chapter 19

BRd 2

19-1

Warfare (X) Officers

November 2007 Edition

CHAPTER 19

WARFARE (X) OFFICERS

(MOD Sponsor: Sections I - IV - Fleet-N7 LMM SO1)(Section V - DIJE)

CONTENTS

SECTION I - PRINCIPAL WARFARE OFFICERS

Para1901. Responsibility1902. Duties1903. Special Duties with Regard to Ship Safety1904. Operations, Administration and Training

SECTION II - NAVIGATING OFFICERS/SUBMARINE NAVIGATING OFFICER

1921. Introduction1922. Purpose and Accountability1923. Tasks of the Navigating Officer1924. Authority1925. Delegation of navigating tasks1926. Navigation Manuals

SECTION III - THE MINE WARFARE AND CLEARANCE DIVING OFFICER

1941. Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer1942. General Duties1943. Material1944. Training

SECTION IV - THE OPERATIONS OFFICER

1961. Operations Officer1962. General Duties1963. Operational Aspects1964. The Safety of Explosives1965. Operations and Exercises1966. Liaison with Weapon Engineering Department1967. Training1968. Administration

BRd 2

19-2



SECTION V - THE HYDROGRAPHIC, METEOROLOGICAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICER X (HM)

Para1969. Introduction1970. Purpose and Accountability1971. Task of the X(HM)1972. Briefings and Forecasts1973. In the Absence of an X(HM) Officer1974. Provision of X(HM) Information to Non-Service Authorities

BRd 2

19-3



CHAPTER 19

WARFARE (X) OFFICERS

SECTION I - PRINCIPAL WARFARE OFFICERS

1901. Responsibility

1. Ships of frigate size and above will be complemented with suitably qualified andexperienced officers as watchkeeping Principal Warfare Officers.

2. The Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) derives his authority from delegation of theCaptain’s personal responsibility for the operational conduct of his ship and units under hiscommand. The limits of his authority are to be qualified or modified as the Captain thinks fit.

3. Within the limits in Clause 2, he is responsible to the Captain for the correct reactionto the operational situation in his own ship and by subordinate units.

4. He is responsible for:

a. The safety of aircraft assigned to own ship for any form of control and theirsafe deconfliction from users of adjacent airspace. (See 2602.3 sub para aand Para 2603.) In ships with Anti Air Warfare Officers (AAWO), responsibilityfor the safety of all fixed wing aircraft and rotary wing AEW aircraft should bepassed to the AAWO when closed up. Safety of rotary wing ASW ASuW andutility helicopters under own Ship’s control remains with the PWD

b. The overall supervision of the RADHAZ emission control policy.

c. The tactical employment of ASW/ASUW aircraft under the ship’s controlunless this duty is assumed by Flag Staff embarked.

5. He is to supervise RADHAZ emission safety during flying operations. (See 2602.3sub para e)

1902. Duties

1. The Principal Warfare Officer is to perform the duties of the Officer in Charge of theOperations Room. (See Para 0808.)

2. He is the Captain’s watchkeeping adviser on tactics, on the general operationalsituation and on airspace co-ordination unless relieved of this function by an AAWO. (See1901.4 sub para a.)

3. He is to ensure that personnel, weapons, sensors, communications and NBCD stateare at the level of readiness appropriate to the operational situation and in accordance withthe Captain’s instructions.

4. He is to ensure the correct employment of sensors, weapons and communicationsresources and the implementation of emission control plans.

BRd 2

19-4



5. He is to ensure that any failure of or defect in equipment which may impair the efficientoperational conduct of the ship or its weapons is reported without delay to the Captain, theOfficer of the Watch and the specialist officers concerned.

1903. Special Duties with Regard to Ship Safety

1. The Officer in Charge of the Operations Room is to ensure that the Officer of theWatch is provided with any available information, advice or intentions which may assisthim in avoiding collision, grounding or other hazard. (See Para 0808.)

2. Whenever operational circumstances permit, the provision of information, advice orintentions in the interests of ship safety is to take precedence over other considerations.(See also 1901 sub para 4.)

