Editing Sniper (section)

==Modern warfare==
{{Main|Snipers of the Soviet Union|Scout Sniper|Designated marksman|Special reconnaissance|ISTAR}}
[[File:50 cal sniper rifle.jpg|thumb|right|Over-watch being provided by an army sergeant during a high-level meeting, Baghdad, Iraq]]
[[File:Barrett M82A1.jpg|thumb|A [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] sniper using a Barrett M82]]

===Military doctrine===
Different countries use different [[military doctrine]]s regarding snipers in [[military unit]]s, settings, and [[military tactics|tactics]].

A sniper's primary function in modern warfare is to stay concealed at all times and avoid detection. Then from long range, to provide detailed [[surveillance]] from a concealed position and, if necessary, to reduce the enemy's combat ability by shooting high-value targets (especially [[officer (armed forces)|officers]] and other [[VIP|key personnel]]), and in the process, cause disruption, [[suppression fire|pinning down]] and [[demoralization (warfare)|demoralizing the enemy]].<ref name="Plaster p. ">{{harvnb|Plaster|2007|p=}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}<ref name="Plaster 1993 p. ">{{harvnb|Plaster|1993|p=}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}} Typical sniper missions include managing [[military intelligence|intelligence]] information they gather during [[reconnaissance]], [[target acquisition]] and [[bomb damage assessment|impact feedback]] for [[air strike]]s and [[artillery]], assisting employed combat force with accurate [[fire support]] and [[counter-sniper tactics]], killing enemy [[commander]]s, selecting targets of opportunity, and even [[matériel|destruction of military equipment]], which tend to require use of [[anti-materiel rifle]]s in the larger calibers such as the [[.50 BMG]], like the [[Barrett M82]], [[McMillan Tac-50]], and [[Denel NTW-20]].<ref name="Plaster 1993 p. "/>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}

[[Soviet]]- and Russian-derived military [[doctrine]]s include squad-level snipers. Snipers have increasingly been demonstrated as useful by US and UK forces in the recent [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Iraq campaign]] in a fire support role to cover the movement of infantry, especially in [[Urban combat|urban]] areas.<ref name="Plaster 1993 p. "/>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}

Military snipers from the US, UK and other countries that adopt their military doctrine are typically deployed in two-man [[Sniper#Sniper teams|sniper team]]s consisting of a shooter and a [[spotter (sniping)|spotter]].<ref name="Senich p. ">{{harvnb|Senich|1988|p=}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}} A common practice is for a shooter and a spotter to take turns to avoid [[asthenopia|eye fatigue]].<ref name="Plaster 1993 p. "/>{{page needed|date=February 2018}} In most recent combat operations occurring in large densely populated towns, such as [[Fallujah, Iraq]], two teams would be deployed together to increase their security and effectiveness in an urban environment. A sniper team would be armed with a long-range weapon and a rapid-firing shorter-ranged weapon in case of [[close quarter combat]].

The German doctrine of largely independent snipers and emphasis on concealment, developed during the Second World War, has been most influential on modern sniper tactics, and is currently used throughout Western militaries (examples are specialized camouflage clothing, concealment in terrain and emphasis on [[coup d'œil]]).<ref name="Senich 1982 p. ">{{harvnb|Senich|1982|p=}}</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}<ref name="Shore p. 316">{{harvnb|Shore|1988|p=316}}</ref><ref>{{cite video
 | people      = Freigegeben ab 12 Jahren
 | date        = 2 January 2008
| title       = "Snipers during the First and Second World Wars": info taken from: ''Zeitgeschichte – Spezialeinheiten im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Scharfschützen''
 | medium      = Documentary film
 | language    = de
 | publisher   = EMS GmbH
 | time        = 57mins
 | id          = [[European Article Number|EAN]]: 4020974153959
}}</ref>

