2003 US Army BRADLEY GUNNERY 503p.pdf - Survival Books

FM 3-22.1Factors AffectingRange EstimationThe clarity of outlineand details of theobject.Nature of terrain orposition of theobserver.Light and atmosphere.Factors CausingUnderestimation of RangeWhen most of the object is visibleand clearly outlined.When looking across a nearlyhidden depression.When looking downward from highground.When looking down a straight,open road or along a railroad.When looking over uniformsurfaces like water, snow, desert,or grain fields.In bright light or when the sun isshining from behind the observer.When the object sharply contrastswith or is silhouetted against thebackground due to the size, shape,or color of the object.When seen in the clear air of highaltitudes.Factors CausingOverestimation of RangeWhen only a small part of the object isvisible, or when the object is smallrelative to its surroundings.When looking across a depressionthat is totally visible.When vision is confined, as in streets,draws, or forest trails.When looking from low ground towardhigh ground.In poor light, such as dawn and dusk;in rain, snow, fog; or when the sun isin the observer’s eyes.When object blends into thebackground or terrain.Table 6-1. Factors of range estimation.b. Flash-to-Bang Method. To use this method to determine the range to anexplosion or to enemy fire, the BC or gunner counts the seconds between the flash andthe report. He can use a stopwatch, or he can count steadily, ONE-THOUSAND-ONE,ONE-THOUSAND-TWO... for a three-second estimated count. If he must count higherthan ten must, he starts over with one. To get the approximate range, he multiplies thenumber of seconds by 350 (meters).6-5. RANGE DETERMINATIONRange determination greatly affects target engagement. Range-determination errors causemore first-round misses than do deflection errors. Those that cause the first round to flybeyond the target present the greatest challenge, because observing and adjusting from around that lands out of sight is hard. The BC bears the main responsibility fordetermining range. He has more ways to do so than do other crewmembers. Also, heknows more than they do about the terrain and tactical situation. The gunner and driverhave limited means to determine range. This paragraph describes how each crewmembercan determine range.a. Driver. The driver's ability to determine range is limited, especially with hishatch closed. He can use the football-field method to estimate range to close-in targets.However, depth perception problems with the night vision sight AN/VVS-2 and the DVEprohibit accurate range determination.b. Bradley Commander. The BC is mainly responsible for navigating,commanding, and controlling. To determine range, he relies on his experience andknowledge of the terrain, the tactical situation, and friendly control measures, both on the6-11