ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
Page 148 of 204
Chapter 6 6-18 ATP 3-09.30 28 September 2017 6-74. Once the observer has adjusted the illuminating shell to the desired location, the observer should control the rate of fire and number of pieces firing. This reduces ammunition expended to the minimum necessary for the required observation. COORDINATED ILLUMINATION 6-75. The observer allows the FDC to control the firing of illumination and HE by announcing COORDINATED ILLUMINATION in the call for fire. When the illumination has been adjusted to yield the best light on the target, the observer announces ILLUMINATION MARK to tell the FDC the exact time the target is best illuminated. The FDC times the interval between the actual firing of the illuminating round and the receipt of the observer’s ILLUMINATION MARK. The observer would then announce COORDINATED ILLUMINATION and begin the secondary Call for Fire with the FDC handling the timing coordination. By comparing this time interval with the time of flight of the HE, the FDC can control the firing of the HE rounds, so that they arrive at the target during maximum illumination. Note. Remember, the goal is adequate illumination to engage the target, not perfect illumination. Striving for perfect illumination may enable the target to escape. Note. The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System currently does not have the ability to conduct COORDINATED ILLUMINATION with a single target number. The FO (when using digital call for fire) need to initiate two separate fire missions: one for the Illumination, and one for the HE. CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATION 6-76. Because of the amount of ammunition expended, the least desirable method is for the observer to request CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATION. In this technique, the FDC fires illumination continuously (intervals between firing depend on the type of projectile) while the observer adjusts HE.