Real World Target Engagement Sequence

[LRRPF52]

Some Marine Snipers doing what they do with Mk11 + S&B PMII:

[video=youtube;XUnlifFxXTw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=XUnlifFxXTw[/video]

[QuadCam]

is the mk11 a Knight's SR25?

[stanc]

Real World Target Engagement Sequence - Part II

Sometimes the enemy has snipers, too. Maybe not as good as the Marines, but good enough to keep them pinned down.

And sometimes the Marines screw up and kill the wrong people, thereby creating more insurgents.

[video=youtube;ezJzq83U7_c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezJzq83U7_c[/video]

[LRRPF52]

I would expect nothing less from the NYT...demoralization per KGB ideological warfare strategy. Anybody feel motivated after watching that? How about support for the troops...increased or decreased?

When I labeled the first vid a Target Engagement Sequence, I was referring to a specific partnership that exists between a sniper and his spotter. It was intended to illustrate the communication and ballistic considerations that a 2-man sniper team uses when developing and executing a firing solution on a target. Hopefully, the dialog can continue in that regard since there have been questions about the integrated act of firing at long range.

Notice how the spotter gives the shooter a wind call in the form of Mils, and the shooter immediately dials that into his windage turret. It looks like the spotter is using a LRF, and has a solid range to the wall in one case.

As to the 2nd video, those Lee Enfields were provided by the CIA during the early years of the Afghan-Soviet War of 1979-1989. When the Mujahaideen needed weapons, the geniuses from the Agency felt it best to drain old stockpiles of rifles nobody wanted onto the Muj, when they were really needing AK's. When Charlie Wilson and Avrokotos got involved, they started sourcing AKM's from China, Egypt, Israel, and other countries in the region. The former 10th SFG guy they let loose on the logistics and training program called for an immediate halt to any more Lee Enfields being introduced into the Stan, and also pushed for the introduction of MANPADS. That program broke the Soviets, and the Soviets haven't repeated it with us because they are quite happy with us bogged down in Afghanistan, rather than free to focus on Eastern Europe and Asia.

[stanc]

I would expect nothing less from the NYT...demoralization per KGB ideological warfare strategy. Anybody feel motivated after watching that? How about support for the troops...increased or decreased?

Communist conspiracy, or not, don't blame the messenger.

The NYT didn't make the Marines hide behind the wall, or launch a guided missile at the wrong target.

I doubt the video had any noticeable effect on either increasing or decreasing support for the troops.

But, all that is off the subject of sniper effectiveness, so I'd rather not get bogged down in such a discussion.

When I labeled the first vid a Target Engagement Sequence, I was referring to a specific partnership that exists between a sniper and his spotter. It was intended to illustrate the communication and ballistic considerations that a 2-man sniper team uses when developing and executing a firing solution on a target. Hopefully, the dialog can continue in that regard since there have been questions about the integrated act of firing at long range.

I must've missed those questions. Or do you mean the proposals to replace 5.56 with a long-range cartridge (like the 6.5 Grendel or 7 UIAC) for ordinary riflemen as well as machine gunners?

[LRRPF52]

The intention is to show what it takes to make hits past the half kilometer, with a well-trained team, comprised of guys who have both graduated the Marine Scout Sniper Course at Quantico where they spend the majority of 8 weeks watching 7.62 Match go down-range.

With years of experience & training, a sniper team can be a very effective tool in support of dismounted units who need a high probability of 1st-round hit at extended ranges with extreme prejudice, with an extremely low risk for collateral damage.

Equipping a regular rifleman with a carbine or rifle that is effective at these ranges is a waste of resources, in my opinion.

[LRRPF52]

is the mk11 a Knight's SR25?

Basically. There are variations of the SR25 with different nomenclatures, and they were first employed by SEALs and units within JSOC, then Army SF began using them shortly thereafter. This all began in the early 1990's. The guys in a certain place had their in-house armorers re-barrel and trigger-job them, using Kreiger, Shilen, Douglas, and other high-end pipes to meet the accuracy requirements they needed. It basically started a trend in those higher Tier units where 7.62 bolt guns were used with less and less frequency since the match-grade barreled and tuned SR's were providing the practical accuracy that was needed, with the ability to engage follow-up targets much quicker, as well as be used from aerial platforms.

A lot of those improvements went into the Mk11 Mod 0, which has a free-floated quad rail, a reflex suppressor, target-style flip-up sights, and a host of other accessories delivered in a Pelican case with custom hard cell inserts for the system.

The Army's M110 is the latest development of that system, with ambidextrous mag-release and bolt catch assemblies, an adjustable butt-late stock, and different Basic Inventory Items to distinguish it from the Mk11 Mod 0.

All the guys I have spoken with in Sniper duty positions in both the Army and Marines are using them more and more now, while leaving the M24's and M40's back at the FOB. It's kinda hard to fight with a heavy-barreled bolt gun, let alone a WWI-era lighter-weight battle rifle.