Why should time fuze be avoided for high angle missions?

Why should time fuze be avoided for high angle missions?

• A. It increases the risk of misfires
• B. It can cause large probable errors in height of burst
• C. It complicates the firing process
• D. It reduces the range of the projectile

Answer: (B)

Choosing to avoid time fuzes for high angle missions is primarily due to the significant potential for large probable errors in the height of burst. In high angle artillery firing, projectiles are launched at steep trajectories, which can lead to unpredictable flight paths and timing discrepancies. Time fuzes are designed to detonate a shell at a predetermined time after launch, and this timing must be precisely calibrated based on factors such as projectile speed, angle of fire, and atmospheric conditions. When firing at high angles, the rapid changes in altitude and velocity can greatly affect the accuracy of the time fuze. If the timing is not adjusted perfectly, the shell may detonate too soon or too late, resulting in an ineffective impact or an explosion at an unintended height. This lack of precision can compromise the effectiveness of the mission, particularly when targeting specific elevations, such as in mountainous terrains or against certain types of targets. Therefore, avoiding time fuzes in high angle missions helps to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of artillery fire by minimizing the risks associated with the uncertainty of when the projectile will burst. Other options may touch on different challenges in artillery operations, but they do not address the critical issue related to height of burst accuracy as directly as this one.

Choosing to avoid time fuzes for high angle missions is primarily due to the significant potential for large probable errors in the height of burst. In high angle artillery firing, projectiles are launched at steep trajectories, which can lead to unpredictable flight paths and timing discrepancies. Time fuzes are designed to detonate a shell at a predetermined time after launch, and this timing must be precisely calibrated based on factors such as projectile speed, angle of fire, and atmospheric conditions.

When firing at high angles, the rapid changes in altitude and velocity can greatly affect the accuracy of the time fuze. If the timing is not adjusted perfectly, the shell may detonate too soon or too late, resulting in an ineffective impact or an explosion at an unintended height. This lack of precision can compromise the effectiveness of the mission, particularly when targeting specific elevations, such as in mountainous terrains or against certain types of targets.

Therefore, avoiding time fuzes in high angle missions helps to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of artillery fire by minimizing the risks associated with the uncertainty of when the projectile will burst. Other options may touch on different challenges in artillery operations, but they do not address the critical issue related to height of burst accuracy as directly as this one.