ATP-3-09-12 Field Artillery Counterfire and Weapons Locating Radar Operations Download
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26 October 2021 ATP 3-09.12 A-1 Appendix A Automated Target Data Processing This appendix explains how the AFATDS processes target indicators and suspect targets. It provides the detailed information necessary to effectively use AFATDS to manage the processing of targets and target indicators. This appendix includes AFATDS target generation functions, target indicator processing, suspect target processing, target damage assessment, file maintenance, and target purging. This appendix also provides a brief introduction to JADOCS. GENERAL A-1. The amount of processing required to develop a target varies extensively. In its simplest form, target data processing is the passing of a target from a known, accurate, and reliable source to the FSEs for attack within established attack guidance and target selection standards. In its most complex form, it is the collation of target indicators and suspect targets from diverse sources into a target identification and location accurate enough to justify attack. A-2. Target data is transmitted and processed automatically according to the commander's guidance and target selection standards stored in the AFATDS computer. A-3. AFATDS uses the target generation function to automate the tasks performed by the targeting and target processing elements. The target generation function consists of a series of processes that compare and combine target information to generate targets and update the suspect target list and target indicator file. Target generation takes suspect targets, artillery target intelligence targets, and target indicators (such as shell reports) as inputs, and through several processes eliminates duplication, determines and refines suspect target locations, and generates targets. The target generation function can be turned on or off based on the targeting needs in a given tactical situation. The outputs of this function are generated targets and an updated suspect target list and target indicator file. Some key definitions related to target generation include: Target indicators are directional information that forms a ray (line) from a given point, in a given direction, to a derived maximum distance along which a possible enemy target may be located. Examples of target indicators include shelling, flash, and jam strobe reports. A target indicator will have a target type. Target data is grid producing information received at AFATDS via a fire request or information and intelligence. Target data is also produced by AFATDS. For example, AFATDS uses intersecting target indicator rays to determine a grid location, thereby generating target data. Target data that has passed target selection standards and meets the commander's criteria for reliability, accuracy and timeliness will be considered worthy of attack consideration. This target data will undergo further mission processing to determine if a fire mission will be initiated based on comparisons to additional targeting and attack guidance, relative value to other targets, and if attack systems are capable of engaging the target. A suspect target is data that has failed selection standards and may not be worthy of attacking because it does not meet the commander's criteria for reliability, accuracy, or timeliness. Suspect targets are further refined until they pass target selection standards and the operator initiates a fire mission on the suspect target, or the suspect target decays (based on target decay guidance) and is deleted from the suspect target list.