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(Material x Training/Tactics = Mission Success)
The concept of the squad designated marksman (SDM or DM) first surfaced in the draft M16 field manual, FM 3-22.9, and FM 3-21.9, The SBCT Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad in late 2000, early 2001. These early requirements are also reflected in the requirement for a designated marksman rifle variant of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OIC W). Since then, the global war on terrorism has underscored the need for designated marksmen, but further development of the three elements of the designated marksman requirement - material, training, and tactics - have been fitful. Each element alone has very little chance of making a meaningful impact on today's warfighter. Combined, they make the designated marksman a formidable threat.
During the war, Soldiers and leaders have determined that a precision engagement gap exists at the small unit level, but have struggled to define what that gap is. For the purposes of discussion I will use the following definition of the designated marksman's requirements:
1. The capability to effectively place rounds into the Neck/Head Lethal Zone (4'' wide x 8'' high) as defined by FM 3-22.9, Chapter 7.
2. Current small unit weapons are perceived to not possess the accuracy to provide the precision engagement of the lethal zone required at 100-300 meters most commonly encountered in Iraq.
3. Many Soldiers/leaders believe the current 5.56-mm weapon systems lack the accuracy to quickly index and engage targets between 300-600 meters frequently encountered in Afghanistan.
4. The requirement has emerged to engage (interspersed with noncombatants) improvised explosive device (IED) operators, suicide bombers, and enemy marksmen within 300 meters that require immediate central nervous system (CNS) engagement to reduce unit and noncombatant casualties.
Material
The current M16A4/M4 is a very accurate weapon with proper training and ammunition selection. However, commanders continue to ask for a better material solution to the DM's requirements. A thorough discussion of how to address material improvements is impossible within the context of this article. However, refining the weapon platform through improved configurations, a matched optic, and ammunition will increase the DM's capability. The objective is to provide for more consistent shot placement in order to destroy on the enemy.
Rifle: Accurizing the M16 family of weapons is a common...