Beginner Guide

1. Read the order before touching the gun

The teleprinters and mission brief tell you what must be hit and what information is confirmed. Write down the target type, named location or coordinate, required ammunition, timing pressure, and every observer or bearing report. Do not turn an observer position into the target position by accident.

1. Read every message to the end.
2. Separate confirmed facts from estimates.
3. Label the NEST, target, observer, and reference points differently on the tactical map.
4. If the NEST has moved, update its map marker before measuring anything.

2. Plot the target and measure the shot

A firing solution is measured from the NEST's current position to the confirmed target. Use the map tools to obtain bearing and straight-line range. Repeat the measurement once; a precise calculator cannot repair a line drawn from the wrong origin.

1. Confirm the NEST marker is current.
2. Mark or triangulate the target.
3. Measure bearing from NEST to target.
4. Measure range between the same two points.
5. Record both values on the firing card or clipboard.

3. Convert range into elevation

At the ballistic station, pair the measured range with an available number of powder charges. The calculator gives the elevation that matches that exact combination. More charges change the required elevation and flight time; they are not a substitute for entering the correct range.

1. Enter the measured range.
2. Select the charge count you can actually load.
3. Read and record the resulting elevation.
4. If you change charges, recalculate elevation before returning to the guns.

4. Load and lay the guns

Choose the shell required by the target or mission, move it through the loading system, and load the exact charge count used by the calculator. Set turret bearing and gun elevation to the recorded solution. When preparing both barrels, keep a separate firing card for each target so values are not mixed.

1. Load the correct shell.
2. Load the calculated number of powder charges.
3. Set turret traverse to the measured bearing.
4. Set the selected gun to the calculated elevation.
5. Arm the firing sequence only after the read-back is complete.

5. Use a six-point pre-fire check

Immediately before firing, read back target, current NEST position, bearing, range, shell, charge count, and elevation. This takes less time than reloading after a preventable miss and catches the most common beginner errors.

1. Correct target?
2. Current NEST position?
3. Correct bearing and range?
4. Correct shell?
5. Loaded charges match calculator?
6. Gun elevation matches the same solution?

6. Diagnose a miss one variable at a time

If the shell misses, do not rebuild everything blindly. Check whether the error is directional or short/long, then verify the relevant input. Directional errors usually point to bearing, origin, or target plotting; range errors usually point to distance, charges, elevation, or a mismatched firing card. Apply confirmed spotter feedback and change one variable at a time.