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The Designated Marksman (DM) is a military marksman
Marksman

A marksman is a person that is skilled in precision shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at small long-range targets at a considerable distance away from the target....
 role in a U.S. infantry
Infantry

Infantry are soldiers who are primarily trained for the role of fighting on foot. A soldier in the infantry is known as an infantryman. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on fitness, physical strength and aggression....
 squad
Squad

In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section ....
. The term sniper is used in Soviet and Russia
Russia

Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia....
n doctrine. The analogous role in the Israel
Israel

Israel officially the State of Israel , is a country in the Middle East located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt on the southwest, and contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area....
i army is "squad sniper."

The DM's role is to supply rapid accurate fire on enemy targets at ranges up to 800 meters (875 yd
Yard

A yard is a Units of measurement of length in several different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units....
) with a highly-accurate semiautomatic rifle equipped with a telescopic sight
Telescopic sight

A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a device used to give additional accuracy using a point of aim for firearms, airguns and crossbows....
. Like sniper
Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
s, DM's are trained in quick and precise shooting, but unlike the more specialised "true" sniper, they are also intended to lay down accurate rapid fire.





he DM role fills the gap between a regular infantryman and a sniper
Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
, the so-called designated marksman rifles (DMRs) are also designed with this middle ground in mind.






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The Designated Marksman (DM) is a military marksman
Marksman

A marksman is a person that is skilled in precision shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at small long-range targets at a considerable distance away from the target....
 role in a U.S. infantry
Infantry

Infantry are soldiers who are primarily trained for the role of fighting on foot. A soldier in the infantry is known as an infantryman. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on fitness, physical strength and aggression....
 squad
Squad

In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section ....
. The term sniper is used in Soviet and Russia
Russia

Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia....
n doctrine. The analogous role in the Israel
Israel

Israel officially the State of Israel , is a country in the Middle East located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt on the southwest, and contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area....
i army is "squad sniper."

The DM's role is to supply rapid accurate fire on enemy targets at ranges up to 800 meters (875 yd
Yard

A yard is a Units of measurement of length in several different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units....
) with a highly-accurate semiautomatic rifle equipped with a telescopic sight
Telescopic sight

A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a device used to give additional accuracy using a point of aim for firearms, airguns and crossbows....
. Like sniper
Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
s, DM's are trained in quick and precise shooting, but unlike the more specialised "true" sniper, they are also intended to lay down accurate rapid fire.

Difference from snipers


Roles

  • Snipers often work independently of other infantry units.
  • Designated marksmen are integral members of regular infantry squads or platoons, much like machine-gunners or grenadiers.


Weapons

  • Snipers are usually equipped with purpose-built bolt-action
    Bolt-action

    The term bolt action refers to a type of firearm action in which the weapon's Bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the Breech-loading weapon with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon....
     or semi-automatic
    Semi-automatic rifle

    A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled. They may be operated by a number of mechanisms, all of which derive their power from the explosion of the powder in the cartridge that also fires the bullet....
     sniper rifle
    Sniper rifle

    In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a rifle used to ensure accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than small arms....
    s.
  • DM's are usually equipped with accurized battle rifle
    Battle rifle

    A Battle Rifle or Main Battle Rifle is a full-size select fire rifle designed for military use that fires a high-power rifle cartridge such as the U.S....
    s or assault rifle
    Assault rifle

    An assault rifle is a rifle designed for combat, with selective fire . Assault rifles are the standard small arms in most modern Army, having largely superseded or supplemented battle rifles such as the World War II-era M1 Garand rifle and SVT-40....
    s.


Ranges

  • Snipers are mainly employed for targets at ranges of up to , when using a rifle chambered with standard-issue rifle ammunition.
  • DM's are mainly employed for targets at ranges of up to 800 meters (875 yd).


Mobility and position

  • Snipers usually take a fixed strategic position and camouflage
    Camouflage

    Camouflage is a method of cryptic or concealing coloration that allows an otherwise visible organism or object to remain invisibility through deception....
     themselves (e.g. with a Ghillie suit
    Ghillie suit

    A ghillie suit, or yowie suit, is a type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble heavy foliage. Typically, it is a net or cloth garment covered in loose strips of cloth or twine, sometimes even made to look like leaves and twigs....
    ).
  • DM's usually change positions with their squad, and may or may not have more camouflage gear than other infantrymen.


