Battle: Los Angeles

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Battle: Los Angeles (which was also released under the title World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles) is a 2011 science fiction war film directed by Jonathan Liebesman and produced by Columbia Pictures. A poorly-received videogame adaptation of the movie, developed by Saber Interactive and published by Konami, was also released together with the film. The film stars Aaron Eckhart as Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz, a Marine on the verge of retirement and whose actions in battle start to cause concern among some of the men under his command; however, this is interrupted when the titular battle begins as a meteor shower turns out to be the first phase of an alien invasion. The film was made with the cooperation of the US Department of Defense and the United States Marine Corps, who supplied the production with authentic armor and aircraft. The events of the film are supposed to be tied into the "Battle of Los Angeles", an event in early 1942 when the US military opened fire on what were thought to be Japanese aircraft over the city; the "Battle" turned out to be a false alarm, though some believe the antiaircraft batteries were firing at alien spacecraft (an incident that also loosely inspired the 1979 Steven Spielberg film 1941). The film's cast includes Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, and Michael Peña.

The following weapons were used in the film Battle: Los Angeles:

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) is notably seen firing a Beretta 92FS (used as the substitute for the Military M9) pistol at the alien soldiers during the final battle. In a continuity error, he is seen first firing the handgun and then in the next scene he is actually seen drawing the handgun. A Marine is also seen drawing one out during the first encounter of the alien soldiers.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm.

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz firing a Beretta 92FS during the final battle.

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) holding the Beretta 92FS.

Nantz fires the Beretta at the alien soldiers.

The US Marine in the foreground with a Beretta 92FS.

Rifles

M4A1 Carbine

The M4A1 Carbine is one of the main weapons utilized by the U.S. Armed Forces in the film. The M4A1 is seen in the hands of members of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines including Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and Second Lieutenant William Martinez (Ramón Rodríguez). USAF Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) is also seen with an M4. The Marines' M4A1 carbines are fitted with ACOG scopes, RIS foregrips, Surefire Universal weaponlights, and most interestingly, AN/PEQ-15 laser designators; an improved, compact version of the AN/PEQ-2 system first employed in the early 2000s. In several scenes, bayonets are seen fixed on the M4s (which appear to be OKC-3S bayonets, adopted by the Marines to replace the M9 bayonet). The M4s are also all equipped with what appear to be Magpul Back Up Sights (MBUS) though these are never actually used. While training on Camp Pendelton the M4s are seen with EOtech Holographic sights. According to the Instagram account of XTreme Props, which provided the weapons and military props for the film, the M4s in this movie (notably, the carbine used by Santos) are actually mostly built on Desert Ordnance lower receiver groups.

An M4 Carbine (5.56x45mm) from Battle: Los Angeles; the weapon pictured here is the actual screen-used M4 used by Aaron Eckhart in the film, as it appeared on the Instagram account of XTreme Props, which supplied all weapons used in the film. Note that the M4 features a number of accessories not issued in the USMC, including a Surefire RIS (as opposed to the issue Knight's Armament RAS), a TangoDown vertical grip (as opposed to the issue Knight's Armament "Broomhandle"), and a Magpul MBUS rear sight (the USMC issues Knight's Armament and MaTech BUIS). According to XTreme Props, this is also a Colt M4 upper on a Desert Ordnance lower receiver group, instead of a Colt or FN-made lower.

Behind Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), an M4A1 carbine can be seen on the right being carried by Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) in a production still.

Several Marines are seen armed with M4A1 carbines. Note that this is the only inclusion of the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor in the entire movie. Although the Osprey was supposed to be phase out the CH-46E Sea Knight, most units, especially the ones stationed in the West Coast, are still equipped with the Sea Knights.

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) raises his M4A1 carbine fitted with an ACOG scope and the AN/PEQ-15 laser designator, an improved, compact version of the AN/PEQ-2 system first employed in the early 2000s.

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) fires his M4A1 carbine.

2nd Lieutenant William Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez) fires his M4A1.

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) is seen with his M4A1 carbine slung by his side as he throws an M67 grenade towards a gas station in an attempt to lure the enemy unmanned gunship. Note the Resistance 3 billboard in the background.

Colt M4A1 Carbine with 6 position collapsible stock - 5.56x45mm. Note slight difference in shape of stock compared to older model M4.

Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) aims her M4A1 carbine. Note that she is the only one who is seen with a M4A1 that uses the standard handguard instead of the RIS rails handguard.

Santos uses the bayonet on an alien soldier. The bayonet appears to be the Marine Corps OKC-3S bayonet which incorrect for Santos to use as Airmen use the M9 Bayonet.

