Sector Sketches and Range Cards

1. Sector Sketches and Range Cards

2. Range Cards A range card is a sketch of the assigned sector for a direct fire weapon system on a given sector of fire. FM 3-21.8

3. Purpose Aids in planning and controlling fires and aids the crews and squad gunners in acquiring targets during periods of limited visibility. Show possible target areas and terrain features plotted in relations to a firing position. Aid replacement personnel in becoming oriented on the sector Soldiers should continually assess the sector and update range cards if necessary.

4. Range Card

5. Information included in a range card Marginal information: Squad, Platoon and Company info Magnetic North is drawn in and card is oriented with the terrain Weapon symbol drawn in the center of the small circle Each circle represents a designated distance in meters Left and Right limits are denoted with L and R and placed at the end of the limit lines TRP’s are drawn in the sector, numbered and consecutively circled. Dead space is drawn in. Maximum engagement line is drawn on range cares for anti-armor weapons

6. Included Info cont… The value of each circle is determined by using a terrain feature farthest from the position that is within the weapon’s capability. The distance to the terrain is determined and rounded off to the next even hundredth, if necessary. The maximum distance is determined and divided. The result is the value for each circle. The terrain feature is then drawn on the appropriate circle. The weapon reference point is numbered last. The location is given in a six-digit grid coordinate. When there is no terrain feature to be designated, the location is shown as an eight-digit grid coordinate.

8. Data Section Position Identification Date Weapon Distance between circles Direction/Deflection Elevation Range and TRP’s Ammo Description Remarks

10. Sector Sketches The Squad leaders prepare an original and one copy of the sector sketch. The original remains in the squad CP and the copy is turned into the PL.

11. Squad Sector Sketches include: Key Terrain within the squad sector Each individual fighting position and its primary and secondary sectors of fire. Key weapons positions and their primary sector of fire, secondary sector of fire, and any fire control measures. All CP and OP locations All the dead space within the squad sector. Any obstacles and mines within the squad sector.

12. Platoon sector sketches Squad positions and sectors of fire Key weapons positions and their sectors of fire and fire control measures. CP’s, OP’s, and patrol routes Platoon maximum engagement lines All dead space within the platoon sector. All mines and obsticles within the platoon sector Any TRP’s and FPF’s within the platoon sector.

13. Squad Sector Sketch

14. Platoon Sector Sketch