Weapons

As the DM role fills the gap between a regular infantryman and a sniper
Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
, the so-called designated marksman rifles (DMRs) are also designed with this middle ground in mind. These rifles have to be effective - in terms of accuracy and terminal ballistics
Terminal ballistics

Terminal ballistics, a sub-field of ballistics, is the study of the behavior of a projectile when it hits its target. It is often referred to as stopping power when dealing with human or other living targets....
 - at ranges exceeding those of assault rifles (typically up to 500 m / 550 yd or more), but do not require the extended range of a dedicated sniper rifle
Sniper rifle

In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a rifle used to ensure accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than small arms....
 (typically up to 1,000 m / 1,100 yd or more).

Characteristics


Characteristics shared with sniper rifles:
  • Telescopic sight
    Telescopic sight

    A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a device used to give additional accuracy using a point of aim for firearms, airguns and crossbows....


Characteristics shared with assault rifles:
  • Semi-automatic
    Semi-automatic firearm

    A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a gun that after being fired, ejects the empty cartridge that has been fired, loads a new cartridge, and cocks itself....
     fire capability, which is generally more rapid than bolt-action
    Bolt-action

    The term bolt action refers to a type of firearm action in which the weapon's Bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the Breech-loading weapon with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon....
     sniper rifles.
  • Larger magazine
    Magazine (firearm)

    A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable ....
     capacity of 10 rounds to 30 rounds.


The most common option is to modify an existing battle rifle
Battle rifle

A Battle Rifle or Main Battle Rifle is a full-size select fire rifle designed for military use that fires a high-power rifle cartridge such as the U.S....
 or assault rifle
Assault rifle

An assault rifle is a rifle designed for combat, with selective fire . Assault rifles are the standard small arms in most modern Army, having largely superseded or supplemented battle rifles such as the World War II-era M1 Garand rifle and SVT-40....
 with the addition of the following:

  • Telescopic sight
    Telescopic sight

    A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a device used to give additional accuracy using a point of aim for firearms, airguns and crossbows....
  • Bipod
    Bipod

    A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two Coordinate axis of motion ...
  • Adjustable stock
    Stock (firearm)

    A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is present in many firearms and some crossbows . The stock provides a means for the shooter to firmly support the device and easily aim it....
     (adjustable cheek-piece aids in the use of a telescopic sight).


Battle rifle adaptation

M21 Sniper Rifle Leftview
In this context, "battle rifles" refer to automatic rifles of 7.62 x 51 mm caliber such as the M14, FN FAL
FN FAL

The Fusil Automatique L?ger or FAL is a 7.62x51 NATO Self-loading rifle, selective fire rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal during the Cold War, and adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries....
 or Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G3

The G3 is a 7.62x51mm NATO automatic rifle developed in the 1950s by the Germany armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch in collaboration with the Spain state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
. These were replaced during the 1960's and 1970's by assault rifle
Assault rifle

An assault rifle is a rifle designed for combat, with selective fire . Assault rifles are the standard small arms in most modern Army, having largely superseded or supplemented battle rifles such as the World War II-era M1 Garand rifle and SVT-40....
s using the less-powerful (but more controllable in full-automatic fire) 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
5.56 x 45 mm NATO

5.56x45mm NATO is a rifle Cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries....
 cartridge such as the M16
M16 rifle

M16 is the Military of the United States designation for a family of rifles derived from the ArmaLite AR-15 and further developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company starting in the mid-20th century....
 and SA80
SA80

The SA80 is a family of United Kingdom 5.56x45mm NATO small arms designed and produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock. In 1988 production of the rifle was transferred to the Royal Ordnance?s Nottingham Small Arms Facility ....
.

These battle rifles are more suitable for adaptation to DM rifles than assault rifles for the sole reason of their more powerful cartridge.

Examples of battle rifle adaptations:
  • U.S. Army M21 adaptation of M14
  • U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
    U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle

    The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle is a Semi-automatic firearm, Gas-operated reloading rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO Cartridge ....
     (DMR) adaptation of M14
  • G3SG/1 variant of Heckler & Koch G3
    Heckler & Koch G3

    The G3 is a 7.62x51mm NATO automatic rifle developed in the 1950s by the Germany armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch in collaboration with the Spain state-owned design and development agency CETME ....


