SAFETY MEASURES WHEN CONDUCTING ANTI-ARMOR GUIDED

MISSILE RANGE OPERATIONS

Marko Radovanovic
Serbian Army, 2. No. KoV, 22. pb, Belgrade, Serbia
Aca Randjelovic, Petar Repic
University of Defence, Military Academy, Belgrade, Serbia

Summary: Conducting guided missile range operations increases risk of

unwanted incidences. Successful range operations of this type include good quality
preparation as well as conducting appropriate measures in order to avoid possible
dangers that can jeopardize human lives or lead to damage of material resources.
In this paper, we have demonstrated risks of unwanted incidences that can happen
when conducting range operations with guided missiles with focus on anti-armor
systems 9K11 and 9K111. Also, we have emphasized a set of measures to avoid
danger and decrease risk in order to conduct range operations safely.
Key words: Safety, risk, range operations, anti-armor guided missiles.

1. INTRODUCTION

Successfully conducted range operations imply that all participants have

performed their task without any kind of risk, danger or unwanted incidences.
Incidence represents the result of any experiment or operation that happens at
certain time that human senses can feel while unwanted incidences represent any
unwanted occurrence whose appearance is not wanted or that has negative effect on
personnel, surroundings and equipment. Danger is the state when damages to
surroundings, cultural and material resources as well as to human lives and health
occur on certain area and in short time frame and whose consequences are not
possible to remove in timely manner with existing methods and organization [8]. In
order to avoid danger and prevent unwanted incidences while conducting range
operations, it is necessary to take all actions that follow safety, security and
protection measures.
Occurrence of certain unwanted incidences and their likely consequences
represent risk. This term implies the possibility of loss of lives or injuries, negative
influence and possibility of unwanted incidence [4].

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 In order to efficiently conduct fire tasks it is important to follow safety,
security and protection measures. Efficiency of protection has influence on battle
system efficiency calculations since they are directly correlated.
Constant training of personnel is necessary to directly reduce the number of
occurrences of unwanted incidences and to improve firing results.
It is also necessary to identify possible dangers, modify activities and
implement those activities into the range operations in order to reduce risk to an
acceptable level.

2. ANTI-ARMOR SYSTEMS RANGE OPERATIONS

While conducting range operations in peacetime, there is a certain possibility

of unwanted incidences and therefore, we pay attention to enforcing safety
measures. In the beginning, the officer in charge (OIC) gives command
"ATTENTION", in order to signalize that personnel should step up to start line and
the unexploded projectile observer raises the red flag which means that range
operations can start.
The OIC then gives command to distribute ammunition following which the
personnel loads missiles onto their systems. After the command "FIRE" is given,
the operator spots the target, aims, launches the rocket and guides it towards the
target. Guided anti-armor missile becomes lethal at the distance of 70 – 200 m
from the system, which represent the safe zone in case of a malfunction.
While guiding the missile, due to various factors that can affect the flight
trajectory, the micro-cable can be split which could cause the missile to crash
before hitting the target and activating and because of that, firing over friendly
units imposes unacceptable risk.
In case of an operator missing the target, the auto-destruction occurs. When
in case of a malfunction, the missile does not activate after missing the target, it is
necessary to mark the spot on the map and then destroy it.
Probability of hitting the target is 0.7 – 0.8, that is, from 70% for 9M14, to
80% for 9M111. Significant factor that needs to be taken into account when
determining the probability is the level of training of the crew. Level of crew
training is inversely proportional to the occurrence of unwanted incidences, and
directly proportional to probability of hitting the target. Also, there is a realistic
possibility that a missile can be dropped while being taken out of the ammunition
station or transported to the system, which would cause damage to it. If the rocket
falls from the hight of 0.5 m and above, it is considered dangerous and destroyed.

3. SAFETY MEASURES WHEN CONDUCTING RANGE OPERATIONS

In order to successfully conduct range operations and prevent any unwanted

incidences, it is necessary that personnel in charge of conducting range operations
take necessary safety measures. Safety during range operations is a state in which
there is no threat for personnel and material and technical resources. In order to

