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APPENDIX L

TARGET ENGAGEMENT

This appendix addresses essential elements of target engagement. BSFV platoons must be prepared to move and rapidly engage multiple aerial targets. Depending on the tactical situation and area of operations, threat aerial targets will be operating in the same airspace as friendly aerial platforms. The BSFV'S effectiveness depends on the ability to detect, acquire, identify, and rapidly engage threat aerial targets. Speed and accuracy of an engagement depend on proficiency in target engagement techniques.

BSFV WEAPON SYSTEMS

The BSFV is a lethal weapons platform that enhances the firepower and survivability of air defense assets on the battlefield. This section outlines the capabilities of BSFV mounted and dismounted weapons systems. Both are designated to be used primarily in an air defense role. For a more detailed description of BSFV capabilities, refer to specific weapons and vehicle manuals.

DISMOUNTED WEAPONS

The Stinger is the primary air defense weapon in the BSFV. It is used during engagements against fixed-and rotary-wing targets. In the current model of the BSFV, the Stinger team must be able to dismount to employ the weapon. Future versions of the BSFV will have fire-on-the-move capability. The standard vehicle mounted launcher (SVML), a mounted Stinger firing apparatus, will replace the current TOW missile system. In its current configuration, the BSFV carries a basic load of two ready-rounds and four weapon-rounds.

MOUNTED WEAPON SYSTEMS

The primary role of mounted weapon systems on the BSFV is for engagement of aerial targets. BSFV mounted weapon systems may be used on ground targets primarily for self-defense.

The 25-mm chain gun complements Stinger capabilities of the BSFV. The Stinger and 25-mm combination provides a gun and missile mix for the BSFV. When the Stinger team is dismounted, the 25-mm automatic gun provides coverage for the Stinger team's dead zone. The 25-mm automatic gun is used for immediate reaction engagements. The dual feed chain gun system allows the crew to fire both high-explosive incendiary tracer (HEI-T) and armor-piercing discarding sabot-tracer (APDS-T) ammunition.

Aerial. The 25-mm automatic gun has an effective range of 2,000 meters against aerial targets. HEI-T is recommended for aerial engagements. The 3,000 meter self-destruct capability of HEI-T reduces the likelihood of fratricide.

Ground. The 25-mm automatic gun has a maxi-mum effective range of 3,000 meters against ground targets using HEI-T and a 1,700 meter maximum effective range using APDS-T. APDS-T should be used when engaging armored vehicles. Ground targets are classified as point or area targets. When engaging point targets, a three-to five-round killing burst should be used. Area targets should be engaged using a sufficient round burst in a Z pattern. For more information about ground target engagement with the 25-mm automatic gun refer to FM 23-1.

The tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missile is very limited in an air defense role but can be a useful alternative to the Stinger for stationary and slow-moving targets. The time required from launch to engagement is a factor that must be considered when employing the TOW as an alternative to the Stinger. The TOW may be used as a self-defense weapon against ground targets. Its maximum effective range against ground targets and stationary and slow-moving aerial targets is 3,750 meters.

CONTENTS

BSFV Weapon Systems

Weapon Selection Criteria

Engagement Techniques

The coaxial machine gun can be used against fixed-wing, rotary-wing, UAV aerial platforms and airborne troops; however, it is ineffective against the heavy armor of some helicopters. The coaxial machine gun may be used against ground targets, usually in self-defense. Against ground targets, a 15- to 30-round burst is used. In both air and ground engagements, the coaxial machine gun's effective range is 900 meters (the tracer burnout point). The BSFV can carry 2,200 rounds of 7.62-mm ammunition and 800 rounds ready to fire and 1,400 rounds stowed.

SIGHTING SYSTEMS

The 25-mm automatic gun and the 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun use two sighting systems to engage aerial targets. The integrated sight unit may be used with either the 25-mm automatic gun or the 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun when engaging aerial targets. The ring sight may be used with the 25-mm automatic gun (using HEI-T) and the 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun against slow-moving threats. It is mounted on the BSFV commander's hatch and may be used for aerial engagements. The front ring sight is marked with sighting cross hairs and three speed rings. The rings are spaced for a target lead of 50, 100, or 150 miles per hour. The rear aperture sight has an aperture ring and a pointer post. See the Ring Sight illustration.

To use the ring sight--

• Estimate the target speed. The speed of threat aerial platforms using hovering, contour, or transiting flight profiles can be estimated with these general rules: hovering--0 MPH; contour flying--50 MPH; transiting--100 MPH.
• Raise the front ring and rear aperture.
• Align the front sight cross hairs ahead of and in line with the line of flight.
• Look through the rear aperture sight. Lead the target one ring for each 50 miles per hour the target is moving for a maximum engageable airspeed of 150 MPH.
• Align the pointer post with the target on the same flight path using the distance from the center which the target speed requires. The Cross Hair Alignment illustration, shows a target with an estimated speed of 100 MPH.

WEAPON SELECTION CRITERIA

Weapon selection criteria against enemy targets is an important part of the BSFV commander's role. It begins with target detection. Conditions which may affect target detection include--

• Early warning systems emplaced and operational.
• Visibility of assigned aerial avenues of approach.
• Incoming direct and indirect fire.
• Mission-oriented protection posture (MOPP) level.

