TARGET PERFORMANCE REPORTS
The information contained on a Target Performance
Report targets performance, and is consolidated into an
automated data base for Navywide use. Target
performance data is submitted on OPNAV 8600/15 (fig.
8-14).
TARGET EXPENDITURE REPORTING
Target operating activities are required to transmit
a message report (fig. 8-15) within 24 hours of target
loss listing target, serial number, calendar date, activity
charged, weapons system used. All aerial towed targets
(TDU-32, TDU-34, etc.) maybe transmitted weelky.
Reports must be timely and accurate because they are
used to determine allocations for the current fiscal year
and out years.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify safety
precautions to follow when working with aerial
targets and associated equipment.
There are many safety precautions associated with
the target towing service. Some of these safety
precautions are discussed as follows:
Preservatives and lubricants may NOT be used
A1.
A2.
A3.
A4.
A5.
A6.
A7.
A8.
on tow cables. Friction caused by high-speed
reeling-out generates heat. This heat can generate
explosive vapors from the lubricants in the tow
compartment.
A cable should be uncoiled by standing the coil
on its edge, holding the end, and unrolling the coil. Do
NOT attempt to take cable from either a coil or roll by
pulling the cable when the coil or roll is lying flat. The
cable will snarl and kink,
When you cut nylon towline, the ends have to be
bound. Otherwise, apply enough heat to the cut ends to
melt the nylon. This prevents raveling.
Safety tow webbing must be used between the
target and the end of the towline. When the pilot shoots
off the towline, this webbing can prevent it from
becoming tangled in the target. Multistrand safety
webbings (100 feet long) are used with banner targets.
The snarl catcher must NOT be used during
air-to-air gunnery exercises. It may clamp on the
towline before it reaches the end of the cable. This
means there will be a long, free section of the cable
whipping about behind the target.
All personnel involved in target towing
operations must know the standard hand signals for
controlling aircraft on the ground.
Perform a preflight inspection of all tow
equipment.
REVIEW NUMBER 3 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Q1. THROUGH Q8.
The three aerial targets used by the Navy are the AQM-37C, BQM-74C, and
BQM-34/S.
The AQM-37C has a speed range between Mach 0.7 and Mach 4.0.
The AQM-37C is an air-launched target.
LR-64 liquid propellant is used in the self-contained propulsion system of the
AQM-37C.
The aerodynamic destruct system of the AQM-37C is used to prevent the target
from becoming a hazard to other aircraft and from impacting the ground in
undesired areas.
The BQM-74C/E is powered by a YJ400-WR-402 variable speed, turbojet engine.
The A-6E and TA-4J aircraft are used to launch the BQM-74C/E target drone.
The maximum speed of the BQM-34A/S target system is 600 knots.
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