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Golf33 -> (4/7/2003 8:49:00 AM)
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Couple of random observations from someone reading the thread purely because I was curious to see what jrcar was up to now :)
- arty fire continues as a strike is inbound, with last rounds and the mark round impacting generally around 60 sec before the TOT (ie bomb impact). Fires can resume as soon as the aircraft has egressed, generally about the same timeframe.
- arty will specifically be used to target any identified AD threats as close to the TOT as possible - again the barrage would lift 60 sec or so before TOT, although if the FAC is being clever he may even be able to continue SEAD fire throughout by routing the aircraft away from the line of fire. This is preferred as it avoids the 'pregnant pause' caused by all guns in the area stopping while the strike occurs.
- the strike itself is conducted in conjunction with the FAC, who is in radio contact with both the guns and the aircraft. When the air comes on station, they contact the FAC, who sends the threat and target briefs (including target loc and description). The FAC coordinates the aircraft and arty, assigning TOT to each and talking the aircraft on to target using either a mark or just a target description. If the target moves during the aircraft run in, the FAC can talk the pilot on without aborting depending on the terrain and distance - I would think any more than a couple of hundred metres from the briefed coordinates, or maybe up to half a kilometre if there is clear visibility and a very distinctive mark (like BE or WP smoke).
- the FAC may abort the strike at any time; if the aircraft have fuel endurance, he may direct them back out to a marshalling area and call them in again. This could be used to change the target location if required.
- low and medium level pop-up attacks (ingress low, climbing to around 2000' to 10000' AGL to acquire and roll in) are generally flown between 480 and 540 knots for fast air like F-16s or F/A-18s (figures from a USMC Hornet trainee, accompanied by HUD tape). A-10s will be a lot slower, I don't have figures for them, but generally it's in multiples of 60kt to make the mental math easier for the pilot (nautical miles/minute etc). If there is a low-threat environment, the pilots may choose to conduct a wagon-wheel attack where they will circle the target at over 10000' AGL, and will then roll in when they are satisfied with target ID and attack geometry.
The practical upshot is that arty will fire pretty much right up until the strike; will recommence immediately after; the Battalion Commander will find out from his FAC if the air is available, usually 10-15 minutes before TOT; and the FAC can change the timing and target of a strike, up to a couple of minutes before TOT, within the limits of aircraft fuel endurance. This last would almost never occur, because as discussed above the majority of tac air is used as part of a fireplan and there are a lot of interdependencies and timings that go out the window if the strike gets cocked up. The whole thing happens bloody fast, especially if you're trying to coordinate it as the FAC (or in my case, half-baked ACO with much less training :)).
Regards
33
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