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.
CHECK CAPTURE
Target appears to be no longer tracked by sensor.
HANDSHAKE
Video data link established.
REMINGTON
No ordnance remaining except gun or self-protect ammo.
HOLLOW
Lost video data link.
SLEW
Move sensor in direction indicated (usually accomplished with unit of measure).
STAKE
Reference point for A/S targeting operations.
AWAY
Release or launch of specified weapon at designated target.
CHATTERMARK
Begin suing briefed radio procedures to counter communications jamming.
JOKER
Fuel state above BINGO at which separation or BUGOUT or event termination should begin.
BINGO
Fuel state needed for recovery.
PIGS
FRIENDLY glide weapons.
OFFSET
(direction) Maneuver in a specified direction with reference to target.
RIFLE
FRIENDLY A/S missile launch.
SPLASH
Weapons impact.
AWAKE
Land/surface emitter activity detected via communications intelligence. Opposite of ASLEEP.
CEASE
(activity) Discontinue stated activity.
MILLER TIME
Completion of A/S ordnance delivery. Generally used by the last striker in conjunction with a precoordinated egress plan.
OFF
(direction) Attack is terminated, and maneuvering to the indicated direction.
ROLEX
(+/- time) Timeline adjustment in minutes; always referenced from original preplanned mission execution time.
SHADOW
Follow indicated target.
LAME DUCK
An aircraft in a minor state of emergency.
WHAT LUCK
Request for results of mission or tasks.
TUMBLEWEED
I have limited situational awareness and request information.
Duties of a JTAC
- Damage Assessment
- Risk Management
- Show of Force
- Weapons
- Integration
- Fratricide Risk
- Targeting
ACA
A three dimensional block of airspace in the target area, established by the appropriate ground commander in which friendly aircraft are reasonably safe from FRIENDLY surface fires.
TAC
- The authority to control the maneuver of and grant weapons release clearance to attacking aircraft.
- Controlled by JTAC or FAC(A).
Advantages of CAS
- Mobility
- Range
- Surprise
- Flexible
- Firepower
Limitations of CAS
- Weather
- Availability
- Target Identification
- Time on Station
- Vulnerability
- Communication
- Response Time
JTAC
A qualified (certified) service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations.
CAS Coordination Considerations
- Formation boundaries
- FSCMs
- ACMs
- Location of other JTACs and FOOs
Phases of CAS
- Planning Phase
- Preparation Phase
- Execution Phase
TRA
Tactical Risk Assessment involves the processing of available information to ascertain a level of acceptable risk to FRIENDLY forces or civilians.
BDA
- Size - number and type of equipment/personnel observed.
- Activity - movement direction, stationary, dug in.
- Location - where was the target you attacked or observed, were you on target.
- Time - what time did you attack the target or when did you observe the target.
- Remarks - munitions expended, observed damage, mission number and if the mission was accomplished (successful/unsuccessful).
How far away is the IP/BP
IP - 5-15 NM
BP - 1-5 km
Mandatory Read-Back Lines
Line 4, 6, and restrictions.
Low/Very Low Altitude Advantages
- Decreases enemy acquisition.
- If air superiority has not been achieved.
- If low weather ceilings and poor visibility.
- Degrades enemy ground control intercept radar.
- Improve target acquisition and accuracy of weapons.
- Assessment of aircraft geometry.
Low/Very Low Altitude Disadvantages
- Navigation is demanding.
- Terrain avoidance tasks.
- Observation of the target area.
- Higher fuel consumption.
- Reduce communications effectiveness (LOS).
- Attack timing and geometry are more critical.
Exposes aircraft and aircrew to small arms MANPADS and AAA.
Role of Air to Ground Fire
- Strategic Attack
- Air Interdiction
- Reconnaissance
- Electronic Warfare
- Offensive Air Support (SEAD)
CAS Tactics
- Threat
- Terrain
- Target Orientation
- Weather
- Weapon Parameter
- Friendly Location
- Artillery Gun Target Line
- Laser Target Line
Types of Airspace Control Methods
- Positive Control (electronic, radar, etc.)
- Procedural
Airspace Control Measures (ACMs)
- Aircraft Control Area (ACA)
- Minimum Risk Routes (MRR)
- Restricted Operating Zone (ROZ)
- Coordinating Altitude (CA)
- Standard Use Army Aircraft Flight Routes (SAFFR)
- Air Corridor
- HIDACZ
ROA/ROZ
Airspace of defined dimensions created in response to specific operational situations or requirements within which the operation of one or more airspace users is restricted.
