Sniper Training Manual Remains Offline (at FAS)
“When… dealing with multiple targets, such as two hostage-takers, [snipers] must coordinate to fire simultaneously,” according to a U.S. Army sniper training manual. “Taking [the targets] out one at a time may allow the second suspect time to harm the hostages.”
This was the scenario facing Navy SEALs on the Indian Ocean on April 12. They fired simultaneously at three Somali pirates, killing them and rescuing an American hostage.
“Shooting simultaneously by command fire with another sniper is a very important skill to develop and requires much practice,” the Army manual advises.
A copy of the U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Training and Employment manual (FM 3-05.222) was obtained by Secrecy News. Although the document is unclassified, it is subject to restricted distribution in order “to protect technical or operational information.”
For once, such restrictions appear to make sense and the 474-page manual will not be posted on the Federation of American Scientists website. But as always, views on the question of disclosure differ. A 2003 discussion on the “Shooter’s Forum” website presented contrasting opinions on the desirability of publishing this Manual.
Update (04/15/09): As noted at Cryptome.org today, the document has been made available online elsewhere.
The United States Air Force has forward deployed about one-third of its B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, or about half the B-2s considered fully operational at any given time. A Planet Labs satellite image taken earlier today shows six of the characteristic bombers on the apron alongside six refueling tankers. The current deployment of […]
Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of injury and death and innovations in the built environment can save money and lives.
By requiring all states to conduct flood infrastructure vulnerability assessments (FIVAs), the federal government can limit its financial liability while advancing a more efficient and effective model of flood resilience that puts states and localities at the fore.
FAS is invested in seeing more students gain science and technology skills and enter STEM careers, both for students and for our country’s competitive advantage.