Perspective Method for Determination of Fire for Effect

in Tactical and Technical Control of Artillery Units

Martin Blaha, Karel Šilinger, Ladislav Potužák and Bohuslav Přikryl

Department of Fire Support, University of Defence, Faculty of Military Leaderschip Kounicova 65, Brno, Czech Republic

Keywords: Artillery Units, Fire Support, Automated Command and Control System, Application, Tactical and Technical

Control of Fire, Automated Fire System, Software Development, Decision Making Software, Decision

Support Systems, Distance Correction, Angle of Elevation Correction, Fire Direction, Range Finder, Radar.

Abstract: This paper is focused on perspective method for determination fire for effect in tactical and technical control

of artillery units in the perspective of automated artillery fire support control system and deals with a proposed

method of adjust fire. This method is designed for artillery of these armies that are using the field artillery.

Artillery units of the Army of the Czech Republic, reflecting the current global security neighbourhood, can

be used outside the Czech Republic. The paper presents problems in the process of adjust fire method, from

results arising from creating a fictional auxiliary target; by using an adjustment gun; Abridged preparation

and Simplified preparation. The paper compares these methods in terms of time, accuracy (probable error in

target distance and target fire direction) and frequency of use in peace and war.

1 INTRODUCTION

The basic task of artillery weapon systems is an

indirect firing, thus engaging targets kilometres away

and beyond the line of sight.

Calculation of the fire elements is a lengthy

process based on the mathematical apparatus of

several disciplines such as Ballistics, Meteorology,

Geography and Theory of probability. Automation of

this calculation process speed up availability of fires

and reduces the likelihood of errors (Blaha and

Sobarňa, 2009).

At the same time, the user removes the necessary

knowledge of basic principles and procedures for

calculating the fire elements of fire and creates the

illusion of correctness of himself.

Because of the destructive power of artillery fire,

the feelings of perfection cannot be relied upon. The

basic operating rule of tactical using of artillery fire is

to supervise calculated fire elements before any target

engagement.

Artillery of the Czech Army identified

deficiencies in the ability to conduct timely,

simultaneous in the best, control outputs its primary

automated fire control system, and calls for the

introduction of substitute and control software –

PVNPG-14M to calculate and control fire elements

for the firing. To fulfil its supervisory functions, the

software must fully respect all valid artillery

procedures for manual (classical) calculation of fire

elements.

From the perspective of the application, software

must be open for easy deployment of internal

adjustments and additional functions, use common

programming language and allow installing and

running on modern touch platforms with the

Windows operating system, which is implemented in

the Czech Army.

Effective artillery fire without adjustment is in

most cases based on the complete preparation.

Complete preparation is method which prepare basic

elements. However not always are necessary

condition, which can be found in publication Pub 74-

14-01 (Fire rules and command & control of field

artillery), fulfilled (Blaha and Brabcová, 2012).

If it is not possible to calculate elements for

effective fire with complete preparation nor by

creation of fictional auxiliary target, fire adjustment

is absolutely necessary.

Basic fire adjustments methods are divided into

two subcategories; either with or without artillery

reconnaissance assets (devices).

Blaha, M., Šilinger, K., Potužák, L. and P

rikryl, B.

Perspective Method for Determination of Fire for Effect in Tactical and Technical Control of Artillery Units.

DOI: 10.5220/0006002002490254

In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics (ICINCO 2016) - Volume 1, pages 249-254

ISBN: 978-989-758-198-4

249

Fire adjustment with artillery reconnaissance

assets is divided as: fire adjustment with laser range

finder, fire adjustment with PzPK Sněžka radar, fire

adjustment with designated observer posts and fire

adjustment with ARTHUR radar.

Fire adjustment without artillery reconnaissance

assets are divided as: bracketing, fire adjustment with

O-T bracketing, fire adjustment using lane of fire

layout, fire adjustmnet with consective control

according to world sides, scale fire adjustment,

adjustment with use of stopwatch, fire adjustment

based on presumption.

Each of these fire adjustment methods require

special technical equipment and specific condition,

which are need to be fulfilled. Most common fire

adjustment methods are fire adjustment with laser

range finder, fire adjustment with PzPK Sněžka radar,

fire adjustment with ARTHUR radar and bracketing.

