ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
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Chapter 5 5-36 ATP 3-09.30 28 September 2017 DESTRUCTION MISSION 5-97. Use a precision-guided munition such as Excalibur or Hellfire to destroy a well located point target. If these are not available, area munitions, such as HE, may be used. If using only area munitions, fire one weapon to destroy a point target. The mission is similar to a registration in that the observer continues adjustments to establish a 25 meter bracket. Once it is established, the observer splits the 25 meter bracket by adding or dropping 10 meters and continues to fire additional rounds. After every third round, make an additional refinement, and then continue firing until the target is destroyed or the mission is ended. (The observer may make corrections after each round.) For example, the observer makes the refinement as shown in figure 5-19. 5-98. Because of the amount of time and ammunition required, avoid destruction missions using only area munitions. Only a target that is critical to an operation should be engaged in this manner, and only if no other means, such as precision munitions, exists to destroy the target. Figure 5-24. Destruction mission HIGH-BURST OR MEAN POINT OF IMPACT REGISTRATION 5-99. The opportunities for a registration are limited, therefore the observer may be called upon to perform it because it requires visual observation on a clearly defined, accurately located registration point in the target area. At night, visual adjustment of fire on a registration point is impossible without some type of illumination or night observation device. In desert, jungle, or arctic operations, clearly defined registration points in the target area are not usually available. Special procedures, including special observation techniques, provide for registration under these conditions. Two such procedures are the high-burst and mean point of impact registration.