What is "lead" in the context of machine gun employment?

In the context of machine gun employment, "lead" refers to the distance ahead of a moving target where the gunner aims in order to successfully hit that target. This concept is critical in engaging targets that are in motion, as the projectile takes time to travel from the weapon to the target.

When a target is moving, aiming directly at it would mean that the round would likely miss, as the target continues to move in the time it takes for the bullet to reach it. Therefore, the gunner must calculate how far ahead of the target to aim—the "lead"—based on the target's speed and direction. Correctly estimating this lead ensures that the rounds intersect the target's path as it moves, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the gunner's fire.

Understanding lead is essential for accuracy in dynamic combat situations where both the gunner and the enemy may be moving, and it significantly impacts the success of machine gun employment on the battlefield.