Sniper

What is a Sniper and Why Are They So Effective?

A sniper is a military or paramilitary marksman who engages targets from positions of concealment or at distances exceeding the target’s detection capabilities. Imagine a silent, deadly assassin hidden in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. This is what a sniper does, but on a much larger scale and with specialized training.

The Art of Concealment

Snipers are trained in special operation techniques such as detection, stalking, camouflage, tracking, bushcraft, field craft, infiltration, surveillance, and target acquisition. They need to have complete control of their bodies and senses to be effective. It’s like a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek where the sniper is always looking for the perfect hiding spot.

The Evolution of Sniping

The term ‘sniper’ comes from the verb to snipe, which originated in British India in the 1770s. The name was first used militarily in 1824 and became commonplace during World War I. Over time, snipers have evolved from simple marksmen into highly specialized operators with advanced equipment and tactics.

Sniper Missions

Typical sniper missions include managing intelligence information, assisting combat forces, killing enemy commanders, selecting targets of opportunity, and destruction of military equipment. These missions require not only precision but also strategic thinking and adaptability in various environments.

The Role of Snipers in Modern Warfare

Sniper teams consist of the shooter and support personnel such as a spotter and flanker. The shooter focuses on firing the shot while the spotter assists with observation, targets assignment, and ancillary tasks. A flanker provides rear security and perimeter defense. This teamwork is crucial for success in any mission.

Law Enforcement Snipers

Law enforcement snipers, also known as police snipers, differ from military snipers in terms of their areas of operation and tactics. They typically operate in hostage scenarios and are trained to shoot only as a last resort. Police snipers usually operate at shorter ranges than military snipers and often perform one-shot kills.

Notable Sniper Kills

The longest recorded sniper kill was achieved in November 2023 by an undisclosed member of the Security Service of Ukraine, hitting a Russian soldier at a distance of 3,800 m. A Canadian JTF2 special forces member achieved a hit at a distance of 3,540 m in June 2017. Craig Harrison, a Corporal of Horse, struck two Taliban machine gunners consecutively at a range of 2,475 m in November 2009.

The History and Development of Sniping

Before the development of rifling, firearms were smoothbore and inaccurate over long distance. Barrel rifling was invented at the end of the fifteenth century but wasn’t used in large cannons until later. Long range marksmanship began in the mid-sixteenth century with examples like Mori Takamasa, who fired from 770 meters away.

The First Optical Sights

During the Crimean War, the first optical sights were designed for rifles, allowing marksman to observe and target objects more accurately. The telescopic sight was fixed and could not be adjusted. Despite its success, the Whitworth Rifle Company failed to adopt it by the British Army but sold it to the French army and the Confederacy.

World War I and II

In World War I, snipers appeared as deadly sharpshooters in the trenches. The Germans specialized in scoped sniper rifles that could pick off enemy soldiers showing their heads out of their trenches. During World War II, many nations dropped their specialized sniper units, but the Soviet Union continued to train their snipers in skills such as marksmanship, using terrain for cover, and working with regular forces.

Sniper Training and Tactics

Military sniper training focuses on camouflage, concealment, stalking, observation, and precision marksmanship under various operational conditions. Other doctrines suggest that exhausting the lungs results in an accelerated heart rate and advise a partial exhale before firing. Some snipers shoot between heartbeats to minimize barrel motion.

Range Estimation

To determine the range to a target without a laser rangefinder, the sniper may use the mil dot reticle on a scope to accurately find the range. The height of the target (in yards) ×1000, divided by the height of the target (in mils), gives the range in yards.

Windage and Bullet Drop

Windage plays a significant role in shooting, with effects increasing with wind speed or distance. The slant of visible convections near the ground can be used to estimate crosswinds and correct the point of aim. For moving targets, the point-of-aim is ahead of the target in the direction of movement.

Conclusion

The role of snipers has evolved significantly over time, from simple marksmen to highly specialized operators with advanced equipment and tactics. Their ability to strike from a distance and remain undetected makes them invaluable assets in modern warfare. Whether it’s on the battlefield or during law enforcement operations, snipers continue to play a crucial role in achieving strategic objectives.