PREFACE This book is written for the enlisted men of Naval aviation. It is one of a series of books designed to give them the background information necessary to perform their aviation duties. A knowledge of aircraft fire control is of primary importance to Aviation Ordnancemen responsible for general maintenance work. But the subdivisions of Aviation Ordnancemen - that is, Aviation Bombsight Mechanics and Aviation Turret Mechanics - also need an understanding of aircraft fire control. They need to know the relationship of their specialties to the broad subject of ordnance. Starting with basic information on the science of ballistics, this book follows with a discussion of gunsights, boresighting and synchronizing. Then come torpedo directors, bombing and bombsights. In conclusion, there is a section on aerial gun cameras, aerial t trgets and towing equipment. As one of the Navy Training Courses, this book represents the joint endeavor of the Naval Air Technical Training Command and the Training Division of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Preface ii CHAPTER 1 Ballistics 1 CHAPTER 2 Gunsghts 15 CHAPTER 3 Boresighting 37 CHAPTER 4 Synchronizing 53 CHAPTER 5 Torpedo directors 85 CHAPTER 6 Bombing i 95 CHAPTER 7 Bombsights 107 CHAPTER 8 Aerial gun cameras 125 CHAPTER 9 Aerial targets and towing equipment 135