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Section III. Helicopter Gunnery Range Training

Qualification Gates....................................................................... 2-6 2-8

Individual Gates........................................................................... 2-7 2-8

Crew Simulator/Ground Training Gates........................................ 2-8 2-10

Crew Live-Fire Gates.................................................................. 2-9 2-10

Engagement Scoring System........................................................ 2-10 2-14

Scoring Criteria........................................................................... 2-11 2-15

Engagement Scoring.................................................................... 2-12 2-15

Scoring Moving Engagements...................................................... 2-13 2-16

Scoring Hellfire Engagements with the

VRS and AVTR.................................................................... 2-14 2-17

Remote Hellfire Engagement Scoring............................................ 2-15 2-18

Section IV. Posttraining Assessment

After-Action Review.................................................................... 2-16 2-19

Required Documents................................................................... 2-17 2-19

Range Score Sheet...................................................................... 2-18 2-20

Chapter 3. RANGES FOR HELICOPTER GUNNERY TRAINING

Section I. Range Requirements

Range Considerations.................................................................. 3-1 3-1

Realistic Training.......................................................................... 3-2 3-2

Operational Requirements............................................................ 3-3 3-3

Range Scheduling........................................................................ 3-4 3-3

Section II. Personnel Responsibilities and Duties

Officer in Charge......................................................................... 3-5 3-9

Range Safety Officer.................................................................... 3-6 3-10

Master Gunner............................................................................ 3-7 3-11

Laser Range Safety Officer or NCO............................................ 3-8 3-11

Radio Operators.......................................................................... 3-9 3-12

Class III/V OIC or NCOIC........................................................ 3-10 3-12

Section III. Helicopter Gunnery Range Safety

Ground Safety............................................................................. 3-11 3-13

Firing Safety................................................................................ 3-12 3-14

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Aircraft Emergency Plan.............................................................. 3-13 3-17

Section IV. Range Layout

Considerations............................................................................. 3-14 3-17

Multipurpose Range Complex...................................................... 3-15 3-17

Aerial Weapons Scoring System.................................................. 3-18 3-18

Attack Helicopter Gunnery Range................................................ 3-19 3-20

Section V. Successful Training

Guides to Successful Training....................................................... 3-18 3-22

Chapter 4. BALLISTICS............................................................................... 4-1 4-1

Interior Ballistics.......................................................................... 4-1 4-1

Exterior Ballistics......................................................................... 4-2 4-2

Aerial Ballistics............................................................................ 4-3 4-3

Terminal Ballistics........................................................................ 4-4 4-8

Dispersion................................................................................... 4-5 4-11

AH-64D Longbow Apache Specific Considerations..................... 4-6 4-11

Chapter 5. MUNITIONS FOR HELICOPTER WEAPON SYSTEMS

Section I. Linked Ammunition

7.62 Millimeter for M60/M60D Machine Gun.............................. 5-1 5-1

.50 Caliber for OH-58D Kiowa Warrior...................................... 5-2 5-3

20-Millimeter for AH-1E/F.......................................................... 5-3 5-5

30 Millimeter for the AH-64 M230 Cannon................................. 5-4 5-9

Section II. Rockets

2.75-Inch Rockets....................................................................... 5-5 5-10

Rocket Warheads (Tactical and Training)..................................... 5-6 5-12

Fuzes.......................................................................................... 5-7 5-16

Section III. Missiles.

Missile Configurations.................................................................. 5-8 5-18

SAL Hellfire Missile Performance Capabilities.............................. 5-9 5-20

SAL Hellfire Missile Performance Detractors............................... 5-10 5-33

Radar Frequency (RF) Hellfire Characteristics.............................. 5-11 5-37

TOW Missile............................................................................... 5-12 5-50

Air-To-Air Stinger....................................................................... 5-13 5-53

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Chapter 6. CREW WARFIGHTING

Section I. Fratricide Prevention

Situational Awareness.................................................................. 6-1 6-1

Contributing Factors.................................................................... 6-2 6-2

Fratricide Prevention.................................................................... 6-3 6-4

Section II. Target Acquisition

Acquisition Defined...................................................................... 6-4 6-9