Assault rifle adaptation

This is an easier and less-expensive option for many armies, because existing assault rifles can be adapted, often by merely adding a telescopic sight. These modified rifles retain the original chambering in the relatively less-powerful assault rifle cartridges, ensuring ammunition commonality within the squad.

Examples of assault rifle adaptations using the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
5.56 x 45 mm NATO

5.56x45mm NATO is a rifle Cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries....
 cartridge:
  • United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
    United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

    The United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is a heavily modified M16 rifle-series rifle that provides increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower....
     (SDM-R) adaptation of the M16
    M16 rifle

    M16 is the Military of the United States designation for a family of rifles derived from the ArmaLite AR-15 and further developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company starting in the mid-20th century....
  • U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle
    U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle

    The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle gives United States Marine Corps the capability to provide precision fire in support of the rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms....
     (SAM-R) adaptation of the M16
    M16 rifle

    M16 is the Military of the United States designation for a family of rifles derived from the ArmaLite AR-15 and further developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company starting in the mid-20th century....
  • M16A2E3
    M16 rifle

    M16 is the Military of the United States designation for a family of rifles derived from the ArmaLite AR-15 and further developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company starting in the mid-20th century....
     variant of M16.
  • United States Navy Mark 12 Mod X Special Purpose Rifle
    United States Navy Mark 12 Mod X Special Purpose Rifle

    The United States Navy Mark 12 Mod 0/1 Special Purpose Rifle is a rifle in service with United States Special Operations Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom and 2003 invasion of Iraq....
     heavily-modified M16.
  • MSSR
    MSSR rifle

    The Marine Scout Sniper Rifle or MSSR is a Semi-automatic firearm sniper rifle developed from the Colt M16 rifle rifle by the Philippine Marine Corps#Marine Scout Snipers due to the lack of a dedicated sniper rifle and budget problems, which was used since the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been plagued with the issue of having the...
     Modified M16 in use by the Philippine Marine Scout Snipers
    Philippine Marine Corps

    The Philippine Marine Corps is the marine corps of the Philippines, and is part of the Philippine Navy....
    .
  • British Army
    British Army

    The British Army is the Army branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707....
     L86A2 LSW
    SA80

    The SA80 is a family of United Kingdom 5.56x45mm NATO small arms designed and produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock. In 1988 production of the rifle was transferred to the Royal Ordnance?s Nottingham Small Arms Facility ....
     - after the introduction of the FN Minimi
    FN Minimi

    The Minimi is a Belgium 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of several countries, among them: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sweden, the...
     as a section LMG it is now used as a DMR. It required no modification as the longer, heavier, free-floating barrel and existing optical sight give it the required accuracy.
  • Steyr AUG HBAR-T
    Steyr AUG

    The AUG is an Austrian 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher . The AUG was adopted by the Military of Austria as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the aging 7.62x51mm NATO StG 58 automatic rifle ....
     - a longer, heavier-barreled version of the AUG.
  • Canadian armed forces C7CT and C8CT DM variants - modified Colt Canada C7A1/C8A1 series rifles and considered interim systems.


Examples of assault rifle adaptations using the 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge:
  • Tabuk Sniper Rifle
    Tabuk Sniper Rifle

    The Tabuk Sniper Rifle is an Iraqi Designated_marksman#Weapons_2, made from a modified version of the RPK light machine gun. The Tabuk Sniper Rifle, like all the AK-47 and Dragunov SVD derivatives made in Iraq, was manufactured at the Al-Qadissiya Establishments using machineries sold to Iraq, with the power at the time still firmly in...
     adaptation of Kalashnikov
    AK-47

    The AK-47 is a 7.62x39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in two versions: the fixed stock AK-47 and the AKS-47 variant equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock....
     M70 assault rifle


A more effective (but more expensive) solution is to modify the assault rifle to use a more powerful cartridge with a heavier barrel
Gun barrel

A gun barrel is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases is released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at great speed....
 and other components.

Examples of rechambered assault rifle adaptations:
  • Galatz Sniper Rifle (7.62 x 51 mm) variant of IMI Galil
    IMI Galil

    The Galil is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior in the late 1960s and produced by Israel Military Industries of Ramat HaSharon....
  • SR-25
    SR-25

    The SR-25 is a Semi-automatic rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and made by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system....
    , loosely based on Stoner AR-10
    AR-10

    The AR-10 is an United States 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at ArmaLite, then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation....


