NTC rotation. Due to manpower short- ages in their scout platoon, the battalion was able to repurpose Stryker’s to support sniper operations. This allowed sniper teams to conduct independent operations, leveraging the enhanced communica- tion capabilities provided by the Stryker’s’ Blue Force Tracker (BFT) and amplified radios. As a result, these teams were able to influence the battle more effectively by providing timely and accurate reporting, enabling the battalion to make informed decisions and maneuver against the Op- position Force (OPFOR).
Similarly, the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team from the 1st Infantry Division utilized a section of their battalion scout platoon to support sniper operations during their NTC rotation. By pairing snipers with dis- mounted scouts and leveraging the com- munications capabilities of the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, they were able to create a highly capable observation element. However, this method also came with trade-offs, as it required diverting scouts from their primary reconnaissance mission to support sniper teams.
Proposed Sniper Section Reorganization To address the mobility, capability, and endurance challenges faced by snipers in SBCTs and ABCTs, a reorganization of sniper sections is proposed. This reorgan- ization focuses on enhancing the mobility of sniper teams, increasing their opera- tional capabilities, and ensuring their endurance on the battlefield without introducing new equipment outside the existing Army inventory.
Proposed Changes: Enhancing Mobility, Capability, and Endurance
Mobility: The Introduction of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) The key to effective sniper operations in an LSCO environment is mobility. The current M998 HMMWV, while useful in a garrison setting for administrative move- ments, is inadequate for operational use in the field. The introduction of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) offers a promising solution.
The ISV, designed to enhance the mobility of dismounted infantry squads in IBCTs, is an ideal platform for sniper sections
30 Infantry Squad Vehicle. (
gmdefensellc.com) CAVALRY & ARMOR JOURNAL Fall 2024
USASC Infiltration and Stalking Exercise Graded 1. (Photo by John A. Sisk II)
as well. With a total Army requirement for 2,065 vehicles, the ISV is already a Pro- gram of Record, and its adoption would not require the acquisition of new or un- tested equipment.
To adapt the ISV for sniper use, the following modifications are proposed:
• Removal of four troop seats on the rear of the ISV to create space for a rack and cargo system.
• Installation of advanced radios, Blue Force Tracker (BFT), or ATAKS term- inals to enhance communication and situational awareness.
• Rack system for mounting essential equipment, such as fuel cans, rations, water, weapons cases for sniper rifles,
and additional munitions, including Javelin and Stinger missiles.
Each sniper section would be allocated four ISVs–one for each sniper team and one for the section leader. With five seats per vehicle, this configuration allows for a fifth seat to be used for an enabler or for the recovery of a team if their vehicle is disabled.
Manpower: Expanding the Sniper Section
With the addition of the ISVs, it is recom- mended to increase the manpower within sniper sections. Each sniper team should add a driver, who would also be trained to operate a PD-100 Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance System. The section leader’s ISV would also include a driver
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