MCWP 3-16.3 FM 6-50 TTP for the Field Artillery Cannon Gunnery - page 18

 

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MCWP 3-16.3 FM 6-50 TTP for the Field Artillery Cannon Gunnery - page 18

 

 

FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

After a failure to fire, try to fire two additional times. If

the weapon still fails to fire, wait 2 minutes from the last

attempt to fire and then remove and inspect the primer.

a. 

If the primer is not dented, the fault is in the firing

mechanism. Repair the firing mechanism; prime, and then

fire the weapon.

b. 

If the primer is dented, the primer is at fault. Replace

the primer with another primer and then fire the weapon.

c. 

If the primer fired, the fault is with the propelling

charge. Wait 10 minutes (8 minutes after removal and

inspection of the primer), open the breech, and remove and

dispose of the defective propelling charge. Reload the weapon

with a new propelling charge and primer for firing.

31. 

Unsafe; deflection exceeds left limit by 10 mils.

32. 

Unsafe; time is 0.4 second less than minimum time.

33. 

Unsafe, time is 2.0 seconds less than minimum time.

34. 

List the action taken in the event of misfire on an

M109A2/A4 (hot tube, charge 3).

After a failure to fire, try to fire two additional times. If

the weapon still fails to fire, wait 2 minutes from the last

attempt to fire and then remove and inspect the primer.

a. 

If the primer is not dented, the fault is in the firing

mechanism. Repair the firing mechanism, prime the weapon,

and then fire it within 5 minutes from the time the round

was chambered.

b. 

If the primer is dented, the primer is at fault. Replace

the primer with another primer and then fire the weapon

within 5 minutes from the time the round is chambered.

c. 

If the primer fired, the fault is with the propelling

charge. If it is a combat emergency, insert another primer

and then try to fire the weapon within 5 minutes from the

time the round was chambered.

d. 

If for any reason the projectile is not removed from

the tube within 5 minutes of cambering, evacuate all

personnel from the weapon and notify explosive ordnance

disposal for removal of the projectile.

35. 

Describe the method for measuring the greatest angle

of site to a crest in front of the howitzer and list the four

methods of determining piece-to-crest range.
Looking through the tube, sight along the lowest element

of the bore and direct the movement of the tube until the

line of site just clears the highest point on the crest in front

of the howitzer. Center the cross-level and pitch-level

bubbles, and read the elevation; this is the greatest angle of

site. The four methods of determining piece-to-crest range

are taping, map measurement, pacing, and estimation.

QUALIFICATION TEST II
Part 1: 

True and False

1.

The XO must compare the safety card minimum

QE with the XO’s minimum QE and use the larger.

2.

In indirect fire, the safety officer must ensure

that the visible portion of the impact area is clear of personnel.

3.

The OIC may authorize the firing of all types of

ammunition from a firing point, if he ensures that the proper

charge is being fired.

4.

Before illuminating rounds are fired, the position

commander must ensure that the firing of those rounds is

authorized on his safety card.

5.

The OIC must ensure that range clearance has

been obtained before the battery may fire.

6.

CHECK FIRING 

will be commanded only by

the plt ldr.

7.

Firing will be halted when the range control

commands  CHECK FIRING.

8.

The plt ldr will verify the boresight of each piece

prior to firing in each position.

9.

Excess powder should be piled as high as possible

for burning to prevent spreading of the flames and to reduce

the chance of starting a range fire.

10.

Because of the great range of the M110A2

howitzer, drift must be considered in the computation of

safety limits prior to the registration.
Part 2: 

Multiple Choice

11. 

Verifying the boresight of each weapon is the specific

responsibility of the-

a. 

section chief.

b. 

OIC of firing.

c. 

platoon leader.

d. 

OIC of firing and FDO.

12. 

The FDO has computed a minimum QE of 186 mils

and the plt ldr has determined a minimum QE of 195 mils

for shell HE and fuzes quick and time. Which QE should

be used as the safe minimum QE?

a.  

186

b.  

190

c.  

195

d.  

either 186 or 195

O-5

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

13. 

To inscribe a GFT setting on a GFT after a registration

has been completed, the manufacturer’s hairline is placed

over the-

a. 

adjusted time.

b. 

adjusted elevation.

c. 

chart range.

d. 

adjusted quadrant.

