Editing Sniper (section)

===Counter-sniper tactics===
{{Main|Counter-sniper tactics}}

The occurrence of sniper warfare has led to the evolution of many counter-sniper tactics in modern military strategies. These aim to reduce the damage caused by a sniper to an army, which can often be harmful to both combat capabilities and morale.

The risk of damage to a chain of command can be reduced by removing or concealing features that would otherwise indicate an officer's rank. Modern armies tend to avoid saluting officers in the field, and eliminate rank insignia on [[battle dress uniform]]s. Officers can seek cover through mundane actions such as reading maps or using radios.

Friendly snipers can be used to hunt the enemy sniper. Besides direct observation, defending forces can use other techniques. These include calculating the trajectory of a bullet by [[triangulation]]. Traditionally, triangulation of a sniper's position was done manually, though radar-based technology recently became available. Once located, the defenders can attempt to approach the sniper from cover and overwhelm them. The United States military is funding a project known as RedOwl (Robot Enhanced Detection Outpost With Lasers), which uses laser and acoustic sensors to determine the exact direction from which a sniper round has been fired.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/10/04/robotic_vacuum_maker_bu_team_up_on_antisniper_device/ |title=Robotic-vacuum maker, BU team up on anti-sniper device |first=Hiawatha | last=Bray|work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=4 October 2005 }}</ref>

The more rounds fired by a sniper, the greater the chance the target has of locating him. Thus, attempts to draw fire are often made, sometimes by offering a helmet slightly out of concealment, a tactic successfully employed in the Winter War by the Finns known as "Kylmä-Kalle" (Cold Charlie).<ref>Petri Sarjanen (1998). Valkoinen kuolema: Talvisodan legendaarisen tarkka-ampujan Simo Häyhän tarina. {{ISBN|952-5170-05-5}}</ref> They used a shop mannequin or other doll dressed as a tempting target, such as an officer. The doll was then presented as if it were a real man sloppily covering himself. Usually, Soviet snipers were unable to resist the temptation of an apparently easy kill. Once the angle where the bullet came from was determined, a large caliber gun, such as a [[Lahti L-39]] "Norsupyssy" ("Elephant rifle") anti-tank rifle was fired at the sniper to kill him.

Other tactics include directing artillery or mortar fire onto suspected sniper positions, the use of [[smoke screen]]s, placing [[tripwire]]-operated munitions, [[Land mine|mines]], or other booby-traps near suspected sniper positions. Even dummy trip-wires can be placed to hamper sniper movement. If anti-personnel mines are unavailable, it is possible to improvise booby-traps by connecting trip-wires to [[hand grenade]]s, [[smoke grenade]]s or [[flare]]s. Though these may not kill a sniper, they will reveal their location. Booby-trap devices can be placed near likely sniper hides, or along the probable routes to and from positions. Knowledge of sniper field-craft will assist in this task.

The use of [[Dog|canine]] units had been very successful, especially during the Vietnam War.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.k9history.com/history-vietnam-1960-1975.htm|title=K-9 History: Vietnam, 1960 – 1975|website=www.k9history.com|access-date=10 November 2017|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020048/http://www.k9history.com/history-vietnam-1960-1975.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>