ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
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Adjustment of Fire 28 September 2017 ATP 3-09.30 5-41 TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY 5-116. Often, with a moving target of opportunity the observer must quickly initiate the fire mission to alert the firing unit, while simultaneously estimating the intercept and trigger points. Training, practice, and experience are critical in the execution of fires against moving targets of opportunity as there is little time to complete the task and the pressure is usually intense. Observers should receive regular training in the attack of moving targets of opportunity, in a variety of scenarios and conditions, in order to maintain their skill in this task. PLANNED TARGET 5-117. The degree of prearrangement for a planned target may vary, but in each case, some prior coordination or action has been completed to facilitate engagement. 5-118. The procedure for calculating the intercept and trigger points for planned moving targets is basically the same as for engaging targets of opportunity. However, the observer has the opportunity to better select intercept and trigger points better suited to the anticipated situation. In addition to the intercept and trigger points (described below), the observer should determine the points at which the observer can expect to become aware of or receive notification of the moving target, and at which point the observer will be able to observe the target under various conditions (day, night, fog). Understanding the time distance relationships of these various points is critical to the successful planning of fires against moving targets. 5-119. Because accurately predicting the adversaries movement is not always possible, the observer may need to plan multiple intercept and trigger points for a planned moving target. To prevent confusion the observer can plan the mission based on a primary intercept point, then determine and record the shift data necessary to shift the mission from the primary to an alternate intercept point. 5-120. Additionally, the observer should be prepared to execute the mission as a target of opportunity mission, quickly determining new intercept and trigger points if the adversary moves differently than what the observer had planned for. 5-121. Another advantage of planned targets is that the observer may have the opportunity to mark trigger or even intercept points so that they are more visible and identifiable under a variety of battlefield conditions. Marking is discussed later in this section. MOVING TARGET CALCULATION 5-122. The following paragraphs outline the basic procedures for calculating the points and data needed to execute fires against moving targets. The procedures described are for attack against a moving target of opportunity, but the observer uses the same basic methodology for planned moving targets. DETERMINE TARGET DIRECTION AND SPEED 5-123. After acquiring the target, the observer tracks it until sure of the direction in which it is moving. As the target moves from point A to point B (see Figure 5-21), the observer can use one of four methods to determine its speed. Estimation Method 5-124. First the observer can estimate the speed: Slow—3 meters per second (7 miles per hour [mph]). Medium—5 meters per second (11 mph). Fast—8 meters per second (18 mph).