Part 3: 

Completion

14. 

Before leaving for the field, all officers in the chain

of command responsible for safety should read and

understand five references. They are as follows:

a.
b.
c.

d.
e.

15. 

Equipment and material required by safety personnel

in the field include the following:
a.

b.
c.

d.

e.

f.

16. 

Upon arrival at the prescribed firing point, the position

commander must check and verify the following:

a.

b.

c.
d.

17. 

When the battery is laid by the grid azimuth method,

the aiming circle can be no closer than

meters

to artillery weapons.

18. 

The platoon has been laid on an azimuth of 0430

mils. You are prepared to check the lay. The declination

constant of your aiming circle is 0130 mils. What instrument

reading would you place on the scales by use of the upper

motion when you are preparing to orient your aiming circle

on the azimuth of fire?

19. 

If a VT fuze does not seat properly in the fuze well,

what actions should be taken?

20. 

Describe the procedures for burning unused powder

increments.

21. 

At the firing point, how do you verify the declination

constant on the aiming circle?

22. 

How does the position commander verify the initial

lay of the platoon at a firing point if the laying circle used

the orienting angle method?

23. 

Describe the procedures used by the chief of section

in the testing target method to verify that the panoramic

telescope and the direct fire telescope of each howitzer are

aligned with the bore of the howitzer.

O-6

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

Part 4: 

Performance

24. Situation: 

You are the platoon leader of a 155-mm

M109A3 platoon firing shell HE, charge 5 green bag, fuzes

M557, M564, and M728. The piece-to-crest range is 1,000

meters. The reported angles of site are as follows:

Number 1: +14 mils
Number 2: +15 mils
Number 3: +18 mils
Number 4: +14 mils

Required:

a. 

What is the platoon leader’s minimum QE for firing

fuzes quick and mechanical time?

b. 

What is the minimum safe time for fuze VT

M728?

c. 

What is the platoon leader’s minimum QE for firing

fuze VT with a fuze setting less than the minimum safe

Show work:

25. Situation: 

You are the platoon leader of a 155-mm,

M109A3 firing charge 4 green bag. The platoon is laid on

azimuth 2150.

a. 

You have determined the following data:

Maximum

Minimum

altitude

altitude

Maximum range

377

368

Intermediate range 341

327

Minimum range

324

320

b. 

Platoon location grid 6072 3426, altitude 339.

c. 

The following data were taken from the safety card:

Safety limits for 155-mm SP howitzer, shell HE, fuzes

M557, M564, and M514 are as follows:
Left limit:

Azimuth 1725

Minimum range:

3,700 meters

Right limit:

Azimuth 2535

Maximum range:

7,100 meters

Charge 4 green bag only
Low-angle fire only
Special instructions: 

From azimuth 1725 to azimuth 1925

the minimum range is 4,200 meters.
Required: 

Complete the safety diagram.

Show work:

O-7

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

26. Situation continued: 

The platoon has completed a

Charge 4 green bag only

precision registration and the FDC determined the following

GFT setting:

High-angle fire only

Chg 4GB, lot XY, rg 4750, el 260, ti 15.2

Required: 

Complete the safety diagram, and compute the

safety data.

Total deflection correction R12

Show work:

Required: 

Using these registration corrections, compute

the modified safety diagram you will now use. (Use the

given data from requirement 25.)
Show work:

28. Situation: 

You are the fire direction officer for a

155-mm M109A3 platoon firing charge 4 green bag. The

platoon is laid on azimuth 2050.

27. Situation: 

You are the fire direction officer for a

155-mm M109A3 platoon firing charge 4 green bag. The

platoon is laid on azimuth 5900.

a. 

You have determined the following data:

Maximum

Minimum

altitude

altitude

Maximum range 395

389

Minimum range 388

364

b. 

Platoon location: grid 5845 4213, altitude 341.

c. 

The following data were taken from the range safety

card:
Left limit:

Azimuth 5580

Minimum range:

5,200 meters

Right limit:

Azimuth 6260

Maximum range:

6,900 meters

a. 

You have determined the following data:

Maximum

Minimum

altitude

altitude

Maximum range

377

368

Minimum range

324

320

b. 

