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CHAPTER 3

RANGES FOR HELICOPTER GUNNERY TRAINING

A complete helicopter gunnery training program includes range firing and uses training areas or dry-fire ranges to run tactical courses. Tactical training should be integrated with gunnery training when possible, to provide a more realistic training environment. This chapter highlights procedures, duties, and responsibilities for establishing and operating helicopter gunnery ranges (see AR 385-63). It also includes administrative and logistic requirements necessary to support range firing.

Section I. Range Requirements

3-1. RANGE CONSIDERATIONS

Proper preparation is essential to conduct helicopter gunnery tables. This preparation includes everything from the normal preparations for field training (such as mess and individual equipment) to the basics (such as aircraft, weapons, range facilities, and ammunition).

3-2. REALISTIC TRAINING

3-3. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Some operational requirements require advanced planning. They include--

3-4. RANGE SCHEDULING

Table 3-1. Example time sequence for a range density

DAY

TABLE

COMPANY

REMARKS

1,2

AWSS Set-up

3

VI

 

A Company

 

A Co. completes Table VI,

B Co. starts Table VI

4

VI

 

B Company

B Co. completes Table VI,

C Co. starts Table VI

5

VI

 

C Company

 

C Co. completes Table VI, Table VI complete

6

VI

VII DAY

Makeup

A Company

Table VI makeup,

A Co. ready for VII

7

VII DAY

VII NIGHT

B Company

A Company

B Co. first-up,

A Co. completes Table VII

8

VII DAY

VII NIGHT

C Company

B Company

C Co. first-up,

B Co. completes Table VII

9

VIII DAY

VII NIGHT

A Company

C Company

A Co. first-up,

C Co. finishes Table VII

10

VIII DAY

VIII NIGHT

B Company

A Company

B Co. first-up,

A Co. completes Table VIII

11

 

VIII DAY

VIII NIGHT

C Company

B Company

C Co. first-up,

B Co. completes Table VIII

12

 

X (2X)

VIII NIGHT

A Company

C Company

A Company Table X,

C Co. completes Table VIII

13

X (2X)

XII

B Company

A Company

B Co. X in A.M.

A Co. XII in P.M.

14

X (2X)

XII

C Company

B Company

C Co. X in A.M.

B Co. XII in P.M.

15

XII

Make-up/WX

C Company

 

16

AWSS Tear-down and range turn-in

Section II. Personnel Responsibilities And Duties

3-5. OFFICER IN CHARGE

A range will not be operated without an OIC. The OIC is responsible for all range operations. He supervises range personnel and enforces range safety. Officers in charge should come from the firing unit's chain of command and operate according to AR 385-63. Most major range complexes dictate OIC responsibilities and operate under strict SOPs.

NOTE: The OIC is not the unit commander. He is the commander's representative. Units may appoint an alternate OIC to relieve the OIC during rest periods. This is especially important during heavy day and night firing schedules.

3-6. RANGE SAFETY OFFICER

The RSO ensures safe operation of the range and assists the OIC. He is familiar with the range SOP and the aircraft and armament emergency plan. He is also aware of proper storing, handling, and loading of ammunition and fuel and knows the duties of all range personnel. RSO prerequisites are contained in AR 385-63. The RSO--

3-7. MASTER GUNNER

The master gunner is familiar with the unit range SOP, aircraft and armament emergency procedures, and the local accident reporting procedures. He ensures that assigned helicopter weapon systems are operated using the prescribed procedures and applicable safety precautions. He is familiar with the azimuth, range, and sector azimuth limits of the range. He knows the standards and is the commander's primary scorer for the gunnery tables. The master gunner--

3-8. LASER RANGE SAFETY OFFICER OR NCO

For all laser range operations, unit commanders must designate, train, and certify LRSOs or LRSNCOs. The LRSO or LRSNCO will--

3-9. RADIO OPERATORS

The radio operators ensure that radios used in the conduct of the range are working properly. They must be familiar with the range SOP and aircraft and armament emergency plan.

3-10. CLASS III/V OIC OR NCOIC

Early in the planning process, the Class III/V OIC or NCOIC coordinates resource requirements to ensure that adequate fuel and ammunition are available for training. Fuel requirements are based on the estimate of OPTEMPO by the commander and S3. Ammunition requirements are from DA Pamphlet 350-38.

NOTE: FARP operations are covered in FMs 1-104, 1-112, 1-114, 1-116, and 1-117.

Section III. Helicopter Gunnery Range Safety

3-11. GROUND SAFETY

Ground support personnel must be constantly aware of the dangers involved in live-fire training. The training of support personnel in ammunition care and handling is a continuous process at the unit level. All ammunition storage, handling, and basic safety procedures will follow guidelines found in ARs 385-62, 385-63, and 385-64; local regulations and/or the range SOP; and the unit SOP. Ammunition characteristics are described in Chapter 5. Ground personnel must also be trained in the procedures for working near operating helicopters. Ammunition loading areas may be separate from refueling areas. In addition, support personnel should be drilled on emergency situations related to their duties. The rules for ground safety are as follows:

3-12. FIRING SAFETY

Range safety requirements for firing helicopter weapon systems are contained in ARs 385-62 and 385-63.

NOTE: Refer to the appropriate aircraft operator's manual for proper aircraft weapons safing techniques. Instances may occur when the master arm switch is in the safe position, but the weapon may still be functional and dangerous to ground crews.

Figure 3-1. Ground hand signals

Figure 3-2. Ground hand signals (continued)

3-13. AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY PLAN

The aircraft emergency plan prescribes the procedures to be followed if an aircraft emergency (accident, incident, or inadvertent firing) occurs during range firing. The aircraft emergency plan should provide for immediate accident notification to the OIC and RSO. The range OIC will ensure that mishaps are reported according to local policies.

Section IV. Range Layout

3-14. CONSIDERATIONS

3-15. MULTIPURPOSE RANGE COMPLEX

Multipurpose ranges are fully automated and instrumented with state-of-the-art targets and controlling devices. MPRCs are primarily designed for armored and mechanized infantry, but they can accommodate helicopter gunnery. Commanders should plan their gunnery programs to integrate helicopter gunnery into combined arms training. TC 25-8 contains more information on training in a multipurpose range complex.

3-18. AERIAL WEAPONS SCORING SYSTEM

3-19. ATTACK HELICOPTER GUNNERY RANGE

Figure 3-3. Attack helicopter gunnery range

Section V. Successful Training

3-20. GUIDES TO SUCCESSFUL TRAINING