NAVORD 4995-0: Safety Firing Orders for HMC Ships

Question 1

Electrically Safe

Answer 1

(ASMIWAGOWSIPFF) A safety measure in which a gun or weapon system is prevented from firing through an electrical cut out.

Only required to prevent inadvertent firing from primary, secondary and emergency firing locations.

It is not required to preclude firing from maintenance positions provided these are not accessible.

Question 2

Mechanically Safe

Answer 2

(ASMIWAGOWSIPFF) A safety measure in which a gun or weapon system is prevented from firing via a mechanical cut out. This safety measure is required to prevent inadvertent firing under any circumstance from any position.

Question 3

STILL

Answer 3

An emergency order given to prevent damage to equipment or injury to personnel when an unsafe condition exists. The order “STILL” may be given by anyone verbally and may be cancelled only by the on scene I/C of the evolution. On scene I/C is defined as the senior member present in the area where the still has been called. The Director of the weapon system may not be able to verify the rectification of the safety infraction due to personal location and should therefore not be considered I/C of the evolution. Specific actions will be amplified in appropriate Naval Combat Procedures Manual (NCPM).

Question 4

Range Foul

Answer 4

Indicates that land, a vessel, aircraft or an unintended target other than the target-towing vessel or aircraft have been detected in the safety firing arcs or missile hazard pattern. May be called by anyone prior to command giving permission to fire. When called, firing sequence must stop until the range has been cleared.

Question 5

Range Clear

Answer 5

Indicates that no land, vessels, aircraft or unintended targets other than the target-towing vessel or aircraft have been detected in the safety firing arcs and/or the missile hazard pattern.

Question 6

Dangerous Proximity

Answer 6

Dangerous Proximity identifies a situation where an unintended target is close to or approaching the edges of the safety firing arcs or missile hazard pattern such that it may enter the safety template prior to the firing sequence being completed.

Question 7

Check Fire

Answer 7

“CHECK, CHECK, CHECK” is the emergency order to stop firing. It is called after Command has given permission to carry on with the firing, and shall be called by anyone if an unsafe condition exists, or if anything other than the target is within or about to enter the safety firing arcs of the weapon system being fired.

“CHECK, CHECK, CHECK” is the emergency order to stop firing and cancels the firing permissive. Command is the only authority that may cancel a Check Fire.

Question 8

Command

Answer 8

The CO or the individual delegated Control of Fighting Equipment and Sensors.

Question 9

Loaded Weapon – 57mm

Answer 9

(ASALAISTT) As soon as live ammunition is supplied to the feed system.

Question 10

Loaded Weapon – CIWS

Answer 10

(ASALAISTT) As soon as live ammunition is supplied to the feed system.

Question 11

Loaded Weapon – .50 cal

Answer 11

(ASALAISTT) As soon as live ammunition is supplied to the feed tray.

Question 12

Loaded Weapon – GMVLS

Answer 12

(ASAMissilesASTT) As soon as missiles are supplied to the launchers.

Question 13

Loaded Weapon – HARPOON

Answer 13

(ASAMissilesASTT) As soon as missiles are supplied to the launchers.

Question 14

Loaded Weapon – MASS

Answer 14

(ASARocketsASTT) As soon as rockets are supplied to the launchers.

Question 15

Out of Bounds – 57mm

Answer 15

FX, Bridge Wings (forward of Bridge Wing doors)

Question 16

Out of Bounds – MASS

Answer 16

Upper Decks: FX, Bridge Wings, Flag Deck, Top Part, Hangar Top, Flight Deck, AX

Question 17

Out of Bounds – HARPOON

Answer 17

Upper Decks: FX, Bridge Wings, Flag Deck, Top Part, Hangar Top, Flight Deck, AX

Question 18

Out of Bounds Exception – HARPOON & ESSM

Answer 18

Where essential to the conduct of a missile firing event, (i.e. Telemetry data recording) Command may authorize personnel to be on the upper decks provided they are well clear of the blast effects, suitable personal protective equipment is worn and they can take cover expeditiously if required

Question 19

Out of Bounds – ESSM

Answer 19

Upper Decks: FX, Bridge Wings, Flag Deck, Top Part, Hangar Top, Flight Deck, AX

Question 20

Out of Bounds – CIWS

Answer 20

Hangar Top, Flight Deck, AX

Question 21

Out of Bounds – .50 cal

Answer 21

Bridge Wings (Only for gun positions #1 and #2, area 5m from mountings only )

Flag Deck (Only for gun positions #1 and #2, area 5m from mountings only)

Top Part (Only for gun positions #3 and #4, 5m from mountings only)

AX (Only for gun positions # 5 and #6, area 5m from mountings only)

Question 22

Locations for Weapons Firing Signs – 57mm

Answer 22

Fwd FX Hatch, Aft FX Hatch, Fwd Port Breezeway Door, Bridge Wing Doors (forward of the bridge wing doors)

Question 23

Locations for Weapons Firing Signs – HARPOON

Answer 23

Fwd FX Hatch, Aft FX Hatch, Fwd Port Breezeway Door, Bridge Wing Doors x 2, Aft Port Breezeway Door, Sea Head Flat Doors, Port Breezeway Hatch From 1 To 01 Deck, Port Missle Deck Door, Fwd Hangar Doors , LSO Compartment Hatch, Hangar Lobby Doors, AX Hatch, Hangar Door Closed

Question 24

Locations for Weapons Firing Signs – ESSM

Answer 24

Fwd FX Hatch, Aft FX Hatch, Fwd Port Breezeway Door, Bridge Wing Doors x 2, Aft Port Breezeway Door, Sea Head Flat Doors, Port Breezeway Hatch From 1 To 01 Deck, Port Missle Deck Door, Fwd Hangar Doors , LSO Compartment Hatch, Hangar Lobby Doors, AX Hatch, Hangar Door Closed

