SECTION II: TRAINING
COMBAT VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION (CVI) TRAINING
Several studies by Army Research Institute Filed Unit at Fort Hood provide conclusions useful to unit trainers responsible for gunner selection and training. In a series of CVI training tests of optical and thermal images from 1980 to 1985, these were some of the findings:- Many soldiers lack the aptitude for CVI skills. "Approximately one third of soldiers after four training trials failed to achieve the level of CVI proficiency reached by the other two thirds after one training trial."
- Don't key on vehicle details that the gunner could not realistically discern. (e.g., bore evacuator position); this is counterproductive. "The quality of the combat vehicle's image is not a critical factor in identifying the vehicle or in learning identification skills provided gross cues (e.g., chassis shape, turret shape and position, relative length of gun tube) are descriminable."
- Don't push for moving target CVI training. "The use of motion depicting a vehicle is not critical in training CVI."
- Consider more frequent or more careful vision testing for combat vehicle gunners. There was significant evidence of superior target identification performance for soldiers who wore glasses. "The inference [is] that many soldiers who do not currently wear glasses should be wearing glasses."
- Use "black-hot" as the normal thermal polarity setting. Thermal identification studies "indicated that the black hot image was generally preferred for identification purposes, particularly at longer ranges." Another thermal technique recommended by experienced trainers and consistent with this study's findings: During scanning, continuously adjust and vary contrast, brightness and polarity to enhance possible identification features and gunner concentration.
- Predictably, there was a distinct correlation between high performance on CVI and higher GT score among tested soldiers.
Several
Graphic Training Aids resulted from this testing, and they may still be available
at local TASCs. They are:
- GTA
17-2-9 Cbt Veh ID Program: 35-mm photo image slides
- GTA 17-2-10 Cbt Veh ID Program: 35-mm thermal image slides
- GTA 17-2-11 Cbt Veh ID Program: Photo image flash cards
- GTA 17-2-10 Cbt Veh ID Program: 35-mm thermal image slides
Finally,
a handbook of thermal images depicting friendly and threat vehicles at various
ranges and conditions was distributed during Operation DESERT SHIELD by the
Center for Night Vision and Electro-Optics. This book is still available through
the CECOM point of contact shown and efforts are underway to introduce it into
the training aids system.
DESERT
STORM IR Guide II
Cdr,
CECOM
ATTN:
AMSEL-RD-NV-VMD-BSPT
Mr.
Paul Orentas/Walt Morrow
Ft
Belvoir, VA 22060
(703)
664 (DSN 354) 3498/3258
Train
vehicle recognition (friendly vs threat) and identification (specific vehicle
nomenclature) continually and in all environments. Treat it as a crew task
and as an integral part of target acquisition and conduct of fire in M1-, M2/M3-
and M901-equipped units. Include both clear optics and thermal recognition
training.
ASSEMBLY AREA PROCEDURES
Fratricide risk reduction measures begin at the lowest level and frequently require minimal guidance. Use initiative; prepare detailed navigation plans. Make adjustments for adverse weather and terrain; devise command and control expedients; rehearse vectoring techniques. Train soldiers to know the distinguishing signatures between enemy and friendly forces. Recently, in preparing effectively for a difficult NTC mission, an East coast-based unit devised a lane for every brigade crew to view friendly combat vehicles under prevailing regional conditions.BATTLE ROSTERING
Track fratricide prevention training and key crew experiences on your battle rosters. Crews that have not undergone gunnery, force-on-force maneuver, or night operations are potentially fratricide prone--track these events and provide close supervision. When selection gunners, consider screening for eyesight, CVI aptitude and GT score.CREW DRILL OR BATTLEDRILL
Strive to make crew reactions instinctive, but include the component of assessment based upon all environmental factors. Consider a verification procedure to complement the existing process for any questionable engagement, reaction to contact, or call for fire. Maintaining vehicle and turret orientation is a combat critical skill and part of good situational awareness. In the absence of an azimuth indicator for the M1 tank, use expedients such as chalk marks on the turret ring or a chemical light hung on the driver's seat. At the unit level, periodic orienting rounds or beacons may be required. Frequently orient your vehicle with a compass (accuracy is more than adequate for general direction, but requires practice). When stationary, pickets 20 meters out are thermally visible sector limits for the gunner.FRATRICIDE TRAINING TAPE
The U. S. Army Armor Center developed a fratricide reduction video tape for Armywide use. Ultimately, distribution will allow TASCs to provide copies to all combat arms battalions on long term loan. The tape:- Shows thermal signature of U.S. and threat vehicles as seen by M1A1, BFV, AH64 and FIST-V optics.
- Shows BFV, BMP, HMMWV, BTR-60, LAV, M1A1 and T-72 thru-sight images at identifiable range and at 1,000 meter intervals to 4,000 meters.
- Shows tank crew view when being engaged by a tank main gun compared to observing impacting RPG fire.
- Describes crew actions upon receiving friendly fire or engaging friendly forces.
- Discusses fratricide risk assessment based on METT-T, fratricide preconditions, and risk reduction options.