===Sniper teams===
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2019}}
[[Image:061019-A-7603F-151.jpg|thumb|right|A U.S. Army sniper team from [[Jalalabad]] Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)]]
[[Sniper rifle]]s are classified as [[crew served weapon|crew-served]] in the [[United States military]]. A '''sniper team''' (or '''sniper cell''') consists of a combination of at least one primary weapon operator, (i.e.: the shooter), with other support personnel and force protection elements, such as a ''spotter'' or a ''flanker''. Within the ''[[Table of Organization and Equipment]]'' for both the [[United States Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the shooter does not operate alone, but has a backup shooter trained to fulfill multiple roles in addition to being sniper-qualified in the operation of the main weapon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://science.howstuffworks.com/sniper2.htm|title=How Military Snipers Work|last=Valdes|first=Robert|date=11 June 2004|website=HowStuffWorks}}</ref>

The shooter focuses mainly on firing the shot, while the spotter assists in observation of targets, accounts for [[atmospheric sciences|atmospheric conditions]] and handles ancillary tasks as immediate security of their location, communication with other parties (e.g. directing artillery fire and [[close air support]]). A flanker is an extra teammate who is tasked to act as a [[picket (military)|sentry]] observing areas not immediately visible to the sniper and spotter, assisting with the team's rear security and [[perimeter defense]], and therefore are usually armed with a faster-firing weapon such as an [[assault rifle]], [[battle rifle]] or [[designated marksman rifle]]. Both the spotter and flanker carry additional ammunition and associated equipment.<ref name="Shah">{{Cite web|url=https://fasttimesintech.com/2016/09/12/the-sniper-and-the-spotter/|title=The Sniper and the Spotter|last=Shah|first=Hiren|date=12 September 2016|website=Fast Times in Tech {{!}} Blog by Hiren Shah|language=en|access-date=24 March 2019}}</ref>

The spotter is responsible for detecting, identifying and assigning priority of targets for the shooter, as well as assessing the outcome of the shot. Using a [[spotting scope]] and/or a [[Rangefinding telemeter|rangefinder]], the spotter will predict the [[external ballistics]] and read the [[wind speed]] using an [[anemometer]] or physical indicators like the [[mirage]] caused by ground heat. Also, in conjunction with the shooter, the spotter will calculate the distance, shooting angle ([[slant range]]), [[angular mil|mil]]-related correction, interference by atmospheric factors and the [[deflection shooting|required leads]] for moving targets. It is not unusual for the spotter to be equipped with a [[ballistic table]], a [[laptop|notebook]] or a [[tablet computer]] specifically for performing these calculations.

===Law enforcement applications===
[[File:YAMAM-sniper-0020.jpg|thumb|[[YAMAM]] (Israel's [[counter-terrorism unit]]) sniper shooting with suppressed [[Barrett MRAD]] sniper rifles]]
[[Law enforcement sniper]]s, commonly called police snipers, and military snipers differ in many ways, including their areas of operation and tactics. A police sharpshooter is part of a police operation and usually takes part in relatively short missions. Police forces typically deploy such sharpshooters in [[hostage]] scenarios. This differs from a military sniper, who operates as part of a larger army, engaged in warfare. Sometimes as part of a [[SWAT]] team, police snipers are deployed alongside negotiators and an assault team trained for [[Close combat|close quarters combat]]. As policemen, they are trained to shoot only as a last resort, when there is a direct threat to life; the police sharpshooter has a well-known rule: "Be prepared to take a life to save a life."<ref name="cbssniper"/> Police snipers typically operate at much shorter ranges than military snipers, generally under {{convert|100|m|yd|0|sp=us}} and sometimes even less than {{convert|50|m|yd|0|sp=us}}. Both types of snipers do make difficult shots under pressure, and often perform one-shot kills.
[[File:Secret Service on White House roof.jpg|thumb|left|A US Secret Service sniper on the roof of the [[White House]]]]