Target detection begins with the BSFV squad leader who directs the squad's search and scan operations within sector. During offensive and defensive operations, the driver, gunner, and squad leader search for targets. When dismounted, the Stinger team searches and scans assigned enemy air avenues of approach.

BSFV hatch positions will normally be specified in local SOPs, based on possible enemy situations. Open hatches are preferred unless the BSFV is under direct or indirect fire, sniper fire, or nuclear, biological, and chemical attack. If hatches are closed, the crew will search and or scan with the BSFV integrated sight unit and squad leader periscopes. In all cases, the BSFV squad leader must ensure the following operational considerations are used:

• Use all detection/identification means.
• The Stinger as the primary air defense weapon system.
• The 25-mm automatic gun to complement the Stinger.
• Use the TOW missile system only if other air defense systems fail or for self-defense.

The following illustrations show BSFV weapon systems and their effects against common threat targets, and prioritize weapon selection for the BSFV.

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

The BSFV coaxial machine gun and 25-mm automatic gun can be used to engage aerial targets. Due to the difficulty associated with engaging aerial targets, a high volume of fire should be established in front of the target using the techniques previously discussed.

When the BSFV squad leader is alerted and cued about an air threat in the squad's sector of search, the Stinger team will be dismounted. Upon dismounting from the BSFV, target handoff must occur between the BSFV squad leader and the dismounted Stinger team. The BSFV squad leader will inform the team chief of the target's location if the Stinger team is not capable of being alerted and cued by digital or voice means. The squad leader may accomplish this using various communications methods, including visual signals. It is imperative that the Stinger team acquire the correct target. Well-trained and rehearsed target handoff procedures ensure that target handoff is expedient and effective. After orienting the Stinger team to the air avenue of approach of the aerial platform, the BSFV gunner will continue to track the target through the execution of the engagement sequence. If multiple targets are present, the BSFV gunner will immediately slew to acquire the target posing the greatest threat after the Stinger team effectively communicates the correct target has been acquired. In the event a target acquired by the Stinger team is approaching or in the Stinger dead zone, the BSFV gunner immediately resumes engagement responsibility.

ENGAGING HIGH-PERFORMANCE AIRCRAFT

A general rule of thumb is to avoid engaging high-performance aircraft with the coaxial machine gun because of--

• Their high speed.
• The limited amount of machine-gun ammunition available to the vehicle commander and loader.
• The brief exposure time of the aircraft within effective machine-gun range.

The crew should engage if the aircraft is a direct threat to the crew or unit (actually making an attack run). The mission statement usually provides guidance which includes criteria for the engagement of high-performance aircraft.

If the target has to be engaged, the best technique is to fire the coaxial machine gun in a continuous burst of 50 to 100 rounds. If the target is flying a crossing or overhead profile, the BSFV commander or gunner uses a 200-meter lead or about two football field lengths (See the Football Field Technique [Crossing] illustration).

Fire is directed in front of the aircraft, allowing the aerial platform to fly through the automatic gun's cone of fire (See the Reference Point Technique illustration, on the previous page, for an alternate method of engagement).

ENGAGING HELICOPTERS

The rule of thumb for engaging high-performance aircraft also applies to helicopters. However, when helicopters are exposed on the ground, and are slow moving or hovering, they become targets of opportunity that should be engaged if within effective automatic-gun range. Heavily armored threat attack helicopters faced head-on should be engaged with a TOW missile. The BSFV commander or gunner should use the following techniques when engaging helicopters with the 25-mm automatic gun using the integrated sight unit. If the helicopter is flying a crossing or overhead profile, the commander or gunner uses a lead of 50 meters or half the length of a football field. If the helicopter is flying directly toward the BSFV, fire should be directed slightly above the nose of the helicopter. If the helicopter is hovering, the commander or gunner aims just above the fuselage and fires an HEI-T burst of 20 to 25 rounds on high rate of fire.

BSFVs with ISU produced after February 1987 have an air defense reticle added to the high-magnification gun reticle. The reticle is used for engaging attack helicopters. To use the air defense reticle, set the range control knob to 1,800 meters. Select AP (armored vehicles) or HE (all other vehicles) and then set rate on HIGH. Align the sight reticle so the fuselage sides appear to touch the appropriate reticle lines (See the illustration of Aligning the Helicopter With the ADR). Fire a 3-to to 5-round sensing burst until on target and then engage with a 20-to 25-round burst. As the helicopter approaches, move the reticle down to keep the fuselage between the reticle lines.

ENGAGING HELIBORNE INFANTRY AND PARATROOPERS

Infantry rappelling from a hovering helicopter should be destroyed by engaging the helicopter first, using a high volume of fire. Airborne troops are difficult to engage because of their rapid descent (approximately 10 feet per second). When engaging airborne troops, use the ISU as the primary sight. Use the coaxial machine gun at ranges under 900 meters and the 25-mm automatic gun with HEI-T at ranges beyond 900 meters and fire two body lengths below their feet.

ENGAGING UNMANNED AERODYNAMIC VEHICLES

When engaging UAVs, the same principles apply that are used for the engagement of other hostile aerial platforms. For massing fires, the BSFV and FAAD are necessary to destroy these small platforms.