Purpose-built rifles

  • The Dragunov (SVD) is one example of a rifle designed from the outset to meet the requirement now known as "designated marksman rifle".
  • The Dragunov SVU
    Dragunov SVU

    The Dragunov SVU is a bullpup configuration of the Dragunov Sniper Rifle sniper rifle. The SVU was developed to meet the needs of the security forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as OMON....
    , a bullpup
    Bullpup

    Bullpup is a firearm configuration in which the firearm action and magazine are located behind the trigger. This increases the barrel length relative to the overall weapon length, permitting shorter weapons for the same barrel length, saving weight and increasing maneuverability....
     variant of the SVD
    SVD

    The SVD is a Semi-automatic rifle Snipers of the Soviet Union rifle chambered in 7.62x54mmR and developed in the Soviet Union.It was selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing designs: the first was a rifle designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, the second ? by Alexander Konstantinov, and the third rifle, the SVD...
    .
  • The Romanian PSL is a designated marksman rifle based on a modified Kalashnikov
    AK-47

    The AK-47 is a 7.62x39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in two versions: the fixed stock AK-47 and the AKS-47 variant equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock....
     action. It is similar in appearance to the Dragunov.
  • The Heckler & Koch
    Heckler & Koch

    Heckler & Koch GmbH is a Germany Defense industry manufacturing corporation that produces various Firearm, for example the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, Heckler & Koch G3 automatic rifle and the more recent Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle, the Heckler & Koch MP7 personal defense weapon, Heckler & Koch USP series of handguns and the hi...
     HK417 rifle in the 508 mm (20 in) long barreled "sniper variant" is intended for designated marksman purposes.
  • The Chinese QBU-88
    QBU-88

    The QBU-88 sniper rifle is a designated marksman/sniper rifle deployed in small numbers by the China People's Liberation Army....
     is a designated marksman rifle intended for aimed semi-automatic fire at ranges beyond the capabilities of standard infantry assault rifles.
  • The Yugoslavian Zastava M76 is a designated marksman rifle based on a modified Kalashnikov
    AK-47

    The AK-47 is a 7.62x39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in two versions: the fixed stock AK-47 and the AKS-47 variant equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock....
     action. It is similar in appearance to the Dragunov and is designed for the 7.92 x 57 IS (8mm Mauser) chambering. It has also been chambered in 7.62×51 NATO and 7.62 × 54R for export.
  • The Serbian Zastava M91
    Zastava M91

    The M91 is a modern military semi-automatic Designated marksman/sniper rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Serbia....
     is a designated marksman rifle based on a modified Kalashnikov
    AK-47

    The AK-47 is a 7.62x39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in two versions: the fixed stock AK-47 and the AKS-47 variant equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock....
     action. It is similar in appearance to the Dragunov and is chambered in 7.62 × 54R.


Worldwide use


British Army


Recently, the role of the Light Support Weapon has been used in the Designated Marksman role due to its increased range of up too 800m as an individual weapon. While also capable of giving accurate automatic fire, this is usually delivered by the Minimi.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

The Israeli Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew Acronym and initialism Tzahal , are Israel's military forces, comprising the GOC Army Headquarters, Israeli Air Force and Israeli navy....
 (IDF) implemented significant changes to sharpshooting doctrine in the 1990s. Doctrine, training program, and courseware were completely rewritten and snipers were issued the bolt-action M24 SWS instead of the M14 rifle. A major change was the introduction of a new battle profession – the designated marksman (??? ???, "kala saar" in Hebrew
Hebrew language

Hebrew is a Semitic languages of the Afro-Asiatic languages. Modern Hebrew is spoken by more than seven million people in Israel and Classical Hebrew is used for prayer or study in Jews communities around the world....
) – intended to improve the accuracy and firepower of an infantry platoon and compromise between the role of a sniper and an assault rifleman. These soldiers were generally called "squad snipers" to describe their role. They are armed with SR-25
SR-25

The SR-25 is a Semi-automatic rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and made by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system....
 rifle and sharpshooter variations of the M16A2E3 and M4 Carbine
M4 Carbine

The M4 Carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16 rifle, all based on the original AR-15 made by ArmaLite....
.

