HGST

Ballistics

• Ballistics is the science of projectile motion and conditions affecting that motion.
• Interior ballistics include factors such as barrel wear, launcher tube misalignment, thrust misalignment, propellant charge, and projectile weight.
• Aircrews cannot compensate for interior ballistics when firing free-flight projectiles.

Exterior Ballistics

• Exterior ballistics influence the motion of the projectile as it moves along its trajectory.
• Gravity, yaw, projectile drift, and wind drift are types of exterior ballistics.
• Yaw is the angle between a projectile's centerline and trajectory, causing trajectory to change and drag increase.
• Projectile drift increases as range to target increases, and spinning projectiles act like a gyroscope, exhibiting gyroscopic precession.

Aerial-Fired Weapons

• Aerial-fired weapons characteristics are derived from fin or spin-stabilized munitions and whether they are fired from a fixed or flexible mode.
• Common errors for these munitions include rotor down-wash error, angular rate error, and turning bank error.
• Rotor down-wash acts on the projectile as it leaves the barrel or launcher, causing a change in the projectile's trajectory.

Synchronization of Fires

• Methods of fire and control may be included in line 5 for synchronization of fires.
• The air mission commander or flight lead must have direct communication with the ground commander or observer on the scene to provide direct fire support.

RW CAS 5-Line Brief

• The RW CAS 5-line brief includes:
  • Observer/Warning Order/Gameplan
  • Friendly location/mark
  • Target location
  • Target description/mark
  • Remarks and restrictions

Final Attack Heading

• Off-axis weapons may have a final attack heading that differs from the aircraft heading at the time of release.
• The aircrew should inform JTAC when this occurs and ensure weapon final attack headings comply with given restrictions.

BDA Report

• The BDA report includes:
  • Size
  • Activity
  • Location
  • Time
  • Remarks

Burst on Target (BOT)

• BOT is a technique used to adjust fires on target, requiring the aircrew member firing the weapon to sense projectile impacts and use proper technique to adjust the rounds on target.
• Techniques for applying BOT include recognition, milliradian relation, and laser range finder (LRF) methods.

LOAL and Laser Designation

• LOAL (Lock-On After Launch) is a technique used for remote designation, where the firing platform calls "Laser on, time flight, _____ seconds" based on range/time of flight and required/maximum delay time.
• The "Buddy Laser" technique is a simplified remote engagement utilized by aircraft within a flight/team.
• The Shift Cold Procedure is a risk avoidance method when aborting a missile engagement with a missile in flight.

FCR (Fire Control Radar) Modes

• The FCR can be operated in the following selectable modes:
  • Ground Targeting Mode (PPI format)
  • Radar Map (B Scope format)
  • Air Targeting Mode (PPI format)
  • Terrain Profiles Mode (PPI format)

FCR Features

• The 2ND TARGET INHIBIT button is used to prevent secondary target information from being handed over from the FCR to the primary RF missile during a stationary target engagement.
• The RFHO button is used for transmission of the FCR NTS (Figure 4-47) target data via the IDM to another AFAPD capable system.
• RFI symbols representing RFI detected emitters are displayed on the periphery of the radar scan sector to indicate the direction to the detected threat.
• Ground Targeting Mode, FCR Target Symbols, NTS, ANTS, Second Target Symbol, and GTM Formats are all features of the FCR system.

Quiz on ballistics, covering projectile motion, interior and exterior ballistics, and their effects on projectile trajectory.