In the heart of Grand Theft Auto V, the “Military Hardware” mission sets the stage for the daring Paleto Score heist. Players must navigate the treacherous Grand Senora Desert to intercept a heavily guarded military convoy, using cunning and precision to steal a crucial Barracks truck. With sticky bombs and sniper rifles at the ready, can you outsmart the military and secure the hardware needed for the ultimate heist? Dive into our comprehensive walkthrough to master this pivotal setup mission and pave the way for a successful Paleto Score.
Mission 52 – Military Hardware general information
Way to unlock: You need to complete Main mission 51 (Paleto Score Setup). After you receive a text message from Lester, there will appear the Hs icon that symbolizes the moving military convoy en route to Fort Zancudo.
Playable characters: Trevor
Additional information: The main premise of this mission is to steal a military truck from the military convoy and it is a part of the preparations for the bank heist in Paleto Bay. The best way to attack the convoy is with sticky bombs and a scoped weapon (e.g. the sniper rifle) and, if you do not have this kind of equipment, you’d better visit an Ammu-Nation store before starting this mission.
Mission 52 – Military Hardware full walkthrough
Put a bomb on the road
This mission starts when the convoy comes close, or when you attack from a larger distance. You should spend some time learning the current route of the convoy and stop, at least, several hundred meters ahead of it. From your inventory, select the sticky bomb and leave one on the road.
You can detonate the bomb right before the off-road car in the convoy, or blow it up
Walk away from the road and it would be best if you hid on a nearby hill. Wait for the convoy to approach. You an detonate the explosive fight in front of the first off-road car in the convoy, or detonate it at the moment when you will be able to damage it (do not damage the truck too much!) but, in the latter case, it will be more difficult to meet one of the requirements for the completion of the mission in 100%.
Eliminate the soldiers at a distance
You should now switch quickly to a scoped weapon (a sniper rifle would be best here) and lay fire down on the soldiers that will come out of the cars in the convoy. I recommend that you target their heads and use the distance to your advantage. Try to eliminate all of the soldiers this way.
The place where the mission ends
Fortunately, you do not need to worry about the appearance of police reinforcements. Approach the vehicles in the convoy and get into the truck (Barracks). The only thing left for you to do is to take the truck back to the meth lab and park it near the garage.
Rewards and challenges in mission 52 – Military Hardware
Rewards for the completion of the mission: none
Requirements for the completion of the mission in 100%:
- Head Hunter – you need to kill 5 soldiers by shooting them on the head.
- Sticky Strategist – You need to stop the convoy using a sticky bomb.
What are the best strategies to ambush the military convoy
Ambushing a military convoy requires strategic planning and execution to maximize the element of surprise and minimize casualties. Here are some effective strategies:
Strategic Considerations
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Terrain Selection: Choose a location with favorable terrain, such as narrow roads or areas with natural cover, to limit the convoy’s maneuverability and escape routes.
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Element of Surprise: Use the element of surprise to your advantage by setting up ambushes in unexpected locations and timing them when the convoy is most vulnerable.
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Targeting Key Vehicles: Target the first and last vehicles in the convoy to block escape routes and trap the rest of the convoy in the kill zone. If possible, target the most heavily armed vehicles first to neutralize their firepower.
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Use of Mines and Booby Traps: Employ mines and booby traps to immobilize vehicles and restrict movement, making it difficult for the convoy to dismount and counterattack.
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Coordinated Firepower: Use coordinated firepower from multiple angles to overwhelm the convoy quickly. This can include small arms, anti-tank missiles, and pre-registered artillery strikes.
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Speed and Mobility: Maintain speed and mobility to quickly exploit the initial surprise and prevent the convoy from regrouping or calling in reinforcements8.
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Contingency Planning: Have a contingency plan in place for unexpected developments, such as air support arriving sooner than anticipated.
Tactical Execution
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Near Ambush Tactics: In a near ambush, charge the enemy aggressively to disrupt their formation and gain control of the situation.
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Flanking Maneuvers: Use flanking maneuvers to attack the convoy from unexpected angles, exploiting weak points in their defenses.
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Establishing a Base of Fire: Quickly establish a base of fire to pin down the convoy and limit their ability to respond effectively8.
By combining these strategies, an ambush can be executed effectively, maximizing the impact on the military convoy while minimizing risks to the ambush team.
What are the most effective countermeasures against a convoy ambush
Effective countermeasures against a convoy ambush involve a combination of immediate response, strategic maneuvering, and the use of firepower. Here are some key strategies:
Immediate Response
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Initiate Counter Ambush Measures: Respond quickly with maximum firepower to neutralize the ambush force. This includes directing vehicles with mounted weapons to lay down heavy fire on the ambushers.
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Maintain Convoy Movement: Keep the convoy moving if possible, to prevent being pinned down and to facilitate a flanking maneuver.
Strategic Maneuvering
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Flanking Attack: Execute a flanking attack using elements not in the killing zone. This is often the most effective counteraction to an ambush.
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Armored Vehicle Deployment: Use armored vehicles to move into the killing zone, providing covering fire for the flanking attack or protecting troops caught in the ambush.
Firepower and Support
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Call for Supporting Fire: Utilize artillery or close air support to target enemy positions if available.
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Use of Mines and Booby Traps Countermeasures: Be aware of potential mines and booby traps. Avoid driving on shoulders or over suspicious areas, and follow established protocols for dealing with these threats.
Pre-Ambush Preparations
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Reconnaissance: Conduct thorough reconnaissance before the convoy moves to identify potential ambush sites and secure the route.
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Training and Drills: Ensure that all personnel are well-trained in counter-ambush procedures to respond effectively in a crisis.
By employing these strategies, convoys can effectively counter ambushes and minimize casualties.
