The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR or B.A.R) is a family of American automatic rifles and machine guns used by the United States and numerous other countries during the 20th century. The primary variant of the BAR series was the M1918, chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge and designed by John Browning in 1917. The BAR was designed to be carried by infantrymen during an assault advance while supported by the sling over the shoulder, or to be fired from the hip. The BAR saw extensive service in both World War II and the Korean War and saw limited service in the Vietnam War.