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Night CAS is one of the most difficult missions
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units can take advantage of their night vision and navigational superiority to ____________ _________ and psychological advantages over the enemy.
gain tactical
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CAS Demands a higher level of proficiency and
requires _______ and _______ CAS training.
Dedicated and Realistic
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Most Important ADVANTAGE of NIGHT CAS:
- The limitation it imposes on enemy optically directed AAA and optical/IR guided SAMs.
- -It exploits our technological capabilities /superiority
- -enemy ground fire is easier to see / react for aircrews
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Night CAS DISADVANTAGES:
- -Radar directed threats remain just as lethal
- -Locating Targets / Friendlies more difficult (PID)
- -Thermal Crossover
- -Takes more time-burns more gas=fewer KIAs
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Night CAS planning should be _________.
nearly identical to daylight mission.
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Decreased Situational Awareness:
- -Decrease illumination=Decrease SA
- -Geographic references cannot be seen
- -JTAC/Aircrew become more reliant on systems for target location
- -Aircrew spend more time on Admin functions
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TIME DELAY:
- -Reduced SA
- -Double checking / reconfirming data
- -Look at your MAP!!
- -Reduced time to acquire targets
- -Simple task take longer to accomplish
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Weather / Terrain Considerations:
- -Wind speed / direction effects on ballistic
- -Low cloud ceilings affect weapon employment
- -Comms become degraded
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MARKING TARGETS:
- -Ground Laser Designators
- -IR Pointers (1 watt)
- -IDF or Aircraft delivered illumination
- -Tracer Fire
- -Laser most cover mark!
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Marking Considerations:
Laser and IR Pointers are extremely effective and should be used to the maximum extent possible.
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Night marks should be EASILY DISTINGUISHABLE between friendly position and target.
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Marking Friendlies is the LEAST DESIRABLE, ONLY when no other method is available.
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IR Position Markers:
- -Flashing, Programmable, Steady
- -The higher the ambient illumination the harder to acquire
- -Should be verbally confirmed with the Aircrew to avoid Misidentification with other ground lighting.
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Rope Technique: JTAC should ask aircrew permission prior
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GLINT TAPE: may be seen by the AC-130 MTV
-Do not use more than 1/2 square for individual
-Do not use more than four 1 inch squares per vehicle.
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Marking Friendlies:
-Do Not LOOK like the TARGET!!!
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3 GENERAL CATEGORIES OF NIGHT CAS:
- 1. VISUAL
- 2. SYSTEM AIDED
- 3. NIGHT VISION DEVICE (NVD)
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VISUAL EMPLOYMENT:
-Target area illumination and target marking provide effective conditions.
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VISUAL EMPLOYMENT:
- -IDF or Aircraft Delivered Illum:
- Ground Burst
- Parachute Delivered (Do Not USE for LINE 7)
- -Organic Illumination
- Urban lighting
- Fires
- -Friendly Tracer Fire
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Illumination Employment:
- -GFCs Approval
- -What Type? Overt, Covert, Ground Burst or Parachute?
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IDF ILLUMINATION:
81mm: (600,000 cp / 60 sec)
105mm: (750,000 cp / 70 sec)
155mm: (1,000,000 cp / 120 sec)
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AIRCRAFT ILLUMINATION:
LUU-2 Overt Para Flare (2,000,000 cp/4min)
LUU-19 Cover Para Flare (100 watts / 7min)
M257 Overt 2.5in Rocket (1,000,000 cp 2/min)
M278 IR 2.75in Rocket (700 cp/3min)
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Illumination Considerations:
- -Overcast can highlight the aircraft for enemy defenses
- -Illum flares can increase smoke and haze and further reduce visibility
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SYSTEM AIDED EMPLOYMENT:
-More relied on at night and adverse weather
- -A/C SYSTEMS
- FLIR/Multispectral TV sensor
- GPS
- Radar
- -Targeting Pods
- Litening II
- SNIPER
- ATFLIR
- -LASER Designation
- A/C Self or Buddy Lase
- Ground Party
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System Aided Employment:
!!Aircrews and JTACs should use Redundant methods!!
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NVD DEVICES:
- -Night Vision Goggles
- -Night Vision Scopes
- IR POINTERS
- -Ground IR Pointers
- -Aircraft IR Pointers
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IR Confusion: Are there other IR pointers out there to cause confusion?
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IR/LASER COMPATIBILITY:
-NVGS/IRPOINTERS
-LTD/LST
-FLIR
- LASER TARGET DESIGNATOR/LASER SPOT TRACKER (LTD/LST)
- FORWARD LOOKING INFRA RED (FLIR)
- NIGHT VISION GOGGLES (NVG)
- INFRA RED (IR)
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MANDATORY IR CAS CALLS:
IAW JP-3-09.3
-Anytime IR pointer are employed by Ground Forces, Attacking Air Craft will call:
- "VISUAL" in conjunction with.....
- "TALLY TARGET"..."Contact Sparkle"..or"Contact Mark"
- on EACH and EVERY Pass / attacks prior to receiving clearance Request with Final Instructions.
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