Police units that are unequipped for tactical operations may rely on a specialized SWAT team, which may have a dedicated sniper.<ref name="cbssniper">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/01/25/60II/main267184.shtml |title=The Sniper, SWAT Teams Grow in Number |publisher=[[CBS News]] |access-date=4 May 2008 |date=25 January 2001 |archive-date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104001301/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/01/25/60ii/main267184.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some police sniper operations begin with military assistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofgastonia.com/city_serv/police/teams/SniperPage.cfm |title=Gastonia Police Department – Sniper School |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722032415/http://www.cityofgastonia.com/city_serv/police/teams/SniperPage.cfm |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Police snipers placed in vantage points, such as high buildings, can provide security for events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2007/09/06/2025679.htm |title=Police sniper watches from roof, Sydney |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=4 May 2008 |date= 6 September 2007}}</ref> In one high-profile incident commonly referred to as "The Shot Seen Around the World" due to going viral online, Mike Plumb, a SWAT sniper in [[Columbus, Ohio Division of Police|Columbus, Ohio]], prevented a suicide by shooting a revolver out of the individual's hand, leaving him unharmed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bearingarms.com/bobowens-bearingarms/2015/02/03/remembering-shot-seen-round-world-n22734|title=Remembering "The Shot Seen 'Round The World"|first=Bob|last=Owens|website=bearingarms.com|date=3 February 2015 }}</ref><ref name="nasta">{{cite web |last=Scanlon |first=James J. |year=2010 |title=The Columbus Ohio Police S.W.A.T. Platoon 28th Anniversary |url=http://www.nasta.ws/New_Folder/Tactical%20Edge%20Article.doc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206083809/http://www.nasta.ws/New_Folder/Tactical%20Edge%20Article.doc |archive-date=6 December 2003 |access-date=7 May 2010}}</ref>
[[File:USCG TACLET Airborne Use of Force.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Coast Guard [[Law Enforcement Detachments|TACLET]] marksman uses an M107 from a helicopter]]

The need for specialized training for police sharpshooters was made apparent in 1972 during the [[Munich massacre]] when the German police could not deploy specialized personnel or equipment during the standoff at the airport in the closing phase of the crisis, and consequently all of the Israeli hostages were killed. While the German army did have snipers in 1972, the use of army snipers in the scenario was impossible due to the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|German constitution]]'s explicit prohibition of the use of the military in domestic matters. This lack of trained snipers who could be used in civilian roles was later addressed with the founding of the specialized police counter-terrorist unit [[GSG 9]].

===Longest recorded sniper kill===
{{Main|Longest recorded sniper kills}}
[[File:UA training Pivnichnyi Burevii 2022 02.jpg|thumb|left|Ukrainian sniper during the military training near the Belarus border in 2022]]

The [[Longest recorded sniper kills|longest confirmed sniper kill]] in combat was achieved by an undisclosed member of the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] in November 2023, hitting a Russian soldier at a distance of {{convert|3800|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="Luo 2023 q544">{{cite web | last=Luo | first=Lance | title=SBU sniper claims world record after successful 3.8 km shot | website=Yahoo News | date=19 Nov 2023 | url=https://news.yahoo.com/sbu-sniper-claims-world-record-035641817.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMFetFpLkTyLpIdIig9wqBpW34h-wU3HcO0vJHgJks6ZByycZJ9RVlgmgEvdX0m1oLzJjf5iSbwh_awHjZCi83VuEnd3_EELwtjQiqF8YdcKWgqklyg4easphecVJCYh6INospb7v149QxO31l4N8lk6Hm9kGu0bXGNib1D53l3m | access-date=19 Nov 2023}}</ref>

The previous record holder was a member of the Canadian [[JTF2]] special forces who in June 2017 achieved a hit at a distance of {{convert|3540|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fife|first1=Robert|title=Canadian elite special forces sniper sets record-breaking kill shot in Iraq|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-elite-special-forces-sniper-sets-record-breaking-kill-shot-in-iraq/article35415651/|access-date=22 June 2017|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=21 June 2017}}</ref>

