Designated marksman
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A designated marksman (DM), squad advanced marksman (AD) or squad designated marksman (SDM)
The DM's role is to supplement the attached squad by providing accurate fire upon enemy targets at distances up to 600 metres (660 yd). Due to the need for repeated effective fire, the DM is usually equipped with a scoped semi-automatic rifle called a designated marksman rifle (DMR). Like snipers, DMs are trained in scouting and precise shooting, but unlike the more specialized "true" sniper (who often operate independently), they operate as an intrinsic part of an infantry fireteam and are tasked to lay down accurate support fire at valuable targets as per tactical necessity, thus extending the reach of the fireteam.
The growth of the DM rifle can be attributed to two main influences; the near-universal adoption of
DM/sniper differences
The DM role differs significantly from that of a specially trained
The DM operates as an integral member of the infantry platoon, providing a niche capability contributing to the overall firepower of the platoon in the same way as a
Snipers are ordinarily equipped with specialized, purpose-built
Snipers are mainly employed for targets at ranges from 600 metres (660 yd) up to more than 2,000 metres (2,190 yd). In the UK, US, and other Western countries over the last 15 years, sniper rifles chambered for standard military calibers, such as 7.62×51mm, have been replaced with those that employ larger, more specialized rounds, such as .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum, which give better accuracy at longer ranges than the standard military rifle calibers. An example of this is the British Army's replacement of the Accuracy International L96A1 in 7.62×51mm with the similar but larger and more powerful Accuracy International L115A3 rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.[7]
DMs are utilized for targets at ranges between approximately 300–600 metres (330–660 yd) using a rifle chambered with standard-issue rifle ammunition, usually either 5.56×45mm or 7.62×51mm. While snipers often take a fixed strategic position and camouflage themselves (e.g. with a Ghillie suit), a DM will tactically move with his unit and is otherwise equipped in the same way as other members of the infantry platoon.[4]
Equipment
Rifles
The designated marksman is intended to fill the gap between the typical infantry rifle and longer-range sniper rifles. The typical service rifle is intended for use at ranges up to a maximum of 300 meters, while sniper rifles are generally optimized for ranges of 600 meters and greater. Designated marksman rifles are designed to fill this gap, typically being employed at ranges of 300–600 metres (330–660 yd).
In some cases, the designated marksman rifle is simply an accurized version of the standard service rifle, such as the Mk 12 SPR (which is built on an M16 platform), while in other cases the rifle is a larger caliber rifle design, such as the British L129A1,[8] Soviet SVD, or US rifles based on the M14, AR-10, or HK417.
Whether a modified existing service rifle or a specific design, the DM rifle will be chambered for a round already used in the infantry battalion, such as 5.56×45mm or 7.62×51mm, and it will retain semi-automatic firing capability with a magazine capacity of 10, 20, or 30 rounds, depending on the firearm in question.
Sidearm
Designated marksmen will carry whichever
Worldwide use
Australian Army
A typical Australian Army
British Army
Recently, the
On 28 December 2009, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the adoption of the
Indian Army
The
Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
The
United States Armed Forces
United States Marine Corps
The U.S. Marines use M14s that have been rebuilt at Marine Corps Base Quantico and designated as Designated Marksman Rifles, which are being replaced by the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle.[13] The Corps also utilizes two different adaptations of the M16 assault rifle: the Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle (SAM-R), and the Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR. They also utilize the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle.[14]
United States Army
The United States Army 101st Airborne Division recognized the need for a Squad Designated Marksman when they encountered fires beyond the 300-600m range. In 2004, they began issuing M14s to specially trained soldiers for Designated Marksman work. The 82nd Airborne Division deployed with designated marksmen, trained on the M-4 using ACOGs with great success out to 600m, some 82nd Airborne units were issued M14s. The 3rd Infantry Division saw limited use of a modified M16, which was accurized in a manner similar to the U.S. Marines SAM-R, unofficially designated the AMU Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R). This rifle was designed for engagements up to 1000m.
The U.S. Army DM also uses the predecessor of the M16 rifle, the M14, in certain infantry line units. These are commonly equipped with Leupold optics, a Sage stock and are designated the M14SE Crazy Horse.[15]
The United States Navy SEAL Teams employs SDM rifles in roughly the same manner as the Marine Corps and Army, although there is no specific "Designated Marksman" role in a SEAL platoon. Known used weapons include, but are not limited to, the Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle, M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, MK11/SR-25, the MK12 Mod X, the "SEAL Recon Rifle" and in some cases even regular M14 Rifles fitted with optical scopes.
The United States Navy
Soviet snipers
Although referred to as "snipers", the Soviet Union and its allies have since World War II employed specially-equipped and trained "sharpshooting" soldiers at a section ("squad") and platoon level to increase the range of their section to 1,000 meters (1,100 yd). This is commonly accepted as the first example of what came to be known as a designated marksman as opposed to a true sniper.[16]
Since 1963, these soldiers have been equipped with the Dragunov SVD rifle that shares all the characteristics typical of a designated marksman rifle (Semi-automatic fire, telescopic sight, chambered for standard military rifle cartridge).
See also
References
- ^ "U.S. Army Infantry Squad Organization – AAManual". manual.americasarmy.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Bolt Action Designated Marksman/Sniper Rifle (DM/S-R) Concept Rifle – Sniper Central". Snipercentral.com. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Brits Getting into the 7.62 vs 5.56 debate – Defensetech". Defensetech.org. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-78200-765-4.
- ISBN 978-1-909160-38-5.
- ISBN 978-1-4299-7181-2.
- ^ "The British Army – L115A3 Long range 'sniper' rifle". Army.mod.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "The British Army – L129A1 sharpshooter rifle". Army.mod.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Australia Defense Force news – February 2010". Australiandefence.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "AusTender: Contract Notice View - CN352591". Tenders.gov.au. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Google Image Result". Google.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2017. [dead link]
- ^ "UK selects 7.62 mm Sharpshooter weapon for Afghan ops". Janes.com. 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ISBN 978-1-61059-750-0.
- ^ "Marines set their sights on designated marksman title". Marines.mil. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ Kokalis, Peter (2005). "M14 reborn: Crazy Horse and the Romanian Option". Shotgun News. 50 (12): 20–22, 24, 26.
- ISBN 978-1-4402-2482-9.
External links
- Field Manual 3–22.9; Rifle Marksmanship – See Chapter 7, Section VII – Squad Designated Marksman Training