Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.

Skip to content

Civilian Marksmanship Program

  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • MeWe
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos
  • Home
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • RETURNING NM SUPPORT TEAM FORM
    • Privacy Policy
    End of Navigation Section
  • About
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Director Emeritus
    • Director of Civilian Marksmanship
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
    End of Navigation Section
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Matches
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Junior Air Rifle Camp Counselors
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • Junior Rifle Camp Counselor Resources
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
    End of Navigation Section
  • Clubs
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU's
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
    End of Navigation Section
  • Compete
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
    • CMP National Records
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
    • CMP League Matches
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
      • CMP Bianchi Cup
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Travel Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • CMP Rifle Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • National Matches
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • CMP Industry Day
    • National Smallbore Matches
    • National Air Gun Matches
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • National Matches Support Team
    • Long Range Matches
    • National Trophy Pistol Matches
    • Awards & Trophies
      • Vintage Sniper Match
      • CMP Game Events Awards
      • Long Range Awards
      • Individual Pistol Awards
      • National Trophies
      • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
      • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
    • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
    • National Matches Air Gun Events
    • National Matches Welcome Center Information
    • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
    • National Matches Spectator Events
    • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
    • National Trophy Rifle Matches
    • Directions to Camp Perry
    • Area Lodging Info
    • CMP National Championship Matches
    • National CMP Games Events
    • National Matches Archive project
    • Commercial Row Information
    End of Navigation Section
  • Education
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Basic Archery Course
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSMM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer's Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE - CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
      • CMP State Director News Submission Form
      • CMP State Director Application
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Training
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
    End of Navigation Section
  • News & Media
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • CMP Podcasts
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
    End of Navigation Section
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Ordering Information
    • CMP Program & Sales Specials
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos - M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • Ranges
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • Anniston, Alabama Lodging
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • 3D Archery Range
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    End of Navigation Section

CMP Marches Forward with Electronic Targets at History-Making Matches in June: Part 1

August 29, 2017

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸CMP Marches Forward with Electronic Targets at History-Making Matches in June: Part 1

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) closed out the month of June with an entire week of successful competition on its traveling electronic target system – an encouraging and influential mark in the history of Camp Perry, the CMP and the world of competitive bullseye target shooting. The week of matches came on the heels of a disappointing EIC match earlier in the month due to less-than-desirable operation of the target system by CMP staff. Procedural and technical improvements helped turn the corner.

In June, the CMP made history by firing the first successful matches on Camp Perry’s ranges using electronic targets.

On June 26, the CMP kicked off the 2017 National Matches by hosting a 4-man team match on the revered Viale Range during the inaugural CMP Cup Series. With corrections to cabling placement and additional staff training, the CMP Cup competitors fired 36,000 rounds of ammunition with only a handful of issues – normal for a paper target match series.

At the outset of the match, 18 teams fired a flawless string at the 200-yard line and then fell back for the next stage at the 300. A seamless round of slow and rapid fire ensued, again with no errors in the target system.

Competitors of the Cup Series events enjoyed shorter days, with no pit duty required.

When it came time to drop to the 600-yard line, a unified and rapid transition allowed for the final string of competition to be fired right on schedule. As the last shot pierced the targets downrange, a page in the history books was written as the first successful match on electronic targets went off without fail at Camp Perry – not to mention, the very first National Match event to be completed on electronic targets.

Day 2 brought the 800 Aggregate event and another effective sequence of history-making competition with an across-the-course match of four relays fired in an astounding time of only five hours. Two more 800 Aggregate matches followed, with no significant errors coming to the surface.

Mark Johnson, CMP chief operating officer, was pleased with the way the target system performed during the Cup Series.

“I’m very pleased. This was outstanding,” said Mark Johnson, CMP chief operating officer. “I like how it’s brought camaraderie and sort of a laid-back atmosphere back to a service rifle type event. I haven’t seen that at Camp Perry in years. These electronic targets have made the shooters seem more relaxed – and I think that’s a good thing, because along with being relaxed is enjoyment.”

