1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMinfrared devices. The infrared viewing compo- (i) Provide for adequate logistical supnentof this system may be used to detect en-port when large amounts of illumiemyinfrared illuminators. Infrared illumina-nating munitions may be required.tors cannot be used effectively in the indirect (3) Indirect illumination. Indirect illumi-(reflected) mode.nation may be obtained by visibled. Employment of Active Lighting System light through diffusion or reflection.(Visible and Near-Infrared).In this technique, the light source is a(1) General. Active lighting systems in searchlight positioned behind a teroperationcan be detected by the en-rain mask with the light directed overemy; therefore, active systems arethe crest of the mask. It is directed incontrolled and coordinated closely bysuch a manner that the light isthe commander directing the opera-reflected from low clouds or diffusedtion.by particles within the air so as to il-(2) Planning. In addition to normal plan- luminate the selected area. The locaningfor combat operations, com- tion of the light source is difficult tomanders must-detect and, therefore, the positionneed not be changed frequently. Tank(a) Prepare an illumination plan andinsure its integration into the plansearchlights wll be used rarely forof fire support if artillery or moreindirect illumination as this use limitsof fire support if artillery or mortarilluminationmeans are em-the use of the tank weapons. The pritarilluminationployed (fig. 84).mary source of indirect illumination(b) Prepare a surveillance plan for theis the artillery searchlight. See FM20-60.employment of visual, infrared, and (4) Direct illumination. In planning foraudio devices and techniques.the use of direct illumination, the(c) Consider the use of all appropriate commander should insure that the ilnightvision equipment in the illu-lumination means illuminates the enminationand surveillance plansemy position or formation, so thatand, consistent with other tacticaleffective fire may be placed on him,considerations, insure that the mostwhile the friendly force remains illuefficientuse is made of their capa-minated. Techniques to be used in dibilities.rect illumination are dependent upon(d) Insure the provision of an adequatethe characteristics of the area to becommunication network.illuminated, atmospheric conditions,(e) Provide, where possible, for day-illumination means available, and thelight reconnaissance in the selectiontactical situation.of primary and alternate positions. (a) Pyrotechnics. The employment of(f) Consider the obscuration that maypyrotechnics, in addition to the conbecaused by the effects of support- siderations affecting all illumiingfires since dust and smoke maynation systems, is based on adiffuse illumination and act to thefurther consideration ofdisadvantageof friendly forces.1. Range of weapon or aircraft.(g) Assure that control of illumination2. Duration and area of effectivemeans will be vested in the commanderhaving overall control ofthe operation. The use of all illumi-.. Temporary loss of supporting firesnating devices should be covered byduring illumination firing.unit SOP's with special instructions (b) Searchlights.being issued in operations orders.1. Visible searchlights. Searchlights(h) Consider the time of illuminationused in direct visible illuminationin relation to the factors of securitygive more intense illumination onand surprise.a target area than when used in-350