What is a critical step in maintaining a weapon's functionality?

Regularly scheduled maintenance and inspections are essential for ensuring a weapon's functionality. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues before they become serious problems, which can affect performance and safety. By adhering to a maintenance schedule, weapons personnel can spot wear and tear, assess the reliability of critical components, and ensure that all systems are operating as intended. This practice not only extends the lifespan of the equipment but also enhances operational readiness and safety.

In contrast, cleaning only when a weapon appears dirty would not account for internal issues that may arise from lack of maintenance, nor does it address the need for routine checks. Only checking before a major exercise fails to provide a comprehensive safety net, as it neglects ongoing performance assessments and could overlook problems that develop over time. Relying solely on automated systems can also be risky, as systems can malfunction or fail, making it vital to have manual inspections as part of a thorough maintenance strategy.