APPENDIX B
TOW TRAINING DEVICES
For many years TOW training devices consisted of the M70-series training sets and MILES TOW equipment. Recently, the Precision Gunnery Training System (PGTS) has been fielded. PGTS consists of two systems, an indoor and an outdoor trainer. The TGT is the indoor system and the TFTT is the outdoor system. The TGT will be used in place of the M70 to qualify individual gunners and for additional sustainment training as the unit sees fit. The TFTT will be used in place of the M70 for outdoor tracking sustainment and in place of MILES when conducting Tables 5 through 12 of the TOW Training Tables.
MILES TOW equipment is the most realistic device available for simulating tactical engagements. It is valuable in maneuver training exercises and Army training and evaluation programs. However, MILES TOW is not a precision gunnery trainer and should not be used to train gunner tracking skills.
Section I. MULTIPLE-INTEGRATED LASER ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM
MILES is a training system used in force-on-force training and in FTXs. Commanders should use an MPRC to verify MILES equipment before the unit's rotation to the NTC. (See gunnery Tables 7 through 12 in Chapter 5 for target arrays.)
B-1. COMPONENTS AND FEATURES
This paragraph discusses the different components, features, and capabilities of MILES.
(1) The following are the eight components in the MILES TOW transit case:
- Operator's manual.
- Man-worn laser detector (two sets).
- Yellow keys.
- TOW laser transmitter/tracker head simulator.
- Missile guidance set adapter.
- Miscellaneous hardware.
- Hook-pile tape pads.
- Control console mounting bracket.
(2) The following are the ten MILES APC system components packed in the APC transit case.
(3) The following are the 12 MILE ITV system components packed in the ITV transit case.
- Operator's manual.
- MILES control console.
- Battery box.
- Miscellaneous hardware.
- Weapon's keys (one orange, one yellow).
- Combat vehicle kill indicator cable assembly.
- ITV interface cable.
- Console mounting adapter.
- Combat vehicle laser detector belt segments (three Number 1's, two Number 2's).
- Laser transmitter for M2.
b. Features.
Range: 3,750 meters; M60, 1,100 meters.
Tracking time: 10 seconds.
Kill codes: |
Visual |
Audio |
Near miss |
2 CVKI flashes |
2 tones |
Hit |
4 to 6 CVKI |
4 to 6 |
Kill |
Continuous |
Continuous |
Basic load: 12 ATWESS cartridges.
Backblast area: 75 meters by 90 degrees.
TOW laser tracking: head assembly optics 10 power.
Refire ability: every 10 seconds.
c. Capabilities. MILES-equipped weapons have the same range and operational capabilities as the normal weapons. The effective range of the transmitter may be reduced by a dirty transmitter lens. The M60 machine gun is effective against lightly armored MILES-equipped vehicles and personnel. The TOW 2 is effective against armored MILES-equipped vehicles.
B-2. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The following safety precautions should be observed when using MILES.
a. Do not load an ATWESS cartridge until ready to fire. If the target is lost, remove the ATWESS cartridge from the firing chamber before moving.
b. Before pulling the PULL-TO-ARM switch, always check to ensure there are no personnel in the ATWESS danger zone. This zone extends for 75 meters behind the ATWESS firing chamber and covers an arc 90 degrees wide (Figure B-1).
c. Never view the laser being fired through stabilized optics, such as binoculars or telescopic weapon sights, when within 75 meters of the transmitter.
Section II. TOW GUNNERY TRAINER
The TGT is a new trainer used indoors for individual advanced gunnery tables. It provides realistic training.
B-6. COMPONENTS AND FEATURES
The TGT consists of TGT-unique components and TOW 2 components. The major TGT-unique components are the instructor station (Figure B-2) and the student station (Figure B-3).
a. The TGT simulates the sight(s), controls, switches and indicators of the M220E4 TOW 2 weapon system. Through the gunner's sight(s) you see battlefield scenes, which include both enemy and friendly vehicles. Using the controls and switches, the gunner selects a target, fires, and tracks it. The headsets simulate the blast of the TOW and the singing of the wire. The gunner sees and hears hit-and-miss explosions and hears commands from the instructor and battlefield sounds of small arms and guns. The score is displayed at the end of each mission.
b. TGT trains novice gunnery skill training, gunnery skill progression, and sustainment training. It is used to train the following skills:
- Correct firing position.