Question 25

Locations for Weapons Firing Signs – MASS

Answer 25

Fwd FX Hatch, Aft FX Hatch, Fwd Port Breezeway Door, Bridge Wing Doors x 2, Aft Port Breezeway Door, Sea Head Flat Doors, Port Breezeway Hatch From 1 To 01 Deck, Port Missle Deck Door, Fwd Hangar Doors , LSO Compartment Hatch, Hangar Lobby Doors, AX Hatch, Hangar Door Closed

Question 26

Locations for Weapons Firing Signs – CIWS

Answer 26

Ladders To Hangar Mezzanines x 2, Hangar Lobby Doors x 2, LSO Compt Hatch, AX Hatch, Hangar Door Closed

Question 27

Who is responsible to ensure OOB signs are posted and pipes are being made?

Answer 27

OOW

Question 28

Who comprises the weapons safety organization?

Answer 28

CO, OOW, ORO, DSO MSO for missile firings SAC for evolutions involving an aircraft

Question 29

Who can be designated as DSO and what are their responsibilities?

Answer 29

ORO, AWW Director or XO Drill being conducted IAW NCPM 1000 Mounting is training and elevating as anticipated in relation to orders and drill Mounting are operating in an apparently serviceable state During a missile firing, ensuring the missile pitches over in the right direction and that the missile flight path remains within the safe bearings

Question 30

Who can be designated as an MSO and what is their responsibility?

Answer 30

Qualified ORO Monitoring the status of the missile firing Communication between the firing unit and range control Coordinating the activities of the safety organization Advising the CO on the safety aspects of the missile firing as well as the status of the range and target preparations

Question 31

May HMC Ships conducting firings outside of a normal designated ranges or operating areas? What are these firings called?

Answer 31

Yes. Open Ocean firings.

Question 32

What is the safety organization for torpedo firings?

Answer 32

CO, OOW, ORO, DSO (XO, ORO, Off watch UWWD) For alongside air shots, DSO shall be MS or above of the Cbt or CSE dept For extended periods (i.e. SCC) CO can grant a qualified BWK to act as DSO

Question 33

When are the torpedoes electrically safe?

Answer 33

Vetoed in Ops (Port/Stbd) MK331 OFF

Question 34

If torpedoes are electrically safe, is it still possible to fire them? How?

Answer 34

Yes. The electrical cut-out does not prevent the torpedoes from being fired in emergency (this would have to be intentional)

Question 35

Who confirms that the signs have been posted and that they remain posted during the firing serial?

Answer 35

POOW

Question 36

When is the 57mm electrically safe?

Answer 36

ORO selects Gun Veto at Operations Room veto panel; and SWC selects Gun Safe (Primary) or FCO selects Gun Safe on FCR (Secondary)

Question 37

When is the 57mm mechanically safe?

Answer 37

Switch the ON MOUNT Gun Safe/Fire lever to Safe

Question 38

When is the CIWS electrically safe?

Answer 38

FCO selecting HOLD FIRE; and the ORO selecting CIWS VETO at the Operations Room Veto panel

Question 39

When is CIWS mechanically safe?

Answer 39

Sector Holdback Tool inserted; and Firing Circuit Integrity Key (FIK) removed and controlled IAW NAVORD 3136-4

Question 40

When is ESSM electrically safe?

Answer 40

ORO selecting SEA SPARROW VETO at the Operations Room Veto panel

Question 41

When is ESSM mechanically safe?

Answer 41

All canisters Safe/Operate switches to Safe; and locked with the keys removed and controlled IAW NAVORD 3136-4

Question 42

When is HARPOON electrically safe?

Answer 42

ORO selecting HARPOON VETO at the Operations Room Veto panel; and HOD/HCP Launch Enable made to OFF

Question 43

When is HARPOON mechanically safe?

Answer 43

WIU OFF; and Launch Enable Keys controlled IAW NAVORD 3136-4

Question 44

What is the CIWS Surface safety firing arc?

Answer 44

80° either side of the line of fire; out to a range of 14000x; and an altitude of 20,000ft

Question 45

What is the CIWS Anti-Air safety firing arc?

Answer 45

80° either side of the initial line of fire; out to a range of 14000x; an altitude of 30,000ft; and 200° No Engage Sector on the non-engaged side

Question 46

What is the CIWS PAC safety firing arc?

Answer 46

30° either side of the line of fire; out to a range of 14000x; and an altitude of 20,000ft

Question 47

What is the ESSM Weapon Hazard Pattern (Single Firing Bearing)?

Answer 47

A safety arc of 30° either side of the intended line of fire; out to a range of 32NM; and an altitude of 45,000 ft and 300° non-firing arc outside the safety arc; out to a range of 32NM; and an altitude of 45,000 ft and Participating units may remain inside the non-firing arc of the firing ship provided that they remain outside of 5000 yards from the firing unit and that suitable precautions are taken to deal with potential rogue missiles and/or drones

Question 48

What is the ESSM Weapon Hazard Pattern (Multiple Firing Bearings)?

Answer 48

safety arc of 30° either side of the firing arc; out to a range of 32NM; and an altitude of 45,000 ft and a non-firing arc which includes the remaining circumference outside the firing and safety arcs out to a range of 32NM; and an altitude of 45,000 ft and Participating units may remain inside the non-firing arc of the firing ship provided that they remain outside of 5000 yards from the firing unit and that suitable precautions are taken to deal with potential rogue missiles and/or drones

Question 49

What are the weapon hazard patterns for DUERAS and OMNITRAP?

Answer 49

360° around the firing unit; OMNI: range 1000x altitude 1000ft DUERAS: range 3000x altitude 7000ft