VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT PROTECTIVE POSITIONS

5-1. Vehicle protective positions are constructed for vehicles and weapons systems that are not directly engaged in providing fires against the enemy. These positions generally require extensive engineer assets and construction materials to build. Unless separate overhead cover is constructed, these positions do not provide blast protection from indirect-fire superquick, contact, or delay-fuze shells. These positions, however, provide medium artillery shell fragmentation protection from near-miss bursts greater than five feet from the position and from direct-fire HEAT projectiles 120 millimeters or less.

5-2. A certain degree of protection can be obtained by using the terrain, such as draws, reverse slopes, and urban terrain. These may provide protection by both enhancing camouflage and concealment and by providing protection against blast and fragmentation. Constructed vehicle protective positions include berms, revetments, and deep cut positions. These positions should be high enough to achieve the desired level of protection, large enough to accommodate the vehicle with work space around it, allow easy access, and account for drainage. Deep cut positions may include cuts in hillsides or excavations that allow the vehicle to be positioned belowground level.

5-3. Table 5-1, page 5-2, provides dimensions for protective positions for AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 radar systems. GTA 90-01-011 provides design information for protective positions with overhead cover for heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks and palletized load systems. The design uses soil-filled containers and may be adapted for other vehicles.

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Table 5-1. Dimensions of protective positions for AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 radar systems

Dimension Feet Other info

Vehicle Type Length Dimension

Width Depth (feet) Berm Height (feet) Platform, Ramp Height/Width/ Entrance, Exit Slope

Minimum Berm Thickness

at Base (feet)

AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Radar Shelter/

HMMWV

17 ft, 6 in 15 ft, 4 in 14 8 NA 3

Generator 22 ft 15 ft, 4 in 14 8 NA 3

Antenna Array 15 ft, 4 in 15 ft, 4 in 4 4 8 to 10 ft/15 ft, 4 in/ 30 to 35 degrees

3

AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Radar Shelter/

HMMWV

17 ft, 6 in 15 ft, 4 in 14 8 NA 3

Prime Mover and Reconnaissance Vehicle 22 ft 20 ft 14 8 NA 3 Generator 17 ft, 6 in 16 ft 14 8 NA 3 Antenna Array 16 ft 16 ft 0 6 NA 3 Legend:

ft – foot HMMWV – high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle in – inch NA – not applicable

OBSERVATION POSTS AND PROTECTIVE SHELTERS

5-4. Shelters are primarily constructed to protect Soldiers/Marines, equipment, and supplies from enemy action and the weather. Shelters differ from fighting positions because there are usually no provisions for firing weapons from them. However, they are often constructed to supplement fighting positions. Observation posts must also allow Soldiers/Marines to have clear observation of their assigned sector. As a result, the techniques employed for fighting positions, bunkers, and towers (which are discussed in chapter 4), and for protective shelters (discussed below) can all be used to create effective observation posts, but may require modification to adapt to the requirement for observation.

5-5. When available, natural shelters such as caves, mines, or tunnels are used instead of constructing shelters. Caves, mines, tunnels, or storage bunkers used for extended periods should be checked for environmental health hazards that may impact Soldier/Marine health, to include ammunition residue, hazardous materials, and potential disease-spreading vectors. Engineers are consulted to determine the suitability of caves and tunnels. The best shelter is usually one that provides the most protection but requires the least amount of effort to construct. Shelters are frequently prepared by support troops, troops making a temporary halt due to inclement weather, and units in bivouacs, AAs, and rest areas. Shelters are constructed with as much overhead cover as possible. They are dispersed and limited to a maximum capacity of about 25 Soldiers/Marines. Supply shelters are of any size, depending on location, time, and materials available. Large shelters require additional camouflaged entrances and exits.

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5-6. Soil-filled containers can be used to build effective shelters and observation posts. GTA 90-01-011 provides design and construction information for several such structures, including an aboveground 20-foot military van (MILVAN) personnel bunker, a small observation post, and a large observation post. Soil-filled container observation posts are built directly on the ground or on raised structures to provide

Protective Positions protected observation in all directions. They have increased level of survivability over plywood perimeter bunkers (see chapter 4), but require additional engineer effort.

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5-7. A metal culvert shelter (see figure 5-1) can be quickly constructed aboveground and is intended for use in areas where personnel are billeted or work in conventional nonprotected buildings but need additional survivability in case of attack. They may be placed outside high troop concentration areas such as dining facilities, billeting, or CPs. The shelter is 6 feet high and consists of two rows of 55-gallon drums with a 4-foot span between rows. A 2- by 4-inch stud, measuring 4 inches higher than the drums, is placed inside each drum. The drums are filled with soil. A 2- by 8-inch top plate is connected to the studs lengthwise through the bunker. Six-foot corrugated pipe halves are bolted to the plate and covered with soil and sandbags creating a 2-foot layer. Ends of the position are protected by soil bin walls, soil-filled drums, or other materials. This shelter provides protection against mortars and small-caliber direct-fire weapons.

Figure 5-1. Metal culvert shelter

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5-8. Large metal shipping containers (such as MILVAN containers) can be used to make effective shelters. These box-shaped containers, with 8-foot long, 6-foot wide, and 6-foot tall internal dimensions, are easily converted into protective CPs, communications shelters, troop shelters, or aid stations (see figure 5-2, page 5-4). The shelter can be constructed aboveground, but it is most effective when constructed belowground and covered with soil and sandbags. When constructing this type of buried shelter, it is critical that the CONEX roof and walls are reinforced to support the weight of the additional load from soil or sandbags. Because the container’s floor is stronger than its roof, inverting it will allow the container to better support the overhead cover.

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Figure 5-2. Metal shipping container shelter

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5-9. Timber frame shelters are constructed from raw materials or prefabricated sets. They are designed to provide protection from direct-fire weapons and indirect-fire fragmentation. These structures are most effective when constructed belowground, but do not provide adequate protection against direct hits from indirect-fire weapons. Properly constructed overhead cover will shield against contact burst weapons up to 82-millimeter mortars. Figures 5-3, 5-4, and 5-5 depict three examples of timber frame shelters.

Protective Positions

Figure 5-4. Modular timber frame shelter

Figure 5-5. Timber frame buried shelter

REHABILITATION AND UPGRADE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES