothball fleet]] that has become to old or obsolete to warrant maintaining. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the torpedo will work under combat conditions, and such tests can be used to determine whether or not [[noisemaker]]s or other [[decoy]]s will have any effect against the unit when launched.

===Use against training soldiers===

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Some forces, especially more elite ones, have also been known to use live ammunition against their own forces in military exercises,{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}} to ensure that the soldiers 'take their training seriously' and get accustomed to being shot at before facing actual enemies. This kind of fire is usually not intended to kill anyone, though practices such as firing into the ground close to a soldier going through an obstacle course pose obvious risks.<!-- Cannot cite this, but saw a movie about an Arab military training camp 15 years ago in which this was done. Please reference if possible -->

German [[Waffen SS]] training involved the usage of live ammunition, designed to make the soldiers tougher than regular soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://waffen-ss.com/page.php?page=100 |title=Waffen-SS : A History of the Waffen-SS - the nazi party's armed branch of the Schutzstaffel |accessdate=2013-06-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130630135835/http://waffen-ss.com/page.php?page=100 |archivedate=30 June 2013 }}</ref>{{Dubious|Claim about the Waffen SS|date=January 2024}}

==The Civilian Arena==

Weapons tests are not usually conducted by civilian agencies; however, some civilian groups do conduct live fire tests of equipment to ensure that they work properly or to test new methodes. Examples here would include [[law enforcement]] agencies ([[shooting range]]s) and demolition experts ([[explosives]] use). Sometimes historical recreations, such as those done for the Battle of Gettysburg, will include live fire demonstrations so the general public can observe historical equipment in action.

A similar live nuclear test was performed by the [[Marine Corps Test Unit|US Marine Corps Test Unit]] and [[US Army]] Armored Task Force "Razor" during exercise [[Operation Teapot|Teapot]] ([[Desert Rock VI]]) at the [[Nevada Test Site]] in 1955.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Unique live fire exercises==

[[Image:Crossroads baker explosion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A 1946 U.S. DoD experiment involved detonating several nuclear and Thermonuclear devices to test their effects on ships, planes, tanks, and units and structures]]

Some live fire exercises are so unique that they cannot be easily described in the aformention areas. Among these are the various [[nuclear testing|nuclear tests]] conducted by the worlds nuclear powers. Also in this group are the live fire tests of new and exoctic weaponry like the [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb]], or "Mother of all Bombs". Also numbered among the unique weapons tests are test fires of Intercontenental Ballistic Missiles and Multiple Idependent Re-entry Vehicals (MIRV's). Recently, a new addition was made to this area when live fire tests of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, better known as star wars, began. These live fire tests are aimed at intercepting incoming ballistic missiles before they can detonate over there designated target.

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==Dangers of Live Fire Exercises==

[[Image:Iowa Explosion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[USS Iowa (BB-61)|USS ''Iowa'']]’s #2 turret exploded [[19 April]] [[1989]] for undertmined reasons during a routine live fire training exercise.]]

One cannot address live fire exercisis without addressing the dangers of live fire exercises. In any situation in which [[Hazardous material]]s are involved there exists the potential for a mishap to occur, and when these mishaps occur the results can be as spectalular as they are deadly. All forms of ordinance contain some type of [[explosive]] charge to launch and, in most cases, detonate, a weapon. If these charges are inapropreitly stored or handled the result can be serious injury or death to the person and anyone in the immediate vicinity. Other dangers include faulty guidance and sensory information, which can cause guided ordinance to inadvertently target friendly or neutral units. Advances in technology have helped to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, problems with these materials, none-the-less extreme care must be given when using or implimenting them, for example, the handling of gunpowder demands the use of [[gloves]] and an area free of static electricity and other potential sparks which could ignite the powder.

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The British [[Special Air Service|SAS]] and [[Royal Marines]] are also known to use live rounds, for the former during the jungle phase of training, and the latter using live rounds in their final exercise.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} The SAS also use live-fire in regular close quarter combat training.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}

==See Also==

*[[Nuclear testing]]

==Non-military==

[[Image:CannonWithSmoke.jpg|thumb|left|Cannon in an [[American Civil War]] [[Historical reenactment|reenactment]]: The large amounts of gunpowder used often affected visibility significantly. Gunners hope for a strong wind that will allow them to continue to see their target.]]

Weapons tests are not usually conducted by civilian agencies; however, some civilian groups do conduct live -fire tests of equipment to ensure that they work properly or to test new methodesmethods. Examples here would include [[law enforcement]] agency|law enforcement agencies]] ([[shooting range]]s) and demolition experts ([[explosivescontrolled explosion]]s use)by demolition experts. Sometimes, [[historical recreationsreenactment]]s, such as those done for the [[Battle of Gettysburg]], will include live -fire demonstrations so the general public can observe historical equipment in action.{{citation needed|date=March 2012}}

==Other types==

[[Image:Peacekeeper-missile-testing.jpg|thumb|right|Testing of the [[LG-118A Peacekeeper]] re-entry vehicles, all eight fired from only one missile. Each line represents the path of a warhead which, were it live, would detonate with the explosive power of twenty-five [[Little Boy]] nuclear bombs.]]

SomeOther types of live -fire exercises are so unique that they cannot be easily described in the aformention areas. Among these are theinclude various [[nuclear testing|nuclear tests]] conducted by the worldsworld's nuclear powers. Also in this group are the live -fire tests of new and exocticexotic weaponry like the [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb]], or "Mother of all Bombs". Also numbered among the unique weapons tests are test fires of Intercontenental[[intercontinental Ballisticballistic Missilesmissile]]s (ICBM) and Multiple[[multiple Idependentindependently Re-entrytargetable Vehicalsreentry (MIRV'vehicle]]s). Recently, a new addition was made to this area when live -fire tests began of the U.S. ballisticStrategic missileDefense defense systemInitiative, betternicknamed known"[[Strategic asDefense star wars,Initiative|Star beganWars]]". These live -fire tests are aimed at intercepting incoming enemy ballistic missiles before they can detonate over theretheir designated target.

==Dangers==

[[File:US Navy 090226-N-1251W-002 Gunners Mate 1st Class Leland Pasion explains how to inspect rounds for safety before a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Safety inspection of ammunition before a live fire exercise]]

[[Image:USS Iowa BB61 Iowa Explosion 1989.jpg|thumb|right|On 19 April 1989, the {{USS|Iowa|BB-61|6}}{{'}}s No. 2 turret [[USS Iowa turret explosion|exploded]] during a routine live-fire training exercise, killing 47 sailors]]

One cannot address live fire exercisis without addressing the dangers of live fire exercises. In any situation in which [[Hazardoushazardous material]]s are involved there exists the potential for a mishap to occur, and when these mishaps occur the results can be as spectalularspectacular as they are deadly. All forms of ordinanceordnance contain some type of [[explosive]] charge to launch and, in most cases, detonate, a weapon. If these charges are inapropreitlyinappropriately stored or handled, the result can be serious injury or death to the person and anyone in the immediate vicinity. Other dangers include faulty guidance and sensory information, which can cause guided ordinanceordnance to inadvertently target friendly or neutral units. Advances in technology have helped to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, problems with these materials; nonetheless, none-the-less extreme care must be given when using or implimentingimplementing them,. forFor example, the handling of [[gunpowder]] demands the use of [[glovesglove]]s and an area free of [[static electricity]] and other potential sparks which could ignite the powder.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Shiplife}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Live-fire Exercise}}

[[Category:Military education and training]]

[[Category:Ammunition]]