Sniper
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A sniper is an infantry specialist equipped with a high-precision weapon, typically a sniper rifle. Snipers engage targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the detection capabilities of enemy personnel.
United Nations Space Command[edit]
All snipers in the United Nations Space Command armed forces receive similar training and equipment, but their method of employment varies by service and unit. UNSC Army snipers are arranged into specialized reconnaissance units at the battalion level, and operate as scouts and forward observers first, snipers second.[1] Army snipers and marksmen are trained to live off the land for years, allowing them to operate in the field for extended periods of time.[2] Though snipers provide anti-infantry and anti-vehicle capabilities to the units they work with, the primary objective of a sniper is defined as augmenting the main strategic effort of their unit by placing sensors and extending the UNSC battle network into enemy territory.[1] The Army fields cavalry scouts, while the UNSC Marine Corps has reconnaissance divisions and force reconnaissance units.[2]
Snipers may carry specialist accessories on their combat armor, such as the Supplementary bandoleer, Semi-rigid, Special Applications Rifle (Anti-materiel), which enables the wearer to carry extra sniper rifle ammunition on their shoulder.
Sniper-spotter team[edit]
With some exceptions, snipers of the United Nations Space Command are generally deployed as part of a two-person sniper-spotter team (also referred to as scout-sniper team). Such a team consists of two people, a sniper and a spotter. Both the sniper and spotter are often fully qualified as a sniper, but have different duties. These duties are often rotated for various reasons, such as to reduce eye fatigue of the spotter during observation and to reduce arm fatigue of the sniper.
The sniper takes the advice and commands of the spotter, changing and firing on targets. The sniper is very vulnerable to attack when sniping, which is why snipers will have their spotters providing security. The sniper, of which there is only one, is armed with a long-ranged weapon.
The spotter detects, observes, and assigns targets and watches for the results of the shot. Using a spotting scope, they will also read the wind by using physical indicators and the mirage caused by the heat on the ground. Also, in conjunction with the shooter, the spotter will accurately make calculations for distance, angle shooting (slant range), mil dot related calculations, correction for atmospheric conditions, and leads for moving targets. The spotter is also usually tasked to ensure proper communication with adjacent units, adjusting how the indirect fire and close air support will work for the team. The spotter is also charged with team security. Because of this, they are usually armed with medium to close-ranged weapons.
Some UNSC snipers, such as those serving aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire, are accompanied by two MQ-96 Support Drones in lieu of a spotter, with one drone designed to spot targets and the other to detect cloaked enemies.[3]
History[edit]
In 2502, then-Corporal Avery Johnson worked with another Marine during an operation to assassinate the Insurrectionist leader Jerald Mulkey Ander on the planet Harvest. Johnson was the sniper, while the other Marine was the spotter.[4]
While SPARTAN-II Linda-058 preferred to work alone, the other Spartans always had a spotter when sniping.[5] Fred was the best spotter, in addition to his other talents.[6]
During the Battle of Mombasa, a Marine scout sniper-spotter team in Old Mombasa informed Sergeant Johnson's Pelicans that Grid Kilo 23 was "hot" with Covenant and recommended them to abort the mission.[7]
During the UNSC Spirit of Fire crew's campaign against the Banished, a unit of surviving snipers on Installation 00 led by Sergeant Allieri spotted targets within a Banished base for Kodiak artillery to clear a path for Jerome-092.[8]
Covenant[edit]
Covenant snipers during the Human-Covenant War were predominantly Kig-Yar marksmen who were equipped with an array of precision carbines and rifles for medium-to-long ranged combat.[9][10] The Covenant made effective use of the Kig-Yar's natural stealth skills and superior senses of sight, smell and hearing to deploy them as effective long-ranged combatants, often able to eliminate hidden enemies from extreme ranges.[11] Kig-Yar snipers were often stationed within Covenant watchtowers on the battlefield, which granted them a height advantage over enemy ground troops and provided them with clean lines of fire.[12][13][14][15][16] When deployed in urban environments, Covenant snipers often took position in the upper levels of buildings and other large structures.[12][13][14][15][16]
The Jha'kaar were a specialized order of Kig-Yar snipers that served within the Covenant. They were selected by the Prophet of Regret to serve as deadly enforcers of his will. The Jha'kaar were virtually indistinguishable from other Kig-Yar snipers, as they bore no particularly externally-identifiable markings, armour or weaponry beyond the standard equipment assigned to all snipers, which allowed them to appear as ordinary as any other unit to external observers, and each member's name was only known to their commander. The few who knew of their existence generally understood that they were extremely capable snipers, able to perform shots considered otherwise impossible, with some attributing this extreme marksmanship to preternatural instinct possessed by the Jha'kaar.[17]
As well as Kig-Yar, the Covenant also employed select Sangheili to serve as snipers, who were often deployed in similar fashion.[9] Sangheili personnel within the Covenant's Special Operations division sometimes deployed with part