Forward Observer Flashcards by Kalani Apilado

What is a Forward Observer

Are with front line troops and trained to adjust ground, or Naval gunfire and pass back battlefield information

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What is CCF stand for?

Call for fire

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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

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What does FDC stand for

Fire Direction center

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How many parts and elements does a normal CFF mission consist of?

Three parts

Six elements

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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

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How many transmission does it take to transmit a CFF mission

3 transmission

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How long does a CFF mission have to transmit

3 minutes

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How long should it take for an adjustment

Less than 45 sec

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Observer must enter Fire for effect phase, no more than ___rounds

6 rounds

Initial round and 5 adjustments

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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

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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

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Four techniques for Area Adjustment Fire

Successive bracketing
Hasty bracketing
One round and adjust
Creeping Fire

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Hasty bracketing

It is best when responsive fires are required and the observer is experienced with CFF

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One round and adjust

Provides the most responsive fires. Generally requires an experienced observer or a laser range finder

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Creeping fire

Used in Danger close missions

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What is the blast radius for a 81 round

35-40 meters

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What is the blast radius of a 60 MM

20-25 meters

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What is the blast radius of a 120

60 meters

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What is the process of CFF

The FO spots the enemy
The FO request CFF
FDC receives the mission

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Call for fire 1st transmission

Observer is and warning order

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CFF transmission 2/3

Target location

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CCF third transmission

Target Description, method of engagement and method of fire and control

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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

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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