FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download

Appendix C C-4 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 Table C-1. The five requirements for accurate predicted fire in fully operational and degraded operations Requirements Full operational capability Degraded methods Potential effects of degradation Accurate target location and size Laser designator /rangefinder GPS/INS, PF-D / PF-M Map, compass, binoculars Reduction from CAT I – IV TLE to CAT V – VI TLE1 Decreased first round accuracy Accurate firing unit location GPS/INS survey Aiming circle (direction, distance, vertical angle from known point) Map and compass, hasty survey techniques, registration, observer adjusts fire Increased occupation times, increased counterfire threat Decreased first round accuracy Accurate weapons and munitions information Calibration chronograph Predictive muzzle velocity technique, registration, observer adjusts fire Increased counterfire threat, decreased first round accuracy Accurate meteorological information GPS/profiler computer distributed Registration observer adjusts fire Potential increased fire mission processing time Accurate computational procedures AFATDS, centaur, AFCS Manual fire direction Potential increased fire mission processing time2 Notes: 1 – Training of observers on degraded methods can improve TLE back to CAT III/IV. 2 – Training of FDC personnel on manual methods can mitigate increase processing time. ADA air defense artillery AFATDS Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System AFCS advanced fire control system CAT category EW early warning FDC fire direction center GPS global positioning system INS inertial navigation system MET meteorological PF-D precision fires-dismounted PF-M precision fires-mounted TLE target location error SECTION III – ACCURATE TARGET LOCATION AND SIZE ACCURATE TARGET LOCATION AND SIZE C-17. Accurate target location is critical to achieving effects on targets. The use of position locating systems, mensuration tools, and laser rangefinders designators operating from known locations are critical to precisely locating targets. Mensuration is the process of measurement of a feature or location on the Earth to determine an absolute latitude, longitude, and elevation (JP 3-60). Target coordinate mensuration is the process of measurement of a feature or location on earth by certified personnel using National Geospatial Intelligence Agency-validated tools to determine an absolute latitude, longitude, and elevation to support the employment of coordinate-seeking munitions (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction 3505.01D). C-18. When these capabilities are not available and the observer is operating in a degraded mode, the observer must rely on thorough terrain map study to accurately locate targets. Frequently in these degraded situations or in emergency situation demanding quick action, the observer may be unable to accurately locate targets and must correct errors in target location by adjusting fires onto a target, thereby forfeiting surprise and effects on target. Observers must train and be proficient on using a compass, map, protractor, and observed fire fans to develop a terrain sketch. They will improve accuracy and improve speed at which a target can be located. Constant improvement of terrain sketches is a vital skill set that must be trained and reinforced.