Platoon altitude: 339 meters.

c. 

The following data were taken from the safety card:

Safety limits for 155-mm SP howitzer, shell ICM M483A1

are as follows:
Left limit:

Azimuth 1675

Minimum range:

4,400 meters

Right limit:

Azimuth 2435

Maximum range:

7,000 meters

Charge 4 green bag only
Low-angle fire only

O-8

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

Required: 

Complete the safety diagram, and compute the

Required: 

Complete the safety diagram, and compute the

safety data.

safety data.

Show work:

Show work:

29. Situation: 

You are the fire direction officer for a

155-mm M109A3 platoon firing charge 5 green bag. The

platoon is laid on azimuth 2050.

a. 

You have determined the following data:

Maximum

Minimum

altitude

altitude

Maximum range

377

368

Minimum range

385

320

b. 

Platoon altitude: 339 meters.

c. 

The following data were taken from the range safety

card:
Left limit:

Azimuth 1675

Maximum range:

7,000 meters

Right limit:

Azimuth 2436

Minimum range:

4,400 meters

Charge 5 green bag only.

SOLUTION TO QUALIFICATION TEST II
Part 1: 

True and False

1. 

True 3. False 5. True 7. True 9. False

2. 

True 4. True 6. False 8. True 10. True

Part 2: 

Multiple Choice

11. 

a.

12. 

c.

13. 

c.

Part 3: 

Completion

14. 

Before leaving for the field, all officers in the chain

of command should read and understand five references.

They are as follows:

a. 

AR 385-63

b. 

FM 6-50, Chapter 11

c. 

TM 43-0001-28

d. 

Appropriate TM for the weapon

Shell illuminating only.

e. 

Post range regulations

O-9

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

15. 

Equipment and material required by safety personnel

in the field include the following:

a. 

authorized safety card.

b. 

applicable tabular fining tables.

c. 

applicable graphical firing tables.

d. 

applicable graphical site tables.

e. 

map of the area.

f. 

aiming circle.

16. 

Upon arrival at the prescribed firing point, the platoon

leader must check and verify the following:

a. 

that the safety card applies to the firing unit, exercise,

and date.

b. 

that the platoon is in the position as specified on

the card.

c. 

the boresighting of each weapon.

d. 

the laying of the platoon.

17. 

When the battery is laid by the grid azimuth method,

the aiming circle must be no closer than 75 meters to artillery

weapons.

18. 

The platoon has been laid on an azimuth of 0430

mils. You are preparing to check the lay. The declination

constant of your aiming circle is 0130 mils. What instrument

reading would you place on the scales by use of the upper

motion when you are preparing to orient your aiming circle

on the azimuth of fire? 6,100 mils.

19. 

If a VT fuze does not seat properly in the fuze well,

what actions should be taken?
Remove the fuze, and check to see if the supplementary

charge is still in the fuze well (M500 series and M728 only).

If it is, remove it and install the fuze. Then if the fuze

does not seat properly, remove it and turn it in to the

ammunition section.

20. 

Describe the procedures for burning unused powder

increments.
The burning site will be at least 200 feet from debris and

grass, personnel, and equipment. All powder charge

increments to be destroyed should be placed in a single-layer

row not more than 12 inches wide. The row of increments

should be placed so that burning will progress into the

direction of the wind. A train of combustible material about

15 feet long should be placed perpendicular to, and at the

downwind end of, the row of increments. The combustible

materials should be lit at the end farthest from the row of

increments. Igniter pads and flash reducers will be placed

at the upwind end of the row of increments to be destroyed.

21. 

At a firing point, how do you verify the declination

constant of the aiming circle?

Set up the aiming circle over any point from which the

azimuth to another visible point is known. Using the upper

motion, set the known azimuth on the scales. Using the

lower 

motion, sight on the known point. Release the

magnetic needle, and, using the upper motion, center it.

Read the value on the scales, and compare it to the declination

constant. If the two values compare within 2 mils, the

declination constant is valid. If not, the aiming circle should

be redeclinated in accordance with FM 6-50, Chapter 4.

22. 

How does the position commander verify the initial

lay of the platoon at a firing point if the lay circle used the

orienting angle method?

A declinated aiming circle, oriented on the azimuth of lay,

will be set up at least 10 meters away from the lay circle.

