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DARPA Invests in One-Shot Rifle System Capable Under Varying Conditions for Snipers

Oct. 24, 2012 9:52pm Liz Klimas

DARPA Awards $6 Contract for Development of One Shot Rifle System for Snipers

(Image: Wikimedia)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the military’s research arm, has awarded a San Diego company a multi-million dollar contract to develop a rifle-mounted system that would allow snipers to better hit targets in one shot, as this single shot could be the only one they get.

In its Advanced Sighting System Project, DARPA states that its goal is to “enable snipers to accurately hit targets with the first round, under crosswind conditions, day or night, at the maximum effective range of the weapon.”

(Image: DARPA)

For its next-generation, One Shot XG Phase, DARPA is looking for a “significantly smaller ‘field-ready system’ that can be ‘clipped-on’ directly to the weapon, eliminating the need for a spotter/observer in future sniper operations.”

To accomplish this, DARPA recently awarded Cubic Defense Applications a $6 million contract.

“If military snipers could neutralize enemy targets with a single round, they could potentially save many lives,” Steve Sampson, vice president of Advanced Programs for Cubic Defense Applications, said in the company’s statement. “One Shot XG seeks to allow our snipers to immediately obtain downrange crosswind, direction and range to target to provide ballistic corrections.

Using a crosswind measurement algorithm and electro-optic and laser designs, Cubic and its partners expect to take a different approach to this sniper program.

“Cubic has developed both systems and components, from fiber lasers and quantum well modulators to smart cards. One Shot XG will directly benefit from at least a decade of development geared towards state-of the art field-proven MILES combat training products,” Tony Maryfield, program manager and principal investigator for the One Shot XG product development at Cubic, said in a statement.

(H/T: Business Insider)

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Comments (75)

rdwhitaker
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 1:38pm
Don’t we have laser-guided rounds yet??

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- CorePatriot
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 5:52pm
  I’m thinkin this is as close as you can get.
  
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- AZindependent
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:19pm
  Laser guided mini RPGs would be nice. Spotter puts the laser on the target, someone else next to him fires the mini RPG.
  
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- M1A2_Tanker
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 7:36pm
  This Tech. has been on The M1 Abrams since the 70′s. The M240c That is slaved to the Main Gun is purported to be the most accurate machine-gun the ARMY has because it uses the same sighting system and ballistics computer as the Main Gun. I don’t understand why at least 70′s Tech. (Most likely invented well before the Abrams) wouldn’t already be in a rifle mounted size by now. Barret has a Ballistics computer that mounts to the Riflescope but it doesn’t do all the functions. I feel that someone hasn’t been eating their Wheaties.
  
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rdwhitaker
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 1:31pm
I think I remember reading about laser-guided rounds not too long ago. I wonder what the status is on those? Imagine a round that corrects its trajectory based on cross-winds, and even if the target changes position!

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- squigs2004
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 6:09pm
  I know what you’re talking about. Those bullets are IR guided like a heat-seeking missile. They can go around corners and change fligjt direction if the target moves. They’re fired from a special rifle which I believe is beginning to be fielded in our deployments in Iraq, but not sure about that.
  
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DeavonReye
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:29am
Cool technology. Better make it EMP proof, though. If they start using this, they’d better still teach them traditional sniper tactics and keep a backup scope in their bag for the time when Murphy’s Law requires a switch out.

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BannedByHuffpo
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:21am
Deer season is just getting underway. Where can I get me one of these?

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chicago76
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:46am
Is that a juiced up m1a or m14 the soldier is using in the picture?

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- Superaxe
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:04am
  I believe is is a CheyTac M 200.
  
  Report this comment
- Superaxe
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:18am
  it appears to be a CheyTec M-200
  
  Report this comment
- Gatekeeper
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:06pm
  It an M39 EMR, a beefed up m14.
  
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- Richardoky
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:26pm
  Yes and I wish they would retire that platform as there are much better platforms available.
  
