Untrained Forward Observer (UFO) translator for call for fire

Abstract

Many observers need indirect fire but are not proficient in Call for Fire, the procedure used to request indirect fire. To alleviate this, we propose the development of an application, which we call the Untrained Forward Observer (UFO) Translator, capable of assisting untrained observers in performing Call for Fire by asking a series of simple questions to generate a Call for Fire in the proper format. As a prior Forward Observer with more than 12 years of Call for Fire experience, and as a former Supporting Arms instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, the application outlined in this thesis has been carefully designed to ensure the logic in place is sufficient and appropriate to retrieve the required information from users to generate a proper Call for Fire capable of executing a fire mission utilizing indirect fire. A prototype of the application was tested and partially verified in a pilot study conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School and discussed herein. We believe the UFO Translator will fulfill its design specifications and be easy enough to use by any military member, regardless of rank, billet, or experience. In this thesis, we present the design and layout of the UFO Translator.