Referred readings will be taken between the two aiming

circles and they must agree within 10 mils or as dictated

by local range regulations/unit SOP. The platoon leader

will command the pieces to refer to the verification circle

after the weapons have established an aiming point and

verified boresight.

The referred readings between the

verification circle and the pieces must agree with criteria

established by local range regulations/unit SOP.

23. 

Describe the procedures used by the chief of section

using the testing target method to verify that the panoramic

telescope and the direct fire telescope of each howitzer are

aligned parallel to the bore of the howitzer.

a. 

The chief of section will verify that the panoramic

telescope gunner’s aid counter is set to 0, the muzzle cross

hairs are centered on the center aiming diagram, the telescope

mount is level, and the azimuth counter shows 3,200 mils

when the panoramic telescope reticle is laid precisely on

the left aiming diagram.

b. 

The chief of section will verify that the elbow

telescope cross-level bubble is centered, the range gauge

line of the elbow telescope is set on zero elevation, and the

reticle of the elbow telescope coincides with the right pattern

of the testing target.
Part 4: 

Performance

Note: 

Some of the problems will have cuts listed

which exceed the maximum allowable.

If the

maximum allowable cuts are exceeded, only the

maximum points shown will be lost.

O-10

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

24. 

(Weight 15)

Angle 1

+18 (value -1)

Angle 2 +6 (value -1)

Angle 3

+1 (value -1)

Angle 4 +38 (value-2)

Angle 5

+2 (value -1)

Expression errors -1
Mathematical error -1

a. 

Minimum QE 65 (Maximum cut -6)

b. 

Minimum safe time =

2.8 + 5.5 = 8.3 9.0
(-1) (-1)

(-1)

(Maximum cut for this part of problem -3)

Angle 1 +18

Angle 2 +72

Angle 3 +1

Angle 4 +38

Angle 5 +2

c. 

Minimum QE 131 (Maximum cut -6)

Entire problem maximum cut -15
Maximum cuts for expression for entire problem -2

25. 

(Weight 25)

Diagram construction:
Deflection and
azimuth - 1 ea
Dog leg positioning

Maximum cut -6

Expression errors - 1
Math errors - 1
Deflection other than
3200-3

26. 

(Weight 25)

Diagram: Deflection and azimuth -2 each (Maximum

cut -6)
Failure to use GFT setting -15
FS M514, did not apply 5.5 -2
Expression -1
Math error -1
Deflection other than 3200-3

O-11

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

27. 

(Weight 20)

Diagram: Deflection and azimuth -2 each

(maximum cut -4)

Drift -2 each (maximum cut -4)

Math errors -1

Expression errors -1

Deflection other than 3200-3

28. (Weight 10)

Diagram: Deflection and azimuth -1 each

(maximum cut -2)

Expression errors -1

Math errors -1

O-12

29. 

(Weight 10)

Diagram: Deflection and azimuth - 1 each

(maximum cut -2)

Expression errors -1

Math errors -1

O-2. HANDS-ON SAFETY CERTIFICATION

a. Description.

(1) The hands-on safety certification test presented here

is a sample of a test to be conducted in conjunction with

the written safety test. The hands-on safety certification

allows the commander to determine if subordinate leaders

are adequately prepared to perform safety-related duties

during live-fire exercises.

(2) Conduct this test in a field location. The battalion

survey section will establish the orienting station, orienting

line, end of orienting line, and several known aiming points

with known direction. The unit being evaluated will provide

all necessary equipment to perform all listed tasks. The S3

will provide inert training rounds, fuzes, and propellant.

(3) The certification test must approximate the

conditions and stress that a safety-certified person will

encounter. This test does not specify a maximum allowable

time for completion of individual tasks. The appropriate

AMTP can be used as a standard.

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

b. Test Administration.

(1) The test should be conducted to certify, as a

minimum, the battery commander, platoon leaders, fire

direction officers, platoon sergeants, gunnery sergeants, chief

computer, and howitzer section chiefs.

(2) The battalion commander will evaluate the battery

commander on the tasks listed in Table O-2. When the

battery commander has been certified, he, the battalion

executive officer, and S3 will conduct the certification of

the battery personnel.

