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21st Century U.S. Army Battlefield Weather Effects Field Manual (FM 34-81-1) - Forecasts, Weather Products, Effects on Equipment, Systems and Operations
21st Century US Army Battlefield Weather Effects Field Manual Forecasts Weather Products Effects on Equipment Systems and Operations - FM 34-81-1 Author:Department of Defense This is the latest edition of an important U.S. Army field manual (FM) covering the effects of weather on military equipment and systems and the efforts of military specialists to understand the weather. In the preface, it states: "This manual provides some of the more common critical weather (and environmental) effects data and applies th... more »at information to specific operations, systems, and personnel. Inclement weather degrades battlefield operations, affects weapons and other systems, and plays a major role in the effectiveness of troops in the field. This data is intended to support the brigade and battalion S2 and staff. It is applicable to combat, combat service, and combat service support units and is intended for use by Active Component (AC), Reserve Components (RC), and Army National Guard (ARNG) units in both training and combat situations. Use of these lookup tables and data is a three-step process. The three steps are-- Using current weather observations and forecasted conditions, you look for weather extremes. That is, those conditions that will be too hot, too cold, too windy, too overcast, too wet, or too humid for normal operations. Turning to the lookup tables, you then identify specific operations, systems, and personnel that will be impacted. And finally, bringing any impacts and constraints you have identified to the attention of your commander and the rest of the staff. The critical values presented here, together with current weather observations or future forecasts mentioned above, will provide you with the basic tools needed to perform these three steps. Data are presented in the form of simple lookup tables called weather tactical decision aids (WTDAs). These WTDAs are designed to point you toward your briefing of the commander and staff. Appendixes B through O are tailored toward specific types of units. This manual does not make you an expert in all facets of weather and the total impact that inclement weather might have on an army in the field. Instead, it allows you to quickly understand the potential impact specific current and forecasted weather elements could have on your unit's plans today." This manual is produced by the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca (Arizona) - USAIC&FH. It is fully illustrated with numerous line drawings.« less