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CHAPTER 2

HELICOPTER GUNNERY TRAINING STRATEGY

This chapter provides a framework for developing a helicopter gunnery training program in four phases. To make helicopter crews and units work together as a team, the commander must execute a well-planned, realistic, and consistent training program. This chapter describes a strategy structured for training that progresses from basic through intermediate and advanced gunnery tables to combined arms exercises, focusing on the warfighting skills of individuals, crews, and units.

Section I. Training Assessment and Planning

2-1. THE COMMANDER'S ASSESSMENT

NOTE: For planning purposes, an average attack helicopter battalion requires a gunnery period of 2 weeks on the range to complete the live-fire helicopter gunnery tables.

2-2. PLANNING THE TRAINING

In the assessment process, the commander begins outlining his helicopter gunnery training program. To construct a detailed plan for implementing the program, the commander may follow these steps:

2-3. EFFECTIVE ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING

An effective program for unit level helicopter gunnery is the result of good assessment and planning. To ensure successful training use the following principles:

Section II. Pregunnery Training

Pregunnery training prepares members of the unit to perform all tasks required by the helicopter gunnery tables. To ensure that desired levels of proficiency are reached at the time they are required, units must carefully integrate pregunnery training into the overall training program. Some areas that should be part of pregunnery training and suggestions for their implementation are discussed below. Other subjects requiring special attention may be discovered during the commander's training assessment and planning.

2-4. SUBJECT AREAS AND TECHNIQUES

2-5. TABLE V

Pregunnery training prepares aircrews for range training. Table V tests their proficiency level to ensure they are ready to advance to range training. Table V is the commander's assessment tool to ensure crews are ready for live-fire gunnery tables.

Section III. Helicopter Gunnery Range Training

2-6. QUALIFICATION GATES

A helicopter gunnery gate is a task or tasks grouped in a training event that a soldier or unit must perform to standard before progressing to more complex tasks or events. Gates allow commanders to evaluate the effectiveness of training and assess whether the unit is ready for more complex training. The gunnery gates are listed in the Table 2-1.

Table 2-1. Helicopter Gunnery Training Gates

GATE

#

INDIVIDUAL

 

CREW

 

UNIT

 

TABLES

 

REMARKS

 

1

X

 

 

I,II

APPROVED POI FOR AQC OR INITIAL QUALIFICATION

2

X

 

 

III,IV

COMMANDER'S EVAL, UNIT

3

 

X

 

V

HGST, ANNUAL REQUIREMENT

4

 

X

 

VI

AIRCRAFT MUST BE CERTIFIED ON TABLE PRIOR TO USE ON INTERMEDIATE TABLES

5

 

X

 

VIII

CREW MUST QUALIFY TO PROGRESS TO ADVANCED TABLES

6

 

 

X

X

PLATOONS MUST PASS TABLE X PRIOR TO TABLE XII

(See appendix A for specific requirements for door gunners.)

2-7. INDIVIDUAL GATES

2-8. CREW SIMULATOR/GROUND TRAINING GATES

Table 2-2. Engagement ranges in kilometers

 

Short

Medium

Long

Hellfire

<2

2 to 4

>4

Rockets

<3

3 to 4

>4

Cannon

<1

1 to 1.5

>1.5

TOW

1.5

1.5 to 3

>3

NOTE: The C-COFT is part of Table V. It will not replace live-fire gunnery training.

2-9. CREW LIVE-FIRE GATES

Tables VI and VII are live-fire training tables. Commanders must decide whether a crew can progress to the next table based on their demonstrated performance. Commanders retain the ability to deny crews further live-fire training if they fail to meet training standards.

2-10. ENGAGEMENT SCORING SYSTEM

This paragraph provides aviation units with a standardized, objective system to evaluate gunnery proficiency.

2-11. SCORING CRITERIA

Using the appropriate gunnery tables, aviation units will make an objective evaluation of their crews. The following are commonly used terms relating to the scoring process.

2-12. ENGAGEMENT SCORING

2-13. SCORING MOVING ENGAGEMENTS

2-14. SCORING HELLFIRE ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE VRS AND AVTR

The Apache's VRS and the Kiowa Warrior's AVTR are the current standard for scoring Hellfire missile engagements. Whether using live or training missiles, the tape recorded by the VRS or AVTR provides feedback on switchology, crew coordination, and proper employment techniques. Videotape is a useful resource for crew training, but is not an approved method for scoring cannon and rocket engagements. The master gunner is encouraged to maintain a library of videotapes containing both good and bad Hellfire engagement techniques. This library is an excellent way to preserve continuity in the gunnery program and is useful for reinforcing gunnery instruction and combat readiness.

2-15 REMOTE HELLFIRE ENGAGEMENT SCORING

Remote Hellfire engagements are scored in the same manner as an autonomous Hellfire engagement.

Section IV. Posttraining Assessment

2-16. AFTER-ACTION REVIEW

After the live-fire gunnery exercise is complete, a comprehensive after-action review will be completed. The after-action review should focus on all facets of the gunnery program leading up to, and including, the live-fire exercise. The AAR process will produce a written document outlining the issues encountered in the conduct of the unit gunnery program. There are several reasons for this process including the following:

2-17. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Besides the written AAR, the following documents and training records will be kept for reference by each unit:

2-18. RANGE SCORE SHEET

RANGE SCORE SHEET

PILOT

CPG/CPO

AIRCRAFT NUMBER

UNIT

TABLE:          DAY      NIGHT

DATE

TEMPERATURE:             VISIBILITY:        CEILING:              CONDITIONS:

START TIME

END TIME

Q1

Q2

Q3

Engagement

And Task

Weapon

Flight

Mode

Range

To

Target

Weapons

Effect

Standard

Crew

Weapons

Effect

Engagement

Time

Standard

Crew

Engagement

Time

Crew

Score

Qualify?

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE TOTALS:    QUALIFIED
ENGAGEMENTS:       TOTAL SCORE:

QUALIFIED TABLE      YES    NO

SCORER

REMARKS

 

 

Figure 2-2. Suggested format blank score sheet

Figure 2-3. Example of a completed score sheet