Santos with her M4A1 that has the OKC-3S bayonet (as seen by the oval EGA logo on the grip) fixed on the barrel.

M16A4

The M16A4 is carried by various Marines fitted with ACOG scopes (both TA31F and TA31RCO models in Larue Precision mounts), RIS foregrips, Surefire flashlights mounted in Viking Tactics mounts, Viking Tactics rifle slings, Magpul MBUS rear sights, and AN/PEQ-15 IR designators. Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division (Californian Army National Guard) are also armed with M16A4s, but without the AN/PEQ-15s. Joe Rincon (Michael Peña) is seen using the M16A4 as well.

M16A4 rifle with AN/PEQ-15 IR designator, RIS foregrip, ACOG scope and Magpul MBUS Rear Sight - 5.56x45mm

One of the M16A4 rifles is taken from the armory. A stock chambering sound is played here despite the Marine simply picking up the rifle.

A Marine receives his M16A4 (fitted with a TA31RCO ACOG in this shot). These M16s have rail covers on all four sides (rather than just the top and bottom), no flashlight, inaccurate VFG, or inaccurate BUIS, and have a different type of ACOG. The different, more accurate setup (and the fact that the DoD cooperation involved shooting these scenes with real marine infantry and reservists at the real-world Camp Pendleton, rather than a set or stand-in) may mean that these were actual USMC M16A4s, rather than props built up a movie armory. This rifle is seen grabbed from an armory with at least 50 M16s shown in a single shot, so if the DoD/MC allowed it, it would make more sense to film this one scene with the real thing rather than renting 50 extra prop guns (it would also explain why no ammunition is seen).

The Marines begin their street patrol armed with their M16A4s as they make their way across Santa Monica.

LCpl. Kerns (Jim Parrack) holds his M16A4. Here the weaponlight and AN/PEQ-15 IR designator are visible.

Marines patrol with their M16A4s at the ready. LCpl Kerns rifle appears to have a nonstandard SureFire M82 rail rather than the issue KAC rail.

Lenihan holds the M16A4, the AN/PEQ-15 laser designator is visible.

LCpl. Kerns (Jim Parrack) and Cpl. Lockett providing overwatch with their M16A4s as they search for a means of escape from the police station. Here, Kerns' SureFire forend is easily visible, and his rifle also has a Magpul MBUS rear sight.

Cpl. Kevin Harris (Ne-Yo) with the M16A4.

Cpl. Kevin Harris (Ne-Yo) holds his M16A4 while getting on the bus.

Next to Michelle (Bridget Moynahan), a soldier of the California Army National Guard, 40th Infantry Division is seen with an M16A4 rifle. Unlike the Marines, the National Guardsmen's rifles are not fitted with AN/PEQ-15s.

At one point, Joe Rincon (Michael Peña) acquires a dropped M16A4 and opens fire with it at an approaching alien. Despite shooting from the hip, he successfully takes the alien down with several well-placed shots.

Machine Guns

FN M249 SAW

The full-length E2 model of the M249 SAW with long barrel and fixed synthetic buttstock is carried by U.S. Marines, most notably by Cpl. Nick Stavrou (Gino Anthony Pesi) and LCpl. Corey Simmons (Taylor Handley) fitted with Trijicon ACOG scopes.

FN M249E2 SAW, equipped with a 200 round ammo drum - 5.56x45mm

LCpl. Corey Simmons (Taylor Handley) aims his M249. Note that he seems to be using the iron sights instead of the ACOG, which is possible since the scope has a 'tunnel' in the mount that allows for this.

Simmons takes cover with his M249 SAW when Nantz and his Marines engage the alien soldiers.

Cpl. Nick Stavrou (Gino Anthony Pesi) with the M249 SAW on top of the bus.

A Marine is seen shooting at an alien soldier with his M249 SAW.

FN M249 SAW Paratrooper

At least two E3 Paratrooper models of the M249 SAW with M4-style collapsible buttstocks and plastic belt box can be seen carried by U.S. Marines while they're boarding the helicopters at Camp Pendleton.

M249E3 SAW Paratrooper with ACOG scope and 100-round woodland camo cloth ammo bag - 5.56x45mm

The Marine is the background carries his M249 SAW paratrooper.

The SAW paratrooper is seen on the right carried by the same Marine.

Along with the Marine on the right (clearly showing the plastic belt box), another Marine on the left is seen with a M249 SAW paratrooper, with the M4 style collapsible buttstock clearly visible.