2 COMPARISON OF METHODS

FOR DETERMINATION OF FFE

There are several ways to set firing data for Fire for

Effect (FFE) of artillery units. They differ in accuracy

and terms, which permit us to apply FFE. For FFE it

is important to decide the most accurate way of

setting the firing data in every situation.

This decision making action was provided by

artillery commanders during training activities, where

they generally had only instruments and information,

which usually resulted in one and the only way of

setting firing data for effective fire (Pub-74-14-1,

2007).

While using Artillery Fire Support Control

System it is necessary to define specific terms for

setting firing data for effective fire by different

means.

Firing data for FFE can be set by these methods:

• Complete preparation – Accurate Predicted Fire

(APF);

• By using an adjustment gun;

• By results from creating fictional auxiliary target;

• Abridged preparation;

• Simplified preparation;

• Fire adjustment.

Each of this methods will be examined in terms of

time, accuracy (probable error in target distance and

target fire direction) and frequency of use in peace

and war.

2.1 Analysis in Terms of Time

The results are summarized on figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Graph of time – consuming.

The fastest method is Fire adjustment.

2.2 Analysis in Terms of Accuracy

This parameter is examined in terms of probable error

in target distance and target fire direction. In chapters

below interesting data are shown in tables and graphs.

The source of these data is (Blaha and Sobarňa,

2010), however for this article it is not important the

original data, but the comparison of methods and

identification of the best way (which is discussed in

detail in the following text).

2.2.1 Probable Error in Target Distance

The results are summarized on figure 2 below. The

most accurate method (in distance parameter) is Fire

adjustment according the figure 2.

Figure 2: Graph of probable error in target distance.

calculation adjustment other preparation

ICINCO 2016 - 13th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics

250

2.2.2 Probable Error in Target Fire

Direction

The results are summarized on figure 3 below.

Figure 3: Graph of probable error in target fire direction.

The most accurate method (in direction parameter) is

Shift fires according the figure 3.

2.3 Analysis in Terms of Frequency of

Use

This parameter is examined in terms of frequency of

use in peace condition and war condition. The source

of these data is (Blaha and Sobarňa, 2010), however

for this article it is not important the original data, but

the comparison of methods and identification of the

best way (which is discussed in detail in the following

text).

2.3.1 Frequency of Use in Peace

The results are summarized on figure 4 below.

Figure 4: Graph of frequency of use in peace.

2.3.2 Frequency of Use in War

The results are summarized on figure 5 below.

Figure 5: Graph of frequency of use in war.

The final ranking is shown in the table below.

According the table of final ranking is the best

method for determination Fire for Effect the Fire

adjustment.

Figure 6: Table of final ranking with scales.

3 FIRE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS

WITH LASER RANGE FINDER

Laser range finder is assign to identify range to

objects and blasts from observation post. Generally,

laser range finder can be used to measure horizontal

angles and also bearings under condition of

orientation laser range finder into kilometre north.

Fire adjustment with laser range finder is one of

the fastest and most accurate methods of adjustment.

Initial conditions and requirements for fire

adjustment are as following:

a) Forward observer must be able to find out

distance with precision of 10 meters.

b) Laser range finder must be able to measure

horizontal angles or on observation post must be

different angle measuring device; this device must be

oriented into kilometer north.

c) Into automatic command and control fire

support system of artillery (ASRPP – DEL) must be

input observer post grid coordinates, fire post and

target coordinates; that also means that this grids must

be available in Division fire support coordination

center (FSCC) and in Brigade fire control centre

(FCC).

Perspective Method for Determination of Fire for Effect in Tactical and Technical Control of Artillery Units

251

d) Target must be observable (target which can be

seen from a ground observation post).

Process fire adjustment with laser range finder is

represented in scheme 30 Fire Adjustment with laser

range finder. The master weapon set fire one shot

with calculated elements. Forward observer (FO)

measures distance and bearing from observation post

up to blast and measured values insert into ASRPP –

DEL (AAP-6, 2009).

Than system automatically calculates distance

and angle of elevation correction values for fire

position and handover these values to the weapon

sets. ASRPP – DEL via measured values on blast

computing blast deviations from target for

observation post and compare these deviations with

limiting values tabulated in publication Pub 74-14-01

(Fire rules and command & control of field artillery).

