Mini TSFO - Naval Gunfire Edition

Naval Gunfire Edition

In 1987, the Joint Munitions Effectiveness Group became concerned that existing simulations such as the TSFO gave an unrealistic picture of effects on a target because the effect of dispersion between rounds was not taken into account. In other words, if you fired 10 rounds at a target, not all the rounds would hit in the same spot. Most would hit close to the target and a couple might be quite a distance away in a pattern along the gun-to-target line. This can be computed using a Gaussian Distribution function.

Efforts to include this effect in the TSFO were deemed too expensive and would take too long. One of the members of the group was familiar with the MiniTSFO and suggested that it be modified. Additionally, since the original MiniTSFO supported the Army call for fire process, it was deemed appropriate to have the new version support the Navel Gunfire (NGF) process.

Work began immediately. By this time, the Extended Graphics Adapter (EGA) was commonly available for the PC offering 640/350 resolution and a palate of 16 colors. Photographs of San Clemente Island impact area were scanned-in, incorporated into PC Paintbrush for cleanup, and realistic targets added. An actual map of the area was also scanned-in providing additional realism.

The virtual DMD was replaced by a fire mission workup board as was used by Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers. Once the target was located, the user would flip to the workup board, enter the mission information, and submit to the ship.

Communications back and forth were through a scrolling strip of text at the bottom of the screen. The actual transmissions that would be used in a real naval gunfire mission kept the user informed on the progress of the mission.

Besides the enhanced graphics and dispersion, several additional enhancements were made. The ship's location would move during the conduct of the fire mission and the user would see the pattern of rounds on the ground move along with the ship as its direction to the target shifted. The initialization file listed the direction, speed, and weapon type for each available firing platform. Also, the effects on the target would be judged on how close the rounds actually came to the target based on the caliber of the weapon.