APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP 1.

References:

a. FM 6-30 Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Observed Fire dtd 16 July 1991. b. DRAFT TRADOC Pam "Joint Laser Designation Procedures", dtd 18 Jan 1986. c. TRADOC PAM 11 Dec 1985. 34-3 "Joint Laser Designation Procedures", dtd

2. General: The laser designator and seeker uses a pulse coding system to ensure that specific seeker and designator work in harmony. The seeker tracks the target which is illuminated by the designator. The pulse coding used by the systems discussed in this Appendix is based on a Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF). The designator and seeker pulse codes use a truncated decimal system. This system uses the numerical digit 1 thru 8 and the codes are directly correlated to a specific digit code settings that ranges from 111 to 1788. The three and four digit code settings are compatible with the mix of equipment that is used in laser operations. When mixing three and four digit code equipment, however all personnel should understand that the first digit of a four digit code is always set to numerical digit 1. The remaining three digits of the four digit code are set to match the three digits of the three digit code: for example, a three digit code of 657 is set to 1657 on a four digit code system, or vice versa. 3. Management:

a. The joint force headquarters has overall responsibility for laser code management. The Corps Fire Support Element (FSE) is the primary group management agency for laser settings in the Corps area of operations. The Corps FSE coordinates laser settings with the Air Support Operation Center (ASOC) and with subordinate units. It formats the plan for settings allocation and issues coordinating instructions in the Fire Support Plan. b. The Corps FSE is responsible for the overall management of settings for the Corps area of operations. Blocks of settings are assigned to each division artillery. The FSE monitors the activities of Corps units operating in or near D-7-1

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP division boundaries. It changes switch setting assignments when necessary to prevent duplication. c. Laser coding can be used effectively with Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs). LGB codes are set on the bombs before takeoff and cannot be changed in the air. When the aircraft is on station, the pilot passes the code to the Forward Air Controller (FAC). The FAC coordinates with the laser designator operator to ensure that the codes are the same. 4. Safety. Looking at the front of the laser designator when the beam is on, or at beam reflections (glass, etc) may result in serious eye damage or blindness. Because of the laser beam, it is not safe to look at the front of an operating laser designator at any range. Operators must use extreme care to avoid lasing personnel during training operations. 5. Laser Pulse Code: a. General: A laser pulse code is a selected pulse repetition frequency (PRF) used to allow a specific laser seeker to lock on a target illuminated by a specific laser designator. b. Distribution: (192 total) are reserved for However, they are allocated to Corps FSE/Battlefield Coordination for an operation. Band 2 settings the Corps FSE as follows:

(1) Band 1 settings unilateral use by the USAF. users (as coordinated by the Detachment (BCD) as required (256 total) are allocated by

(a) Thirty-two (32) settings are reserved for Corps use. These are the primary settings for the Combat Aviation Brigade when deployed with the Corps. (b) Sixteen (16) settings are reserved for use on or near the division and Corps Boundaries. Eight (8) are designated for the left boundary and eight (8) are designated for the right boundary. (c) Two hundred and eight (208) settings are allocated for use by divisions/separate brigades. This is based on the number of designators planned for the future and the division D-7-2

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE). It may be modified as required by MTOE changes, new basis of issue plans for equipment, or tactical scenario. (2) When additional fire support assets are assigned, attached or given reinforcing missions from outside the division, the supported division assigns laser switch settings from its assigned allocation. (3) Units with a mission of general support to the Corps use their settings from its assigned allocation. (4) Special Operations Forces (SOF) have their band 1 settings designated by the Corps FSE/Air Liaison Officer (ALO) in coordination with the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC)/BCD when these units are beyond artillery range or when they are solely dependent on USAF assets for fire support. SOF units have their Band 2 setting designated by the Corps FSE when supported by Corps Surface Systems.. c. Employment:

(1) Each Ground Laser Locator Designator (GLLD) or Laser Target Designator (LTD) is allocated two switch settings. One is designated as the primary and the other as the alternate. These settings are not changed unless directed in the fire support plan contained in the operations order or the frag order. (2) When utilizing a ground designator with an airborne weapons delivery platform, the airborne system uses the ground observers' settings. These settings are changed from the aircraft as required. The only exception to this is laser guided bombs. USAF-designated settings are distributed to Army elements through FSE channels. (3) The following laser pulse codes are assigned to the 10th (Mountain) Division, Ft. Drum, NY: 82d Airborne Division; 3D Infantry Division (Mech); 2nd ACR; and the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT): 111-118 121-128 131-138 311-318 321-328 331-338 411-418 421-428 431-438 D-7-3

