LAUNCHER/GUN POSITIONING

LAUNCHER/GUN POSITIONING.—The third operation that must be performed is the positioning of the gun/launcher, based on the calculated line of fire to the future target position. This amounts to using the gun/launcher drive mechanism to offset the gun/launcher axis from the LOS by the amount of the predicted lead angle. In some cases, the missile is positioned (guided) in flight by the fire control system. GUIDANCE (MISSILES).—For the Guided Missile Fire Control System (GMFCS), additional functions must be performed during the time the missile is in flight. Prior to launching, the fire control computer performs certain computations to provide the missile with information about the target and its own flight path. If the target maneuvers during the missile’s flight, the computer can send course correction data to the missile via the fire control radar or the missile can correct itself. EVALUATION.—The fire control radar displays are used to evaluate the weapon’s destruction of the target. If the missile misses the target or causes only minor damage, additional weapons can be used. In missile fire control, another missile is fired. In gun fire control, corrections are made to bring the fall of shot onto a target using the radar indicators, optical devices, or spotter corrections. Normally, a target will be fired at until it is evaluated as either destroyed or damaged to the point it is no longer a threat. 1-20 DETECTION ACQUISITION AND TRACKING PREDICTION GUN OR LAUNCHER POSITIONING GUIDANCE EVALUATION FCRf0123 Figure 1-23.—Fire-control problem sequence.