(3) The platoon leaders and fire direction officers will

be evaluated on the tasks listed in Table O-3. The platoon

sergeants and gunnery sergeants will be evaluated on the

tasks listed in Table O-4. The howitzer section chiefs will

be evaluated on tasks listed in Table O-5, and the chief

computer and/or fire direction specialists will be evaluated

on the tasks listed in Table O-6.

(4) Howitzer sections will be given a series of dry fire

missions which they will be required to process. During

these missions, the howitzer section chiefs will be evaluated

on their ability to determine if the commands sent are safe

to fire. The section chief will have his section members

perform their individual tasks during fire mission processing

to verify proper procedures are being used. (See paragraph

c below.)

(5) There are 17 errors that may occur on the howitzer

if the howitzer is not checked before every round is fired.

Those errors will cause a fining incident. They must be

prevented by the safety NCO who safes the weapon before

firing. A safety NCO that overlooks any one of these 17

possible errors will eventually fire an unsafe round.

O-13

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

c. Dry-Fire Mission for Section Chief Safety Test. 

To

present a stressful exam that can identify safe chiefs, this

test consists of 10 fire missions. In the process of those

10 missions, all 17 errors that will cause firing incidents

occur. The test sight is set up as close to a live fire situation

as possible. Cannoneers set off the induced errors, have

them

test.

corrected, and fire the 10 missions safely to pass the

Annexes to this hands-on test are as follows:

Annex 1- The 17 errors that can occur in a mission.
Annex 2- The 10 fire missions (with error annotated).
Annex 3- Section member cue cards. The data that

each one of the section members sets off.
Annex 4- The

will use.
Annex 5- The
Annex 6- The

safety Ts that the chief being tested

inbriefing to the test sight.
equipment needed at the test sight.

Annex 7- A grade sheet.

ANNEX 1

ERRORS THAT WILL CAUSE

A FIRING INCIDENT

SAFETY T (Errors T1 - T6)
T1.
T2.
T3.
T4.
T5.
T6.

Shell not authorized
Charge not authorized
Deflection not authorized
Quadrant not authorized
Fuze not authorized
Time setting not authorized

Note: 

The test is written so that three safety Ts apply

in the firing point. The chief must pick the appropriate

safety T on the basis of the charge given in the fire

commands and then safe the mission using that

safety T.

ASSEMBLY OF PROJECTILE (Errors Al - A4)
A1. Wrong fuze used
A2. Wrong shell used
A3. Wrong charge used
A4. Wrong fuze setting

O-14

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

Notes:

1. This test is written to work with vernier scale

fuzes (M564, M565) or the digital fuzes (M577,

M582).

Even though 105-mm ammunition often

comes prefuzed, the chief should be familiar with

authorized shell/fuze combinations and must check

his prefuzed ammunition to preclude any incidents.

2. This test is designed to work with both standard

105-mm propelling charges (1-7) and 155-mm

propelling charges for green bag.

INCORRECT DATA SET ON THE WEAPON (Errors

W1 - W7)
W1 Pantel: Bubbles not centered
W2 Pantel: individual piece correction set off
W3 Pantel: Wrong deflection set off

a. Numbers transposed
b. Azimuth and reset counter not in synchronization

for aiming point used
W4 Pantel: Sight picture off

a. Aiming posts
b. Collimator

W5 Quadrant: Bubbles not centered
W6 Quadrant: Individual piece correction off
W7 Quadrant: Numbers transposed on elevation counter

Notes:

1. This test was written with a bias for the M100-

series sights. The induced errors are those errors

most likely to occur on the pantels with digital

counters (transposed numbers). Should you test an

M101A1 weapon system chief, the test should be

modified so that the more likely 100 mil errors are

induced, rather than transposed numbers [W3a, W7].

2. Error W3b is for an M100-series sight with reset

counter. If testing a weapon with a 12-series sight,

the slipping scale should be slipped 30 mils out of

synchronization with its original orientation to effect

the same error.

ANNEX 2

FIRE MISSIONS

Note:  

If testing a 155-mm section chief, then state

GREEN BAG 

on all charge commands.  C

(collimator) and AP (aiming posts) in DF commands

are the designated aiming points.

