Lesson 2
Determine Smoke Pot Requirements
Critical Task: 031-508-2066
Overview
when calculating smoke pots per positions on the premise
Lesson Description:
In this lesson you will learn how to calculate smoke
that it is better to have more smoke than not enough.) PP
pot requirements for a company-level smoke operation.
= MT/ BT
Terminal Learning Objective:
Total Smoke Pots Required Formula
Action: Determine smoke pot requirements.
To determine the total number of smoke pots
Conditions: Given information about and illustrations
required (TP), multiply the smoke pot positions (P) by the
related to the procedures for calculating smoke
pots per position (P/P). TP = P x P/P
pot requirement, including determinant of
Example: The mission is as follows: You must lay
burning time, length of front, and number of
smoke from 1000 hours to 1130 hours. Type
positions required for a company-level operation.
of smoke pots to be used is ABC-M5. Wind
Standards: Demonstrate competency of the task skills
speed is 8 kilometers per hour. Type of
and knowledge by responding to the multiple-
coverage needed is a blanket. Target width is
choice test covering the procedures for
200 meters. The target is in an open area.
calculating smoke pot requirements.
Step 1. Estimate wind speed (see Figure 13).
References: The material contained in this lesson was
You feel a slight wind on your face and leaves are
derived from FM 3-50 and TB CML 100.
rustling (6 to 10 Kilometers per hour).
Step 2. Determine temperature gradient (see Figure
14).
Introduction
The three formulas for calculating smoke pot
You must lay smoke from 1000 to 1130 hours, and
requirements are smoke pot positions, smoke pots per
the sky cover is less than 30 percent (lapse).
position, and total smoke pots required. You must have
Step 3. Determine spacing between positions and
the type of terrain, temperature gradient, wind speed, type
distance from target (see Figure 15 on page 16).
screen (blanket or haze), target width, duration of
Wind is 8 Kilometers per hour and target area you
mission, and type of smoke pot to calculate smoke pot
want to blanket is open. (Need 25 meters between
requirements.
positions, 250 meters upwind of target area.)
Step 4. Determine how many positions are needed.
(Divide target width (TW) of 200 meters by position
Smoke Pot Positions Formula
To determine how many positions are needed (P),
spacing (PS) of 25, round up decimals of .5 or more, and
you divide the target width (TW) by position spacing
add 1. Positions needed equal 9.)
(PS)(round up decimals of 5 or more) and then add one.
Step 5. Determine how many pots are needed in
The "add one" is a constant. When counting from one
each position. (Divide the time required for the mission
position to the next, you must include your own position.
(MT) of 90 minutes by the minimum burning time (BT)
(Instead of starting with 0 you start with 1.) P = (TW/PS)
of 12 minutes using the ABC-M5 smoke pots; round up
decimals of .5 or more. Pots needed in each position
+1
equal 8)
Step 6. Determine the total number of pots required
Smoke Pots Per Position Formula
To determine the number of smoke pots for each
for the mission (TP).
position (P/P), you divide the mission time (MT) by the
(Multiply the number of positions (P) by the number
minimum burn time (BT). (Always round up decimals
of pots per position (P/P). 9 x 8 = 72 smoke pots needed.
15
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