Military

BT-11 Piney Island (R-5306A)

Piney Island is a training facility in the Down East area of Carteret County. Piney Island, or BT-11 as the military refers to it, is a 10,000-plus-acre electronic practice range at the eastern tip of Carteret County. As part of the Mid-Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range (MAEWR), Piney Island is used by various military groups, including active-duty personnel and reservists. While planes actually do fly over the area, bombing simulations are recorded and scored electronically via computers to lessen the environmental impact.

BT-11 is a multi-purpose target complex designed to provide training in the delivery of conventional and special weapons. BT-11 encompasses all of Piney Island and is located in R-5306A in Pamlico Sound at coordinates 34°59'N and 76°27'W approximately 22 NMI from the MCAS Cherry Point TACAN, Channel 75, bearing 074. R-5306A extends from the surface up to 17,999-feet MSL. Air-to-ground deliveries and radar exercises. All targets are restricted to inert ordnance. Several targets are certified safe for laser systems operations. Chaff is authorized for use during manned hours, except when wind conditions are unfavorable. Release of chaff must be below 1500-feet AGL. Night lighting by means of air-delivered flares is authorized, but may be restricted when the potential for ground fires is high. Numerous threat emitters are located throughout BT-11. A mining exercise area is located in Piney Island Rattan Bay. BT-11 is a 12,500-acre island on which the following targets are available for air-to-ground delivery and loft training.

1. North Guns Target. This target consists of vans, trailers, and scrap metal assembled in such a manner as to simulate artillery pieces. The target is not scored. Inert ordnance up to 500-pounds, 2.75-inch, five-inch white phosphorous marking rockets, 30mm and smaller caliber ammunition, and flares are authorized on this target.
2. Inert, Tube Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire Command (TOW) Target Convoy. This target is not scored. MK 76, Bomb Dummy Unit (BDU) 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs; 2.75-inch, five-inch white phosphorous spotting rockets, 30mm and smaller caliber ammunition, flares and TOW missiles are authorized on this target.
3. Convoy Target. This target consists of a convoy of salvaged trucks and jeeps with attendant-defensive, simulated, portable surface-to-air missile (SAM) carriers, running 340°, on line. MK 76, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs; 20mm and flares are authorized on this target. The target is not scored.
4. Barge Target. This radar-significant target, located in Rattan Bay, is a yard freighter class ship, 110-feet long and 32-feet wide. The target is used for conventional, loft, radar, and RABFAC deliveries of practice ordnance. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs; 2.75-inch inert and WP, 30mm and smaller caliber ammunition. Flares are authorized on this target. The Barge Target is certified "safe" as a laser-designated target. Nautical mile markers are located on a 275° run-in heading.
5. Patrol-Torpedo (PT) Boat Target. This target consists of a salvaged PT boat placed beside the Barge Target. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs are authorized.
6. 500-Foot Bull. This target consists of a 45-passenger bus as a bull's-eye surrounded by two concentric rings of 75 and 150-foot radii. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs; 2.75-inch rockets are authorized on this target. The target is scored by a WISS. The 500-foot bull is a certified "safe" laser-designated target.
7. Strafing Banner. This target consists of a 12-foot circular acoustically-scored panel using a DA-3H Strafe Scoring system. 30mm or lesser inert ammunition is authorized.
8. 800-Foot Bull. This target consists of a 45-passenger bus as a bull's-eye surrounded by three concentric rings of 75, 150, and 300-foot radii. The 800-foot bull is a certified safe laser-designated target. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs and 2.75-inch rockets are authorized on this target. A night lighting system, is available for night operations.
9. Simulated Train Target. This target consists of salvaged truck, canisters and 55 gallon drums simulating a fuel train. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs are authorized on this target. The target is not scored.
10. Simulated SAM Site. This target consists of vans and scrap metal simulating a SAM site. Practice bombs are limited to a maximum of 500 pounds. Laser operations are authorized.
11. Simulated Air Strip. This target is a land fill area approximately 4000-feet by 150-feet. Multiple salvaged aircraft serve as targets. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs are authorized on this target. Laser operations are authorized.
12. Mobile Land Target (MLT)(QLT-1C). This is a remotely controlled vehicle augmented with radar reflectors that operates on the 4000-foot simulated runway. The vehicle is equipped with lights for night deliveries. The target is controlled from Tower No. 3. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs are authorized on this target. Laser operations are authorized.
13. Sea Borne Powered Target (SEPTAR). The SEPTAR range is located in Rattan Bay northwest of the Barge Target. The QST-33 SEPTAR is a highly maneuverable, 18-foot, remotely-controlled boat. The target is controlled from Tower No. 7. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs and 2.75-inch rockets are authorized on this target. Laser operations are authorized.
14. Trimaran Tow Target. This target is a 14-foot, tri-hulled, towed boat with a four-foot-square sail/banner aim point attached. The Trimaran is towed behind the SEPTAR to provide a moving strafe/rocket target. MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs, 2.75-inch rockets and 25mm or smaller caliber ammunition are authorized on this target.
15. Laser Target. This target is a 48-foot wide by 46-foot high plywood billboard divided into four quadrants by two three-foot wide black lines, one vertical, and one horizontal. The billboard faces east and is oriented on a 45° angle to the horizon. The target is used for laser boresighting and laser tracking practice. Range Control will provide laser spot information upon request. Ordnance deliveries are prohibited.
16. Two Instrumented Multispectral Cues (IMCs). IOC 7/97. These IMCs are plastic replicas of T-72 tanks. Each replica contains heat generators and radar reflectors to realistically simulate both the IR and radar signatures of the T-72.

BT-11 is available continuously; however, it is only manned Monday through Thursday from 0800 to 2220; Friday from 0800 to 1500. When unmanned, the Barge target is the only target authorized for ordnance deliveries.