The 1980s action film, “The Delta Force,” was inspired by the real-life hijacking of a TWA airplane and hostage crisis in Beirut. It features a terrifying rescue by a herioc U.S. commando unit of the same name, with Chuck Norris portraying a team commander. Although this film is fictionalized, it draws inspiration from some of the adventures of the elite special operations unit known as Delta Force.
The Delta Force was established in 1977 and operates within the United States Army. It is involved in counterterrorism and hostage-rescue operations and many of its missions are highly classified. To operatve effectively, the force uses a wide range of specifically custom-made weaponry. (See also, the 35 guns used by Russian special forces.)
In identifying the firearms used by Delta Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of weapons used by the special missions unit produced by Military Factory, which is an online archive of military vehicles, aircraft, and weaponry. Guns no longer believed to be in use by the Delta Force have been excluded and the others are ranked based on their service entry dates. Additioinal information, including weapon type, maximum effective range, and caliber, also came from Military Factory.
Delta Force utilizes a selection of firearms that include assault rifles, sniper rifles, and submachine guns. One of them is the HK 416, developed by German firm Heckler & Koch. It is a significant advancement over the traditional M4 Carbine, adding technological improvements that increase flexibility and accuracy. The HK 416 also offers customizable configuration to meet varied operational requirements. It uses the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, which is popular because of its versatility and effectiveness in combat situations.
Even though specific firearms may differ depending on mission parameters, these weapons form the offensive foundation of Delta Force. Each unique in its purpose and ability, these weapons contribute to the high level of operational efficiency and effectiveness expected from the Delta Force.
Here are the guns used by delta force.
30. General Electric M134 Minigun
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1963
- Type: Six-barrel gatling gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
29. M72 LAW
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1963
- Type: Anti-tank rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 66mm
28. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1965
- Type: Six-barrel gatling gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
27. Saco Mk 19
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1967
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 40x53mm
26. Mossberg Model 590
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1975
- Type: Pump-action shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
25. Fabrique Nationale M240
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1977
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
24. Barrett M82
- Year entered service: 1982
- Type: Anti-materiel rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
23. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1984
- Type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
22. Colt M45 MEU (SOC)
- Year entered service: 1986
- Type: Special forces semi-automatic service pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .45 ACP
21. Saco M60E3
- Year entered service: 1986
- Type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
20. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
Source: usairforce / Flickr
- Year entered service: 1987
- Type: Anti-armor rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 84mm
19. SIG-Sauer P228
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1988
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
18. Beretta M9
Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9×19 parabellum
17. Colt M16A4
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Automatic rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
16. Stoner SR-25
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
15. Heckler & Koch HK MP5K
- Year entered service: 1991
- Type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 9×19 parabellum
14. Heckler & Koch HK G36
- Year entered service: 1996
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,853 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
13. FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1996
- Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 127mm
12. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 1999
- Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
11. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2002
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
10. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2003
- Type: Light weight machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
9. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)
Source: usairforce / Flickr
- Year entered service: 2004
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
8. Heckler & Koch HK 416
- Year entered service: 2005
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
7. McMillan TAC-338
Source: Courtesy of The Overwatch ELR via Facebook
- Year entered service: 2005
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum
6. M32 MGL
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2006
- Type: Six-shot grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 40x46mm grenade
5. M110 SASS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2007
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
4. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2008
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
3. AirTronic PSRL-1 (RPG-7USA)
- Year entered service: 2009
- Type: Anti-armor / anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 40mm Rocket
2. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
- Year entered service: 2009
- Type: Automatic assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
1. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2013
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
- Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO
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