Why would they need a longer range rifle when they can just use a low tech longer range drone.
The skill level of a master sniper is way higher than the skill level of a drone operator.
The drone not only does its job but also takes pictures of it while its doing its job.
A sniper can shoot for up to a mile. But the cheap drones can go several miles.
they can be pretty cheap to make.
The drone war in ukraine is shifting the way people think about everything in battle.
Both the Ukes and the Rus are using them effectively.
You can spoof drones, or render them ineffective or destroy them in multiple ways. With a determined and effective sniper, you have to kill him to stop him, and that’s nowhere near as easy as disabling or spoofing a drone.
Ukraine is showing that extreme long range sniping is more cost effective than drones in terms of antipersonnel. The drones are great against vehicles and fortifications. Different tools for different missions.
The Ukrainians are claiming a sniper kill at 12468 feet, or about two and a half miles. Additionally, you cannot jam a sniper or find them with a radio direction finder, two things that you can do with a drone. You can also find the drone operator and send him your greetings all electronically - the drone operators on both sides are now locating each other through ELINT and sending drones to kill their opposite numbers.
If you think drones are the answer to all fighting then maybe you think military recruits should be issued a drone and two grenades instead of rifles.
To be old and wide one must first survive being young and stupid.
“Both the Ukes and the Rus are using them effectively.”
1. Except when the weather is bad.
2. Except when jamming is present.
3. Except when as sniper has killed your drone operator.
4. Except when your are out of drones.
5. Except when there is no electricity to charge your drones.
6. Except when MMW radar picks up the launch of your drone and sends in artillery.
7. Except when the opposing army sends in mass attacks and doesn’t just sit there in a fox hole.
Drones have great uses, but they are not, and can can never be, the answer to everything.