Range Cards Created by BU2 Collins NMCB 14 04/30/2011.

Range Cards

Created by BU2 CollinsNMCB 14

04/30/2011

Range Card

• A range card is a sketch of the assigned sector that a direct fire weapon system is intended to cover. A range card aids in planning and controlling fires and aids the crews and squad gunners in acquiring targets during limited visibility. It is also an aid for replacement personnel or platoons or squads to move into the position and orient on their sector. The individual soldier or gunner should make the range card so that he becomes more familiar with the terrain in his sector. He should continually assess the sector and, if necessary, update his range card. The range card is always being updated.

Parts of a Range Card

1

2

C

Command Block

The command block is used by higher to form the squad, platoon, company, and battalion fire plan sketch.

Magnetic North Block

Magnetic north is used to help determine the direction of the fox hole in relation to a map for higher.

Data Section

Position Identification Block

GRID 95214623

The Position Identification block is used by higher to plot your fighting position on the map in the COC. You can use grid coordinates or distance from a known point such as cross roads, buildings, etc.

Date and Time Block

0725 13 OCT2011

The Date and Time Block is going to show any time you update your card and used by higher to update their map and fire plan sketch.

Weapon Block

M16A2E3

The Weapon Block will designate what type of weapon system for which this card was drawn. It can be for a personal weapon (M16/M4, M203), crew served weapon (M240B, M2, Mk19) or any other weapon (AT4).

Distance Block

50

The Distance Block is used to show the distance between each circle on the picture section. The distance can be predetermined by higher or by you.

Target Blocks

1 342 -------- 250 TRAC HOUSE

M16A2E3

The Target Blocks are used as a quick reference point for the shooter to determine range and direction to a target. These can be predetermined by the Squad Leader such as a PDF or FPL or chosen by the shooter. These points can also change and would then have to be updated on a new card.

Target Blocks

The Number Block is used in conjunction with the picture to help identify targets.

The Direction Block can either be an azimuth in degrees or the direction and degrees from the traversing bar on a tripod.

The Elevation Block is used for the direction and elevation from the T&E on crew served weapons.

1

2

326 degrees

L 52

--------

+ 5

Target Blocks

The Range Block is the actual or estimated range to the target in meters.

The Ammo Block is used to determine what type of ammo is to be used on the target. This could be tracer, AP, HE, etc.

The Description Block is used to identify what is the target.

250

150

BALL

WP

WOODS

DEAD SPACE

Picture Block

Picture Block

Sector of Fire- A 45 degree arc from your fighting position that is your area of responsibility.

Picture Block

Principal Direction of Fire (PDF)- This will be a primary firing position that the enemy will most likely send their attack.

Picture Block

Final Protective Line (FPL)- This will be a right of left lateral limit designed to provide a protective wall of lead in front of the lines. Dead space will be included in the FPL.

Picture Block

After receiving your PDF or FPL you will commence to sketch the area in front of you denoting key features that you can use as reference points or where the enemy might commence their attack.

After finishing your sketch you will want to fill out your data section. This can also be done as you fill out your sketch. Remember to include everything that you can as you will not be the only one using this sketch and will not occupy the same fighting position the entire time.

GRID AD 4591 2684 1350 5JAN11M240B 50

1 0 0 375 TRAC PDF-INTERS 2 L40 +10 350 BALL RLL- HOUSE

3 R 50 +5 350 BALL LLL-WOODS 4 L 10 - 5 300 N/A LPOP5 L 25 -10 250 BALL RIVER6 R 20 + 30 425 BALL HILL TOP

QUESTIONS?

Practical Application 1

Fill out your range card from the following picture. You will be assigned to 1 Squad 2 Platoon C Company, position is located at grid ED 4862 7941, weapon is a M16A2E3, distance between each circle is 25 meters, and you will have a PDF.

Practical Application 2

Fill out your range card from the following picture. You will be assigned to 3 Squad 1 Platoon B Company, position is located 100 meters west of intersection A45, weapon is a M203, distance between each circle is 25 meters, and you will have been designated as squad support.

QUESTIONS?