Appendix
D to Chapter 3
AN/PAQ-4
Zeroing Techniques
1.
OVERVIEW.
This appendix is designed to improve zeroing for the AN/PAQ-4 (A or C models).
For a more complete handling of this subject, contact the 82d Airborne Division.
2.
AN
INTRODUCTION TO INFRARED AIMING LIGHTS (IAL).
a.
Lasers (light amplification by simulated emission of radiation) are used extensively
by the U.S. Armed Forces due to their ability to allow the user to remain undetected
by the naked (unaided) eye. Infrared lasers are used as aiming and pointing
devices.b.
The AN/PAQ-4 series of IALs are battery-powered, light-emitting diode transmitters
which project a narrow beam of infrared light visible only when seen with image
intensification viewers, such as NVG (e.g., AN/PVS-7 series NVGs). The projected
light beam allows the user to determine exact aiming points as well as assign
directions of fire or movement and designate targets for others equipped with
NVGs. The aiming light increases the accuracy of direct firing at night. After
being properly mounted and zeroed to the weapon, and turned ON, the aiming
light sends out the invisible light beam along the line of sight which allows
the user to engage targets successfully.3.
AN/PAQ-4A
AIMING LIGHT.
Figure
1a.
Characteristics.
(1)
Weight:
0.9
lbs.
(2)
Range:
150
meters
(3)
Power:
2
AA batteries (BA-3058) or 1 Lithium Battery (BA-5567v/1567v)b.
Components.
(1)
Aiming Light Assembly
(2)
Mounting Bracket (or foot) for the M16A2
(3)
ON/OFF switch (OFF/ON/Momentary ON)
(4)
Boresight adjusters (azimuth and elevation): one for moving beam up/down and
the other for moving the beam left/right.
(5)
Scattershield: mounts to front of aiming light that confines the light in a
narrow beam, reducing off-axis radiation.
(6)
Alignment Mandrel: used when boresighting
(7)
Operator's Manual: TM 11-5855-297-12&c.
Employment
Considerations.
The
aiming light is highly accurate for short
ranges (out to approximately 100m)
when
zeroed properly, using the ARI dry or live-fire zeroing techniques. The zeroing
procedure in the technical manual (TM) does not work very well and leaves you
with one aiming light not zeroed.
Remember,
the aiming light can be seen by anyone equipped with NVG, friendly or enemy.4.
MOUNT
AND OPERATE THE AN/PAQ-4A.
a.
The AN/PAQ-4A can be mounted on the following weapons/weapon systems:
(1)
M16A1/2 rifle (to include with M203 grenade launcher attached)
(2)
M60 machine gun
(3)
M4 carbine
(4)
M249 squad automatic rifleb.
Mounting and operating procedures are covered in the Operator's Manual (TM
11-5855-297-12& Section III).5.
ZERO
AN/PAQ-4A USING THE ARI DRY-FIRE PROCEDURES.
a.
Procedures
for Zeroing.
These
procedures make three critical assumptions. First that the firer has a good
daytime zero with the iron sights. Second, the initial aiming light adjustments
have been made so that the firer's bullets are "on paper" at 25 meters at night.
Third, the firer's NVG are adjusted for best visual acuity. All procedures
can be implemented with materials readily available within a unit.b.
Daylight
Zero of Rifles.
Any
rifle intended for night-time zeroing should also be properly zeroed for daytime
firing. In the daylight, zero the M16A2 rifle for 300 meters using the standard
25-meter zeroing procedure (rear sight set to the 300 meter setting plus one
click up toward 400 while zeroing). Use this setting for all-25 meter firing.
Reference Task No. 071-311-2030 Zero an M16A2 rifle, STP 21-1-SMCT.c.
Zero
of the AN/PAQ-4A for Night-Time Firing.
This
zeroing procedure involves aiming the iron sights of your daytime zeroed M16A2
rifle at the center of a specially marked zeroing target (placed eight M16A2
rifle lengths, 26 feet-4 inches, in front of the muzzle of the rifle) and then
adjusting the AN/PAQ-4A aiming light beam to a designated spot that will result
in a 100-meter aim light zero. The zero will make the aiming light spot parallel
to the strike of the round at 100 meters. It is a nonfiring process so it can
be done indoors or outdoors, from subdued light conditions to fully dark. All
that is needed is about 30 feet of space.(1)
Use the specially designed AN/PAQ-4A "ARI DRY-FIRE ZERO" target on which a
white dot is marked
9
mm below and 41 mm left of center mass of the target
(See
Figure 2). (Also see Chapter 4, Own The Night Individual Training Package,
for the full-sized reproducible copy of the ARI target). This is the target
to use during the zeroing process. Field expedient methods of zeroing the AN/PAQ-4A
will be covered at the end of this section.