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avoid dangers while handling missiles it is necessary to to take safety measures
which are defined as a set of actions which in the best possible way prevent injuries
and damages to material resources on the range and in its vicinity while conducting
range operations [3].
Safety while handling missiles is a process of maintaining acceptable risk
which enables range operations to be conducted without any unwanted incidences.
Safety is not a final state, but rather a dynamical implementation on a general level
in order to create conditions that are necessary to conduct range operations without
any consequences on human and material resources.
Everyone needs to comply with the safety measures in order to create
conditions that lead to full physical and mental protections of individuals on the
range.
Listed measures are correlated between themselves and by applying them,
individuals reduce risk while handling anti-armor missiles [2].
While conducting range operations, it is necessary that order, discipline and
protection of personnel, weapons and ammunition be emphasized.
3.1 Security measures when firing 9m14 and 9m111
Transforming the system from marching position to firing position is always
conducted with a missile separated from the system. Before starting to prepare the
system for firing, one must make sure that the launch mechanism is in locked
position and the system is facing down range. It is mandatory to deliver reports
about conducting range operations to local authorities no later than seven days
before operations. All the other necessary measures are taken in order to eliminate
other dangers. While conducting range operations it is strictly prohibited to use any
unauthorized equipment as well as performing any electrical or mechanical work
on the missiles. It is also prohibited to plug in or out cables if the light error
indicator is not on, or turning the light error indicator if it is not plugged into the
anti-armor launching system as well as launching the missile if the light error
indicator is turned on.
Light error indicator can be turned on for 5 seconds the most, and while
checking voltage of the accumulator battery for 3 seconds. If the operator identified
light disturbances and the target is closer than 1000 m or cannot find the
appropriate position by moving the aiming line, it is prohibited to launch the
missile [5,6,7].

3.2 Safety measures when firing 9m14 and 9m111

In order to achieve safety on the range, it is necessary that individuals be
trained, and working with damaged or broken weapons strictly prohibited.
Individuals firing the missiles need to do so in accordance with the manual.
In order to achieve complete safety when conducting range operations with
9K11 and 9K111, it is mandatory to comply with all the listed safety measures. In

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peacetime, danger zone is 25 m in length and 25 m in width for 9M14M and 25 m
in width and 50 m in length for 9M111 2 (figures 1 and 2). When firing 9M14M,
an operator must be 2-3 meters away from the launch box and when firing 9K111
from prone position, it is necessary to take a 45° angle in reference to the launch
pad. There must not be any individuals, explosive or flammable materials 50 m to
the back when firing missiles [5,6,7].

Figure 1. Danger zone for 9M14M

3.3 Protection measures when firing 9m14 and 9m111

Individuals manning the systems, cease fire on their own when there is
imminent risk of unwanted incidences or occurrences that can harm human lives or
material resources. Individuals are strictly forbidden to steal missiles. When firing,
they take cover and position themselves in such way that provides them with the
greatest protection when launching the missile. It is also necessary to undertake all
other measures that can prevent unwanted incidences.
Supposing that only trained individuals handle the missiles, that technical
examinations were conducted and that all the security, safety and protection
measures were applied, there is still a possibility that unwanted incidences may
occur that lead to destruction of material resources and have negative consequences
on human lives and health [5,6,7].

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 Figure 2. Danger zone for 9K111

4. CONCLUSION

Anti-armor guided missiles as a part of lethal systems, are used in order to

accomplish tasks in combat engagements and training. Due to its complex
construction, working with these systems demands high level of expertize and
responsibility. This responsibility is especially reflected when enforcing security,
safety and protection measures in order to reduce danger and risk when handling
anti-armor systems. However, even when those measures are enforced, there are
still situations that can lead to occurrences of unwanted incidences. The cause for
this can be human factor, malfunction or some other reason. Destruction or damage
of material resources and deaths or injuries of individuals are negative
consequences that represent unwanted incidences. Human factor is the most
common cause of these incidences that are result of negligence, ignorance,
unprofessional handling, not obeying the laws and not complying with the safety,
security and protection measures in the process of protection from unexploded
ordnance.

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REFERENCES

[1] Manual for firing guided anti-armor missiles, SZNO Directorate of Artilery,
Belgrade, 1983.
[2] Ranđelović A., Komazec N., Jokić Ž., Safely working with lethal resources in
military organizations, 10. International Consulting Risk and Safety
Engineering, Kopaonik, 2015.
[3] Ranđelović A., Milojević D., Lazarević O., Injuries caused by unexploded
ordnance1. International Conference Safe Serbia 2015., Belgrade, 2015.
[4] Ranđelović A., Jokić Ž., Teodorović B., Repić P., Risk management of fire
support of a combat system in attack operations, 2. International Conference
Safe Serbia 2016., Obrenovac, 2016.
[5] Manual for anti-armor launch pad 9K11, Npublishing house "Vojska", 1997.
[6] Manual for anti-armor system 9K11, VIZ, Belgrade, 2000.
[7] Manual and programme for conducting range operations, VIZ, Belgrade, 1998.
[8] Keković, Z., Kešetović, Ž., Crisis Management I- Crisis Prevention, University
of Belgrade, Belgrade 2006.

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