PROGRAMA DE ACCIONES EN COMUNICACIÓN

Description "TANK"

Direction (optional) "TRAVERSE RIGHT—STEADY—ON"

Range (optional) "ONE TWO HUNDRED"

Execution "FIRE"

M1A2

Element Example

Alert "GUNNER"

Ammunition or Weapon "SABOT"

Description "TANK"

Direction (optional) As necessary.

Range (optional) "CHOKED ONE TWO HUNDRED"

Execution "FIRE"

Note. Designating is not considered part of the fire command. However, when using the DESIGNATE button, the TC must announce "DESIGNATING" for safety purposes on the M1A2.

ALERT

The first element of the fire command alerts the crew to an impending engagement. The alert element for engagements in which the gunner fires the main gun or coax is "GUNNER." The TC announces "LOADER" as the alert element in which the loader will be firing the M240 machine gun. When firing the main gun as part of a three-man crew, the TC announces "LOAD" to alert the crew. When firing the commander's machine gun, the TC announces the weapon element only (for example, "CALIBER FIFTY" OR "TWO FORTY," as appropriate, alerts the crew that the TC will engage a target with his machine gun).

AMMUNITION OR WEAPON

The second element of the fire command tells the crew what type of ammunition or which weapon will be used. The ammunition element of the fire command is the loader’s cue to perform one of the following actions:

• If battlecarried, he clears the path of recoil, arms the gun, and announces "UP."

• If not battlecarried, he loads the type of round announced, clears the path of recoil, arms the gun, and announces “(ammunition type) UP.”

Note. The loader should announce "UP" as a response to a fire command only. When loading the main gun as part of battlecarry, he will announce "SABOT (HEAT) LOADED."

If the TC decides to engage a target with the main gun, he will announce the ammunition by one of the following terms:

M1, M1A1, and M1A2

Ammunition or Weapon Announced As All KE rounds "SABOT" (pronounced SAY-BO) All CE rounds (except M830A1) "HEAT"

M830A1 (ground mode) "MPAT"

M830A1 (air mode) "MPAT AIR"

XM908 "OH-ARE"

M494 "BEEHIVE"

M494 (with range setting on fuze) "BEEHIVE TIME"

M393A2 "HEP"

M416 "SMOKE"

Gunner’s coaxially mounted 7.62mm "COAX"

Externally-mounted M240 "TWO-FORTY"

Notes. If there is a mix of rounds available, the unit SOP or tactical situation should determine the employment in which the rounds will be used.

When using battlesight gunnery techniques, the command "BATTLESIGHT" is used as the ammunition or weapon element. Announcing “BATTLESIGHT” alerts the crew that a predetermined range and ammunition will be used.

When designating which machine gun to use, the TC will announce "COAX" for the coaxially-mounted M240 or "TWO FORTY" for an externally-coaxially-mounted M240.

DESCRIPTION

The third element of the fire command identifies the target to the gunner or loader. If there are several similar targets, it tells the gunner or loader which target to engage first. Most targets can be designated by one of the following terms:

Target Announced As

Tank or tank-like target "TANK"

Unarmored vehicle "TRUCK"

Antitank gun, antitank missile, or towed

artillery "ANTITANK"

Other targets Use the briefest term possible to clearly describe the target.

Combining terms ("ANTITANK TRUCK") can identify combination targets, such as truck-mounted antitank guided missile systems. The gunner announces "IDENTIFIED" as soon as he identifies the target. If the gunner cannot identify the target, he announces "CANNOT IDENTIFY;" the TC may have to give an elevation or deflection direction, designate or lay the main gun in the target area, or engage the target himself.

If there are multiple targets, the TC identifies the targets he acquires (for example, "GUNNERSABOT

TWO TANKS"). The TC then designates which target to engage first ["RIGHT (LEFT, NEAR, FAR, STATIONARY, MOVING) TANK"] or ("DESIGNATING RIGHT TANK").

Note. An acquisition report from the gunner, loader, or driver, cannot substitute for the description element of the fire command. However, the gunner does not have to announce "IDENTIFIED" if he gave the acquisition report.

DIRECTION

The TC omits the direction element if he can lay the main gun for direction and elevation. If he cannot lay the main gun for direction, one of the following methods can be used.

Notes. For safety purposes on the M1A2, the TC must announce "DESIGNATING" when designating from target to target. However, "DESIGNATING" is not part of the fire command. When the TC announces “DESIGNATING,” the gunner should center the GPCH until he has identified the target.

During a loader's engagement with the M240, the TC must give the direction element; for example,

"LOADERTWO FORTYTROOPSLEFT FRONT."

TCs should practice these methods to improve skills.

Traverse Method

The TC tells the gunner "TRAVERSE LEFT (RIGHT)." The gunner rapidly traverses in the direction announced. As the gun tube nears the target, the TC announces "STEADY," and the gunner slows his traverse.