3. The relationship to be observed between the Officer in Charge of the OperationsRoom and the Officer of the Watch is set out in 3003 sub para 11 and sub para 12.

1904. Operations, Administration and Training

1. It is to be the normal practice for a PWO to remain responsible for administration andtraining in one sphere of warfare throughout his appointment. Opportunities to obtainexperience in the planning and conduct of practices in the opposite spheres, however,should be taken at Commanding Officers’ discretion, when opportunities permit.

1905 - 1920. Unallocated

BRd 2

19-5



SECTION II - NAVIGATING OFFICERS/SUBMARINE NAVIGATING OFFICER

1921. Introduction

1. All officers appointed to warfare duties are liable to be called upon to performnavigation duties (see 0809.1 sub para c) in HM ships and submarines.

2. There are currently three levels of navigational expertise relevant to the performanceof such duties:

a. Navigating Officers of small ships who will normally have successfullycompleted the Preliminary Navigating Officer’s (PNO) course.

b. Navigating Officers of destroyers, frigates, submarines and specified patrolcraft who will normally have successfully completed the Fleet NavigatingOfficer’s (FNO) course.

c. Specialist Navigating Officers (N, N †, PWO(N), PWO(N) †, and SM(N) areemployed as appropriate on the staffs of senior officers or as NavigatingOfficers of larger vessels.

3. Where a specialist Navigating Officer is borne, his experience and expertise enable aCommanding Officer to place considerable responsibility on him for governing themovements of his ship and others under his command, and for ensuring proper standardsof professionalism are maintained by the OOW and the personnel on whom the OOW mustdepend for the safe conduct of the ship. However, in most ships the Navigating Officer willbe a non-specialist and inexperienced, and the Commanding Officer must take account ofthis when considering appropriate levels of delegation. (See 1922.sub para 1.)

4. Any officer employed as Navigating Officer may be expected to participate in watch-keeping, divisional and general ship duties which may include the task of OperationsOfficer. Whenever such duties are allocated, they should not be allowed to detract fromthe safe conduct of navigation.

1922. Purpose and Accountability

1. The Commanding Officer is accountable for the safe conduct of the ship and hercompany as directed in 0803 sub para 1. In delegating the duty for the conduct ofnavigation he should take full account of the experience, qualifications, ability andavailability of the officer nominated for navigating duties and the degree of supervisionwhich may therefore be required. These factors must be addressed in writing standingorders or memoranda.

2. The Navigating Officer’s primary purpose is to conduct the navigation of the ship forwhich he is directly accountable to the Commanding Officer. The extent to which theexecution of navigation may be delegated is described in Para 1925.

BRd 2

19-6



3. If the officer borne for navigating duties is a Specialist Navigating Officer, theCommanding Officer would normally delegate the execution of pilotage to him, but a localpilot may be employed at the Captain’s discretion. Otherwise the duty remains with theCommanding Officer who may depute any ship’s officer. However, movements of shipswithout power, either in tidal or non-tidal waters of a dockyard port, will be ordered by theQueen’s Harbourmaster and will be carried out by tugs and an Admiralty pilot. QHM willremain accountable for the safe movement of the ship throughout.

1923. Tasks of the Navigating Officer

1. To conduct the navigation (see 0809.1 sub para a) of the ship.

2. To plan the navigation (see 0809.1 sub para f) of the ship to meet its operationalrequirements taking account of all dangers, including the pattern and density of shipping,in or near the planned movements of the ship.

3. To execute the navigation (see 0809.1 sub para g) of the ship except when delegatedto the OOW (see Para 1925).

4. To advise (see Para 0809) the Commanding Officer and OOW on the conduct andexecution of navigation, including problems associated with manoeuvring and shiphandling.

5. To conduct the pilotage of the ship (but see 1922. sub para 3).

6. To monitor the conduct of any embarked pilot and if he has any doubts as to the pilot’sability or advice to inform the Commanding Officer accordingly.

7. To supervise the conduct of bridge personnel with the aims of:

a. Maintaining professional standards.

b. Training inexperienced or unqualified officers in navigation and watchkeepingduties. In submarines this extends to supervision and training of officers andPetty Officers in control room duties associated with navigation.