O-15

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

ANNEX 5

IN-BRIEFING TO TEST SITE

1. Here are your authorized safety Ts for this firing point.

2. The platoon sergeant just assigned you to be the safety

NCO for this howitzer because the chief was sent on

emergency leave.
3. Your crew consists of a gunner, an ammunition team

chief, an assistant gunner, cannoneers #1 and #2, and a driver.

I will be both the FDC and test administrator.
4. The weapon is laid and safed, and prefire checks have

been done.

5. Your GDU is down, so you will be getting voice fire

commands.
6. There are no individual piece corrections for this weapon

in this position.
7. You will be given 10 fire missions; you must fire all

missions.

8. If you encounter an error on your weapon, state UNSAFE

and the nature of the unsafe condition to me.
9. After I check the error and the error is corrected, continue

to safe the weapon till all errors are corrected; and then fire

the mission.

10. The round will not be rammed. That will be simulated.

11. The gunner may sight on either the collimator or the

aiming posts to fire the mission. Both aiming reference

points have been safety-checked by the platoon sergeant

earlier.

12. The evaluator will read your section all 10 missions.

If you have any questions about a fire command, have him

repeat the needed command.

13. You must score GOs on all induced safety errors to

pass this test.

ANNEX 6

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Howitzer with section equipment.
Howitzer crew (7 men).
Collimator (with 10 mils displacement at DF 3200).
Aiming posts (with 10 mils displacement at DF 3200).
Dummy or inert rounds (HE, WP, HC smoke).
Dummy or inert fuzes (M564 or M582, M565 or M557,

M728/M514 or M732).
Dummy or inert charges (two complete sets for 105-mm,

two complete green bag sets for 155-mm).
DA Form 5212-R (Gunner’s Reference Card).

O-19

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

O-20

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

d. Safety Certification

(1) Record. Units should keep a record of all safety

certifications. The record should include the following:

Name and rank
Unit
Position in which safety-certified
Date of safety exam
Date of certification
Name of certifying officer
Test scores

(2) Statement. Units should keep on file a statement

signed by the certified individual indicating that he

understands that-

For every function connected with firing, there is a

person responsible for doing it, and there is a safety-

certified person responsible for seeing that it is done

properly.
The person checking data must be safety-certified

himself.
At no time may an individual perform a function related

to firing and check himself.

The individual understands his duties as a safety-

certified person and will do his duties without

compromise.

O-3. VERIFICATION CHECKLIST

The verification checklists presented below may be modified

as necessary to meet local requirements.

PLATOON SERGEANT OR GUNNERY SERGEANT

VERIFICATION CHECKS

1. Verify lay and referred deflections of weapons.
2. Verify sight to crest and distance to crest of weapons.
3. Verify posted safety limits of weapons.
4. Ensure azimuth of fire is verified with M2 compass on

each howitzer.

5. Verify Boresight.

CHIEF OF SECTION VERIFICATION CHECKS

1. Verify the lay of the weapon as follows:

a. Lay deflection.
b. Referred deflection to the second circle and to the

aiming points.
2. Verify sight to crest.
3. Verify boresight.
4. Verify that prefire checks have been performed.

5. Post safety limits when a safety T is received.
6. Before firing verify the following:

a. Shell-fuze combination and fuze setting.
b. Charge
c. Deflection and quadrant settings (bubbles level), and

that the gunner has the correct sight picture.

d. Fire commands are safe to fire using the safety T.
e. The number of cut charges remaining.

O-21 

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

G L O S S A R Y

A

AAP
abatis

AC
ACIF
ADAM

ADFT

allied administrative publication
obstacle created by felling trees so that the

trunks lie across a road or trail and impede

movement.
aiming circle
artillery counterfire information

area denial artillery munitions
artillery direct fire trainer

adjusting piece 

the howitzer that is designated by FDC

to conduct the adjust fire

portion of a fire mission.

advance party 

a group of unit representatives

dispatched to a planned new position in

advance of the main body to prepare the

position for the arrival of the unit and its

equipment.

AFATDS 

advanced field artillery tactical data system

AFCS

automatic fire control system

AG

assistant gunner

AIC

ammunition identification code

aiming circle 

an optical instrument used to orient the

tube of an indirect fire weapon in a desired

direction. This instrument can measure both

the horizontal and vertical angles.

aiming point 

a sharply defined point or object on

which the sight of a weapon is aligned when

the weapon is laid for direction. There are

two general types of aiming points--distant

and close-in.

aiming post 

a striped rod used in pairs as a close-in

aiming point.