When the TC thinks the target is in the gunner's field of view, the TC announces "ON." When the gunner sees the target(s), he announces "IDENTIFIED." (The gunner should use the 3X magnification on the GPS when using this method.)

Reference Point and Deflection

The reference point must be one that the gunner can see and recognize easily. For example, the TC's command might be "REFERENCE POINTBRIDGETRAVERSE RIGHT." The gunner identifies the reference point and traverses right, looking for the target. The TC may have to further define the target description and location.

Marking Targets with Tracers (Caliber .50)

Using the caliber .50 to mark targets is the least desirable method of laying the gun for direction. It should be used only when immediate target suppression is necessary and the gunner cannot identify the target. The main gun and machine gun must be in the same target area so the gunner can see the tracers. The TC will announce the first three elements of the fire command followed by "WATCH MY TRACERS" (for example,

"GUNNER HEATPCWATCH MY TRACERSCALIBER FIFTY").

RANGE

The TC may omit the fifth element if the LRF is operational. With an operational LRF, the gunner will lase to every target. With the M1A2's CITV, the TC can determine the range to a target independently from the gunner using the CITV stadia reticle.

When both the CITV and the LRF are functional, the gunner should lase to each target that the TC

Known-Range Method

By knowing the range to probable target areas, the crew can reduce engagement time and improve accuracy by indexing the known tank-to-target range into the CCP or GCDP. The known range from a previous target engagement may also be used.

Estimated-Range Method

To engage targets when the LRF cannot be used and the range is unknown, the TC or gunner must estimate the range to the target. Range data is announced in the fire command in even hundreds or thousands, otherwise digit by digit.

Examples: If the TC announces

• "CHOKEDONE SIX HUNDRED," the gunner uses the GPS and the range designated from the TC (M1A2 only).

• "ONE EIGHT HUNDRED," the gunner shifts to the GAS and uses the appropriate reticle and range line.

• "INDEX ONE EIGHT HUNDRED," the gunner uses the GPS and enters the range into the FCS using the CCP or GCDP.

• "GUNNERSABOTTANKCHOKE," the gunner shifts to the GAS, selects the appropriate reticle, and uses the choke sight to estimate the range, then repeats the range to the TC.

GPS GAS

Range Announced As Announced As 900 meters "INDEX NINE HUNDRED" "NINE HUNDRED"

2,000 meters "INDEX TWO THOUSAND" "TWO THOUSAND"

1,200 meters "INDEX ONE TWO HUNDRED" "ONE TWO HUNDRED"

860 meters "INDEX NINE HUNDRED" "NINE HUNDRED"

3,040 meters "INDEX THREE THOUSAND" "THREE THOUSAND"

EXECUTION

Once the crew responds to the first elements of the fire command, the TC will announce the execution.

Before announcing the execution command, the TC will mentally run through the confirmation procedures described in Chapter 6, Target Acquisition. As a minimum, he will reconfirm the target as hostile before firing;

if there are multiple targets within the TC's sector, he designates to the most dangerous target first. Three execution commands may be given:

Note. The TC must make sure the path of recoil is clear before giving the command of execution.

• "FIRE." The command "FIRE" tells the gunner to fire the gun. If the TC designates the gunner to a single target and is able to assist the gunner, he issues the command, "FIRE." If the TC wants to delay firing, he will announce "AT MY COMMAND," then announce "FIRE" when he is ready to engage.

• "FIRE AND ADJUST." If the TC cannot assist the gunner or loader in adjustment, he announces "FIRE AND ADJUST." This tells the gunner or loader that he will not receive a subsequent fire command and must conduct the engagement on his own. If the TC continues to designate the gunner to each target, then continues to scan his sector, he issues the command "FIRE AND ADJUST."

• "FROM MY POSITION." Normally, the gunner will engage all main gun targets; however, if he is unable to identify the desired target, the TC will engage the target using the trigger on his power control handle or CCHA. If the gunner can identify the target while the TC is engaging from his position, the gunner

announces "IDENTIFIED." The TC can return control to the gunner or complete the engagement from his position. To maintain overall control and ensure continuous target acquisition, the TC should return control to the gunner immediately after the gunner identifies the target. To return control to the gunner, the TC announces "FIRE."

Notes. "ON THE WAY" is the last verbal response announced by whoever is firing. Whoever is firing will squeeze the trigger on the "Y" of "WAY." Additionally, when the gunner or loader are firing machine guns and release the triggers, even momentarily, they must announce “ON THE WAY” prior to resuming firing.

If the TC wants to change the type of ammunition being fired, he announces, "FIRE, FIRE HEAT (SABOT)." The loader must respond with "HEAT (SABOT) UP," and the gunner must respond

"HEAT (SABOT) INDEXED," to inform the TC that the proper ammunition is loaded and indexed.

When the TC is firing either the caliber .50 or the M240 mounted in the CWS, he announces

"CALIBER FIFTY" or "TWO-FORTY" to notify the crew.

When firing the main gun as part of a three-man crew engagement, there is no command of execution for the TC.