Forward Observer Flashcards
What is a Forward Observer
Are with front line troops and trained to adjust ground, or Naval gunfire and pass back battlefield information
What is CCF stand for?
Call for fire
What is CCF
Call for fire is a concise message prepared by the observer. It contains all the information needed by the FDC to determine the method of target attack.
It is a request, not an order. It must be sent quickly, but clearly. Must be understood, recorded, and read back by the FDC
What does FDC stand for
Fire Direction center
How many parts and elements does a normal CFF mission consist of?
Three parts
Six elements
Name the 6 elements of CFF
1 observers identification 2 warning order 3 target location 4 target description 5 method of engagement 6 method of Fire and Control
How many transmission does it take to transmit a CFF mission
3 transmission
How long does a CFF mission have to transmit
3 minutes
How long should it take for an adjustment
Less than 45 sec
Observer must enter Fire for effect phase, no more than ___rounds
6 rounds
Initial round and 5 adjustments
Fire for effect must be within
50 meters of the target using successive bracketing (or Creeping fire when Danger close) because the kill zone is within 30 meters
Successive bracketing is
It mathematically ensures the observer that the FFE rounds will impact within 50 meters of the adjustment point. Double from initial point in opposite directions than cut in half
Best when observers are inexperienced or precise adjustment is required
Four techniques for Area Adjustment Fire
Successive bracketing
Hasty bracketing
One round and adjust
Creeping Fire
Hasty bracketing
It is best when responsive fires are required and the observer is experienced with CFF
One round and adjust
Provides the most responsive fires. Generally requires an experienced observer or a laser range finder
Creeping fire
Used in Danger close missions
What is the blast radius for a 81 round
35-40 meters
What is the blast radius of a 60 MM
20-25 meters
What is the blast radius of a 120
60 meters
What is the process of CFF
The FO spots the enemy
The FO request CFF
FDC receives the mission
Call for fire 1st transmission
Observer is and warning order
CFF transmission 2/3
Target location
CCF third transmission
Target Description, method of engagement and method of fire and control
Example of CFF
FDC de (this is) cobra 6 Adjust fire grid Observer identification warning order
Minimum 6 digit grid
Target location
1 humv our in open
Target description
Types of missions
Adjust fire
Fire for effect
Immediate suppression /smoke
Suppression
Forward observer role
Eyes in the front line
Duties of an FO
Detect and locate suitable targets
CFF
Adjust fire
Relays the results
FDC (Fire direction center)
Receives CFF mission
Computes Fire data
Transmits data in the form of a weapon setting and fire command to firing unit
Firing unit
Apply the weapon setting and fire commands transmitted by the FDC in order to deliver rounds when and where the observer has requested
FO uses a map to determine the location of
Targets
Friendly position
Own position
Keep oriented during movement
What are the two critical elements of target location
Distance and direction
Direction
The most important element of target location
Mils
A unit of angular measurement that is equal to a circle from 1-6400. Can be measured by a map or compass
Conversation of degrees to mils
By multiplying number of degree by 17.8 expressed to 10 mils
Examples 16 degrees x 17.8 = 284.4 mils
Round to nearest 10 = 280 mils
Don’t forget to convert magnetic to grid
Is grid standard for mortars?
Yes so it does not have to be in warning order
Adjust fire provides
1 round to adjust until within 50 meters
Mil relation formula
When using binoculars
1 mil is equal to 1000 meters in lateral distance this if R = range in meters, W = lateral distance in meters, and M equals angular deviation in Mils, then W= (R/1000) (M)
Target location grid
Must use minimum of 6 digits
Target location polar
Polar direction and distance from target
Expressed in the nearest 10 mils
expressed to the nearest 100 meters
367 mils = 370 mils
2450 meters = 2500 meters
Shift from known location
Can only Add/drop shift left/right
SNAP
Size
Nomenclature
Activity
Protection
Target description
Use SNAP
Method of engagement
Uses to specify ammunition
Danger close
Standard for everyone 600 meters
Types of ammunition
HE (High Explosive) WP ( Wilipee) Smoke Illumination DPICM -Duel Purpose improve conventional munitions
What is the standard type of ammunition
HE rounds
2 types of Trajectory
High angle and low angle
Low angle is standard for
High angle is standard for
Artillery is low
Mortars are high
Ammunition are selected by
Firing unit based on observers descriptions (snap) observers may request
Method of fire and control
W when ready (Does not need to be announced)
A at my command (able to Mass fire)
T time on target ( Standard +- 3sec from impact round complete
At my command can
Greatly reduce time on target
5 methods of Direction
Estimating Scaling from a map Compass Measuring from reference point Other types of measuring tools ie laser
5 rules of direction
O observer to target M mils not degrees 360 degree to 6400 mil G grid direction 10 round to nearest 10 mils 4 give in 4 digits
CFF polar mission
When should the FDC known the observers location
Prior to CFF mission transmission
How to determine direction for Polar mission
Round to nearest 10 mil
How to determine distance polar mission
Round to the nearest 100 m
Change in elevation
Must state elevation change if 35 or more and in increments of 5
Flash to bang method
350 m times every second between time of impact and sound
Grid CFF
FDC needs to know observer location prior to adjustment or after third transmission to the nearest 10 mils
Shot
Is transmitted by the FDC to inform observers the round is out of the tube and on its way
Splash
Tells the observers within 5 sec of impact
Corrections are made
Left or right, up or down
OT factor
Distance from observer to target divided by 1000 and rounded to the nearest whole number. Anything less than 1 stays a decimal
Spotting
When spotting, use the number of mils between rounds and target measuring with a binoculars
Lateral shift
Used to bring the rounds impact line left or right onto the observers line