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP 141-148 351-358 241-248 251-258 261-268 271-278 281-288 341-348 451-458 361-368 371-378 381-388 441-448 461-468 471-478 481-488

Restricted: 151-158 , 161-168 (boundary use only) Reserved for Corps Use: 171-178, 181-188,211-218, 231-238 Restrictions: 111-148 are reserved for AVN designators. (a) Typical Division Plan For Distribution of Band 2 Laser switch settings: DIV AVN BN DS BN 1 DS BN 2 DS BN 3 GS BN HHB, DIVARTY Main FSE 111-148 241-288 311-358 361-428 431-448 451-462 171-198 32 settings Aircraft Designators

40 settings Fire Spt Team (FIST), separate observation/lasing team 40 settings 40 settings 16 settings 10 settings 24 settings O/L Team, O/L Team, O/L Team, Air Observer

(b) Each Division uses the distribution from each of the ten blocks shown above. If units on both sides of a boundary are using the same pulse codes, the division FSE with approval from Corps FSE allocates restricted codes. d. Separate Brigades: If one separate Brigades is operating in within the Corps area of operation, it allocates as shown above for direct support (DS) BN 1. In the event two separate brigades are operating in the same sector, the Corps FSE determines which unit uses the DS BN 1 allocation and which uses the DS BN 2 allocation. 6. Laser Designator Procedures: D-7-4

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP a. Ground Designator Procedures:

(1) The FIST/Forward Observer (FO) Team, in support of maneuver elements, uses laser designators to lase stationary moving point targets for engagement by laser guided weapons and aircraft with laser acquisition devices. (2) The maneuver commander specifies the priority of target engagements by laser guided weapons and this is outlined in the fire support plan. (3) In the offense, the range of laser designators allows the operators to remain in an overwatch position at the beginning of the attack and then to support from successive positions as the advance progresses. (4) In the defense, the FO coordinates the location of the laser designators with the company commander. Overall visibility, line-of- sight, cover and concealment, mutual support of operations, and likely avenue(s) of approach are essential considerations in planning. b. Airborne Designator Procedures: The mobility of aerial laser designators enables the operator to more easily acquire targets and maintain a constant line-of-sight with them. Aerial observers use the same calls for fire as ground observers. They obtain a gun-target line from the FDC and position themselves near the gun-target line to increase the probability of target acquisition by the cannon launched guided projectile (Copperhead). c. Cannon Launched Guided Projectile (CLGP) Procedures:

(1) Stationary test: In his call for fire, the observer requests CLGP on the target's actual location. The number of rounds fired may vary depending on the target description. If the target is expected to remain in his line of sight during engagement, the observer may request one or more rounds to be fired sequentially. If the target has a high payoff, the observer may request two simultaneous rounds to increase the kill probability. The FDC should include the time of flight (TOF), number of rounds, and the laser PRF code in the D-7-5

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP message to observer (MTO). When the battery fires the CLGP, the battery FDC sends the FO "shot over." The FO responds "shot out." When the CLGP is 20 seconds from impact, the FDC sends "Laser on" to the FO. The FO must acknowledge with "Laser on." If the FO does not acknowledge "Laser on," the battery FDC continues to send the FO laser calls until the round impacts. After the FO acknowledges the "Laser on" call, the FO continues to designate until the CLGP impacts, 20 seconds later, or he receives the "Laser off". (2) Moving targets. Preplanned: When a moving target is detected and its path crosses preplanned target coordinates, the observer calls for CLGP fire on the preplanned target location using "at my command" as the method of control. The message to observer is the same as for a stationary target. (3) Moving Targets. Targets of opportunity: If a moving target is detected outside of a preplanned target area, but within engagement range, the observer uses his laser designator to estimate its speed and direction. The observer determines an intercept point. The intercept point is reported to FDC using polar plot data from the laser designator reference from a known point, or grid coordinates. The recommended method of control is "at my command". d. Laser Designation for Naval Gunfire (NSF): Laser designators can be employed in conjunction with NSF in the manner as artillery CLGPs are employed. Standard indirect fire procedures are slightly different because of guided projectiles (GP). (1) Target acquisition and Call for Fire: The observer uses standard procedures to detect targets and communicate the information to the gunfire support ship. The naval gunfire net is a high frequency (HF) net. Upon detection of a target, the observer provides the standard elements of a NSF call-for-fire (target location, target description, and method of control). If the target is moving, the observer estimates target speed and then transmits target position, direction, and speed to the ship in his call-for-fire. (2) Target Location: Target location is determined as accurately as possible and provided to the ship by the observer. D-7-6

