A new dimension for the Hécate II Sniper Rifle – this is our topic for today’s Photo Of The Day, but there’s room for other sniper rifles as well.

Manufactured by PGM Précision in France, the Hécate II is the heavy sniper rifle of the French Army. It’s named after the ancient Greek goddess Hecate and the caliber is 12,7×99 mm (.50 BMG). The weight is 13.8 kg (30.42 lb) without the sight, so it’s quite natural to see it mounted on an arm in the helicopter. The “arm” is called “STRIKE” (Stabilization of precision firing from a helicopter), and it’s made by COSE in France. The video below is a must-see, but please admire the pictures first.

Note that in this configuration, they have turned the muzzle brake 90 degrees, probably in an attempt to protect the crew from the blast. The optic looks very special as well. I haven’t seen anything quite like it before. Can you help us identify it in the comments below?

The barrel of the Hécate is actually made by FN Herstal in Belgium.

During this training, they also used other sniper rifles. I think this is the SAKO TRG M10, suppressed. Note the sniper’s leg, trying to get more stability. (Identified as a SAKO TRG42 with an MMRS rail kit)

I think this is a Heckler & Koch HK417, suppressed. Note the brass collector, as you don’t want flying brass around the cabin and rotors. As you can see there isn’t much space inside the helicopter.

Here you can see the system in action.

Photos by: ARMEE DE TERRE GAMSTAT Video: Cose