8. To ensure the proper maintenance of navigation records so that accuratereconstruction of the ship’s planned and actual tracks is possible, as guided by QRRN andBR 45 (series), Manual of Navigation and to ensure that all navigational charts andpublications are correctly and promptly amended before use.

9. To train and supervise bridge staff and assist in the provision of training andsupervision for gangway staff, in the latter case in particular for the maintenance of theShip’s Log (RN Form S322).

10. To ensure all navigational equipment and aids are properly used, that related userchecks are carried out and that defects are promptly brought to the attention of the officerresponsible for equipment maintenance.

BRd 2

19-7



1924. Authority

1. In fulfilling the above tasks the Navigating Officer has functional authority over theOOW, bridge control room and, except in submarines, wheelhouse personnel andgangway staff.

2. Because the OOW is delegated charge of the ship by the Commanding Officer (see0803 sub para 1 and Para 3001) he retains the authority to query, modify, delay or vetocarrying out any instruction from the Navigating Officer which he considers likely toendanger the ship. In such circumstances the Commanding Officer must be consulted atonce.

1925. Delegation of navigating tasks

1. The Navigating Officer is authorized to and will normally delegate the execution of thenavigation plan to the OOW as part of that officer’s accountability for the safety of the ship(see Para 3001). The Navigating Officer retains the functional authority given in Para 1924,and must make clear the circumstances in which the OOW should call him to the bridge.Such instructions must, in consultation with the Commanding Officer, take account of therelative experience of the officers concerned and the availability of the Navigating Officer,who might himself be watchkeeping.

2. However, there will be times when the Navigating Officer should himself execute thenavigation. These may arise under any one or combination of the following circumstances:

a. Approaching or operating in the vicinity of shoal waters.

b. Operating in restricted visibility.

c. Operating in a high density of shipping.

d. Making a land-fall.

e. Executing pilotage (but see 1922 sub para 3).

f. Navigating a group of ships in restricted waters.

g. Operating in a complex warfare situation.

h. When any change or modification to the navigation plan, particularly at shortnotice, impinges on the OOW’s responsibility for the safety of the ship fromcollision.

3. No such list can be comprehensive. In every circumstance the decision must rest withthe professional judgement of the Commanding Officer and Navigating Officer. However,the Navigating Officer must regularly assess the overall burden on the OOW in relation tothe latter’s experience, and should never hesitate to take over the execution of thenavigation to ensure the safe conduct of the ship. When executing the navigation, theNavigating Officer must always take account of the shipping situation when forming hisadvice to the OOW.

BRd 2

19-8



4. The execution of the navigation is to be turned over formally between the OOW andthe Navigating Officer, i.e. ‘You/I have the navigation.’ The Commanding Officer is to bekept informed, and the handover is to be noted in the Navigational Record Book(S3034).

1926. Navigation Manuals

1. BR 45, The Admiralty Manual of Navigation, Vols 1–9 and The Submarine NavigationManual, SMP7, for Submarines are to be regarded as the standard works on navigation inHer Majesty’s Fleet. The instructions and advice contained therein are to be studied andfollowed carefully.


BRd 2

19-9



SECTION III - THE MINE WARFARE AND CLEARANCE DIVING OFFICER

1941. Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer

1. The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer is the qualified (MCD) officer, or thesenior qualified (MCD) officer if more than one is appointed.

2. In ships in which no (MCD) officer is borne as part complement, the Captain is tonominate the most suitable officer or officers to perform the duties laid down in theseinstructions.

3. Officers qualified in mine warfare only are to assume the above order of precedence,and the following duties, for mine warfare matters only. The next most senior officerqualified (MCD) is to assume responsibility for diving and explosive ordnance disposal.

