ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
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Chapter 5 5-44 ATP 3-09.30 28 September 2017 Example Transmission time is 5 seconds. Time of flight is 20 seconds. Target speed is 5 meters per second. Distance to trigger point = (transmission time + time of flight) X target speed, or (5 seconds + 20 seconds) X 5 meters per second = 125 meters. 5-134. Plot the trigger point by measuring the distance determined above from the planned target location or intercept point along the intended path toward the moving target (see figure 5-22). Figure 5-26. Determining the trigger point 5-135. If the target passes the trigger point before the battery reports READY, the observer should make a bold shift to a new target location by using the same trigger point and intercept distances. Send a grid for the new location to the FDC immediately. 5-136. If the observer does not intend to request AT MY COMMAND or BY ROUND AT MY COMMAND, the trigger point becomes the point at which the call for fire was initiated. In this case, mission reaction time must be included in determining the distance to the trigger point. This allows time for the mission to be processed and the firing unit to shift onto the target. Normal mission reaction times are: Priority targets—30 to 60 seconds (plus time of flight). On-call targets—90 to 120 seconds (plus time of flight). Targets of opportunity—150 to 180 seconds (plus time of flight). Note. These are ideal averages and will not be applicable to all situations. For targets of opportunity during high tempo operations, the observer or fire planner may need to allow as much as seven minutes in reaction time (from end of mission of a previous mission to ready "at my command" on the moving target mission). The battlefield situation, training, and combat status of the observer and firing unit, and other factors will affect reaction times. This may require the observer to identify two trigger points for planned missions: one to initiate the AT MY COMMAND or BY ROUND AT MY COMMAND mission and one to send the FIRE command.