Target Acquisition Process........................................................... 6-5 6-9

Crew Search............................................................................... 6-6 6-10

Aerial Search Techniques............................................................. 6-7 6-10

Techniques for Crew Search........................................................ 6-8 6-12

Target Detection.......................................................................... 6-9 6-12

Target Detection Challenges......................................................... 6-10 6-14

Target Location........................................................................... 6-11 6-14

Target Classification..................................................................... 6-12 6-15

Confirmation................................................................................ 6-13 6-15

Section III. Range Determination

Range Determination.................................................................... 6-14 6-16

Aircraft Mil Values...................................................................... 6-15 6-20

Laser-off Operations................................................................... 6-16 6-22

Section IV. Crew Communications

Crew Communication.................................................................. 6-17 6-23

Fire Commands........................................................................... 6-18 6-24

Lines of Communication............................................................... 6-19 6-25

Phraseology................................................................................. 6-20 6-27

Remote Hellfire Missile Firing....................................................... 6-21 6-31

Remote Call for Fire.................................................................... 6-22 6-31

Call for Fire Description............................................................... 6-23 6-32

Example of Call for Fire, One Missile,

Two AHs.............................................................................. 6-24 6-33

Example of Call for Fire, Two Missiles,

Ripple Fire, Two AHs........................................................... 6-25 6-34

Autonomous Fire Mission to Apache........................................... 6-26 6-35

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Section V. Precombat Checks

Precombat Checks...................................................................... 6-27 6-36

Before Mission Receipt Checks................................................... 6-28 6-36

Upon Mission Receipt................................................................. 6-29 6-36

Preparing for the Mission............................................................. 6-30 6-37

Final Checks............................................................................... 6-31 6-37

Crew Checks.............................................................................. 6-32 6-38

Run-up Checks........................................................................... 6-33 6-38

Communications Check............................................................... 6-34 6-38

Conclusion.................................................................................. 6-35 6-39

Chapter 7. ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Section I. Modes and Types of Fire

Types of Fire............................................................................... 7-1 7-1

Modes of Fire............................................................................. 7-2 7-1

Target Effect Standards............................................................... 7-3 7-2

Section II. Terminology and Information

on Weapons

Effective Range............................................................................ 7-4 7-4

2.75-inch Rockets....................................................................... 7-5 7-4

Boresighting and Dynamic Harmonization..................................... 7-6 7-6

Section III. Crew Techniques

Firing Techniques......................................................................... 7-7 7-7

TTP for the Modes of Fire........................................................... 7-8 7-9

Section IV. Night Gunnery for Non-C-NITE AH-1..

AH-1 Night Firing....................................................................... 7-9 7-12

Issues with Night AH-1 Gunnery.................................................. 7-10 7-13

Section V. Air Combat Weaponeering

Weapon Systems Engagement Ranges......................................... 7-11 7-14

Target Engagement Factors.......................................................... 7-12 7-17

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Appendix A. HELICOPTER DOOR GUNNERY........................................ A-1

Appendix B. HELICOPTER GUNNERY TABLES....................... B-1

Appendix C. ENGAGEMENT TIME POINT

CALCULATION SHEETS ..................................... C-1

Glossary ................................................................................................... Glossary-1

References ..................................................................................... References-1

Index ....................................................................................... .............................. Index-1

PREFACE

This manual describes the helicopter gunnery training and qualification portion of Army Aviation's Aircrew Training Program. It provides tactics, techniques, and procedures for crews, teams, platoons, companies, and battalions to engage and efficiently destroy the enemy in combat.

This manual is written for commanders, staffs, aircrews, and instructors. It is for use in coordinating, planning, and executing helicopter gunnery training. Through the Aircrew Training Program, FM 1-140 links the training and qualifications of helicopter weapons systems to the doctrinal employment of Army Aviation. In addition, FM 1-140 outlines a standardized, progressive program which trains weapon system proficiency through the conduct of helicopter gunnery tables.

Trainers for attack battalions and cavalry squadrons should keep the following excerpt in mind during the planning, organization and execution of all training, not just training which focuses on gunnery. These observations are somewhat timeless, i.e., they could have been observed 10 years ago or one perhaps could see the same things happen next week. Do not let these trends continue unchecked in your unit. Make your unit more combat ready. Focus on helicopter gunnery throughout the year not just during your scheduled time at the range. This excerpt was taken from the Center for Army Lessons Learned website at http://call.army.mil.

