Sayeret
12-27-2004, 02:39 PM
Small Arms in the Air Defense Role
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http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-18/Appd.htm
and
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http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/toc.htm
AIRCRAFT ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR TANKS
5-18. Tank automatic weapons can be used effectively against UAVs, jets, and helicopters-- especially when several tanks are firing at the same time. The tank main gun can be used with good results against helicopters. It cannot be used effectively against jets because of the difficulty of tracking high-speed targets.
ENGAGING HELICOPTERS AND UAVS
5-19. Engage hostile targets immediately with the tank commander's automatic weapon (caliber .50 on most tanks) or with the loader's M240 machine gun on M1- series tanks. Firing quickly will--
Alert other tanks that hostile targets are in the area.
Destroy the target or spoil the pilot's aim.
Give the tank commander time to engage the target with the main gun and coaxial, if desired.
Engaging with Tank Machine Guns
5-20. The tank commander's machine guns (or loader's machine gun on M1- series tanks) are useful weapons against unarmored threats. They can be fired quickly with volume fire. Before firing, ensure that the firing fan is clear of friendly units. Do not fire into them! Use the following guidelines:
When the target is hovering or inbound, aim high with the machine gun and fire a continuous burst, adjusting onto target by observing the tracers. When firing against aerial targets with the M85 machine gun on M60- series tanks, use high rates of fire. Remember, at longer ranges tracers may appear to be striking the target when they are actually going under it.
If the target is moving, track along its flight path using a lead of 50 meters-- half a football field. Fire a continuous burst, forcing the target to fly through the cone of fire.
Engaging Helicopters with the Tank Main Gun
5-21. The main gun should be used against armored threat helicopters. Speed is essential in engaging an attack helicopter. If an attack helicopter is hovering, it is probably preparing to fire a missile. Time is essential; fire any round that is preloaded. The M830A1 multipurpose antitank round is, by design, the most accurate round for engaging helicopters and should be the next round fired after any preloaded round. When engaging moving helicopters with an M1- series tank, smoothly track the target while aiming at the center of mass. Lase to the target, wait for the automatic lead to be induced (about 2 seconds), and fire. Be prepared to fire a second round using the same technique used for the first round.
ENGAGING FAST-MOVING AIRCRAFT
5-22. Because of the speed of jets, the best technique to use against them is to fire all tank automatic weapons in continuous bursts. If the jets are inbound, aim slightly above the nose or fuselage and fire. If the jet is crossing, use a lead of 200 meters (two football fields) and fire--letting the jet fly through the cone of fire from the machine guns. Do not try to track or traverse your fire with the jet--it flies too fast.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-18/fig132.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-18/fig135.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-18/Appd.htm
and
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/fig1-3.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/image218.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/image219.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/image221.gif
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-8/toc.htm
AIRCRAFT ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR TANKS
5-18. Tank automatic weapons can be used effectively against UAVs, jets, and helicopters-- especially when several tanks are firing at the same time. The tank main gun can be used with good results against helicopters. It cannot be used effectively against jets because of the difficulty of tracking high-speed targets.
ENGAGING HELICOPTERS AND UAVS
5-19. Engage hostile targets immediately with the tank commander's automatic weapon (caliber .50 on most tanks) or with the loader's M240 machine gun on M1- series tanks. Firing quickly will--
Alert other tanks that hostile targets are in the area.
Destroy the target or spoil the pilot's aim.
Give the tank commander time to engage the target with the main gun and coaxial, if desired.
Engaging with Tank Machine Guns
5-20. The tank commander's machine guns (or loader's machine gun on M1- series tanks) are useful weapons against unarmored threats. They can be fired quickly with volume fire. Before firing, ensure that the firing fan is clear of friendly units. Do not fire into them! Use the following guidelines:
When the target is hovering or inbound, aim high with the machine gun and fire a continuous burst, adjusting onto target by observing the tracers. When firing against aerial targets with the M85 machine gun on M60- series tanks, use high rates of fire. Remember, at longer ranges tracers may appear to be striking the target when they are actually going under it.
If the target is moving, track along its flight path using a lead of 50 meters-- half a football field. Fire a continuous burst, forcing the target to fly through the cone of fire.
Engaging Helicopters with the Tank Main Gun
5-21. The main gun should be used against armored threat helicopters. Speed is essential in engaging an attack helicopter. If an attack helicopter is hovering, it is probably preparing to fire a missile. Time is essential; fire any round that is preloaded. The M830A1 multipurpose antitank round is, by design, the most accurate round for engaging helicopters and should be the next round fired after any preloaded round. When engaging moving helicopters with an M1- series tank, smoothly track the target while aiming at the center of mass. Lase to the target, wait for the automatic lead to be induced (about 2 seconds), and fire. Be prepared to fire a second round using the same technique used for the first round.
ENGAGING FAST-MOVING AIRCRAFT
5-22. Because of the speed of jets, the best technique to use against them is to fire all tank automatic weapons in continuous bursts. If the jets are inbound, aim slightly above the nose or fuselage and fire. If the jet is crossing, use a lead of 200 meters (two football fields) and fire--letting the jet fly through the cone of fire from the machine guns. Do not try to track or traverse your fire with the jet--it flies too fast.