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SECTION XX

PLANNING LESSON LEARNED: COPPERHEAD AND VASCAM MUST BE PLANNED CAREFULLY AND USED AGAINST HIGH PAYOFF TARGETS

Copperhead (CPHD) is a highly specialized munition that requires a great deal of planning for successful employment. When employed correctly it can have a devastating effect on enemy formations. Units have the greatest success with Copperhead when they use it in preplanned areas against clearly defined high payoff targets.

In addition to the calculations and considerations required for other munitions, successful Copperhead employment requires the following:

• The observer must designate the target for the last thirteen seconds of the projectile's flight.

• The observer and the cannon crew must set the same pulse repetition frequency (PRF) code on the G/VLL0 and the projectile.

• The target must be in the appropriate footprint.

• Angle T must be less than 800 mils.

• The G/VLL0 must be within 3000 meters of moving targets and 5000 meters of stationary targets.

FASCAM:

Frequently maneuver commanders must plan for the use of FASCAM (Family of Scatterable Mines). Although the term FASCAM includes a wide variety of delivery systems (tactical air, Army aviation, artillery, and ground emplaced), artillery delivered remote anti-armor mines (RAAM) and area denial artillery munitions (ADAM) are the most responsive to the needs of the maneuver commander. The artillery delivered systems are also very effective in shaping the battlefield.

As with any obstacle system, the Engineer is the staff proponent for the planning the employment of FASCAM. The FSO and FSCOORD must coordinate with the engineer in planning and coordinating FASCAM. The FSO can work out the inconsistencies between the planning and logistics estimates. Additionally, the FSO and 7SCOORD provide the maneuver commander with:

• planning considerations.
• employment constraints.
• safety zones for a FASCAM minefield.

Table of Contents

Section XIX: Know and Report the Location of the Maneuver Force

Section XXI: Use Artillery and Mortar Illumination to Facilitate Direct Fire Weapons at Night