1. ENGAGE TARGETS AT ANGLES WITH SNIPER RIFLES
SGT HALL

2. Purpose
To receive all of the information needed to make an angled shot in a mountainous environment. We will discuss methods fro determining distance for angle shooting, affects of elevation, and affects of wind in a three dimensional mountainous environment.

3. Terminal Learning Objective
Given a sniper rifle, observer, T/E, unknown distance range and targets in a mountainous environment, with the aid of reference, engage targets at angles with sniper rifles in accordance with MCWP 3-15 Scout Sniping

4. Enabling Learning Objectives

5. Method/Media
This class will be presented by Power Point and demonstration, with the aid of a handout. You will practice what you have learned here at Rocket Mountain Live Fire Range.

6. Evaluation
You will be tested by live fire qualification, with a passing score of 70%, your last day here at Rocket Mountain.

7. METHODS OF DETERMINING DISTANCE FOR ANGLE SHOOTING

8. Range determination
What are some of the methods commonly used for range estimation?
mil relation formula
partner averaging and “quirks”
laser range finder
MAP

9. Range determination (cont)
Actual distance vs. flat distance
With any shot made at an angle, uphill or downhill, the strike of the round will be high on or off of the target.
gravity only affects the flat distance
wind affects the actual distance.

11. Obtaining flat ground distance
Most readily available way to find flat ground is map.
If you have the actual distance calculated with mil relation formula, or laser range finder, you can obtain flat distance using angles and cosines.

12. Angles and cosines
First step to get the cosine is to obtain the angle to our target, common angle finding devices are as follows.
Clinometers: Silva Ranger Compass, Slope Doper, Mil Dot Master, ACI M2
Standard map protractor
Half moon protractor

13. Angles and cosines (cont)
Scope setting during measurement.
Placement of devices while measuring.
Pros and cons of each device?
Once you have obtained the angle you must convert into cosine.

15. Cosine formula
The cosine formula converts the actual distance into flat distance. This formula works for all calibers and velocities of weapons
the actual range x cosine = flat distance
Example: 366 yards at a 34 degree angle
the cosine for 34 degrees is .82
366 yards x .82 = 300 yards

17. Mil relation and angular distortion
Inaccuracies of mil relation
Past 700 yards
Using multiple means of estimation…..MAP, partner averaging, who is better at milling targets?
Angular distortion...?

18. Mil relation and angular distortion
When taking a vertical mil reading at an elevated angle the target from head to toe will optically shrink in size.
As a result the mil reading will be smaller, over estimating your range to target.

20. Mil relation and angular distortion
Angular distortion (cont)
Compensation
The formula for a vertical mil reading:
Vert. mil reading range x cosine x cosine=
Flat ground distance
Example: Estimated range of 395 yards using vert. mil reading, at a 29 degree angle. (The cosine for 29 degrees is.87)

21. Mil relation and angular distortion
Example (cont)
395 x .87= 343 yards
343 x .87= 299 yards
395 x .87x .87= 299 yards
Windage formulas when applied with angular distortion, will be applied to the value given when timing the cosine once. (value in example, 343 yards)

22. Pythagorean theorem A² + B² = C²
This formula can be used when the sniper knows 2 distances of “the triangle” and needs to find the third.

24. Find the square root of 90,321= B Flat distance or B = 300.5 yards
Pythagorean theorem
The formula is: A² + B² = C² Since C is already known, we must find the value of B.
The formula to find B value is:
C²- A²= B²
361²-200²=B²
((361x361)-(200x200))=(BxB)
(130,321-40,000)=90,321
Find the square root of 90,321= B
Flat distance or B = yards

26. Pythagorean theorem C²- A²= B² 680²-331²=B²
Sample exercise (cont)
C²- A²= B²
680²-331²=B²
((680x680)-(331x331))=(BxB)
(462, ,561)=352,839
Find the square root of 352,839= B
Flat distance or B = 594 yards

27. Field expedient method
Given a pencil, paper, protractor, and actual range, you can utilize the field expedient method to obtain flat ground range.
First step is to find actual range with any estimation technique.
Second step is to obtain angle to target.

37. Field expedient method
Questions ???

38. AFFECTS OF ELEVATION

39. Altitude
Air is less dense, produces less drag, giving you higher impact on target.
Chart on following slide contains change of impact for AA11 in an M-40A3.

40. Range (yards)
2,500 (feet)
5,000 (feet)
10,000 (feet)
100
.05
.08
.13
200 .1 .2
.34
300 .4 .6
400 .5 .9
500
1.4
600
1.0
1.8
700
1.6
2.4
800
1.3
1.9
3.4
900
2.8
4.8
1000
3.7
6.0

41. Altitude Other affects Downhill gravity “assist”
Uphill gravity “resistance”
Increased temperature affect

42. AFFECTS OF WIND IN A THREE DIMENSIONAL MOUNTAINOUS ENVIRONMENT

43. Mirage on a concave slope
Reading mirage between you and the target on a concave slope is only possible at the target. This is due to the excess ground surface distance from the path of the projectile.

45. Lack of vegetation Higher alpine areas and high desert regions
Blowing snow, sand, shuffling of feet
Impacts of ordnance
Blowing garbage

46. Swirl effect Two wind systems colliding
One wind system hitting terrain feature
Wait for wind to die
Quick corrections

48. Orographic uplift
wind hitting slope, picking up speed as it travels up slope

50. Orographic uplift (cont)
Wind on top of hills stronger
Snipers usually in elevated positions
Telegraphing

51. Questions? Determining distance Affects of elevation
Affects of wind in a three dimensional mountainous environment