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. 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; this, of course, is the premise of the movie. 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:
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.
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 (Ramon Rodriguez). 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 2000's. 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
The M16A4 rifle 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 (CA ARNG) are also armed with M16A4s, but without the AN/PEQ-15s. Joe Rincon (Michael Peña) is seen using the M16A4 as well.
The M249 SAW used by the US Marines as well, some fitted with an ACOG scope. Stavrou carries the full-length E2 model with long barrel and fixed synthetic buttstock, while at least two E3 Para models with short barrels and M4-style collapsible buttstocks can be seen among the Marines while they're boarding the helicopters at Camp Pendleton.
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 LAV's. 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.
The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun 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.
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).
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.
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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMk 19 grenade launcher 40mm in vehicle mountingError creating thumbnail: File missingAs 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.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe 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 M203 grenade launcher is seen used by U.S. Marines as well. The grenade launchers mounted on the M4A1 carbines are the shorter M203A1 models, while the ones seen on the M16A4s are the M203. Cpl. Lee Imlay (Will Rothhaar) is notably seen using his M203A1 to detonate an explosive during the final battle.
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.
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.