Coordinating Altitude (CA)
An ACM that uses altitude to separate users as the transition between airspace coordinating entities.
Standard Use Army Aircraft Flight Route (SAAFR)
Routes established below the coordination level to facilitate the movement of Army aviation assets; normally located in corps through brigade rear areas of operation and do not require approval by the airspace control authority.
Minimum Risk Routes (MRR)
A temporary corridor of defined dimensions recommended for use by high-speed, fixed-wing aircraft that present the minimum known hazards to low-flying aircraft transiting the combat zone.
HIDACZ
- Airspace designated in an airspace control plan in which there is a concentrated employment of numerous and varied weapons and airspace users.
- Has defined dimensions usually coincide with geographic feature or navigation aids.
- Access to a HIDACZ is normally controlled by the maneuver commander.
- The commander can also direct a more restrictive weapon status within the HIDACZ.
Air Corridor
A restricted air route of travel specified for use by friendly aircraft and established to prevent friendly forces from firing on friendly aircraft.
TACP Tasks
- Advise on Aerospace Matters
- Provide Air Liaison
- Plan Aerospace Operations
- Direct Tactical Aerospace Operations
- Conduct Terminal Attack Controls
- Conduct Net-Centric Operations
- Process Appropriate TACP Administration
TACP General Duties
- Advise the supported commander on the proper use of air
- Procedural control of airspace
- Establish and maintain liaison and communications
- Monitor Terminal Attack Control
- Execute Terminal Attack Control
- Monitor requests for immediate CAS
- Prepare and forward preplanned air requests
- Monitor TACP nets
- Input to fire support coordination SOP
- Participate in staff operational planning
Four Informal ACAs
- Lateral Separation
- Altitude Separation
- Time Separation
- Combination
Troops in Contact
NATO - within one km as a “troop in contact” situation and thus advise the support commander.
US - Friendly ground forces receiving effective fire.
Difference Between AC-130s
- AC-130 H Spectre: 40mm, 105mm
- AC-130 U Spooky II: 25mm, 40mm, 105mm
Parts of the Aircraft Check-In
- Msn Number
- Number and Type of Aircraft
- Position and Altitude
- Ordnance
- Time on Station, Type of Sensors, Capabilities
- Abort Code
Parts of the Situational Update
- Threats
- Enemy
- Friendly
- Artillery
- Clearance
- Hazards
- Remarks/Restrictions
Game Plan
- Type of Control
- Method of Attack
- Ordnance/Desired Effects
- Interval/Tactics
Routing and Safety of Flight Instructions
- Three dimensional directions from the current aircraft position to intended holding point/area.
- Holding point and altitude, once established and which agency to contact.
- Other aircraft on station.
- Surface to air threats that may immediately affect CAS aircraft.
- Any other safety of flight information.
Categories of ISR
- Visual
- Imagery
- Electronic
Types of Imagery
- Visual (electro-optical or EO)
- Infrared
- Radar
- Multi-spectral
Four Types of Aerial ISR Platforms
- UAS
- Manned aircraft dedicated
- Manned aircraft tactical
- Sattelites
Air Interdiction (AI)
AI is air activity conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve objectives.
AI is conducted at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required.
FAC(A)
A specially trained and qualified aviation officer who exercises control from the air of aircraft and indirect fires engaged in close air support of ground troops.
Target Location Error
The difference between the coordinate generated for the target and the actual location of the target.
Circumference Error 90 and Vertical Error 90 = TLE
CAS Execution Template
- Routing/Safety of Flight
- Aircraft Check-In
- Sit Update
- Game Plan
- CAS Brief
- Remarks/Restrictions
- Read Backs
- Correlation
- Attack
- Assess
- BDA
- Routing/Safety of Aircraft
Three Types of Mapping Systems
2D, 3D, and UTM Grid
Four Phase Targeting Cycle
- Decide if it fits the commanders intent
- Detect the target
- Deliver the appropriate ordnance
- Assess for re-attack
Combat Assessment / Measure of Performance
- Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
- Munitions Effects Assessment (MEA)
- Re-attack recommendation
Detailed Integration
The level of coordination required to achieve the desired effect without overly restricting CAS attack, surface fire power or ground scheme maneuver.
Four Steps of IPD
- Define the battle space
- Describe the battle space
- Detect
- COA