  Report this comment
- ALISSTER
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:34pm
  I hope it is a CheyTac, those are smokin rifles but really expensive. Rifles are over 10k and a box of 20 rounds are around $140 for .408′s. That set up with the new ASSP would the Excalibur of sniper rifles.
  
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- Xiccarph
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 1:51pm
  Yes, it is a modified M14/M1A. Nice.
  
  Report this comment
- Sgt_Rock
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:34pm
  @Richardoky – at the time they put these rifles (M39 EMR / USMC or M14-M21 EBR / Army) in service they needed a readily available platform that could quickly be configured to meet a need, i.e. a squad level designated marksman (sniper-lite) for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior to 9/11 the SEALS were looking for a CQB version of the M14, hence the EBR. We had three of these in my Platoon. We used them in Iraq and Afghanistan very successfully. The platform is durable and rugged. It’s faster than a bolt gun (M24 or M40), accurate out to 800m and often beyond depending on conditions. Semi-auto, it can get a follow up shot down range faster than a bolt gun. It can also provide accurate long range suppressive fire. While a one shot kill is the goal the enemy doesn’t always cooperate and sometimes that second shot is especially critical. That said, some guys (snipers) in Iraq were using their M4s or buying custom made M-4 uppers and shooting a .77 gr bullet with a good deal of success in the cities, since many of the engagements were less than 500m. In the last few years, the Army has been using the M110 (an AR-10 or 7.62 caliber AR platform) but guys complain it’s just too big, so now the Army is looking at a shorter variation.
  The EBR is still in limited service. The age of the platform doesn’t necessarily make it obsolete. Think M1911 or M2 .50 MG or A10 Warthog. Each is an old tried and true design, still kicking a**.
  
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loneindividual
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:29am
We have soldiers and we have workers. Both must do there jobs…

Mourn the day when Soldiers Starve & Workers War.

This technology will save us time if training must be cut short.

Sudden Draft and Early Deployment. Why so?

For there to be “War no more” there must be a “War to End All Wars”.

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SubHuman
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:26am
Sounds like they’re attempting to combine scope, spotter’s scope and range calculation software program into one object. Once they get it into a rifle mounted package it’ll be great… for Afghanistan and other long range theatres. But for places like Iraq or environments with multiple engagements and closer ranges in denser environments I’m not sure the machine could keep up. Early versions will eliminate multiple shots and keep the element of surprise though. So it’s a good piece of tech. All the record setting shots (for distance) we are seeing out of Afghanistan are usually the second or third shot at a target. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops.

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GrayPanther
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:44am
Let’s get the he** out of the whole area then we won’t need snipers for a while. If we can be energy independent from these rag heads and their Alh la we can concentrate on our border and let the National Guardsmen return to civilian life.

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- schroeder123
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:06am
  Amen !
  
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- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:55am
  No, The need for Snipers or advanced equipment for them does not disappear with a with drawl from Afghanistan, We have made that mistake to often in the past, and have had to scramble to regenerate those capabilities far to often, and the Expense of the Soldiers blood, limbs, and Lives.
  
  And it isn’t with our sniping capabilities that we do this, But with our whole National Defense Capability, Obama and the Liberals are already in the process of degrading our capabilities, even though the World is becoming even more dangerous by the day, Russian Resurgence, Chinas emergence into the Blue Water, a Expanding threat from Islamic Terrorism……….
  
  The defense of the Nation is a Constitutional Imperative, Trillion Dollar Welfare expenditures are not.
  
  Report this comment
Endyr
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:42am
It all sounds good, but isn’t more shooter, less electronics a better idea? We can accessorize our troops to the last dime we have, but how can this take the place of expertise in one’s craft? It aggravates an already ridiculous supply chain issue with the added consumables. How about let’s just be excellent shots at range instead of trying to prosthetically enhance average shooters?

my humble .02

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txbigfoot
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:28am
So what. It’s already here. http://www.barrett.net/optics/bors
And, its only about 1200.00

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- Gustav
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:17am
  Nice find! But you left out one thing. Why buy a product for $1200 when they can use tax payers money to buy it for $6000?
  
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- schroeder123
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:07am
  Good Point !
  
