A-88. Standard range cards are used to record firing data for individual or crew-served weapons. Sector sketches are used to record a unit’s positioning of its weapons and direct fire control measures.
DA Form 5517
A-89. A DA Form 5517 is a sketch of the assigned area for a direct fire weapon system on a given sector of fire. (See STP 7-11B1-SM-TG for additional information.) A standard range card aids in planning and controlling fires and aids the squad’s gunners in acquiring targets during limited visibility. The individual Soldier or gunner prepares two copies of the standard range card. If alternate and supplementary firing positions are assigned, two copies are required for these as well.
Target Areas And Terrain Features
A-90. Standard 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 standard range card allows the individual Soldier to become more familiar with their sector of fire. Soldiers should continually assess the area and, if necessary, update the standard range card. The standard range card is an aid for replacement personnel or platoons or squads to move into the position and orient on their sector of fire. To prepare a standard range card, the individual Soldier must know the following information:
- Sector of fire. A sector of fire is a piece of the battlefield for which a gunner is responsible.
- TRPs. 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 weapon systems. It can be less if objects prevent the Soldier or gunner from engaging targets at maximum effective ranges of an assigned weapon.
- Weapons reference point. The weapons reference point is an easily recognizable terrain feature on the map used to assist leaders in plotting the weapon position, squad, and (when attached) vehicle.
Data Section
A-91. The gunner completes the position identification, date, weapon, and circle value according to STP 7-11B1-SM-TG. 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.
- Elevation. Show the gun elevation reading (for example, for a medium machine gun) 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. Range must be indexed to have an accurate elevation reading.
- Range. This is the distance, in meters, from position to TRPs.
- 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 position.
Sector Sketches
A-92. As discussed earlier in this section, individual Soldiers in squads prepare standard range cards. Squad and platoon leaders prepare sector sketches. Section leaders may have to prepare sector sketches if they are assigned separate positions. Platoon leaders review their squads’, and if applicable section’s, sector sketches and ensure the sketches are accurate and meet their requirements. If they find gaps or other flaws, platoon leaders adjust weapons locations within the assigned area. Once platoon leaders approve the squad and section sector sketches, they prepare a consolidated report for the company commander and incorporate 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
A-93. 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-8 on page B-14 for an example sector sketch) as close to scale as possible, showing—
- Main terrain features in the assigned sector and the range to each.
- Each primary position.
- Engagement area or primary and secondary sectors of fire covering each position.
- Light and medium machine gun FPL or PDF.
- Type of weapon in each position.
- Reference points and TRPs in the assigned sector.
- Observation post locations.
- Dead space.
- Obstacles, including mines.
- Maximum engagement lines for all weapon systems.
- Indirect fire targets.
Platoon Sector Sketch
A-94. 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 standard range cards) to prepare a platoon sector sketch (see figure B-7 on page B-13 for an example 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 commander, one copy is given to the platoon sergeant, and one copy is kept by the platoon leader. At a minimum, the platoon sector sketch should show—
- Primary and secondary sectors of fire or engagement areas.
- Primary, alternate (when established), and supplementary (when established) squad positions.
- Remount points (when vehicles attached).
- Javelin and machine gun positions with a PDF.
- Machine gun (light and medium) FPLs.
- Maximum engagement lines for the medium machine gun.
- Observation posts.
- TRPs.
- Mines and other obstacles.
- Indirect fire target locations and FPF location (if applicable).
- Position and area of flanking unit (and when attached, vehicles).
- Priority engagement by weapon system and crew.
Coordination With Adjacent Units
A-95. Platoon leaders coordinate with adjacent platoons. Squad leaders coordinate with adjacent squads so that all positions and all platoons 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 at 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 medium machine guns, Javelins, and attached (if applicable) weapon systems.
- 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).
Note. When conditions require platoon, and/or squad positions to be arrayed in noncontiguous assigned area, security patrols (see chapter 7) between positions may be necessary.
Next Page : Appendix B – Fire Support Planning