1942. General Duties

1. The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer is responsible to the CommandingOfficer for the following:

a. The proper employment of the ship’s mine countermeasures or mine-layingequipment and mine disposal weapons and the efficiency and training in theiroperational roles of the officers and men who man them.

b. The operational efficiency (except where this is the responsibility of theWeapon Engineer Officer) and correct use of the mine countermeasuresequipment, explosives and mine-laying gear.

c. Diving, as described in Chapter 27 and BR 2806, Diving Manual anddemolitions and explosive disposal as described in BR 5063, ClearanceDiving Operations.

d. The operational efficiency and correct use of demolition and explosiveordnance disposal equipments which have been issued to him.

e. The duties and responsibilities of the Specialist User Officer for explosivesissued to him in accordance with Para 2803.

f. Explosive ordnance disposal, including advice and assistance to theExplosive Responsible Officer.

2. He is to keep himself informed of the latest developments in mine warfare, diving andexplosive ordnance disposal in all their aspects so that he may in his capacity as Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer, be qualified, in conjunction with other officersconcerned, to give advice on:

a. The operation of all mine countermeasures forces.

b. The tactics of mine countermeasures in all operational conditions and againstall types of mine.

c. The tactics of mine-laying, including the planning of minefields.

BRd 2

19-10



d. Defence, including self protective measures against mines by ships other thanmine countermeasures vessels.

e. All aspects of diving, demolitions explosive ordnance disposal techniques andantisaboteur underwater techniques.

3. In conjunction with other officers concerned, he is responsible to the Executive Officerfor the establishment of the Watch and Station Bill.

1943. Material

1. The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer is to act as adviser to theCommanding Officer regarding the operational use of all explosives appertaining to hisdepartment. He is to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Specialist User Officerfor explosives issued to him in accordance with Para 2803 and JSP 862, MoD MaritimeExplosives Regulations. He is to ensure that any particular safety or other regulations forthese stores are brought to the attention of the proper officers (in the case of radio hazardsthis may include adjacent ships).

2. He is responsible for the safe and timely conduct of all fitting or handling of explosivestores which are required to be carried out by his department.

3. He is responsible to the Executive Officer in consultation with the ExplosivesResponsible Officer that the organization for explosive safety in his department complieswith instructions in JSP 862, MoD Maritime Explosives Regulations .

4. He is responsible for ensuring that all mine warfare armament stores and spareequipment issued to him are kept in an efficient condition and in the quantities laid down.

5. He is to have charge of all diving, clearance diving and non-explosive explosivesordnance disposal equipment and is responsible for ensuring that these equipments arekept in an efficient condition and in the quantities laid down.

6. He is to keep in close touch with the Weapon Engineer Officer so as always to knowthe availability and efficiency of the weapon systems and equipment which are his tacticalconcern. He is to ensure that the requisite assistance is available for the specified routineperformance check tests necessary to establish this material state, and that his operatingand training programmes are efficiently co-ordinated with the requirements of the WeaponEngineer Officer for these tests and for routine maintenance and repair.

7. He is to ensure that, subject to any over-riding circumstances, the mine warfare anddiver sub-branch ratings shown on the scheme of complement for full time maintenanceduties are allocated to the Weapon Engineer Officer accordingly. Care is to be taken,however, that no rating who is seeking substantive advancement is denied the requisiteexperience of seamanship duties. The Weapon Engineering Officer will assumeresponsibility for the daily routine, technical training and employment of these ratings (seeChapter 10), except when they are required to close up for operator duties on thearmament.

BRd 2

19-11



1944. Training

1. In addition to the training responsibilities laid down in 1941 sub para 1, the MineWarfare and Clearance Diving Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for thefollowing:

a. The organization and conduct of Mine Warfare and Diving exercises andpractices, together with their records and analysis; in conjunction with otherofficers concerned, he is responsible for ensuring that they are conducted withdue regard to safety precautions.

b. The training of junior officers in MCD matters.

c. The selection and preliminary training of candidates for mine warfare anddiver branch qualifying advancement courses.

d. Ensuring that mine warfare and diving history sheets are properly completed.

2. When borne for fleet duties he is responsible to the senior officer for ensuring that thetraining of officers and men necessary for operation of MCD weapons and equipment isefficiently organized and conducted throughout the fleet or squadron.


