MALLO RAPID PROTRATOR

General
The Mallo Rapid Protractor (MRP) is a fire control instrument designed to aid the
Squad Leader or Fire Direction Center operator in plotting targets and computing firing
data. It consists of protractor and a range arm. This fire control instrument is a light
weight, very simple to operate, fast and accurate. It is easily adapted and suitable to
use in the field under undesirable atmospheric condition especially for the maneuver
unit.

Description of Mallo Rapid Protractor

a)

Protractor
- is made of (Laminated paper for training proposes only) acrylic
plastic (for mission) in a half circle form with a range arm attach to the other side. The
Range arm scale and deflection scale is engrave in a clear acrylic plastic.
- Deflection scale is engrave at the outer side of the protractors arc
which is divided into equal parts, 1/6400 mils units of angular measurement. One
graduation is 10 mils and labeled in every 100 mils from 1200 mils to 4400 mils. The
common (referred) deflection of this protractor is from 1200 mils to 4400 mils. This is
the most practical Referred deflection used in laying the mortar or plotting in the plotting
board in the field.
b)

Range arm
- Rang arm Scale (1:25,000 meters) is engrave from the center of
the protractor (mortar position) outward and graduated in 50 meters and labeled every
100 meters mortar position (vertex) 0 to 45 in hundred of meters.
c)

Vertex

- Vertex is the point of origin or represent the mortar position

which the range start this point.

DIRECT FIRE PROCEDURES

(Target is visible from Mortar Position)
Procedure
In combat situation the normal employment of 60mm mortar is by
individual squads directly control by the squad leaders. The squad leader observes the
target area from the observation post (OP) and control the fire by issuing fire commands
directly to the mortar crews by means of voice or radio.
Steps
1

Action
When enemy is identified, the mortar crew should be in partial defilade. This
gives good protection from enemy direct fire weapon. The squad leader will
move to advantage position and act as forward observer and computer for his
squad.

Squad Leaders gives an order (by voice or radio) Squad refer direct lay,
engage enemy camp direction 12 Oclock, range 500.

The gunner and assistant gunner will lay the mortar to the target while ammo
bearers provide security for the squad. The gunner lays the mortar for deflection
(3200 mils) and elevation (1100 mils). Then announce BUBBLES UP for
leveled bubbles, and GUN UP for gun is ready

Then he gives his command Squad refer direct lay, engage enemy camp, one
round, H.E. quick charge 2, elevation 1020, fire when ready.

Then he construct the emergency firing chart on any flat surface suitable to
accommodate the MRP and map pins.

The squad leader places the MRP at the center of the plotting surface.

Orient the MRP to the general direction as announce by the squad leader.

Place a map pin in the vertex of the MRP. This pin represents the mortar
location.

Without moving the MRP, establish the deflection index by placing the map pin
opposite to the graduation on the protractors arc that represents the
common/referred deflection.

10
11

Insert a map pin through the center of the target grid.

Without moving the MRP place the pin with target grid attach to the range arm

opposite to the range to the target.

12

Move the MRP to allow the target grid rest to the plotting surface.

13

Move the MRP until the arm is against the pin marking the target location.

14

Allow the arrow (0-3200 line) on the target grid so that it is parallel to the arm of
the MRP. The head of the arrow should point away from the vertex of the MRP
along the Gun Target Line.

15

Place a pin opposite the target grid graduation corresponding to the Direction of
fire (Mounting Azimuth). This represents the north index of the target grid.

16

Rotate the target grid until the announce Observer direction align to the north
index pin. The target grid is now properly oriented for the plotting of the
observers correction, place additional map pin to fixed the target grid.

17

Plot the Left or and Add or Drop correction by measuring the number of square
from target location. Each square on the target grid is equal to 100 meters and
can be visually interpolated to the nearest 10 meters.

INDIRECT FIRE PROCEDURE

(Target is not visible from Firing Unit)

Equipments used in indirect fire procedure

1.
MRP - The Mallo Rapid Protractor is a fire control instrument designed to
aid the Squad Leader or Fire Direction Center operator in plotting targets and computing
firing data. It consists of protractor and range arm.
2.
Target Grid - is a circular device on which grid lines are printed. The
gridlines on the target grid the same as scale of the 1:25,000 firing chart, dividing a
1,000 meters square into 100-meters square. An Azimuth scale is printed around the
outer edge of the target grid. It is graduated in 1 degree increments and numbered
every 5 degrees. An Arrow extends across the center of the target grid and used to
indicated the observer- target line. The target grid is labeled Left or Right for lateral
correction. Add or Drop for range correction.
3.
Grid Sheet - is a plain sheet of paper or plastic (Mylar) on which equally
spaced horizontal and verticals lines, called grid lines are printed (12 by 12 squares).
The intervals between these grid lines will create 1000-meter grid squares on a scale of
1:25,000. These scales provide the best compromise between accuracy and
convenience.
4.
Plotting Pins are used to mark indexes and temporary position on the
firing chart. On a 1:25,000 scale chart, the thickness of the plotting pin shaft equals to
20 meters.
5.
Pencil is sharpen to a conical point and used to label and construct tick
marks and to label deflection index.

Procedure
Steps
Action
Choose a suitable smooth surface on which the firing chart will be constructed
1
and place the grid sheet on this.
Tape the opposite corner of the grid sheet down and make sure that the tape
2
does not cover any grid lines.
The grid sheet is numbered to correspond to the map are of the zone of
3
operation in which the unit will be operating. The first two digits represent
easting and the second two digits represent the northing.
4
Select the grid square at the center of the firing chart. Number the grid lines that
correspond to the center of the firing unit. (Grid Coordinate of the firing unit) The
first two digits represent easting lines (vertical lines) bottom side of the firing

5
6
7

chart and the second two digits represent the northing lines (horizontal lines) left
side of the firing chart. Plot a tick marks and identify the location of a point
plotted on a firing chart.
Place a GTA on the firing unit location (Mortar psn) oriented to the grid north.
Then insert a map pin, mark and label the mounting azimuth (direction of fire)
on the outer edge of the GTA
Remove the GTA, insert a map pin in the vertex of the MRP and place on the
firing unit location, and slide the arm of the MRP against the mounting azimuth
index pin.
Place a pin opposite the deflection graduations of the MRP correspond to the
common /referred deflection. And now ready to receive a call for fire.