The film also contains historical vignettes which identify some of the preconditions which have caused fratricide. The risk assessment example scenario discusses fratricide reduction during the planning, preparation and execution of a heavy task force movement to contact.
FRATRICIDE
AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
PIN:
709861DA RELEASE: TVT 20-988
Available
in your local TASC in 2d Qtr, FY 92
POC
for assistance @ Combined Arms
Command,
Ft Leavenworth is CPT Hundley,
ATZL-CTT,
DSN: 552-2495/2939
TRAINING DEVICES, SIMULATIONS AND SIMULATORS
The production of the CVI interactive video disc, scheduled for fielding prior to the end of FY92, is approximately 50 percent complete and should promote positive vehicle identification. The video disk includes a thermal recognition section which replicates through-sight vehicle thermal images. A recent recommendation will widen the target audience of the course, now under development at the Infantry School, to include armor and aviation crew members. M1, M2 and M3 Conduct-of-Fire Trainer (COFT) simulators will continue to include increasingly realistic views of combat vehicles. COFT Instructor/Operators (I/Os) evaluating crew performance must critique crew performance if fratricide occurs and discuss causes of, and remedies for, fratricide with the evaluated crews.FIELD TRAINING
Commanders normally incorporate doctrinal control measures in their maneuver plans. They must recognize certain situations and contributing factors (e.g., offense; limited visibility) which inherently create a greater risk of fratricide. Commanders should then integrate prevention measures into their plans. To reinforce, commanders must address this with their subordinates and the train to minimize fratricidal risks without sacrificing mission success (see Appendix A, Risk Assessment, and CALL Handbook No. 92-3, Apr 92, Fratricide Risk Assessment for Company Leadership)."Crosstalk between...commanders on the...command net was outstanding, facilitating coordination along the flanks,...and...prevention of fratricide." --Operation DESERT STORM Division Cdr
Two radio net techniques may be appropriate when fratricide risk is high. A technique used by the Israelis is to maintain one dedicated radio "mosquito" net that is monitored by all elements in the force (e.g., one vehicle per platoon or company) for emergency resolution of potential fratricide. This requires much overhead in radio hardware and a daily frequency or spare. An alternative technique, used in Vietnam, is to allocate one retrans in the battalion or brigade sector with the low side on the dedicated "guard" or "mosquito" net and the output on the local command net. Whenever elements have cause to use the emergency net, the command net is immediately involved.
During
FTXs or CALFEXs, higher commanders can emphasize scenarios calling for coordination
on the flank. As the scenario unfolds, they can then introduce "clues" that
the tie-in on the flank is deteriorating (offense or defense). If the commander
updates his risk assessment "in-stride" and takes action, he will not have
a flank problem. If he takes no action, eventually a friendly force will drift
inside his boundary or sector of fire. Whether or not fratricidal engagements
occur, address the entire process in the AAR to refine and improve SOPs.
LIVE-FIRE
Field Manual 17-12-1, Tank Gunnery, allows the local commander the option to include friendly target arrays in Combat Tables VI, VII, VIII and XII. FM 23-1, BFV Gunnery, allows the same friendly target option for Bradley Tables V, VI, VII and VIII. Significant crew cuts are prescribed for engagement of friendly targets. As described in Field Training earlier, indicators or clues can be added to the scenario to reinforce risk assessment in the troop leading process. Unfortunately, the physical size of ranges and time limitations may discourage units from including friendly targets. However, expending the effort provides the commander with an excellent means to stress fratricide prevention during training.Practice positive control of supporting fires in all collective live fires. Experiment with marking rounds or devices that are visible and identifiable to key weapon systems. As an example, units have had success designating targets for CAS using the artillery GVLLD. Aircraft equipped with PAVE PENNY optics can acquire the laser energy (as with Copperhead, requires advance coordination of coded laser frequencies). During otherwise adverse conditions, they can quickly orient on the target and engage confidently with their weapon of choice. Knowing the technical positioning, targeting and destructive characteristics of supporting weapons systems (to include aircraft) is key to positive control. Use heat-producing signals for systems with thermal primary optics like the Bradley, Abrams and Apache.
A technique derived from the procedure used by the NTC live-fire team could be used by the task force S3 or FSO to clear fires in live-fire exercises (LFXs) or combat. This involves dividing the TF sector or zone into regions determined by the scheme of maneuver and terrain visibility. As maneuver elements enter these areas or occupy vantage points for them, these elements assume responsibility for clearing fires there. Prior to that time, task force-level clearance will expedite responsiveness. These clearances of fire prerogatives and relationships are then clarified with all elements during rehearsals and briefbacks.
Most
friendly fire casualties involved crews of armored vehicles struck by high
velocity, nonexplosive tank rounds that rely on the force of impact to destroy
the target. The number of deaths and injuries from these incidents would have
been higher had it not been for the built-in safety and survivability features
of the M1A1 tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, such as fire suppression
systems, blow-out panels, hardened armor and protective liners. --Operation
DESERT STORM Title V Report to Congress
Table
of Contents
Chapter
3: Fratricide Reduction Measures and Lessons Learned, Part 1
Chapter
3, Part 3
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