United States Marine Corps

The U.S. Marines
United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing Military power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver Marine Air-Ground Task Force....
 uses M14s which are rebuilt at Quantico
Quantico, Virginia

Quantico, Virginia is a town in Prince William County, Virginia, located in Washington Metropolitan Area. It is totally surrounded by Marine Corps Base Quantico on three sides and the Potomac River on the fourth....
 Marine Corps Base
Marine Corps Base Quantico

Marine Corps Base Quantico is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, Virginia, northern Stafford County, Virginia, and southeastern Fauquier County, Virginia....
 and designated as U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle

The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle is a Semi-automatic firearm, Gas-operated reloading rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO Cartridge ....
s. The Corps also utilizes an adaptation of the M16 assault rifle, the U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle
U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle

The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle gives United States Marine Corps the capability to provide precision fire in support of the rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms....
 (SAM-R).

United States Army

The U.S. Army
United States Army

The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....
 uses a modified M16
M16 rifle

M16 is the Military of the United States designation for a family of rifles derived from the ArmaLite AR-15 and further developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company starting in the mid-20th century....
 which is accurized in a manner similar to the SAM-R
U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle

The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle gives United States Marine Corps the capability to provide precision fire in support of the rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms....
, designated the United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

The United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is a heavily modified M16 rifle-series rifle that provides increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower....
 (SDM-R).

United States Air Force

The U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....
 uses a standard M4 Carbine
M4 Carbine

The M4 Carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16 rifle, all based on the original AR-15 made by ArmaLite....
 with an ACOG
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight

The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight is a telescopic sight reflex sight manufactured by Trijicon. The ACOG is designed to be used on firearms, particularly carbines and assault rifles, such as the M16 rifle, providing magnification levels of 1.5x?6x ....
 instead of the standard M68
Aimpoint CompM2

The CompM2 is a reflex sight manufactured by Aimpoint AB.The device is Defense Standard. In the Military of the United States, it is designated M68 Close Combat Optic and is also known as M68 Aimpoint....
.

Soviet snipers

Although referred to as "snipers", the Soviet Union
Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a Constitution of the Soviet Union socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991.The name is a translation of the , romanization of Russian Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik, abbreviated ????, SSSR....
 and its allies have since World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
 employed specially-equipped and trained "sharpshooting" soldiers at a section ("squad
Squad

In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section ....
") level to increase the range of their section to . This is commonly accepted as the first example of what came to be known as a designated marksman as opposed to a true sniper
Sniper

A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
.

Since 1963 these soldiers have been equipped with the Dragunov (or "SVD") rifle that shares all the characteristics typical of a designated marksman rifle (Semi-automatic fire, telescopic sight
Telescopic sight

A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a device used to give additional accuracy using a point of aim for firearms, airguns and crossbows....
, chambered for standard military rifle cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)

A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and Percussion cap into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm....
).

See also

Related military roles
  • Soviet sniper
    Soviet sniper

    Snipers of the Soviet Union played an important role mainly on the Eastern Front of World War II, apart from other preceding and subsequent conflicts....
    , the Soviet equivalent of a Designated Marksman.
  • Sniper
    Sniper

    A sniper is usually a highly trained marksman that shoots targets from Concealment positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel....
    , more specialised military marksmen.


Rifles
  • Dragunov Sniper Rifle
  • M21, the scoped and accurized
    Accurizing

    Accurizing is the process of improving the accuracy of a firearm or airgun.For firearms, accuracy is defined as the ability to hit exactly what you're aiming at....
     version of the M14.
  • United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
    United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

    The United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is a heavily modified M16 rifle-series rifle that provides increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower....
  • U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
    U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle

    The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle is a Semi-automatic firearm, Gas-operated reloading rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO Cartridge ....
  • U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle
    U.S. Marine Corps Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle

    The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle gives United States Marine Corps the capability to provide precision fire in support of the rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms....
  • United States Navy Mark 12 Mod X Special Purpose Rifle
    United States Navy Mark 12 Mod X Special Purpose Rifle

    The United States Navy Mark 12 Mod 0/1 Special Purpose Rifle is a rifle in service with United States Special Operations Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom and 2003 invasion of Iraq....
  • SR-25
    SR-25

    The SR-25 is a Semi-automatic rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and made by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system....
    , designed by Knight's Armament Company
    Knight's Armament Company

    Knight's Armament Company is an United States of America firearms and firearms parts manufacturer.It is owned by C. Reed Knight and based in Titusville, Florida....