BRd 2

19-12



SECTION IV - THE OPERATIONS OFFICER

1961. Operations Officer

1. The Operations Officer should normally be the Warfare Officer who has been longestin post and may be the Head of the Warfare Department at the discretion of theCommanding Officer.

1962. General Duties

1. The Operations Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for:

a. Providing advice on the operational aspects of tactics and fleet work, on theoperational use of weapon systems, emission and communications securitypolicies, and on enemy capabilities.

b. The efficient operation of those weapon systems or sub-systems for which heis responsible as laid down in ship’s standing orders.

c. The conduct and safety of practices.

2. He is responsible to the Executive Officer or to the Commanding Officer for:

a. The co-ordination of all weapon system training and the efficiency andcollective training of the officers and men who man the ship’s operationalequipment, e.g., action information organization, electronic warfare, sensorand weapon systems and communications equipment.

b. The training and drill of the warfare department.

c. The application of safety rules during operations and exercises including RADHAZ (but see Para 3001 on the responsibilities of the Officer of the Watch).

3. He is responsible for bringing to the notice of the Weapon Engineer Officer any defectsin the weapon systems which may be affecting their operational performance.

4. The responsibilities of the Operations Officer may, subject to the Captain’s discretion,be discharged through suitably qualified officers or ratings. Other PWOs borne, willnormally have a considerable number of those responsibilities delegated to them. (Thedivision of duties between the PWOs may be made on the basis of an Above Water (A)/Underwater (U) split or some other division at the Captain’s discretion. The OperationsOfficer himself should retain the co-ordinating role.)

1963. Operational Aspects

1. The Operations Officer is to keep himself informed of developments in:

a. The operational capabilities of ships, aircraft, submarines, helicopters,weapons, tactics, sensors and communications equipment.

b. The tactics likely to be employed by the enemy and the probable effectivenessof those measures.

BRd 2

19-13



c. The tactical measures advised in the Royal Navy and in the navies of Alliedforces.

2. He is responsible to the Captain for the collection, reporting and dissemination ofintelligence information.

3. He is responsible to the Commanding Officer for assessing the ship’s fighting andoperational effectiveness.

4. He is to:

a. Arrange briefings as required before operations, exercises and weaponpractices.

b. Ensure the provision of the appropriate tactical publications and supportinginformation for presentation to the Commanding Officer and use in theoperations room.

c. Ensure that there is an efficient organization for the co-ordination and controlof all electronic and sonic emissions within the operational policy in force andthe appropriate security regulations.

1964. The Safety of Explosives

1. The Operations Officer is responsible for safe use of any weapon system that istransferred to his control, for operational or practice requirements.

1965. Operations and Exercises

1. He is charged with:

a. Assisting the Executive Officer in preparing and promulgating the ship’sprogramme.

b. Planning and arranging exercises and practices, ship and aircraft movements,visits, logistic and replenishment at sea requirements to meet the agreedship’s programme.

c. Preparation of movement, operations and exercise orders and signals asrequired.

d. Acting upon movement, operations and exercise signals received asappropriate.

e. Co-ordinating the preparation of reports and analyses of weapon practices,exercises, operations and of key training carried out.

BRd 2

19-14



1966. Liaison with Weapon Engineering Department

1. He is to keep in close touch with the Weapon Engineer Officer so as always to knowthe availability of the weapons, weapon systems and equipment. For those systems forwhich he is responsible, he is to ensure that daily operator checks, routine performancechecks and other necessary tests are carried out, and that they are carried out correctly.His operating and training programmes are to be co-ordinated with the requirements of theWeapon Engineer Officer for these tests and for routine maintenance and repair.

2. See also Para 1081.

1967. Training

1. He is responsible for:

a. The training of personnel in the operation of the action informationorganization, electronic warfare, sensor and weapon systems, andcommunications equipment, except where this is the responsibility of theWeapon Engineer Officer in accordance with Para 1017.

b. The training of junior officers in operations and warfare.

c. In conjunction with the Flight Commander, the training of aircrew in the ASW,surface and naval gunfire support roles.

1968. Administration

1. In conjunction with the other officers concerned, he is responsible to the ExecutiveOfficer for the establishment and effectiveness of the Watch and Station Bill.

