DSTO scientific analysis assists Army sniper rifle assessment

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is helping the Australian Army to choose an effective replacement for its ageing Parker Hale sniper rifle.

The Army's Sniper Weapon System Replacement Program is considering four 7.62mm anti-personnel rifle systems, and three 12.7mm anti-materiel rifle systems.

The anti-personnel weapons short-listed for assessment include three bolt-action rifles: the Accuracy International AW; the Armament Technology M24; and the Keppeler KS III. A fourth weapon, the Knight's Armament SR-25, is the only 7.62mm self-loading rifle selected for testing.

The anti-materiel weapons are two self-loading rifles, the Barrett M82A1 and the Pauza P-50 and a bolt-action rifle, the PGM Hecate II.

A DSTO team provided scientific analysis in a recent series of Army trials to assess the field performance of the rifles.

User trials are a significant component of a comprehensive weapon assessment program managed by the Department of Defence Directorate of Trials.

Army snipers from 1, 2 and 3 RAR, and the Special Air Service Regiment, participated in trials at the School of Infantry at Singleton, NSW.

Each sniper fired many rounds of both regular military and match grade ammunition from two examples of each weapon at targets located at various ranges-out to 800 metres with the anti-personnel weapons, and 1500m with the anti-materiel weapons.

A team from DSTO's Weapons System Division recorded and collated accuracy and dispersion data, monitored meteorological conditions during the accuracy assessment phase and transferred the results of user questionnaires filled out by the snipers onto a computer database. DSTO researchers also noted any incidents during the trial which could be attributed to different characteristics of each weapon, made observations of the techniques used to deploy these weapons and provided post-trial data processing, the results of which were given to the Directorate of Trials.

Chris Wachsberger of the DSTO Weapons System Division said several important aspects of the user trials had to be assessed.

"For example, the weapon has to be very accurate because the role of the sniper is to hit on the first shot if possible," he said.

"Of course, that means that you need a weapon which is very ergonomic, very comfortable.

"There's also the comfort factor associated with carrying it in the field.

"All these aspects need to be assessed and for that reason we not only conducted the trials in the comparatively benign rifle range environment, but also in the field. From this we will be able to help identify the performance hierarchy of each of these weapons."

The Army is expected to announce its preferred sniper rifle system later this year.

DSTO is part of the Department of Defence. It gives professional, impartial and informed advice on science and technology best suited to Australia's defence and security needs. Further information about DSTO is on the Internet at: http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au