  Report this comment
- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:41am
  What a sweet sweet gadget!
  
  Not sure if I can justify $2500 for a new scope and computer… but this would be a wonderful new toy to practice with.
  
  Report this comment
The Knave
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:20am
Kowalski just kept pestering Director Crowe for this until Crowe gave up and signed the paperwork. Cmdr Pierce blames Monk for telling Kowaslski in the first place.

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Captain Morgan
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:20am
Yep hidden
Everybody ready for United, American, Delta airlines etc… To mysteriously be blown out of the air,and a spent stinger tube to be found near the crash? The thought puckers me every time I’m at the end of the runway and punching the throttles forward.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:55pm
  Even if they did it once, your chance is more likely to get hit with a meteor than a missile. With the sheer number of planes taking off and landing, the chance they would pick the one you are piloting is very slim. Birds are likely more of a threat. Please relax. It’ll be much safer for your passengers if you are more concerned about cross winds rather than some child molesting Islamist trying to figure out which end of the rocket to point forward.
  
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 7:58am
a Marine Welcome
http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropzone/showthread.php/22772-How-Marines-welcome-a-President

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ODB1111
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 6:56am
The average AQ soldier issue, ak-47 XX rounds =$100 avg U.S. soldier issue is somewhere around $10K not to mention pay and benefits, AQ member dies it’s allahs will, . They can easily just bleed us to death, figuratively and literally change the rules of engagement or leave now

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- DeOppressoLiber
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:00am
  How is Oki
  
  Report this comment
lassiegirldawn
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 2:37am
Maybe obummer will think it is a camera and want to take his picture.

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- tooksdad
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 5:44am
  Wow Lassie, way to get yourself put on the short list. It amazes me the people that are calling for rebellion on this website. You guys are some of the more educated about the evils of our Government and you still give them ammo.
  I am sure most of you know about project Blue Sand in Nevada. Everything you guys write on this website is cataloged along with YOU. You may want to think about that the next time you post. Please do not just blow off this warning, take it from someone who was payed a visit to for something I “supposedly” said on X Box Live while playing online poker.
  
  For all of you that keep calling for organization….. please be aware of the full extent and capabilities of your government.
  
  Report this comment
- tooksdad
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 6:09am
  Utah not Nevada
  
  Report this comment
- 666Sucks
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:05am
  @TOOKSDAD-Thanks for making my day, all this time I thought no one was reading what I posted! I agree, but I will not be censored. If Obama wins, what I have written over the years could very well cost me my life! But if we get our country back, what I have written over the years will show my grandchildren that Grandpa did not sit quietly and cower before tyranny! Besides, I have copies of almost everything I have posted of significance in multiple places. But I agree, be careful what you write, don’t make careless threats, and always speak the truth and expose the left for the traitorous cowards that they are! I am still convinced there will be a civil war in America because half this country has gone communist as evidenced by the polls which think are rigged. But still, if 30% are communist or just plain ignorant, they will not give up their entitlements without a fight! My dad gave his life for this country defending her against communism, millions have died by the claws of communism, and by virtue of their sacrifice, I will not live under communism. I trust I am not alone as evidenced by gun sales under Obama!
  
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- chicago76
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 10:34am
  Project Blue. Maybe we need more people like you to get visits? Maybe when they visit millions of people, people start to realize just how bad those who run the secret police in our country really are. Sometimes you got to rub things together to start a fire.
  
  Report this comment
- AlwaysAmazed
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 11:41am
  Lassiegirl, Good One!
  Tooksdad, we are all already on the list. Can’t get off (yet). We must be able to communicate, and we must always assume it is monitored. If Benghazi is any indication (before and after the terrorism and murders), these oafs and their newly-indoctrinated brown shirts won’t know what to do with good Intel if it bit them in the leg. Just saying…
  
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STL_BOB
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 1:51am
Awesome weapon in the headline photo.

M1A w/ Sage EBR stock. MMMMMMMmmmm honey.

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Al J Zira
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:45am
I hope they wait until after January to roll this out other wise Obama will be giving it to the Chineses.

