Training Circular (TC) 3-09.81, "Field Artillery Manual Cannon Gunnery," sets forth the doctrine pertaining to the employment of artillery fires. It explains all aspects of the manual cannon gunnery problem and presents a practical application of the science of ballistics. It includes step-by-step instructions for manually solving the gunnery problem which can be applied within the framework of decisive action or unified land operations. It is applicable to any Army personnel at the battalion or battery responsible to delivered field artillery fires. The principal audience for ATP 3-09.42 is all members of the Profession of Arms. This includes field artillery Soldiers and combined arms chain of command field and company grade officers, middle-grade and senior noncommissioned officers (NCO), and battalion and squadron command groups and staffs. This manual also provides guidance for division and corps leaders and staffs in training for and employment of the BCT in decisive action. This publication may also be used by other Army organizations to assist in their planning for support of battalions. This manual builds on the collective knowledge and experience gained through recent operations, numerous exercises, and the deliberate process of informed reasoning. It is rooted in time-tested principles and fundamentals, while accommodating new technologies and diverse threats to national security.

This publication contains the doctrine, organization, tactics, techniques, and procedures required to manage field artillery target acquisition (TA) organizations, systems, personnel and equipment. It updates information formerly contained in FM 6-121 and incorporates emerging doctrine and information about targeting, the military decision making process (MDMP), new equipment, and Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) considerations as they apply to the functions performed by the targeting officer and the radar section leader.The material contained in this manual applies to all personnel involved in the targeting and target acquisition process. These personnel include:- - Maneuver commanders and their staffs.- Field artillery commanders and their staffs.- Fire support element (FSE personnel).- Members of division artillery and FA brigade tactical operations centers.- Personnel assigned to target acquisition batteries, target acquisition detachments, and radar platoons.- Other personnel involved in the targeting or intelligence processes.This manual describes current and emerging TA organizations. These organizations include target acquisition batteries and radar platoons of active and reserve components, the corps target acquisition detachment (CTAD), radar platoons of the interim brigade combat team (IBCT) and interim division artillery (IDIVARTY), and the STRIKER platoon. Technical and tactical considerations for employing weapons locating radars are discussed in detail. This includes the AN/TPQ-47 that is currently being developed. New information contained in this manual includes duties and responsibilities for key TA personnel, rehearsals, stability operations and support operations, rotary and fixed wing radar movement procedures, and automated target data processing. The methodology used by weapons locating radars to acquire, track and locate threat weapon systems is also discussed.Please Note: the interior of this book is in black and white.

Examines the evolution of range-finding and target acquisition, and the development of Field Artillery Observation Battalions within the U.S. Army.