coverage. Large hills and broken terrain cause crosscurrents in the wind that disperse the smoke,
creating holes and gaps in the smoke screen. Terrain may also restrict the maneuver patterns and the
speed of mobile smoke generators.
(5) Fuel and Fog Oil Supply. One M54 Smoke Generator uses approximately 40 gallons of
fog oil and 3 gallons of fuel each hour. The M1059 with its 120-gallon fog oil tank, if alternating
generators, is capable of making smoke for approximately three hours before refueling. The
M157/M998 with its 80-gallon fog oil tank, if alternating generators, is capable of making smoke for
approximately two hours before refueling. If the systems use both generators at the same time, the times
reduce by one half. Refueling is done at a forward fuel supply point. The approximate time required to
travel to the forward fuel supply point, refuel, and return should be approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
PART C: DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SMOKE
1.
The deliberate use of smoke and the generation of dust and other obscurants on the battlefield are
of great concern to units in action. Smoke will greatly reduce the enemy's ability to maneuver and fight,
both day and night. Smoke enhances the accomplishment of the mission without excessive losses of
men and equipment in the modern battle arena. Smoke degrades "smart" weapon systems and visual
target acquisition. Smoke will reduce the ability of the enemy to maneuver and deploy and will degrade
its command and control. Smoke may force enemy maneuver elements to deploy into attack formations
quicker than their mission requires, putting the enemy off balance and making it more susceptible to
friendly fire. Smoke may also channel enemy forces into preestablished friendly ambush positions, and
once the enemy is in the ambush position, smoke may reduce its ability to react.
2.
Friendly forces may use smoke to hide maneuver into assault positions, enabling them to attack
without the enemy being prewarned. Smoke denies the enemy critical intelligence concerning friendly
unit positions, compositions, and intentions, and forces the enemy to base its plan on supposition rather
than on fact. The introduction of the M157 Smoke Generator System further enhances the use of smoke
as a combat multiplier by providing the maneuver commander the ability to obtain both mobile and
stationary smoke without the pre-positioning, resupply, and repositioning constraints of the M3A4
Smoke Generator.
CM3305
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