Common Terms
> Some basic terms for CFF missions
The supported commander has the authority and responsibility for the use of ordnance on the battlefield.
Check Fire
Causes an immediate halt in firing, usually for safety reasons.
Repeat
To fire another round(s) with the last data (during adjustment) or the same number of rounds with the same method of FFE (during FFE).
Fire for Effect (FFE)
Often used for planned targets or targets of opportunity where the location is already precisely known.
Danger Close
Mortars and Artillery: - The threshold is 600 meters of friendly troops. Naval Guns: - For 5-inch guns and smaller, the distance is 750 meters from friendly troops. - For naval guns larger than 5-inch, the distance is 1,000 meters. If the adjustment of fire moves rounds outside the "Danger Close" distance, the observer transmits "CANCEL DANGER CLOSE".
📌 Ammunition Types
High Explosive (HE)
Used for destruction, harassing, interdiction, and neutralization fire against personnel, light materiel targets, light-skinned vehicles, and light bunkers.
Smoke (RP)
Expels and ignites Red Phosphorus (RP) pellets at approximately 175 meters airburst, producing dense smoke after hitting the ground.
Smoke (WP)
Use white phosphorus to produce rapid smoke buildup but has limited duration. Can cause casualties, so use near friendly troops/civilians requires caution.
Antipersonnel ICM (APICM)
Most effective against unwarned, exposed personnel. Grenades are hurled upward 4-6 feet before detonating.
Dual-Purpose ICM (DPICM)
Most effective against lightly armored vehicles and materiel, also personnel. Shaped charge penetrates light armor, fragments are effective against personnel
Remote Antiarmor Mine System (RAAMS)
Antiarmor mines (M718/M718A1, M741/M741A1 projectiles, 9 mines each). Magnetically fuzed, some with antidisturbance features.
Area Denial Artillery Munitions (ADAM)
Antipersonnel mines (M692, M731 projectiles). Used against personnel, dismounted personnel in armored attacks, or on antitank obstacles.
🪛 Fuze Types
IMPACT / Point Detonating (PD)
These fuzes detonate directly on impact with the target.
Used against exposed personnel (standing or prone), unarmored vehicles, and light materiel targets
Delay (DLY)
These fuzes are designed to allow the projectile to penetrate the target before detonation, with a typical delay of 0.05 seconds.
Effective for destroying earth and log emplacements, as well as some masonry and concrete structures, and for penetration into dense woods, light earthworks, or unarmored vehicles.
Proximity (PROX) / Variable Time (VT)
These are radio-activated fuzes that automatically detonate at a predetermined height of burst above the target, without requiring manual height-of-burst (HOB) adjustments.
Provides an airburst effect, making it highly effective against personnel (in the open, trenches, deep foxholes) and soft-skinned vehicles . It is excellent for achieving surprise and for unobserved or high-angle fires
Mechanical Time (MT) * VT Fuze alike, but with a timer instead.
These fuzes utilize a clockwork mechanism or a compressed black powder train to delay detonation for a specific time, resulting in an airburst.
Commonly used with illumination and smoke projectiles to achieve airbursts.
📺 Video example:
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