ALOC

administrative and logistics operations center

alt

altitude

alternate position 

the position given to a weapon, unit,

or individual to be occupied when the pri-

mary position becomes untenable or unsuit-

able for carrying out the mission. The alter-

nate position is located so that the unit can

continue the mission it had when in its pri-

mary position.

AM

amplitude modulated

AMB

air mission brief

AMC

at my command

ammunition lot 

number code number assigned to a

particular lot of ammunition when it is manu-

factured. This manufacturer’s lot number is

alphanumeric and is different from the lot

number assigned to an ammunition lot by the

unit.

ammunition supply point 

location at which conven-

tional ammunition is available for distribution

to using units.

ammunition transfer point 

location established in the

maneuver brigade’s trains area to issue high-

usage conventional ammunition to using units.

AMTP

ARTEP mission training plan

ant

antenna

AOF

azimuth of fire

AOP

allied ordinance publication

AP 

or APERS antipersonnel

AP-BAF

APERS-T
app
AR

(memory aid) az to the aiming point minus

back-azimuth of fire
antipersonnel--tracer
appendix
Army regulation

area denial artillery munitions 

projectiles M692 and

M731 are 155-mm mine munitions containing

36 antipersonnel mines each.

arming range 

the range at which a fuze becomes

operational.

ARTEP

Army training and evaluation plan

ARSS

automated range safety system

ASP

ammunition supply point

ATGM

antitank guided missile

Glossary-1

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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23

ATP

ammunition transfer point

automated range safety system 

a computer software

application which allows for the automated

computation of range safety data or safety Ts.

axis of tube 

imaginary center line of the tube of a

cannon.

AXO

assistant executive officer

a z

azimuth

azimuth

a horizontal, clockwise angle measured from

north. A grid azimuth, measured from grid

north, is the azimuth normally used in the

field artillery. A magnetic azimuth is

measured from magnetic north; a true azimuth

is measured from true north.

azimuth of fire

the direction, expressed in mils, that a

battery is laid (oriented) on when it occupies a

position.

B

back-azimuth 

the back-azimuth is equal to the azimuth

plus or minus 3,200 mils.

BAS

battalion aid station

base-ejection shell 

a type of projectile that ejects its

payload from the base, such as the ICM pro-

jectile.

basic load of ammunition 

the amount of ammunition

a unit is authorized to maintain to initiate

combat and sustain itself until resupplied.

battery center 

the chart location of the battery. The

geographic center of all weapons.

battery computer system 

an automated data

processing system located in the firing battery.

Consists of three major components: light-

weight computer unit, power distribution unit,

and 1 to 12 gun display units. Used to

compute accurate firing data and as a digital

communications interface. For additional

information, see ST 6-40-2.

battery operations center 

a facility established to

serve as an alternate FDC and as the battery

command post.

BB

BC
BCS
BD
BDAR

BE

BG

BII

BMO
BMT
bn

BOC

BOMREP

basebleed
battery commander

battery computer system
base detonating (fuze)
battlefield damage assessment and repair
Belgium or base ejecting
box grinder
basic issue item
battalion motor officer
battalion maintenance technician
battalion
battery operations center
bombing report

boresighting 

the process by which the optical axes of

the weapon sights are aligned parallel to the

axis of the cannon tube. The primary methods

of boresighting are the distant aiming point,

the testing target, or standard angle. Boresight

is verified with the M140/M139 alignment

device.

BSA

brigade support area

BSOC

battalion support operations center

btry

battery

BUCS

backup computer system

C

CA
cal
caliber 1.

Canada or case assembly
caliber

The diameter of the bore of a weapon;

obtained in rifled weapons by measuring be-

tween opposite lands. 2. Diameter of a pro-

jectile. 3. Unit of measure used to express

,

the length of the bore of a weapon. The

number of calibers is determined by dividing

the length of the bore of the weapon (from

breech face of the tube to the muzzle) by the

diameter of its bore.

CAM

chemical agent monitor

Glossary-2

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