Which term refers to a heavier, crew-served automatic weapon used to provide sustained fire?

• A. Grenadier
• B. Forward Observer
• C. Medium machine gun
• D. Light machine gun

Answer: (C)

Medium machine gun is the term for a heavier, crew-served automatic weapon designed to deliver sustained fire. These guns are built to stay in one place for longer periods, usually mounted on a tripod and operated by a small crew, which lets them lay down continuous bursts and provide a strong base of fire to suppress the enemy while maneuver elements move. A light machine gun, by contrast, is lighter and designed for greater mobility, carried and operated by a smaller team for faster movement but with less sustained-fire capability. The other options describe infantry roles rather than a weapon type: a grenadier specializes in throwing grenades, and a forward observer coordinates indirect fire rather than delivering automatic fire.