Artillery Reconnaissance

the acquisition and processing of information concerning the enemy, the terrain, and the meteorological conditions; this information is necessary to make sure of the performance of combat activities of rocket troops and artillery.

Artillery reconnaissance is organized throughout all phases of combat to reveal as early as possible enemy objectives (targets)—primarily his tactical means of nuclear attack, the grouping of tanks and artillery, strong points, command posts, radio and electronic facilities—and to determine their coordinates. Artillery reconnaissance is also assigned to check the results of strikes by one’s own rockets, to correct artillery fire, and to observe the enemy’s actions as well as the actions of one’s own troops. Artillery reconnaissance is carried out by reconnaissance subunits with the aid of optical and electronic optical instruments, sound-ranging observation posts, radar and radio technical stations, artillery reconnaissance groups, and the crews of reconnaissance fire-correction helicopters.