Suppressors suppressor use overseas?

[upjeeper]

I'm watching "Sniper Bullerproof" that I DVR'ed the other day from the History Channel.

They had a few minutes of talking about setting up the snipers hide.
So I understand the importance of the hide, but wouldn't it make sense to use suppressors more overseas to conceal the shooter?
I realize it doesn't eliminate all the noise, but much of it.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

Suppressors are used all the time.

 

[gyz77]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

The KAC M110 and M110C ship to Mil user with a can. Most sniper in the sand box use suppressors. I know several guys that are anklets and they are using the MK11 Mod O and M110's now both with cans.

 

[Creature]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

While i know that they are in heavy use over there I don't see why they aren't used in EVERY sniper team. It seems like it would be integral to the role of the sniper. In the scheme of things the cost wouldn't be that much more.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

They arent used by every team because your average line unit team is still fielding gear that is circa 1982.

The better the unit, the newer the kit and the more they use them.

The average team is still playing catch up.

 

[jakhamr81]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

I wouldn't necessarily say the better the unit the newer the gear. I have seen some shithead poags issued some very nice gear. Units that would fall under various commands such as SOCOM however, appear to have an unlimited budget and are not subject to the procurement process that moves slower than the continents drift and often times leaves troops with crap made by the lowest bidder.

A lot of it has to do with what command a unit falls under. After 9/11 I watched the Coast Guard's budget increase substantially and they bought all kinds of new weapons and gear but this did not make them elite warriors.

Another reason every sniper is not using a suppressor is that some have found their issued suppressors may negatively affect there accuracy.

 

[USMC_03XX]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

There has been exponential growth in suppressor availability and use in the mil users in the last several years. There is a large push in certain communities to suppress every weapon, or a least have the potential to. Eliminated dust signature (HUGE in OEF) and flash in addition to the reduced noise have made them very beneficial on the ground. There are some units that literally have every weapon suppressed from M4/Mk18 through Mk12, Mk13, M110, M40, even some M249's.

 

[sinister]

Re: suppressor use overseas?

SOCOM has its own buying budget (like a separate service). They state what they need and balance it against everyone else's needs across the command (how many AC-130s do we need? Little Birds? Night vision goggles? Gucci Multicam outfits?) then cut the pie and buy.

Big Army and Marine Corps have their own buying systems and cycles, and both start with a clearly stated requirement on what is REQUIRED vice nice-to-have. Then they prioritize like everyone else.

Sniper systems specified in the 70s and 80s for the conventional military did not require sound or flash suppression. Requirements written and specified since then (2005 and later) have benefited from the fact that SOCOM's units said they need the capabilities even if the general military doesn't. Trickle-down effect: what are the cool/effective guys using and can we get the same?