Archive – ATP/FM 3-21.8 (2016) – Appendix B: Direct Fire Planning and Control – Section V: Range Card and Sector Sketches

This is an excerpt from an old version of the manual ATP/FM 3-21.8 Infantry and Rifle Platoon Squad released in 2016. It has since been superseded by a newer version released in 2024.

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Appendix B: Direct Fire Planning and Control

Section V: Range Card and Sector Sketches

B-84. Range cards are used to record firing data for individual or crew-served weapons and sector sketches are used to record a unit’s positioning of its weapons and direct fire control measures.

B-85. A range card (DA Form 5517, Standard Range Card) is a sketch of the assigned area for a direct fire weapon system on a given sector of fire. (Refer to TC 3-21.75 for more information.) A range card aids in planning and controlling fires and aids the crews and squad gunners in acquiring targets during limited visibility. Range cards show possible target areas and terrain features plotted with a firing position. The process of walking and sketching the terrain to create a range card allows the individual Soldier or gunner to become more familiar with his area of operation. He should continually assess the area and, if necessary, update his range card. The range card is an aid for replacement personnel or platoons or squads to move into the position and orient on their area of operation. The individual Soldier or BFV gunner should make the range card so that he becomes more familiar with the terrain in his area of operation. To prepare a range card, the individual Soldier or BFV gunner must know the following information:

• Sectors of fire. A sector of fire is a piece of the battlefield for which a gunner is responsible.
• Target reference points. Leaders designate natural or man-made features as reference points. A Soldier uses these reference points for target acquisition and range determination.
• Dead space. Dead space is an area that cannot be observed or covered by direct fire systems within the sector of fire.
• Maximum engagement line. The maximum engagement line is the depth of the area and is normally limited to the maximum effective engagement range of the weapons systems.
• Weapons reference point. The weapons reference point is an easily recognizable terrain feature on the map used to assist leaders in plotting the vehicle, squad, or weapon position.

B-86. The individual Soldier or gunner prepares two copies of the range card. If alternate and supplementary firing positions are assigned, two copies are required for these as well. A copy is kept with the vehicle or weapons position, and the other given to the section leader for his sketch. The Soldier or gunner prepares the range card according to TC 3-21.75.

B-87. An example range card for a BFV is shown in figure B-9 (page B-28). It incorporates all of the standard components of a range card but with more detail for the maximum engagement line and data section.

MAXIMUM ENGAGEMENT LINE

B-88. Although the maximum engagement line is typically limited to the maximum effective engagement range of the weapons systems, it can be less if objects prevent the Soldier from engaging targets at maximum effective ranges of his assigned weapon. The BFV’s range card includes three different weapons and their maximum engagement line: the 25-mm, the TOW, and the 7.62-mm co-axial machine gun.

DATA SECTION

B-89. The gunner completes the position identification, date, weapon, and circle value according to TC 3-21.75. The table information is as follows:

• Number. Start with left and right limits, then list TRPs and reference points in numerical order.
• Direction and Deflection. The direction is in degrees and taken from a lensatic compass. The most accurate technique is to have the gunner aim at the terrain feature, and to have the driver dismount and align himself with the gun barrel and the terrain feature to measure the azimuth. To achieve correct deflection and elevation readings of the terrain feature, select TOW. Show the deflection reading taken from the BFV’s azimuth indicator in the deflection block next to the magnetic azimuth.
• Elevation. Show the gun elevation reading in tens or hundreds of mils. The smallest increment of measure on the elevation scale is tens of mils. Any number other than “0” is preceded by a “plus” or “minus” symbol to show whether the gun needs to be elevated or depressed. Ammunition and range must be indexed to have an accurate elevation reading.
• Range. This is the distance, in meters, from vehicle position to L and R limits and TRPs and reference points.
• Ammunition. List types of ammunition used.
• Description. List the name of the object.
• Remarks. Enter the weapons reference point data. As a minimum, weapons reference point data include a description of what the weapons reference point is, a six-digit or eight-digit grid coordinate of the weapons reference point, the magnetic azimuth and the distance from the weapons reference point to the vehicle position.

SECTOR SKETCHES

B-90. Individual Soldiers in squads and BFV gunners prepare range cards. Squad and platoon leaders prepare sector sketches. Section leaders may have to prepare sector sketches if they are assigned separate positions. The platoon leader reviews his squad’s, and if applicable section’s, sector sketches and ensures the sketches are accurate and meet his requirements. If he finds gaps or other flaws, the platoon leader adjusts weapons locations within the area of operation. Once the platoon leader approves the squad and section sector sketches, he prepares a consolidated report for the company team commander and incorporates this into a consolidated platoon sector sketch. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant physically prepares the platoon sector sketch. The sector sketch can be on acetate taped to a map or it can be a hand drawn sketch. Accurate and detailed sketches aid in direct fire planning, and in direct fire control and distribution.

SQUAD SECTOR SKETCH

B-91. The squad leaders and section leaders make two copies of their sector sketches; one copy goes to the platoon leader, the other remains at the position. The squad leaders and section leaders draw sector sketches (see figure B-10, page B-30) as close to scale as possible, showing –

• Main terrain features in the area of operation and the range to each.
• Each primary position.
• Engagement area or primary and secondary sectors of fire covering each position.
• M240B machine gun final protective line or principle direction of fire.
• M249 SAW final protective lines or principle direction of fires.
• Type of weapon in each position.
• Reference points and TRPs in the area of operation.
• Observation post locations.
• Dead space.
• Obstacles.
• Maximum engagement lines for all BFV weapon systems.
• Maximum engagement lines for Javelin (if applicable) and AT4s.
• Indirect fire targets.

PLATOON SECTOR SKETCH

B-92. Squad leaders and section leaders prepare their sketches and submit them to the platoon leader. The platoon leader combines all sector sketches (and possibly separate range cards) to prepare a platoon sector sketch, which is drawn as close to scale as possible and includes a target list for direct and indirect fires. One copy is submitted to the company team commander, one copy is given to the platoon sergeant (controlling the mounted element), and one copy is given to the leader of the dismounted element (usually the platoon leader). As a minimum, the platoon sector sketch should show –

• Primary and secondary sectors of fire or engagement areas.
• Primary, alternate, and supplementary BFV and squad positions.
• Remount points.
• Javelin, M240B, and M249 positions with primary directions of fire.
• M240B and M249 final protective lines or principle direction of fires.
• Maximum engagement lines for 25-mm, M240C, and TOW.
• Observation posts.
• TRPs.
• Mines and other obstacles.
• Indirect fire target locations and final protective fire location (if applicable).
• Position and area of flanking unit vehicles.
• Priority engagement by weapon system and crew.

COORDINATION WITH ADJACENT UNITS

B-93. Platoon leaders coordinate with adjacent platoons. Squad leaders coordinate with adjacent squads so that all positions and all platoon and squads are mutually supporting. The platoon leader must ensure that this coordination take place. Coordination is usually initiated from left to right. Gaps between positions are covered by fire as a minimum. Contact points are established to ensure friendly forces meet at some specific point on the ground to tie in their flanks. In many cases, the exchange of sector sketches will accomplish most of this. Typical information that is exchanged includes –

• Locations of primary, alternate, and supplementary positions; sectors of fire for
• BFVs, M240Bs, and Javelins.
• Location of dead space between platoons and how it is to be covered.
• Location of observation posts.
• Location and types of obstacles and how to cover them.
• Patrols (size, type, time of departure and return, and routes).

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