ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download

Chapter 3 3-16 ATP 3-09.30 28 September 2017 GRID COORDINATES USING IMAGERY WITH MENSURATION TOOLS 3-61. Grid coordinates using imagery with mensuration tools is the most preferred method of target location. Mensuration involves using a software package that is loaded with imagery used to refine targets. Mensuration tools have images that can be used to determine the grid and altitude of a location with increased accuracy. This accuracy supports the use of precision-guided munitions. LASER GRID 3-62. There are two types of laser targeting devices. An automated targeting device will provide a TLE along with a 10 digit grid to include altitude and is capable of accurately locating a target. This accuracy supports the use of precision-guided munitions. When mensuration is not available, grid coordinates provided by an automated laser system will support the use of precision-guided munitions. An automated laser system that is operating in a degraded mode should be considered the same as a conventional laser. 3-63. A conventional laser will not provide a TLE. It does provide a greater level of accuracy than grid coordinates developed by map spot. An observer should use this method if automated targeting tools are unavailable. 3-64. A laser grid mission is the same as a grid mission with the following exceptions: Send target grid to a greater level of accuracy (8 or 10 digit grid depending on observation post location accuracy). In an adjust fire mission, send corrections in the form of a grid to the burst location and announce “BURST GRID”. LASER POLAR 3-65. In the laser polar method, the FDC must know the observer's location. The observer uses a lasing device that has been oriented for direction to provide a quick and accurate means of target location. If the firing unit has met its requirements for accurate fire, the mission type for laser polar should be fire for effect. The observer determines observer-target direction to the nearest one mil, distance to the target to the nearest 10 meters, and vertical angle (not vertical shift) to the nearest one mil. The FDC determines target location using the vertical angle and incorporating distance as a slant range. The accuracy of the target location is dependent upon the accuracy of the laser location. GRID COORDINATES USING MAP SPOT 3-66. When more accurate means are unavailable, the observer must use a map and declinated M2 compass to develop target grid coordinates. Target location by grid coordinates is a natural extension of the polar plot method. The FDC does not need the observer's location. The observer normally locates targets to a precision of 100 meters (6 digit grid). The observer does this by polar plotting on the appropriate map and then reading the grid and altitude. When greater accuracy is required (for precision-guided munitions, registration points, and known points) the observer should send target locations, at a minimum, to the nearest 10 meters (8 digit grid) to include altitude. Note. A six digit grid is normally submitted when the observer is not able to generate a coordinate accurate enough for first round fire for effect and should be sent as an Adjust Fire mission. POLAR PLOT 3-67. In this method, the FDC must know the observer's location. The observer does not need a map to determine polar plot data. The method is easy and quick. However, the observer must transmit own location by secure means to avoid revealing observation post (OP) location to the threat. In addition, in a mobile situation it may be more difficult for the observer to determine self-location and send it to the FDC resulting in a lower level of accuracy. The steps used in the polar plot method (see figure 3-11) are:  Determine the observer-target direction by one of the methods previously discussed in this chapter.  Estimate the distance to the target to the nearest 100 meters. (Laser rangefinder data can be determined to the nearest 10 meters.) Use all information obtained from the terrain map study to determine the observer-target distance.