ATP-3-09-02 Field Artillery Survey Download
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Chapter 3 3-16 ATP 3-09.02 16 February 2016 OTHER FIELD OPERATIONS 3-72. Survey accuracy depends largely on factors that can be controlled in the field by the IPADS or IPADS-G survey team. These include instrument handling, equipment care, and aids to maintaining body comfort. Surveying in the arctic or under arctic conditions requires a lot of professional judgment and common sense. All survey methods may be employed subject to terrain and weather conditions in the area of operation. Warm-up time for electronic equipment will be increased. 3-73. Setting up instruments under bad weather conditions, especially in snow, requires the use of field expedients. Brief setups in snow can be accomplished by firming up a snow base. Tamping will suffice for routine operations. Other processes are: Clear away the snow to reach the frozen but solid earth. Drive stakes to form a trivet-like base for tripod shoes. Use long tripod legs for setting up in deep snow. Use sharply pointed tripod shoes to facilitate setting upon icy surfaces. Protect the instrument from wind or accurate readings will be difficult. 3-74. Proper daily care ensures against equipment failure and delays in the field. Extreme changes in temperature may induce internal stresses within an instrument. Instruments should be kept outside overnight or in unheated shelters for short periods of nonuse. When transporting instruments in the field, arrange for the instrument to be carried outside the vehicle or in an unheated cargo compartment. Tripods also should be left outside when not in use. The FOS device temperature range (operating): +25°F to +120°F, temperature range (non-operating): -40°F to +150°F. 3-75. Body comfort depends mainly on the protection offered by issue clothing. The Chief Surveyor or Team Chief can improve conditions by directing the digging of pits, erecting windshields, or building up snow banks to reduce the intensity of exposure over extended periods. Utility stoves should be used for heating nourishing liquids and keeping the fingers warm. An instrument can be modified by providing enlarged nonmetallic operating knobs or by wrapping standard knobs with adhesive tape. This facilitates manipulation of the instrument and helps keep the fingers from being injured. Head and hand coverings become a problem for the instrument operator and the recorder. Layer gloves and layer head coverings provide a practical combination of warmth and maneuverability. An easily removed hood over an ear- covering headpiece is practical for most conditions. Safety precautions are: Do not touch metal with any part of the bare skin. Use equipment furnished for protection of the eyes against wind and glare. Always use the buddy system in surveying. Do not go out alone. Always carry a first aid kit. Practice personal hygiene as covered in ATTP 3-97.11. SURVEY CONTROL 3-76. In most arctic areas, especially on the tundra or in heavily forested regions and away from centers of civilization, pre-established control will be minimal. Survey control that does exist will be difficult to locate in areas of heavy snowfall and high winds. Geodetic survey support is essential to establish the common grid. Map spotting, when maps are available, are almost impossible because of the lack of definable natural and manmade objects. The most probable solution for the extension of survey control (if geodetic survey support cannot be provided) is for the survey planner to assume position control, use the IPADS or IPADS-G and astronomic observation for direction, and start the common grid there. Each installation or unit will then convert to common control as it enters the appropriate survey net. DESERT AREAS 3-77. FA survey in a desert environment lends itself to some major problems in equipment, methods, and operations. Problems not experienced in other environments are prevalent during desert operations. Initially, desert operations seem to be perfect for survey with long lines of sight, and cloudless skies for