- Target identification.
- Target engageability determination.
- Target engagement, including tracking and firing.
B-4. ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION
The following manuals are used for proper assembly and operation of the TGT.
a. TM 9-6920-452-10, Chapter 2, Section 1, discusses procedures for unpacking, assembly, disassembly, and repacking for storage/shipment.
b. TM 9-6920-452-10, Chapter 2, Section 2, discusses preparation for operation, preliminary inspections, warm-up, and operational checkout procedures.
c. TM 9-6920-452-10, Chapter 2, Section 3, discusses operating procedures performed by the instructor in order to conduct training.
B-5. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The following safety precautions should be observed when using the TGT.
DANGER This equipment uses high voltage to operate. Never use ungrounded extension cords, ungrounded adapters, or any ungrounded outlet to connect the TGT. Death on contact may result if personnel fail to observe safety precautions. |
a. Use two people to lift the instructor console. The console is heavy and lifting with only one man could result in serious injury.
b. Do not attempt to open shipping cases before pressing air pressure relief valves on side of cases, Serious injury to personnel could result from opening cases with high pressure inside.
c. Turn off the power to the TGT trainer and disconnect the wall outlet plug before beginning cleaning procedures.
Section III. TOW FIELD TACTICAL TRAINER
The TFTT is used to teach precision gunnery skills to TOW gunners in the field. This training can occur on designated ranges, general outdoor areas, or representative tactical environments. The TFTT trains gunners to adopt a correct firing position, assess target engageability, and to engage and track the target. Missile launch, flight and impact effects are realistically simulated by the TFTT.
B-9. COMPONENTS AND FEATURES
The TFTT consists of TFTT-unique components and a TOW 2 weapon system. The TFTT attaches to the TOW 2 and replaces some of its components. The TFTT can be either tripod mounted or HMMWV mounted. It can be configured for the M966 (Figure B-4) or the M901 (Figure B-5).
a. The TFTT uses the TOW 2 weapon system equipment to enhance training realism. In addition, most of the TFTT components are designed to resemble actual weapon system equipment. The TFTT uses a retroreflector to designate its target. The retroreflector returns a portion of the laser beam generated by the gunner. The laser beam enables precise measurement of target range and location relative to the gunner. The retroreflector can be mounted on a variety of target vehicles, which can be maneuvered as required during a training mission. Targets equipped with MILES sensors can also be engaged by the TFTT.
b. The TFTT operator loads the M80 blast simulator, sets the duration of the obscuration that simulates the smoke produced at missile launch, and selects the relative size of the target. Following missile launch, the operator monitors gunner performance during missile flight. At the end of each mission, the operator is provided with a readout of mission results.
B-7. ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION
The following manuals are used for proper assembly and operation of the TFTT.
a. TMs 9-6920-453-10 (M966) and 9-6920-707-10 (M901), Chapter 2, Section 1, discuss procedures for unpacking, assembly, disassembly, and repacking of the TFTT.
b. TMs 9-6920-453-10 (M966) and 9-6920-707-10 (M901), Chapter 2, Section 2, discuss procedures for preliminary inspection, power-up, and operational checkout of the TFTT.
c. TMs 9-6920-453-10 (M966) and 9-6920-707-10 (M901), Chapter 2, Section 3, discuss procedures for operating the TFTT.
B-8. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The laser light emitted by the TFTT is considered eye safe, but suitable precautions must be taken to avoid possible eye damage from overexposure to this radiated energy. See the preface to TM 9-6920-453-10 and the laser range safety procedures in AR-385-63 and TB MED-279 for these precautions. To avoid personnel injury and equipment damage, four people are required to lift and carry each shipping container.
DANGER This equipment uses high voltage to operate. Death on contact may result if personnel fail to observe safety precautions listed in TMs 9-6920-453-10 (M966) and 9-6920-707-10 (M901). |
DANGER The M80 blast simulator used with the TFTT can cause death or injury. Observe the precautions listed in the preface of TM 9-6920-453-10. |
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