Moving Targets: Calculation
Equation
To manually calculate horizontal hold for moving targets, we will need to know:
- Target distance
- Target speed
- The time of flight for our bullet
(Target Speed / Distance) * Time of Flight * 1000 = Horizontal Lead in MRADs
Data Collection
Time of flight can be found in the ATragMX under the “RC” button in the top right of the screen or derived in an online ballistics program. As the ATragMX suite is not available in situations where manual ballistics are relevant, time of flight information should be recorded prior to operation start.
Human targets in Arma 3 only have a few predetermined movement speeds to utilize. Common speeds for human targets are listed below:
| Movement Name | Description | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sprint | Very fast run, weapon sways, head bobs significantly. | 5.0 m/s |
| Running | A moderate run, weapon sways, head remains stable. | 3.9 m/s |
| Combat Pace (gun up) | Fast walk, no appearance of running. Combat alert. | 3 m/s |
| Combat Pace (gun down) | A light jog, standard movement. | 2.8 m/s |
| Walking (gun down) | Relaxed walking, appearance of patrolling. | 1.4 m/s |
| Walking (gun up) | Very slow movement. Combat alert. | 1.35 m/s |
Calculation Example
Sgt McShooty is deployed as a Spotter (Manual) on a Honeybadger. He ranges a priority target at 800m, a shot that will have a time of flight of 1.5s. The target is moving in Combat Pace with his gun up.
(3 / 800m) * 1.5s * 1000 = 5.6 MRADs
Because target is moving from left to right, he tells his sniper to adjust 5.6 MRADs to the right, into the direction of travel.
Equation Limitations
Very accurate
Slow, for setting up or assembling dope
or when speeds will be known, such as with regular convoy movements