If are deviations meet these limitation, fire for effect

with corrected values can began.

When deviations are higher than tabulated values,

another shot is fired with corrected values and then

fire for effect is to start.

4 FIRE ADJUSTMENT WITH

PZPK RADAR PROCESS

PzPK Sněžka radar is equipment used to recognize

and determine location of moving targets and blasts.

Fire adjustment with PzPK Sněžka radar is fast

and accurate method of adjustment. His biggest

advantage is that coordinates of blast (point of

impact) determine radar autonomously and that

excludes instance of human failure. Initial conditions

and requirements for fire adjustment are same as in

the case of fire adjustment with laser range finder.

However, there are additional requirements

applicable with PzPK Sněžka radar:

a) Fire adjustment is performed with impact fuse.

b) Charge is selected to fulfil 20° angle of impact.

c) Fire adjustment has to be made with

constrained sheaf (Blaha and Brabcová, 2010).

Process fire adjustment with PzPK Sněžka radar

is represented in scheme Fire Adjustment with PzPK

Sněžka radar. Master weapon set fires one shot with

calculated elements. Radar measures distance and

bearing from observation post to blast and measured

values inserts into ASRPP – DEL. Then, system

automatically calculates distance and angle of

elevation correction values for firing position and

pass on to the weapon sets. All weapon sets than fire

one shot volley. Radar measures distance and bearing

from observation post to volley center and operator

insert these measurements into system (ASRPP –

DEL), which calculated distance and direction

correction for fire position, that also includes

correction for sheaf modified on target width and

these values are than handover to weapon sets, which

can now fire for effect.

5 FIRE ADJUSTMENT WITH

ARTHUR RADAR PROCESS

ARTHUR radar is equipment used to recognize and

determine coordinates of shooting artillery and blasts.

Fire adjustment with ARTHUR is fast and accurate

method of adjustment. His advantage is similar to fire

adjustment with PzPK Sněžka radar (Blaha, 2010).

In addition, radar have power to calculate and

distribute before projectile hit the ground. Initial

conditions and requirements for fire adjustment with

ARTHUR are following:

a) Fire adjustment has to be made with

constrained sheaf.

b) Grid coordinates of ARTHUR radar, fire

position and target must be insert into ASRPP – DEL

that also means that this grids must be available at

Division fire support coordination center (FSCC) and

Brigade fire control centre (FCC) (Blaha and

Potužák, 2011).

Fire adjustment with ARTHUR radar process is

defined in Publication Pub 74-14-01. But we can

apply fire adjustment process for PzPK Sněžka. So

this process will be as following: Master weapon set

fire one shot with calculated elements. Radar

calculates grid coordinates of blast and insert these

into ASRPP – DEL.

The system than automatically calculates distance

and direction correction values for fire position and

handover these values to the weapon sets. All weapon

sets shot one volley round with corrected elements

and constrained sheaf. Radar calculates grid

coordination volley center, these values than insert

into ASRPP – DEL, which calculated distance and

direction correction for fire position, that also

includes correction for sheaf modified on target width

and these values are than handover to weapon sets,

which can now fire for effect.

Both types of radar can carry out fire adjustment

which are detected by different means of

reconnaissance. Grid coordination accuracy of radars

must corresponded to the complete preparation

conditions.

ICINCO 2016 - 13th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics

252

6 FIRE ADJUSTMENT WITH

BRACKETING PROCESS

Bracketing is relatively fast and accurate so therefore

is this type of fire adjustment the most common

method of fire adjustment without artillery

reconnaissance assets. Initial conditions and

requirements for bracketing are following:

a) Forward observer (FO) must have equipment

which is able to measure horizontal angles in artillery

quantity.

b) FO estimate observer-target distance with

accuracy 0,5 kilometer, value which we get is called

O-T factor (OTf).

c) Observer post grid coordinates must be inserted

into ASRPP - DEL; that also means that this grids

must be available at Division fire support

coordination center (FSCC) and Brigade fire control

centre (FCC).

