At what point does maximum ordinate typically occur?

Maximum ordinate refers to the highest point in the trajectory of a projectile between the firing point and the target. This peak occurs because of the effects of gravity and the initial velocity of the round, leading to a curved trajectory.

The correct answer indicates that maximum ordinate typically occurs around two-thirds of the distance from the weapon to the target. This is supported by the physics of projectile motion, where the projectile will rise until it reaches its apex before beginning to fall back towards the ground due to gravitational pull. In most scenarios, this apex, or maximum ordinate, will occur before the halfway point, but not at the very end when the projectile is descending toward the target.

Understanding the point of maximum ordinate is crucial for effective machine gun employment, as it helps determine range adjustments and ensures that rounds are accurately placed on target. This knowledge is particularly important for scenarios involving indirect firing, where the gunner must account for the trajectory to effectively engage distant targets.