FN M240 Machine Gun

Several models of the M240 machine gun are seen used in the film. The "D" model of the M240 machine gun is visible on the ramp of the U.S.M.C. CH-46 Sea Knight carrying Nance's Marines as well as on the UH-1 Huey helicopter sent to retrieve the Marines at the police station. The M240B is seen mounted on Marine LAVs and can briefly be seen being carried by a Marine. Nantz is seen manning the M240B when the Marines commandeer an LAV. Also, the coaxial-mounted version M240C is utilized by the LAV-25 and an M1A1 Abrams tank.

FN M240D vehicle and aircraft-mount version with spade grips - 7.62x51mm NATO

The mounted version of the M240 machine gun is visible on the ramp of the U.S.M.C. CH-46 Sea Knight.

A Sea-Knight crew member mans an M240D machine gun.

The M240D also are seen door-mounted on the UH-1 Huey helicopter sent to retrieve the Marines at the police station. In reality, this is an earlier model Huey and not the UH-1N/Bell 212 Twin Huey currently used by the Marines, which has two engines. Actual Marine helicopters can be seen in the Browning M3 entry.

FN M240C vehicle coaxial-mount version - 7.62x51mm NATO

FN M240B - 7.62x51mm NATO

An LAV crew member mans the M240B.

The Marine on the left of the image can briefly be seen with an M240B .

Nantz is seen manning the M240B when the Marines commandeer an LAV. Also visible in this shot is the firing port for the LAV-25's coaxial M240C, mounted next to the LAV's main armament.

During boot camp, Aaron Eckhart gets to train with the M240B mounted on a Humvee in behind the scenes footage.

Browning M2HB

The Browning M2HB is seen mounted on various Marine Humvees as well as in a machine gun nest at the Santa Monica Airport. Cpl. Jason Lockett (Cory Hardrict) is seen using a Humvee's M2 to fire at alien soldiers on an overpass. The M2HB is also seen mounted on an M1A1 Abrams tank and on AAVP7A1 amphibious APCs in news footage.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

Cpl Jason Lockett (Cory Hardrict) is seen manning the Browning M2HB from a disabled Humvee.

Lockett uses the M2HB to pour fire on alien soldiers on an overpass.

.50 BMG shells fall from the Humvee as Lockett provides suppressing fire with the Browning M2HB. Note how these are obviously crimp-nosed blank rounds.

Cpl. Lockett mans the Browning M2HB against a number of alien combatants and an alien crew-served weapon. The soldier on the left is seen running as a volley of alien missiles blows up the SUV he was using as cover. This is a soldier of the 40th Infantry Division and not one of the Marines from Echo 2-5.

An M2HB machine gun mounted on top of the M1A1 Abrams tank on the left.

Another Browning M2HB is seen on top of the Humvee that the group commandeers as they make their way from Santa Monica Airport to the secondary extraction zone.

During boot camp, Aaron Eckhart gets to train with the Browning M2HB in behind the scenes footage.

During boot camp, Michelle Rodriguez gets to train with the M2HB in behind the scenes footage.

Browning M3 Heavy Machine Gun

When Nantz meets Lt. Martinez, several Marines can be seen mounting a Browning M3 at the side of a UH-1N Huey helicopter at MCAS Camp Pendleton (in a continuity error, they are seen mounting the machine gun twice).

Browning M3 Aircraft - .50 BMG

The Marine flight crew to the left can be seen mounting a Browning M3 at the side of a UH-1N Huey helicopter at MCAS Camp Pendleton and...

... in a continuity error, they mount the machine gun twice.

Heavy Weapons

BGM-71 TOW

In some shots, USMC AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters can be seen armed with BGM-71 TOW missiles on the wing pylons.

BGM-71 TOW mounted on AH-1W - 152mm

The Super Cobra helicopter in the background can be seen with two BGM-71 TOW launchers mounted on the outboard wing pylon

M242 Bushmaster chaingun

The 25mm M242 Bushmaster chaingun is the main gun of the Marines' LAV-25 armored personnel carrier seen throughout the film.

M242 Bushmaster chaingun 25mm

An LAV-25 APC is seen in the background armed with an M242 Bushmaster on the top.

Nantz and his Marines commandeer an abandoned LAV with an M242 Bushmaster mounted on top as the group makes their way to the secondary extraction zone.

M197 Vulcan

The M197 Vulcan appears in the film as the secondary armament of USMC AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters.

M197 Vulcan 20mm

A pair of AH-1W Super Cobras fly past SSgt. Nantz, the M197 Vulcans chin-mounted on each one.

GAU-8/A Avenger

When the Marines are scrambled to counter the invasion, two A-10A Thunderbolt IIs can be seen sitting on the tarmac, complete with their General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger cannons.

GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm

Two A-10s can be seen parked on the tarmac, armed with GAU-8/A Avenger cannons.

Mk 19 Grenade Launcher

The Mk 19 grenade launcher is briefly seen mounted on a Marine Humvee when Nantz and his squad first take the streets in Santa Monica. Mk 19s can also be seen in the mini-turrets of USMC AAVP7A1 amphibious transports in news footage earlier in the movie.

Mk 19 grenade launcher 40mm in vehicle mounting

As the Marines open the armory an AAVP7A1 can briefly be seen on television, armed with a Browning M2HB and Mk 19 grenade launcher in the mini-turret.

The Mk 19 grenade launcher is briefly seen mounted on a Marine Humvee (on the left) when Nantz and his squad first take the streets in Santa Monica.

Other

M203 Grenade Launcher

The standard length M203 grenade launcher is seen mounted on some U.S. Marines M16A4s.

M203 grenade launcher 40mm mounted on M16A4 rifle 5.56x45mm with ACOG scope

The Marine on the left edge of the image can be seen scanning with his M16A4/M203.

Another Marine with his M16A4 with an M203 grenade launcher.

M203A1 Grenade Launcher

The M203A1 grenade launcher is seen used by several U.S. Marines as well mounted on the M4A1 carbines, most notably Cpl. Jason Lockett (Cory Hardrict) and Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) where the latter is seen using his M203A1 to detonate an explosive during the final battle.

M4A1 carbine with M203A1 grenade launcher - 5.56x45mm NATO / 40x46mm

Cpl. Jason Lockett (Cory Hardrict) holds his M4A1 carbine fitted with the shorter M203A1 grenade launcher.

Cpl. Lockett holds up his M4A1 carbine with the M203A1 grenade launcher during the final battle.

A Marine utilizes his M203A1 grenade launcher during the final battle.

Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) using his M203A1 to detonate an explosive during the final battle.

Cpl. Imlay and Lockett aiming their M4A1 Carbines with M203A1 grenade launchers during the final battle.

M136 AT4

One of the Marines is seen carrying the M136 AT4 after acquiring it from the wreckage of the FOB. Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) uses it in the battle to destroy an alien drone. The sound editing crew seems to the treat the AT4 as a guided weapon, judging by the squealing lock-on tone heard before firing, despite the fact that Santos was actually aiming at the drone's flight path rather than the drone itself.

M136 AT4 Anti-tank recoilless launcher - 84mm

A Marine is seen with an M136 AT4 slung over his back.

Technical Sergeant Elena Santos (Michelle Rodriguez) prepares to fire the AT4.

Santos fires the AT4.

M67 hand grenade

Nantz is notably seen using an M67 hand grenade to detonate a gas station.

M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) prepares to throw an M67 grenade towards a gas station in an attempt to destroy the unmanned alien gunship drone.

Nantz throws the M67 grenade.

The M67 lands near the pumps.

A box of M67 grenades is seen as the Marines re-arm at a temporary base camp.

M18 smoke grenade

Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) is seen tossing an M18 smoke grenade in order to mark a landing zone at the police station.

M18 smoke grenade

Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) is seen tossing an M18 smoke grenade in order to mark a landing zone at the police station.

As the Marines re-arm at a temporary base camp, they pass around various equipment, including this M18 smoke grenade.

M252 Mortar

A Marine mortar team is seen using an M252 mortar when Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) and his platoon arrives in Los Angeles.

M252 Mortar - 81mm

A Marine loading a mortar round into the M252 mortar in the opening battle in Santa Monica.

M112 C4 Demolition Charge

During the battle on the highway, Marines are seen hiding M112 C4 demolition charges in wrecked vehicles as the aliens advance. While obviously no movie would have actors handling actual plastic explosive charges, the prop charges emulate the lettering of the real thing.

M112 C4 demolition charge. Note lettering.

A Marine places an M112 demolition charge into the wheel well of a wrecked vehicle.

M712 Copperhead

In the final battle, the U.S. Marines use the M712 Copperhead munition, a 155mm artillery shell with pop-out fins for laser-guided operation, against the aliens. It is directly referred to as a "copperhead" and is accurately shown to be used with a laser designator, however, they're inaccurately shown to be a self-powered projectile (i.e. a guided missile) when we see it flying a flat path with a smoke trail. The M712 has no propulsion, it glides to its target from above using gravity and the momentum from being fired. We don't see what's launching it, but it's presumably the M777 Howitzer, based on its current usage by the USMC. These also appear in the game, where they're referred to just as the M712.

U.S. Marines operating an M777.