[[File:British Army Sniper MOD 45154902.jpg|thumb|British sniper in training in Northumberland, 2010]]
In November 2009, [[Craig Harrison (British Army soldier)|Craig Harrison]], a [[Corporal of Horse]] (CoH) in the [[Blues and Royals]] RHG/D of the [[British Army]] struck two [[Taliban]] machine gunners consecutively south of [[Musa Qala]] in Helmand Province in Afghanistan at a range of {{convert|2475|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} or 1.54 miles using a [[Accuracy International AWM|L115A3 Long Range Rifle]].<ref>Smith, Michael (2 May 2010) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20150529135330/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Afghanistan/article278261.ece Hotshot sniper in one-and-a-half mile double kill]". ''The Sunday Times''. {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=skynews-super>{{cite news|last1=Arnold |first1=Adam |title=Super sniper kills Taliban 1.5 miles away |url=http://news.sky.com/story/777941/super-sniper-kills-taliban-1-5-miles-away |access-date=7 June 2015 |work=[[Sky News]] |publisher=[[Sky UK]] |date=3 May 2010 |quote=Conditions were perfect, no wind, mild weather, clear visibility. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514132925/http://news.sky.com/story/777941/super-sniper-kills-taliban-1-5-miles-away |archive-date=14 May 2015}}</ref>
The QTU Lapua external ballistics software,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=833 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629234626/http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=833 |archive-date=29 June 2009 |title=QuickTarget Unlimited Lapua Edition exterior ballistics software |date=29 June 2009 |access-date=1 April 2013}}</ref> using continuous doppler [[drag coefficient]] (C<sub>d</sub>) data provided by Lapua,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=833|title=Lapua: Downloads|date=29 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629234626/http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=833|archive-date=29 June 2009}}</ref> predicts that such shots traveling {{convert|2475|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} would likely have struck their targets after nearly 6.0 seconds of flight time, having lost 93% of their kinetic energy, retaining {{convert|255|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} of their original {{convert|936|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} velocity, and having dropped {{convert|121.39|m|ftin|abbr=on}} or 2.8° from the original bore line. Due to the extreme distances and travel time involved, even a light cross-breeze of {{convert|2.7|m/s|mph|abbr=on}} would have diverted such shots {{convert|9.2|m|in|abbr=on}} off target, which would have required compensation.

The calculation assumes a ''flat-fire scenario'' (a situation where the shooting and target positions are at equal elevation), using British military custom high-pressure .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges, loaded with 16.2 g (250 gr) Lapua LockBase B408 bullets, fired at 936&nbsp;m/s (3,071&nbsp;ft/s) muzzle velocity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/L96SniperRifleAndL115a3LongRangeRifle.htm |title=L96 Sniper Rifle and L115A3 Long Range Rifle |publisher=Mod.uk |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=1 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151207/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/L96SniperRifleAndL115a3LongRangeRifle.htm |archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> under the following on-site (average) atmospheric conditions: barometric pressure: {{convert|1019|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}} at sea-level equivalent or {{convert|899|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}} on-site, humidity: 25.9%, and temperature: {{convert|15|C|F}} in the region for November 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/OAKN/2009/11/1/MonthlyHistory.html |title=Weather Underground History for Kandahar, Afghanistan – Month of November 2009|publisher=Wunderground.com |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=1 June 2011}}</ref> resulting in an air density ρ = 1.0854&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup> at the {{convert|1043|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} elevation of Musa Qala. Harrison mentions in reports that the environmental conditions were perfect for long range shooting, "... no wind, mild weather, clear visibility."<ref name=skynews-super/> In a BBC interview, Harrison reported it took about nine shots for him and his spotter to initially range the target successfully.<ref name=basc1>{{cite web |title=Brit sniper makes double-kill at 1.54 miles with .338 Lapua Mag |url=http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/05/brit-sniper-makes-double-kill-at-1-54-miles-with-338-lapua-mag/ |publisher=accurateshooter.com |access-date=7 June 2015 |date=3 May 2010}}</ref>