TC 3-20.31-044 — Mastery: Firing Tables
TC 3-20.31-044 governs the use of firing tables during the training, execution, and recovery of direct fire operations.
- Publication number: TC 3-20.31-044
- Title: MASTERY: FIRING TABLES
- Date: 01/12/2026
- Proponent: T2COM
- Status: ACTIVE
View TC 3-20.31-044 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers ballistics, projectile flight characteristics, ballistic data collection and reduction, conversion factors, firing table calculations, battlesight ranges, and locating rounds out of impact. It states that real-world ammunition temperature should be accurately measured before consulting Table C and explains interpolation for unlisted quadrant elevations.
Applies to: This publication is designed to assist all personnel operating direct fire weapon systems in their understanding of ballistics, projectile flight characteristics, the establishment of battlesight ranges, and how to accurately determine the location of rounds out of impact.
Topics covered
- Ballistic data collection
- Projectile flight characteristics
- Firing table calculations
- Conversion factors
- Battlesight ranges
- Ammunition temperature effects
- Air density effects
- Rounds out of impact
Questions and answers
What does TC 3-20.31-044 say about analog computations during direct fire operations?
In the event of failures during direct fire operations, analog computations must be performed to verify hazard zones and impacts.
What does FTaB develop for weapon systems and fire control?
Today, FTaB is responsible for developing aiming data, ballistic fire control information, ballistic control software, and calculating the data for all unguided, and certain guided, combat weapons systems for small-caliber Infantry weapons, mortars, tank-fired munitions, artillery, missiles, and rockets. (paragraph 1-23)
How does a 1 km/hr headwind affect range in Table B?
Column 6, quantified in meters, indicates the effect on range caused by a headwind of 1 km/hr. (paragraph 5-9)
How should ammunition temperature be measured before using Table C?
Real-world temperature of ammunition should be accurately measured before consulting Table C, as estimations based on air temperature can result in inaccurate readings. (paragraph 6-4)