Military

(1) Establishes, coordinates, and supervises the operations of the FDC.

(2) Issues the fire order.

(3) Ensures that the computer processes all fire missions with technically correct procedures.

(4) Reviews and approves the solution on all fire missions, to include any violations of safety data.

(5) Develops and enforces fire command standards and ensures that proper fire commands are transmitted to the cannon sections.

(6) Ensures that ammo distribution is maintained correctly within the platoon and notifies the platoon leader if an ammo shift becomes necessary.

(7) Ensures that the FDC maintains current tactical data on maps and charts.

(8) Ensures that firing unit and ammo status are reported to the battalion FDC.

(9) Supervises the preparation for and execution of prearranged fires.

(10) Computes all safety data, to include verification of the platoon leader's minimum quadrant elevation.

(11) Analyzes intervening crests.

(12) Establishes and maintains communications.

(1) Responsible for the training of all personnel within the FDC.

(2) Ensures that the FDC is prepared within Army training and evaluation program (ARTEP) (Marine Corps combat readiness evaluation system [MCRES]) standards to fire missions with the most accurate data available.

(3) Supervises the preparation of the firing chart(s). Ensures that chart checks are performed and are within tolerances between both the horizontal and vertical control operators' charts.

(4) Determines center range and charge for the computation of TGPCs. Ensures that TGPCs are correctly computed.

(5) Ensures that the safety box is correctly constructed.

(6) Supervises the installation of equipment in the FDC.

(7) Assumes the duties of the FDO in his absence.

(1) Prepares the primary means for computing firing data and processes and records all missions fired on DA Form 4504.

(2) Transmits all firing commands to the howitzer sections in accordance with prepared fire command standards.

(3) Reports current firing unit and ammo status to the battalion FDC.

(4) Ensures that accurate information is maintained within the FDC.

(5) Ensures that all required equipment for processing missions is present and keeps the FDO and section chief informed of any shortages.

(1) Prepares the primary chart for operation. The HCO will determine range, deflection, and angle-T.

(2) Assists the fire direction computer in manual fire direction procedures necessary.

(3) Updates the primary firing chart in accordance with the tactical situation. when

(4) Assists the section chief in installation of section equipment when necessary.

(1) Plots known data as directed by the assistant chief computer.

(2) Plots the initial target location and subsequent corrections when received.

(3) Checks chart data with the HCO.

(4) Plots the initial target location on the situation map and determines and announces site for the appropriate battery.

(1) Maintains the section vehicle.

(2) Maintains the generator(s).

(3) Helps the fire direction specialist in posting the current tactical situation on the situation map. Also, helps in maintaining in a current status all charts and records.

(4) Operates and maintains the FDC radios.

(1) Design physical setup of the FDC to allow the FDO and section chief to observe the work of all personnel with a minimum amount of movement and provide each individual ready access to the equipment, forms, and information necessary to perform his duties.

(2) Ensure all necessary supplies and equipment are located within the FDC. (For a complete list of required equipment in a standard FDC, refer to the end of this appendix.)

(3) Ensure muzzle velocity logbook is present.

(4) Ensure adequate supply of expendable forms is on hand. The following forms are used in all FA units:

• DA Form 4982-R, Muzzle Velocity Record.
• DA Form 4982-1-R, M90 Velocimeter Work Sheet.
• DA Form 4504, Record of Fire.
• DA Form 4200, Met Data Correction Sheet.
• DA Form 3677, Computer Met Message.
• DA Form 3675, Ballistic Met Message.
• DA Form 5338-R, Computer Checklist.
• DA Form 4757, Registration and Special Correction Work Sheet.
• DA Form 4201, High Burst (Mean Point of Impact) Registration.
• DA Form 7353-R, Universal Safety T.
• DA Form 7352-R, Copperhead Met + VE Work Sheet.
• DA Form 4655-R, Target List Work Sheet.

b. Actions Upon Occupation of a Position. These actions are not listed in any particular order and are as follows:

c. Actions Upon Receipt of a Fire Mission. Upon receipt of a fire mission, the FDC does the following:

RATELO: Records CFF and announces FIRE MISSION to the FDC.