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banjarmon
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:41am
Ammo cost too much….one shot one kill …NO WARNING SHOT!!!

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lamarlamar
Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:01am
Our best sniper ,Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, used a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 with a Unertl scope or a Redfield scope. What a story he was! His nerve was as big as his balls!!! I believe his kill rate was something like 1 per 1.2 shots. Infantry kills were about 1 per 2000 shots!

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- stifroc
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:38am
  With this new system… wouldn’t anybody be able to pick up the system and hit the target at 1000yds? I mean this thing does all the calculations and adjustments for you, all you gotta do is regulate your breathing and slowly squeeze. Kinda takes a bit of the mystique away from being a sniper.
  
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- Bobj_1960
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:56am
  Stifroc – there is more to being a sniper than just accuracy (although that is a major factor), they must also be experts at concealment and stalking along with having the patience of an oyster.
  
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- GeoInSD
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 1:19am
  I seem to remember hearing that the infantry kill rate in Vietnam was 1 kill per 50,000 rounds, not 1 per 2000.
  
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- bluestatejarhead
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 7:53am
  Just like all technology , if it goes “kaput” and you dont know the “right” way (calculators anyone?), whatcha gonna do?????
  
  Report this comment
- kent grotz
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:02am
  And I am sure a lot easier to lug around and clean in a mobile envirement.
  
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- slonlo
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:04am
  Yeah, hitting a man-sized target at 1000 is the easy part. I was hitting 20×40″ steel at 880 yard on my first day going prone behind a rifle (with very little instruction). Haven’t had a chance to get shoot at a 1000 yard target yet though. But Bob is right, the stalking, concealment, and other such field craft is the hard part. Plus the fundamentals and repeatability are the toughest part of the actual shooting. Now this will take some of the guesswork out of reading the wind and range estimation, but nothing is a replacement for good fundamentals.
  
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- Former_Road_Finisher
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:21am
  stifroc, you would still need to be an expert marksman to qualify to shoot as a sniper. This device is just an aid to help the sniper adjust his aim to compensate for wind speed at extreme range.
  
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- Steamtrains
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 5:59pm
  average round use per kill in WWII was 10,000
  
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Teufel Hunden
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:53pm
It’s just one more thing that can fail if a battery dies or they are hit with an EMP device. Our military relies on WAY too many gadgets. Speaking of electronic gadgets, while GPS is nice, the Marines still train using map and compass. It would suck to be in a war and suddenly find yourself having to ask for directions.

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The-Monk
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:14pm
What are the dimensions and how much does it weigh?

Is a sniper supposed to drag this thing around in the bush?

Does this replace the normal sniper scoop?

Or is just for laboratory use only……..

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- OKC08GT500
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:02am
  Barrett already has a system. It is known as B.O.R.S.
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:16am
  Hi OKC08GT500,
  
  Thanks….. I’ll look into it.
  
  Report this comment
Dachande
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:52pm
“If military snipers could neutralize enemy targets with a single round, they could potentially save many lives,”

IF…. IF???

Our snipers kill the enemy. Often times killing them in one shot from great lengths.

Other than DARPA thinking again, which is offensive in and of itself, I’d like to point out that the military uses a system called “a battle buddy.” There is a reason for a spotter, he doesn’t just get the range and glass a target, they are a team and work together. That will never change and DARPA is ******* away more of our money thinking the crap they purchase will change anything.

Maybe the military should invest in letting us go kill the enemy here in Afghanistan rather than the “just avoid them” strategy which helps their recruiting effort and their ability to set up complex attacks. I heard something in the debates about Afghanistan being able to secure its country?

I’m on ground and conditions are getting worse, not better, thanks to the incompetent and turn coat Afghani’s that are being hired in mass numbers to “secure” their country. But I digress…

DARPA sucks.

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- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:18pm
  Agreed DACHANDE, when I read the headline that DARPA was wanting to research this “one shot” sniper system I thought wtf, our shooters already drill the enemy with one shot, what a waste of $$.
  
