P-385-63 Range Safety Pamphlet Download

Table 10–1 Basic impact area dimensions for field artillery cannons Limits Dimensions Left Eight PE D ) from the left limit of target area. Right Eight PE D ) from the right limit of target area. Far edge Eight PE R ) from the down range edge of target area. Near edge Twelve PE R ) from the up range edge of target area. Table 10–2 Field artillery cannon surface danger zone criteria Caliber Area A 1 Area B 1 Area C Area C Area E Direct fire mode 3 (m) (m) low angle 2 (m) high angle, time, VT 2 (m) (m) (m) 105mm howitzer 550 550 300 350 550 650 155mm howitzer 725 725 350 550 725 750 Legend for Table 10-2: VT=variable time Notes: 1 Dimensions of Areas A and B may be reduced by 50 percent when firing illumination projectiles. This reduction of Areas A and B by 50 percent does not apply to the M1064 105mm infrared illumination projectile. 2 When the headings of more than one column above relate in some way to the type of firing to be conducted, the column giving the larger value of Area C will be used. 3 Distances in this column represent minimum target engagement distances when personnel at the firing position are unprotected. h. Weapon system crews firing from approved tactical configurations are authorized access to Area E. Operational and range operations (Army), range control (Marine Corps) personnel involved in firing exercises with a valid need to enter Area E may do so at the approval of the installation RMA (Army), RCO (Marine Corps). Based on risk assessment of firing conditions, the installation RMA (Army), RCO (Marine Corps) may reduce Area E to not less than 300 m for 105mm and 350 m for 155mm weapons. i. When firing in the direct mode, Distance X will not be less than the range of the weapon system corresponding to a QE of 15 degrees for a given charge. j. Area C is increased to 2,400 m when firing M107 HE ammunition filled with (trinitrotoluene) TNT. 10–5. Bunkers and fighting vehicles a. Light field artillery fire, up to and including 105mm howitzer, may impact no closer than 100 m to occupied bunkers. Medium and heavy field artillery fire above 105mm may impact no closer than 200 m to occupied bunkers. Ammunition certified for overhead fire must be used. Bunkers must have been constructed and approved to protect personnel from a direct hit by the ammunition being fired. Constant communication must be maintained between the firing position and bunkers. Observation from bunkers will be by indirect viewing such as periscopes unless an approved design for direct viewing has been provided. b. Bunkers to be used in accordance with paragraph 10–5a will be designed and constructed using specifications provided by the facility engineer. The installation engineer will review designs before final approval to ensure that structural integrity is maintained against direct hits and penetrating fragments. Direct viewing methods will be designed and constructed according to specifications provided by the facility engineer. c. Personnel occupation of Areas A, B, and C is not authorized except when bunkers are constructed in accordance with paragraph 10–5a. Personnel access to Area C is not authorized unless protective cover exists that is designed in accordance with paragraph 10–5a, for positive protection against a direct hit. Tanks and fighting vehicles with hatches closed are permitted in Area C when field artillery ammunition is fired overhead with variable time (VT) or time fuzes. Height of burst data in table 10–3 will be used to provide an adequate degree of safety to protect personnel and materiel from ammunition fired with VT or time fuzes. The following procedures apply when firing over tanks and fighting vehicles: (1) Do not use weapon systems of calibers greater than 155mm. (2) Use sufficient QE so that if the time element of the fuze fails to function, the projectile will land beyond the tank or fighting vehicle at a distance equal to the predicted height of burst plus four PE R . (3) Only certified ammunition (projectiles, propellant/tailcharge, and fuzes) will be fired over the heads of unprotec- ted personnel. 112 DA PAM 385–63 • 16 April 2014