ALL: Announce FIRE MISSION.

COMPUTER: Announces FIRE MISSION to gun line.

RATELO: Announces (or records on mission board) the CFF to the FDC (loud readback to FO).

HCO: Reads back target location, plots target, and determines chart range and deflection.

VCO: Plots target and determines chart range and deflection.

FDO AND SECTION CHIEF:

1) Reads back the fire order and records it on ROF.

2) Records initial fire commands up to and including fuze on the basis of the FDO's fire order.

3) Announces initial fire commands to the guns. (FDO and section chief monitor.)

1) If the VCO announces CHECK, places announced range under MHL on appropriate GFT. If the VCO announces HOLD, has the section chief verify charts and determine which range to use.

2) Records and reads back range placed on GFT; for example, RANGE 5980.

3) Requests deflection; for example, DEFLECTION.

1) Records chart deflection on ROF and reads back chart deflection.

2) Records elevation on ROF.

3) If time or VT fuze is used, determines time setting.

4) If time or VT fuze is used, announces FZ TI (or VT), TIME (such-and-such) to gun line and records on ROF.

5) Determines deflection correction and records it on ROF.

6) Determines deflection to fire.

7) Announces deflection to fire as DEFLECTION (so much) to the gun line and records it on ROF.

1) Records site on ROF.

2) Determines QE and records it on ROF.

3) Announces data to FDO and section chief for safety verification.

1) If data are safe, announces QE to the gun line.

2) Records MOF I/E, if applicable, as announced in the fire order.

3) Maintains the ROF.

(1) Verify the met was valid with registration.

(2) Ensure safety data have been updated after the registration mission.

(3) Ensure situation map has been checked for occupation of intervening crests by friendly elements.

(4) Verify fire order has been issued.

(5) Ensure the fire mission is from a valid subscriber.

(6) Authenticate the call for fire, if necessary.

(7) Ensure the current communications-electronics operation instructions (CEOI) are available.

(8) Ensure the MTO is transmitted promptly and in accordance with the fire order.

(9) Ensure fire commands are being transmitted as soon as individual items are determined and that they are in the correct format.

(10) Ensure ammo count has been updated after every mission by piece.

(11) Verify how old met data are.

(12) Complete a chart-to-chart check on firing data for each mission.

(13) Check safety on each and every mission.

(14) Determine angle T and, if necessary, transmit it to the observer.

(15) Properly update safety.

(16) Ensure proper reports are given to the battalion FDC and tactical operations

(17) Ensure current situation map has been updated lately to reflect the current tactical situation.

(18) Ensure the record of fire is legible and complete.

(19) Ensure propellant temperature has been updated within the last hour.

(20) Ensure the communications system allows all personnel to hear the call for fire.

(1) Ensure FDC is set up for emergency missions.

(2) Clean off old GFT settings from GFT.

(3) Ensure start point has been reported to battalion.

(4) Ensure communications check has been performed with battalion while moving.

(5) Ensure all sensitive items have been accounted for.

(6) Ensure chart has been prepared for the next position.

(7) Ensure checkout information has been obtained from range control.

(8) Always keep copies of ROFs and safety computations for permanent records.

(9) File forms in an orderly manner.

(1) The lightweight computer unit (LCU)-BCS is the primary means of computing technical firing data within the platoon.

(2) The LCU-BCS-BUCS is the backup means of computing technical firing data.

(3) The ability to perform manual fire direction must be maintained to change to manual fire direction techniques at any time. Each FDC should maintain one firing chart with the appropriate fire direction equipment and manuals to support all manual cannon gunnery operations. The firing charts should serve as an emergency backup for BCS and BUCS.