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Improving Army marksmanship: regaining the initiative in the infantryman's hale kilometer
Infantry Magazine, July-August, 2006 by David Liwanag
The USAMU-designed SPR and the 3rd ID Designated Marksman Rifle are built using the same techniques as for precision competition M 16s. Armorers install a high-quality free-floating stainless steel match barrel (the hand guard tube and Special Operations Peculiar Modification, or SOPMOD, accessory rails do not touch or affect the barrel) on a flat-top upper receiver and tune or replace the trigger. Ammunition designed for KD competition shooting has proven exceptionally effective in combat in the SPR and M4 carbine to 600 yards. Lethality is increased as hits on target increase. Match-grade ammunition (5.56mm Long Range Special Ball, Mark 262 Mod 0, DODIC AA53 loaded with 77-grain target bullets) is now type-standardized but in limited production for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Special Operations Command. The U.S. Marine Corps has designed and deployed their prototype SAM-R, a very similar system, and use the same type of ammo.
Another rifle that may fill the requirement for an infantry DM is the 7.62mm AR-10T. For all intents and purposes a scaled M16 or M4, it can be configured with SOPMOD accessory rails and use either 7.62mm M118 Long Range or standard ammunition used in the M240 machine gun. Soldiers are already familiar with AR-10 design and operation.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID LIWANAG
Lieutenant Colonel David Liwanag commanded the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Ga., from June 2003 until June 2006. He is currently assigned to the J3, Special Operations Command--Joint Forces Command at Norfolk, Va. Other previous assignments include commanding the U .S. Army Parachute Team and serving with the I st Battalion, 1 st Special Forces Group.
COPYRIGHT 2006 U.S. Army Infantry School
COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group