Figure
2(2)
Locate an area with subdued lighting that has a vertical surface (e.g., wall,
tree) on which you can attach the 25-meter target. Then measure a distance
of 26' 4" (or eight M16A2 rifle lengths) from that vertical surface to the
muzzle of your M16A2 rifle. Set up a supported aiming position so that you
can hold the rifle very steady while carrying out the AN/PAQ-4A spot adjustment
procedure. As soon as it is dim enough for your buddy to see the laser spot
clearly with NVG while standing near the target, you can perform the night-time
zero.(3)
The AN/PAQ-4A zeroing procedure will be easier if two soldiers work together.
Be sure the rifle is clear and on safe. The shooter, who has daylight-zeroed
his weapon, gets into a very steady supported position and lines up his iron
sights at center mass on the dry-fire zeroing target. Be sure the rifle is
set for 300 meter use (the 3 setting on the rear sight). The buddy will adjust
the AN/PAQ-4A knobs to move the spot until it is exactly on top of the white
dot at lower left of the target. If it is too dark to see through the iron
sights, you can use a flashlight(s) to illuminate the target and perhaps the
sights, if necessary.(4)
The buddy doing the beam spot adjustment uses his NVG to see the beam spot.
The buddy should try the goggles with and without the pinhole cap on to determine
which gives the clearest view of the spot while standing close to the target.(5)
The buddy should use the "screw analogy" to adjust the beam. The top knob on
the AN/PAQ-4A adjusts the spot up and down. Using the screw analogy, if the
top knob were a screw, turning it clockwise would cause it to screw down. Therefore,
turning the knob clockwise will adjust the spot down. Likewise, turning a screw
counter-clockwise would cause the screw to come up and out of the hole, so
the top knob turned counter-clockwise will cause the beam spot to go up. The
knob on the left side of the AN/PAQ-4A adjusts the spot left and right. If
the knob were a screw, turning it clockwise would cause it to screw in (go
to the right). So, turning the knob clockwise will cause the beam spot to move
to the right (and counter-clockwise -- to the left). If you get confused, think
what a screw would do and you will know which way to turn either knob to move
the spot where you want (i.e., clockwise
=
down or into the screw hole {down
and right}; counter clockwise
=
up or out of the screw hole {up
and left}).(6)
In adjusting the beam, it works well to move back and forth to the target so
you can see the beam spot location very clearly. Make the necessary adjustments
while the shooter is relaxing, then have the shooter get a good center mass
aim again and recheck the accuracy of the spot placement (on the white dot).
This zeroing process takes only about 5 to 10 minutes.(7)
You may find it beneficial to have a third person close to the target using
goggles to check the accuracy of the aiming light beam on the dry-fire target.
Then the buddy can stand next to the shooter, and simply adjust the aiming
light knob in accordance with the directions given by the individual at the
dry-fire target.d.
Field
Expedient Dry-Fire Method.
To
do a field-expedient method to dry-fire zero the AN/PAQ-4A aiming light, all
a leader needs to remember is the eight M16A2 lengths away, the 41 mm left
and 9 mm down of center mass of a target to zero on. Since most of us do not
carry a ruler, we have other means to make these measurements. Using a MRE
box, mark a cross the length of a protractor or the straight edge of the lensatic
compass on the box. Using the 1:50,000 meter scale on the protractor (lensatic
compass scale is the same), mark 2,100 meters to the left of the cross intersection
and 500 meters down for where the white dot goes (20 mm is equal to 1,000 meters
on the 1:50,000 scale on the protractor). To help aim center mass with the
iron sights, blacken four squares 1,000 meters above and below the intersection
and 1,500 meters left and right of the intersection using the 1:50,000 meter
scale.e.
Dry-Fire
Zero Summary Checklist.
(1)
Zero your iron sights for 300 meters. (2)
Set the sights of your daylight-zeroed rifle to 300 meters. (3)
Use the AN/PAQ-4A "ARI DRY-FIRE ZERO" target or the field-expedient method.
(4)
Be certain your rifle is cleared and on safe. (5)
With a steady supported position, aim your iron sights exactly center mass
from 26' 4" away (eight M16A2 rifle lengths). (6)
Your buddy wearing NVG adjusts your laser beam spot until it covers the white
dot on the target. Be sure the goggles are properly adjusted for clear vision.
(7)
If necessary, a third individual with goggles can be positioned near the target
to determine where the beam of the aiming light falls. He can call out needed
adjustments to the firer's buddy. (8)
The buddy uses the "screw analogy" to adjust the knobs. (9)
With this ARI dry-fire zero procedure, you should hit targets at 100 meters
and perhaps out to 200 or 300 meters.
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