U.S. Marine Corps Focuses on Improving Moving Target Skills

The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, located in Quantico, Virginia, is moving towards utilizing experimental training techniques involving moving targets. Once overlooked, these skills are necessary in battle and on the field, but in the past have been neglected in training regimens.

Obvious to many people, enemies do not stand still, just as hunters know that big and small game don’t remain still waiting for a shot. Focusing on updating training techniques, the Marine Corps has decided to combine traditional stationary target practice with more innovative models that represent real-life warfare situations.

The experiment was conducted in 2013. Marines aimed and shot moving targets in various positions, such as standing, kneeling and the prone, with the standard M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and M4 carbines.

The Marines used a secondary tracking method, which allows the target to lead before shooting. They also practiced the swing-through method, which involves firing at the back edge of the moving target, continuing to fire while the target moves. Finally, the ambush method is helpful for selecting fixed points for aiming in front of moving targets. This projects future movement and shoots moving targets accurately provided no unexpected path deviation occurs.

Previous targets moved at a mere speed of two miles an hour, but the latest experiment utilized innovative targets that reported 8.5 miles per hour, which mimics speeds of humans. The new style robotic targets features wheels and have real-life size mannequins. This mimics more realistic war surroundings for Marines, which are commonly sent into ground combat.

With robotic targets costing more than $100,000 each and massive defense spending cuts underway, it’s unclear if military tactics will continue to progress with more lifelike war scenarios and situations.

For the men and women that risk their lives for America’s safety, it’s necessary to offer modern-day training scenarios that prepare them for the risks involved in battle, including shooting moving targets.

Fortunately, for non-military shooters, Jumping Targets offer AR500 steel targets that feature metal spinning designs. These steel shooting targets include the popular AR-500 Small Sniper Bot, IPSC Hostage Silhouette Target and 4.75-Inch AR 500 steel targets. These targets are ideal for hunters preparing for this upcoming season, helping hone their accuracy and aim for big game, small game and waterfowl.

References:

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/09/27/marine-corps-hones-moving-target-shooting-skills.html