Bryan Parris, CMP targets specialist, has been working with the electronic highpower targets for over two years now – spending every minute he can to correct glitches that are inevitable in an electronic system.

“It’s all I do,” Parris said with a laugh. “Whether it’s these target systems, working on the target systems in Talladega (Marksmanship Park), or the systems in the air rifle ranges and the travel ranges.

“KTS (Kongsberg Target Systems – developers of the targets) is committed to making them as perfect as possible – not just electronically and scoring-wise, but mechanically as well. And we are too, for us and our customers who are going to be using these in the future. It’s only fair to our competitors that we give them as good of a system as can be provided.”

Dedicated wireless transmitters allow the targets to communicate with the firing line in real time.

He also talked about the unique challenges that arise from creating an easily installable, maintainable and moveable system like the CMP’s traveling highpower target system. At the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park, the electronic targets are stationary but are able to rise and fall with the power of mechanical lifters – unlike any other range. Though the traveling highpower target system is similar to those used at Talladega, each new venue presents a fresh set of encounters, such as the target carrier issues at Camp Perry.

“We can’t make any permanent modifications to the carriers because the National Guard has to be able to use the ranges when they need them. So we’ve got to work around those things to create solutions that will work for our target systems,” Parris said.

For the future, Parris is working to make the system as close to perfect as possible. Some of his plans include faster changeover periods from yard line to yard line and having the ability to maintain scoring rings at all distances.

Competitors in CMP’s first EIC Match fired on electronic targets in June were high-spirited in spite of the difficulties of the day.

“We’ve learned and applied a lot of lessons and we have a lot more diagnostic capabilities on the targets to know how well they are functioning,” he said. “They’re not perfect – no electrical system is perfect. But they’re a lot more efficient, a lot more effective and save a lot of time in shooting. They’re performing the same function that’s done in the pits, but they’re doing it in a safer manner.”

In our next story, hear the competitors’ thoughts, including those from the self-proclaimed “old guys,” in “CMP Electronic Targets Part 2.”

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

3 Replies to “CMP Marches Forward with Electronic Targets at History-Making Matches in June: Part 1”

  1. Neal Waldron says:
    August 29, 2017 at 11:23 am

    An old hat once told me that C.P. was originally set up so targets, were set-up so that ranges were dedicated to certain distances. Prior to the ranges being named the Petrarca range being the shortest through, Vialle being the long range. If we reintroduced this, as procedure w/ electronic targets, the need to replace the target centers could be taken out of the formula. 15 or 20 targets at 200yds. on Rod., 300yds. on Young, 600 on Vialle. The shooters would move to the and the targets could stay up, waiting on the next relay. Could be even faster, for sure it will lessen the need to be in the pits, doing anything to the targets. Just a thought Neal.

    Reply
    1. Hamilton says:
      August 31, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      I think Neals idea would be great you would have up to 60 people shooting at once and way less chances of wiring problems, and shooters would be much more in line for safer shooting at same time.

      Reply
  2. H says:
    August 29, 2017 at 10:27 am

    With all due respect, one match does not demonstrate long-term reliability. And accuracy. How do you really know the shot landed where plotted? In the EIC match in the Oklahoma games this year, one of my shots at 600-yards had the blinking spotter showing one value, while the numerical value displayed was something far different. So the question in my mind is, can the magic box be trusted? Is CMP doing a study to determine the accuracy of shot value and bullet impact displayed compared to actual bullet impact? What is the margin of error, and who determines if that margin is acceptable? Absolutely that needs to be proven.

    I was an early proponent of electronic targets, but clearly there is much work remaining to be done and I’m much more skeptical now. However I’m truly hoping the system can be fixed, because the advantages are obvious.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Mission – Promote marksmanship through firearms training, safety, competitions and youth programs.
Vision – To lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.

If you need assistance accessing any of our content or would like it in an alternative format you can contact us via our contact form, click here.

  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • MeWe
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
  • Clubs
  • Compete
  • National Matches
  • Education
  • News & Media
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
  • Ranges
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program. All rights reserved.
Site by West Edge Collective.