Contingency and Emergency Manual Procedures for Calculation Firing Data Using Direction and Distance Coefficients

This paper presents an analytical method for calculating artillery firing elements under contingency and emergency conditions, where reliance on automated systems may be compromised due to electronic warfare or system failure. The method introduces direction (C dir ) and distance (C dis ) coefficients, enabling accurate and efficient computation of firing data using only basic tools such as a calculator or tabulated values. These coefficients are derived through a geodetic approach involving auxiliary angles and coordinate transformations within the MGRS and UTM systems. The method addresses a critical gap in NATO's PACE (Primary, Alternative, Contingency, Emergency) framework by offering a time‐efficient, low‐error alternative to traditional graphical techniques. An experimental study compared the proposed analytical approach with graphical methods, involving expert artillery teams from Czech and Slovak forces. Results demonstrated that the analytical method significantly reduces errors in both direction and distance while maintaining comparable or shorter computation times. The study confirms the method's effectiveness in degraded operational environments and recommends its integration into artillery training and doctrine. This solution enhances the resilience and operational readiness of artillery units, particularly in multidomain operations where technology denial is a growing threat.