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP If polar plot is used to locate the target, the offset point must be known by the firing ship FDC. Estimated target motion or predicted intercept position is included in the call-for-fire. (3) Indirect Fire Mission: The procedure for an indirect fire mission is a step-by-step sequence provided that the observer position is announced to the firing ship. Indirect fire is conducted against surface targets beyond shipboard sensor/designator range or against targets ashore which are masked from direct shipboard observation. (4) Fire for Effect: The initial salvo should be fire-for-effect. If target motion, security or other conditions so dictate, the spotter/observer may want to use "At my command" to control firing. (a) Munitions mix: First-round accuracy does not preclude the possibility of a fire mission using a mix of ballistic and guided rounds. It is desirable to initially fire and adjust ballistic rounds to correct for errors in ship position or target location. This approach offers a higher assurance that the ballistic aiming point is on or close to the target. Fire-for-effect using a guided projectile should follow the initial adjustment. (b) Target Information: The information provided by the observer to the NSF ship includes a description of the target, an estimate of its vulnerability, and any other available information to evaluate the level of threat to the ship, friendly forces, planned operations, and/or mission accomplishment. (5) Laser Coordination: The ship specifies the laser code, and transmits the gun-target line, time of flight, and number of rounds. The operator prepares to illuminate the target at the call "shot," and begins to lase the target when hearing "Laser on." The laser remains on, until rounds impact, or "Laser off" is called. e. Laser Designation for Close Air Support: D-7-7

APPENDIX 7 (LASER DESIGNATION PROCEDURES) TO ANNEX D (FIRE SUPPORT) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP (1) General: TRADOC PAM 34-3 presents procedures for the use of laser designators in close air support. Modifications to existing control procedures include: additions to Forward Air Controller (FAC) brief and plot reporting procedures, establishment of a backup communication system between the FAC and FO to coordinate laser designation of targets, provisions for attack coordination between the FAC and the Air Support Radar Team (ASRT), and the establishment of standard terminology for laser activities. (2) Target Acquisition: The use of laser designators in close air support can provide a fast and accurate means of marking targets for airborne laser tracker (ALT) equipped aircraft. The use of target coordinates, smoke, and illuminating flares complement laser designated target acquisition. Without marking rounds, aircraft may be pointed too far away from the target to acquire the laser spot. Aircraft equipped with an ALT are able to detect reflected laser energy. These aircraft include the A-10, F/A-18, A-6E, AV-8B. ALT equipped aircraft can use detected laser energy to acquire and attack both area and point targets. The accuracy of laser target designation helps air crews to positively identify the correct position as a target. The laser PRF code is passed from the FO/FIST/FAC to the aircraft, unless the aircraft will employ laser guided bombs. In the latter case, the pilot will inform the FAC of the bombs laser codes. (3) Terminal Guidance: Target acquisition is followed by the delivery of laser guided weapons. Some laser guided weapons, such as the laser Maverick, laser guided bomb (LGB) and the low level laser guided bomb (LLGB) are released at a standoff range which reduces the exposure of the aircraft to enemy air defenses. Before the attack, air crews with laser guided weapons must pass the laser code to the FAC. The FAC subsequently passes the code to the FIST/FO. For standoff LGW deliveries, the ground commander must fully understand and accept the consequences of a possible weapon's failure (i.e., laser maverick, LGB, LLGB) to properly guide to the target. The final decision to release standoff laser guided weapons in a CAS environment and from behind friendly lines rests with the ground commander.

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