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CHAPTER 7

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Attack helicopters can be extremely effective if aircrews understand the techniques and standards associated with the employment of their weapons systems. This chapter discusses the terminology, procedures, and standards for helicopter fired weapons.

Section I. Modes and Types of Fire

7-1. TYPES OF FIRE

The two types of fire are direct and indirect. FM 101-5-1 defines direct and indirect fire as follows:

7-2. MODES OF FIRE

Armed helicopters use three modes of fire--hover fire, running fire, and diving fire. Hover fire may be stationary or moving.

7-3. TARGET EFFECT STANDARDS

The three target effect standards for armed helicopter engagements are suppression, neutralization, and destruction.

Section II. Terminology and Information on Weapons

7-4. EFFECTIVE RANGE

FM 101-5-1 defines effective range as, "That range at which a weapon or weapons system has a 50 percent probability of hitting a target."

7-5. 2.75-INCH ROCKETS

Whether fired from an AH-64, AH-1, or OH-58D (KW), the 2.75-inch rocket system displays similar characteristics. The intent of the following paragraphs is to provide general information applicable to all armed helicopters.

Figure 7-1. Example rocket range

7-6. BORESIGHTING AND DYNAMIC HARMONIZATION

NOTE: This procedure is not a replacement for the CBHK ground procedure.

Section III. Crew Techniques

7-7. FIRING TECHNIQUES

Firing helicopter weapons systems requires a great deal of skill by the pilot and CPG/CPO. These skills require development and sustainment. They include aircraft control and burst on target.

7-8. TTP FOR THE MODES OF FIRE

NOTE: The crew does not fly over the target in running fire.

Figure 7-2. Diving fire

NOTE: The crew should avoid flying over the target in diving fire.

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

7-9. AH-1 NIGHT FIRING

7-10. ISSUES WITH NIGHT AH-1 GUNNERY

Section V. Air Combat Weaponeering

The purpose of this section is to provide information on helicopter weapons and their employment against airborne targets. The objective of air combat weaponeering techniques is to increase the survivability of the aviation force.

NOTE: When discussing sighting systems for air-to-air firing, the pilot needs to understand that it is far more important to know where the bullet is in relation to the sight at different ranges than it is to know how far the bullet can go.

7-11. WEAPON SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT RANGES

Table 7-1. Range switch setting 20mm cannon

SWITCH SET

RANGE TO TARGET

MILS

SHORT

500

-25.53

SHORT

1000

0.00

SHORT

1500

+16.78

SHORT

2000

+38.04

Table 7-2. Range adjustment for 30mm cannon

RANGE

AIM ADJUSTMENT

500

-29.0

1000

0.0

1500

+23.3

Table 7-3. Minimum and maximum ranges for TOW engagement

TARGET SPEED (KNOTS)

MIN RANGE IN METERS

MAX RANGE IN METERS

34

500

3750

68

1000

3750

102

1500

3750

136

2000

3750

170

2500

3750

204

3000

3750

238

3500

3750

255

3750

3750

Table 7-4. Aerial target, TOW engagement

TARGET
SPEED (KNOTS)

RANGE TO TARGET

DISTANCE TARGET TRAVELED
(IN METERS)

34

500

3750

35

359

68

1000

3750

137

718

136

2000

3750

602

1435

204

3000

3750

1554

2153

255

3750

3750

2691

2691

Table 7-5. Air combat engagement with rockets

RANGE
(METERS)

TIME OF FLIGHT
(SECONDS)

VELOCITY
(METERS PER SECOND)

1000

1.96

510

2000

4.38

413

3000

7.41

330

4000

11.0

278

5000

15.17

240

6000

19.93

210

7000

25.06

195

7-12. TARGET ENGAGEMENT FACTORS

Laser range finders are the most accurate of all of these methods.

Table 7-7. Recommended weapon system for air combat

RANGE TO TARGET (METERS)

WEAPON SYSTEM

0 - 1250

7.62mm

0 - 1500

20mm or 30mm

700 - 2500

2.75" Rockets

2000 - 3750

TOW Missile

2000 - 8000

Hellfire Missile

1000 - 8000

Air-to-Air Stinger