Master weapon set fire one shot with calculated

elements. Forward observer measure angle deviation

in artillery quantity, which is multiple by O-T factor,

then we change a mark and we get direction

correction in metres. Forward observer estimate

distance deviation, which can reach values 200, 400,

800, 1600 m. Blast behind the target have correction

mark “+”, blast before the target have correction mark

“-“.

Size of distance leap is chosen to have second

round with different correction mark than first.

Forward observer change mark, which gave him

distance and direction correction. This values are

inserted into ASRPP – DEL.

System calculates distance and direction

correction values for fire position and handover these

values to weapon sets. Master weapon set than fire

with corrected fire elements by second shot. FO

repeat this process, where distance correction is half

compared to prior shot (Mazal and Stodola, 2015).

Fire for effect is initiated after setting correction

according to publication Pub 74-14-01.

Other fire adjustments are rarely used and

therefore are not mention any further.

7 CONCLUSION

In case that ASRPP – DEL will be broken, will be

proceeded with fire adjustment strictly according to

publication Fire rules and command & control of field

artillery.

Artillery reconnaissance may insert polar or grid

coordinates of targets or blasts into ASRPP – DEL.

(Blaha and Šilinger, 2015).

However, it is absolutely necessary to mark which

kind of coordinates FO insert.

The most effective way to prepare elements for

Fire for Effect of artillery units is fire adjustment. The

specific condition and procedure are described above.

List of Abbreviations:

ARTHUR Artillery Hunting Radar

ASRPP-DEL automatic command and control

fire support system of artillery

FO Forward observer

OTf O–T faktor, Observer – Target

Factor

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported in part by the University of

Defence Grant of specific research SV12-FEM-

K107-03-BLA.

REFERENCES

Blaha, M., Sobarňa, M. Principles of the Army of the Czech

Republic Reconnaissance and Fire Units Combat using.

In The 15th International Conference The Knowledge-

Based Organization“. Sibiu (Romania): Nicolae

Balcescu Land Forces Academy, 2009, pp. 17-25.

Blaha, M., Brabcová, K. Decision-Making by Effective C2I

system. In The 7th International Conference on

Information Warfare and Security. Seattle (USA):

Academic Publishing Limited, 2012, pp. 44-51. ISBN

978-1-908272-29-4.

Joint Forces Command, Training. Shooting Rules and

ground artillery fire control (gun, platoon, battery

compartment). Pub-74-14-1. Prague: 2007. 256 p.

Blaha, M., Sobarňa, M. Some develop aspects of

perspective Fire Support Control System in Czech

Army conditions. In The 6th WSEAS International

Conference on Dynamical Systems and Control. Sousse

(Tunisia): University of Sfax, 2010, pp. 179 - 183.

AAP-6 NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions (english

and french). 2009.

Blaha, M., Brabcová, K. Communication environment in

the perspective Automated Artillery Fire Support

Control System. In The 10th WSEAS International

Conference on Applied Informatics and

Communications (AIC '10). Taipei, 2010. pp. 236-240.

ISBN 978-960-474-216-5.

Blaha, Martin. Communication as a basic for future

Artillery Fire Support Control System. In: The

European Conference of Communications

(ECCOM'10). Tenerife: WSEAS Press, 2010, p. 140-

142. ISBN 978-960-474-250-9.

Perspective Method for Determination of Fire for Effect in Tactical and Technical Control of Artillery Units

253

Blaha, Martin; Potužák, Ladislav. Decisions in the

perspective Automated Artillery Fire Support. In:

Recent Researches in Applied Informatics & Remote

Sensing. Penang: Wseas Press, 2011, p. 87-91. ISBN

978-1-61804-039-8.

Mazal, J., Stodola, P., at al. Math modelling of the basic

defensive activities. In: Proceedings of the

International Conference on Applied Physics,

Simulation and Computers (APSAC 2015). Vienna,

Austria: Institute for Natural Sciences and Engineering

(INASE), 2015, p. 116-120. ISSN 1790-5109. ISBN

978-1-61804-286-6.

Blaha, M., Šilinger, K. Setting a Method of Determination

of “Fire for Effect” Firing Data and Conversion of the

METCM into the METEO-11. International Journal of

Circuits, Systems and Signal Processing, 2015, no. 9,

2015, p. 306-3013. ISSN 1998-4464.

ICINCO 2016 - 13th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics

254