I don’t understand how they can accurately aim artillery. When they fire the whole machine moves a great deal and it would seem any calibration of its position would be lost.
In: 723
Forward observers out on an OP will see bad guys. They can use laser/gps equipment that will give them up to 10 digit MGRS grid location that can be plotted on a map. They can also use direction+distance from their location to get the target location as well. In the absence of technology they can use compass/protractors plus terrain association (translating the landscape you see to a map) to determine a six digit grid. 10 digit grids are accurate to like a meter. Six digits grids are 50 meters if I remember correctly. I’ve been out for a decade. It was considered an effective hit if the round landed within 50m of a target.
The FO will send the target data to Fire DIRECTION Control (FDC). They do some nerdy computer stuff and translate the target data, weather, battery location etc, that is sent to the guns. Gun crews input data, load a round, pull string go boom.
If the round misses the FO will spot it and provide the adjustments to get on target. Artillery isn’t a precision weapon, close enough is good enough. That’s also why it only gets like a week to play in a war then everything goes to precision munitions.
I’m sure more current 0861s or the army equivalent can add to this or correct me.
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