ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
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Special Munitions 28 September 2017 ATP 3-09.30 6-29 Example H18 THIS IS H24, IMMEDIATE SUPPRESSION, GRID NK439892 ALTITUDE 125, OVER. (Suppression was ineffective and the observer wishes to use smoke instead.) DIRECTION 5300, LEFT 300, DROP 200, IMMEDIATE SMOKE OVER. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS 6-118. Before firing immediate smoke, the observer must realize that suppression by smoke will not be as immediate as suppression by HE, since it takes time for the smoke to build up. Inaccurately placed smoke may still provide obscuration, whereas inaccurately placed HE may not give the desired results. Although immediate smoke will provide suppression (by obscuration) for a longer time than HE, it is effective only against a pinpoint target or a small area target less than 150 meters in diameter. 6-119. The unit SOP should specify the type of ammunition to be fired. A suggested mix is firing WP (for initial quick buildup) and firing HC (for duration). Once the smoke has built up, all subsequent volleys should be shell smoke. 6-120. Normally, use immediate smoke on a planned suppressive target. The observer can also use it when immediate suppression with HE is ineffective. Corrections for deviation, range, and HOB may be required. 6-121. When firing a mixture of smoke and WP, it will normally be effective 30 seconds after the rounds impact and will last about 4 to 5 minutes. If the smoke is required for a longer period, request additional volleys of smoke. The adjusting point for immediate smoke is the target itself. QUICK SMOKE 6-122. This method of employing smoke is more deliberate than immediate smoke. The observer will take into account the maneuver target line. DESCRIPTION 6-123. Use quick smoke to obscure the threat's vision or to screen maneuver elements. Begin the mission by adjusting with HE, request smoke once the 200 meter bracket is split to verify smoke placement and conditions, and then fire for effect with desired smoke. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS 6-124. Use the quick smoke mission to obscure areas from 150 meters up to 600 meters wide. For areas larger than 600 meters, the observer can fire multiple quick smoke missions. Smoke may be effective up to 1,500 meters downwind. 6-125. When preparing a quick smoke mission, the observer first determines the nature of the target and the location of the adjusting point. Then determines the size of the area and the wind direction in relation to the MTL (see Figure 6-15 on page 6-26). 6-126. Inform the FDC of the target length, MTL, wind direction, and the length of time the smoke is required. This information is sent to the FDC as early as possible usually in the third transmission of the call for fire. The observer us the acronym LMDirT to remember the required information. If not included in the initial call for fire, it must be sent prior to requesting fire for effect. The observer also has the option of extending the time of effective smoke by requesting subsequent volleys. See TC 3-09.81 for additional quick smoke data. 6-127. If the smoke must be effective beginning at a specific time, the observer requests AT MY COMMAND and the time of flight. To determine when to order the smoke fired, the observer adds the time of flight to the average buildup time of 30 seconds for WP and 60 seconds for smoke.