  My gut tells me they want this thing for the pot bellied non shooting fk’s at DHS, TSA, & maybe some of the military wannabe police agencies to use against its own citizens when the SHTF.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:50pm
  I think you are right about the DHS BOZO’s..We already
  have OSOK in the Corps..OORAH !!!
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:57pm
  One of my favorite movies, “Enemy at The Gates”
  
  Report this comment
- Dachande
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 6:10am
  Don’t get me wrong, I love technology, but the way it advances in the military… it’s crap. Other than their ability to get blown up, I have serious problems with MRAPs. The MATV has saved the lives of a few of my friends and then some, so I am grateful that OSH-KOSH made something that can take a hit, but very disappointed in how well it functions in the field.
  
  I think it has more to do with the pot bellied Congressman or Senator who’s bank account is benefiting from this contract.
  
  I love technology and if there is anything to enhance the abilities of our fighting force, I like that, but I also don’t like relying on technology. An ACOG will still work after an EMP, Aimpoint M68 red dot won’t. Iron sites… always work unless broken, like all things. Technology breaks and fails far more too often. I’d much rather prefer tech that makes us lighter. Lighter armor, helmets, radios, lights, etc. Make things that are designed to work together instead of this patch work garbage we deal with. Here’s a revolutionary idea… Let me buy my own service rifle and I will save the tax payers $1,300 for the cost of an M-4. My rifle will also be better maintained, more reliable and have a longer service capability. But that might take money away from contracts and make the military more effective…
  
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IL_Conservative14652
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:40pm
Since I will never posess the skills or the eyes (I’ve had 13 eye surgeries) of a Marine sniper….. I want one!

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- MarineBPA
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 12:39am
  Well it is hard to believe but some of us that are currently DHS idiot’s as some of you say were just in the sad box a couple years ago. It is sad that you can try and lump people together. I think that we do have alot of wasted flesh in DHS but to lump Jarheads, Soilders and Sailors that are true to their flag as what was it bozo’s is pretty simple. And for the record this is a waste of $$.
  
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BODYBAG
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:32pm
Marine Snipers only use one shot already —– “One shot, one kill”
This must be for the Army.

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- darkknight91
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:03pm
  Yep. I don’t understand the point of this either.
  
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- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:06pm
  Ding! Speaking of one shot, one kill, you killed it. Bullseye!
  
  Report this comment
- rangertough
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:41pm
  AAs much as I agree with your assessment of the system. Please, tell us what your specific experience is with either Army or Marine snipers. I mean I really want to know.
  
  Report this comment
- MaximumBobby
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 8:53am
  And yet, the highest “scoring” sniper of the Vietnam war wasn’t a Marine. They guy the USMC always mentions was THIRD. The sniper with the most kills was Staff Sergeant Adelbert F. Waldron, UNITED STATES ARMY.
  
  Maybe the marines could really use this thing…
  
  Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:00pm
http://www.thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/263827-russian-general-syrian-rebels-have-us-stinger-missle

Syrian Rebels have US Stinger Missles…….

Jay Carney will probably say: “oh, it’s ok, they promised to give them back when they’re done playing with them”

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- spfoam1
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:23pm
  If this is true, the $h!t is going to hit the fan, big time. These would be gifts to the muslim brotherhood from Clinton and Obama.
  
  Report this comment
- hidden_lion
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:27pm
  well know we know where the 10,000 stingers went from libya. I wonder how many are making their way to our border.
  
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- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:33pm
  Ummm, thats usually the objective of snipers, one shot one kill the first time everytime.
  
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- MaximumBobby
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:00am
  I doubt they’re using Stingers. After Afghanistan, we’ve controlled those very, VERY closely.
  
  Most likely SA-7s from the Soviets. Comparible in size, mission and function (but not performance) to the SA-7.
  
  Report this comment
- kruzer_mike
  Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:05am
  @Hidden_Lion, I think we already know where the Stingers will wind up. I also worry about all the chemical weps that are supposed to still be in Syrian storage which I have this nasty feeling are slowly growing legs a little at a time…. My regards to all for their military service
  
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