Trends noted at the National Training Center

SUBJECT: Boresighting and Gunnery Skills

OBSERVATION (Avn): Attack helicopter battalions and cavalry squadrons (Air Cavalry Troops [ACTs]) continue to display eroding helicopter gunnery skills during both force-on-force (MILES/AGES) and live-fire operations.

DISCUSSION:

1. During recent rotations, crews employing the Hellfire point target weapon system have probability of hit (PH) statistics of less than 60 percent. This PH is based on actual gun camera footage of the missile engagements. Some causes are:

a. Improper out-front boresight procedures (AH-64 only).

b. Inadequate knowledge of system performance.

c. Improper engagement techniques.

2. Area weapons systems (30mm/50cal and 2.75" rockets) are less accurate because adjustments when firing more than one volley are made improperly or not at all.

3. Crews seldom have standard cockpit procedures for employment of the chosen weapon system. This results in poor switchboard dexterity, slow engagement times, and poor crew coordination.

4. Unit difficulties with the following tasks indicate a lack of Home Station gunnery training.

a. Inadequate System Knowledge:

- Not able to recognize and overcome laser detractors (backscatter, overspill, spot jitter, etc).
- Not able to select appropriate tracking techniques to ensure high PH.
- Not able to properly operate user-system interface. (i.e., CDU).
- Not able to troubleshoot or overcome weapon system malfunctions.

b. Lack of detailed engagement area (EA) development and direct fire planning (causing multiple crews to engage the same target simultaneously).

c. Lack of standard cockpit operating procedures.

d. No consideration of the effects of the environment.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. FM 1-140 prescribes a "continual" gunnery training program. To attain and sustain good gunnery skills, attack and cavalry units need to train continuously, not once per year.

2. To make gunnery training a priority, the battalion leadership, from platoon leaders to battalion commander, must become directly involved.

3. Use combat mission simulator (CMS) periods to train tactical gunnery with close attention to standardized procedures and phraseology.

a. These CMS periods should be monitored by platoon leaders, company commanders, and even battalion commanders.

b. Conduct formal debriefs after each CMS period to ensure the crew understands what they did right and what they did wrong.

c. For OH-58D units, conduct hot cockpit drills in the absence of a CMS. Adhere to the standards mentioned above.

4. All units should incorporate gunnery training into each flight that launches.

a. Weapon system initializations, out front boresights, practice gunnery engagements, and laser spot tracking training are considerations for crew and lead/wing training flights.

b. Commanders and instructor pilots should take the opportunity after these flights to critique the crew’s performance by viewing the gun camera tape with the crew.

5. Standardize gunnery evaluations per FM 1-140. Tables V through VIII must receive objective evaluation.

6. Conduct Home Station gunnery training. One method, per FM 1-140, is provided below.

* Training Strategy

· Commander's assessment

· Train continually (not just during an intensified program)

· Use CMS, TADS selected task trainer (TSTT), hot cockpit drills, etc. (commander and platoon leader [PL] involvement)

· Run up SOPs and gunnery training scenarios

* Crew Gates

· Crew simulator/ground training gates (Helicopter Gunnery Skills Test [HGST], conduct-of-fire training [COFT])

· Crew live-fire gates

END OF CENTER FOR ARMY LESSONS LEARNED EXCERPT.

Ammunition resources in this manual reflect authorizations contained in DA Pamphlet 350-38.

All Aviation units are encouraged to recommend ideas to upgrade the tasks, conditions, and standards in this manual. The proponent of this publication is HQ TRADOC. Send comments and recommendations on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to Commander, United States Army Aviation Center and Fort Rucker, ATTN ATZQ-TDS (Helicopter Gunnery), Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5000.

This publication implements the following international agreement: STANAG 3117 (Edition Five) Aircraft Marshalling Signals (Air Sdt 44/42A)

This publication has been reviewed for operations security considerations.

Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men.

FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS

After-Action Review.................................................................... 2-16 2-19

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