Basic PO Flashcards
Close Proximity
Distance within which some form of terminal attack control is required for targeting direction and prevent fratricide.
Close Air Support
An air action by fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces and requires detailed integration of each mission with the fire and movement of those forces.
Conditions for Effective CAS
- Effective Training and Proficiency
- Planning and Integration
- C2
- Air Superiority
- Target Marking
- Streamlined and Flexible Procedures
- Appropriate Ordnance
- Environmental Conditions
FSCMs are designed to be:
- Permissive
- Restrictive
CFL
A Coordinated Fire Line is a line beyond which conventional, indirect, surface fire support means may create effects at any time within the boundaries of the establishing HQ without additional coordination.
FSCL
Fire Support Coordination Lines facilitate the expeditious engagement of targets of opportunity beyond the coordinating measure.
FFA
A Free Fire Area is a specific designated area into which any weapon system may fire without additional coordination with the establishing HQ.
RFL
The Restrictive Fire Line is a line established between converging friendly forces - one or both may be moving - that prohibits joint fires or the effects of joint fires across the line without coordination with the affected force.
RFA
An Restricted Fire Area is an area in which specific restrictions are imposed and into which fires (or the effects of fires) that exceed those restrictions will not be delivered without coordination with the establishing HQ.
NFA
An No Fire Area is land area designated by the appropriate commander into which fires or their effects are prohibited.
CAS Request Types
Preplanned - Those CAS requirements foreseen early enough to be included in the first ATO distribution and are submitted as prep,a nee air support requests for CAS. 48-72hrs
Immediate Air Support Requests - Arise from situations that develop outside the planning stages of the joint air tasking cycle.
Medium/High Level Advantages
- All flight members can continuously observe the target area, marks, and hits from other aircraft.
- Lower fuel consumption and increased time on station.
- Reduced navigational difficulties.
- Improved formation control.
- Improved mutual support.
- Allows considerable maneuver airspace and allows aircrews to concentrate on mission tasks instead of terrain avoidance tasks.
- Communications between aircrews and control agencies are less affected by terrain.
- Reduces exposure to AAA and man-portable IR SAMs.
- More flexibility in attack axis selection.
- Easier timing of TOT.
- Improved performance of guided weapons using steeper impact angle.
- Improved LGB self-lasting options and targeting pod capture capability.
- increased ability to deconflict aircraft with altitude, in addition to timing and lateral deconfliction measures. Potential to use more aircraft within smaller lateral confines via an altitude “stack.”
Medium/High Level Disadvantages
- Enemy acquisition systems can detect the attack force at long range, allowing the enemy to prepare its air defences.
- Requires local air superiority.
- May require high weather ceilings and good visibility when using laser guided or other weapons requiring visual target acquisition by the aircrew.
- May make it difficult for the JTAC to visually acquire the aircraft.
- Visual target acquisition can be more difficult from higher altitudes and slant ranges.
- Greater potential for reduced accuracy of non-guided weapons attributed to wind effects, pipper placement during visual designators, and increased aim-point errors due to increased slant range.
AOC
The Air Operations Center is the senior agency that provides C2 of Air Force air and space operations and coordinates with other components and Services. It develops an air operations plan to meet the JFC’s guidance. It allocates resources and tasks forces through ATOs.
Restrictive and Permissive FCSMs
Restrictive: NFA, RFA, RFL, ACA
Permissive: FSCL, CFL, FFA
ATO
Air Tasking Order. Valid for 24 hours, lists where and when every type of aircraft is flying and what ordnance they have.
F-18 Missions
- Air Superiority
- Escort
- Fleet Defence
- CAS
- AI
- SEAD
- FAC(A)
- Recce
Weapons Effects
- Blast
- Fragmentation
- Penetration
- Cratering
- Incendiary
Advantages/Disadvantages of Guns
Advantages:
- Accurate
- Low collateral damage
Disadvantages:
- Limited Effects
- Limited stand-off
PGM and Types
Precision Guided Munitions
- Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs)
- Air to Ground Missiles (AGMs)
- Inertial Aided Munitions (IAMs)
JDAMs
- Only as accurate as coordinates passed
- Can’t hit moving targets
- Pilots may/may not see the target to confirm correct location.
Type 1 Control
Is used when the JTAC/FAC(A) requires control of individual attacks and the situation requires the JTAC/FAC(A) to visually acquire the attacking aircraft and visually acquire the target for each pass.
Type 2 Contol
Is used when the JTAC/FAC(A) requires control of individual attacks and is unable to visually acquire the attacking aircraft at weapons release or is unable to visually acquire the target.
Type 3 Control
Is used when the JTAC/FAC(A) requires the ability to provide clearance for multiple attacks within a single engagement subject to specific attack restrictions.
JFO
The Joint Fires Observer is a trained Service member who can request, adjust, and control surface-to-surface fires, provide targeting information in support of Type 2 and 3 close air support terminal attack control, and perform autonomous terminal guidance operations.
IAMs
Inertial Aided Munitions
- Uses INS/GPS to locate the target
- 30 seconds for GPS to initiate
- Less than 22 seconds uses INS
- 13m Circular Error Probability
- 30m CEP with INS
ABORT
Cease action/attack/event/mission.
ANGELS
Height of FRIENDLY aircraft in thousands of feet from mean sea level (MSL).
CHERUBS
Height of a FRIENDLY aircraft in hundreds of feet above surface.
CONTINUE
Continue present maneuver, does not imply a change in clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
CONTACT
Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point (either visually or via sensor).
BLIND
No visual contact with FRIENDLY aircraft/ground position. Opposite of VISUAL.
BREAK
(direction) Perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the indicated direction (default is a 180-degree turn).
SORT
Assignment of specific targeting responsibilities.
TALLY
Sighting of a target, nonfriendly aircraft, or enemy position. Opposite of NO JOY.
VISUAL
Sighting of a FRIENDLY aircraft or ground position. Opposite of BLIND.
PLAYTIME
Amount of time aircraft can remain on station, given in hours plus minutes.
WILCO
Will comply with received instructions.
WINCHESTER
No ordnance remaining.
CAPTURED
Specified surface target or object has been acquired and is being tracked with an onboard sensor.
AS FRAGGED
Unit or element will be performing exactly as briefed.
CLEARED HOT
Type 1 and 2 close air support terminal attack control clearance to release ordnance on this pass.
THUNDER
Call made thirty seconds to an IN call. Aircrew can add amplifying information as required.
NO JOY
Aircrew does not have visual contact with the TARGET/BANDIT. Opposite of TALLY.
DEADEYE
Laser designator system inoperative.