2. He is responsible to the Executive Officer for ensuring that the administration ofWarfare Branch personnel and the associated documentation and recommendations areproperly conducted, compiled and rendered.

3. He is to draft appropriate orders for the operations section of the ship’s orders.

4. He is to ensure that all Warfare department data books are maintained in accordancewith the instructions contained therein. These books are to be produced for examinationby the inspecting officer at the periodical inspection of the ship. When a ship is paid off fora long refit, conversion or modernization, and at the end of the ship’s service, the booksare to be handled in accordance with current instructions.

BRd 2

19-15



SECTION V - THE HYDROGRAPHIC, METEOROLOGICAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICER X (HM)

(MOD Sponsor: Capt HM)

1969. Introduction

1. X(HM) Officers in the early stages of their career will follow similar routes throughOOW and Navigation duties as their non-specialist contemporaries and some willundertake PWO training in the normal course. The X(HM) Officer gains an initial specialistqualification from the HM Common Course (HM-H Module followed by HM-M Module), thatequips the X(HM) Officer with the skills to undertake supervised hydrographic,meteorological and oceanographic forecasting appointments in operational units. AllX(HM) Officers will then complete an HM Aviation Meteorology Course based at a TypedAirstation and the Tac HM Course to provide the skills needed to deliver aviation supportservices and broader advice on the tactical exploitation of the physical environment.X(HM) Officers appointed to more specialist hydrographic roles will undertake the HMAdvanced Survey Course. This will equip them to take full responsibility for the planning,execution, analysis and rendering of military hydrographic surveys worldwide. Successfulcompletion of the course is a prerequisite for advancement to Charge HydrographicSurveyor (H Charge) and for command of RN Survey Ships and/or other H Chargeappointments. X(HM) Officers appointed to key posts that require additionalmeteorological skills will attend the HM Advanced Meteorology Course. Successfulcompletion of the course is a prerequisite for advancement to Charge MetOc (M Charge).

2. Detailed information and instructions for the X(HM) Officer are contained in:

a. NP145 (HM Operational Guidance (HMOG))

b. HM Operational Instructions (HMOI)

c. The Beach Intelligence Gathering Manual

d. FOTI0721 (Rapid Environmental Assessment)

e. World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Publication 258 - Guidelines forthe Education and Training of Personnel in Meteorology and OperationalHydrology

f. X(HM) Officers’ Task Book1

g. Defence Meteorological Production Manual (DMPM)

h. M-5 – IHO Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors.

i. 2007DIN02007 - Legal requirements for aviation forecasting resulting fromWMO Publication 2582

1.The Taskbook includes both ‘H’ and ‘M’ elements and is to be completed by all X(HM) Officersduring their first 2 appointments.2.This DIN sets out the requirement for aviation forecaster accreditation effective 1 Jan 2007.These requirements will be incorporated into JSP 550 at the next revision

BRd 2

19-16



3. In addition to these publications further instructions and advice will be promulgated asnecessary in professional papers and memoranda.

1970. Purpose and Accountability

1. The primary purpose of the X(HM) Officer is to meet the Command requirement forhydrographic surveying, reporting actual and forecast meteorological and oceanographicconditions, and the assessment of underwater acoustic and above water electro-magneticand electro-optic propogation.

2. The senior officer appointed to a ship/establishment for X(HM) duties is accountableto the Commanding Officer for the hydrographic, meteorological and oceanographicorganisation of the unit.

1971. Task of the X(HM)

1. The tasks of the X(HM) will vary widely from one ship to another and will depend ontrained skill level. Tasks may include:

a. The conduct and planning of survey operations to meet operationalrequirements. Survey operations may be in support of amphibious warfare(beach surveys), mine warfare (area surveys, route assessment surveys),ocean data gathering or other Military Data Gathering requirements. Surveysmay also be conducted as part of the National Hydrographic Programme.

b. Monitoring the quality of survey data at all stages of collection and processing,paying close attention to the potentially significant effects of the environmenton data collection and the requirements of the HMOI.

c. The calibration of survey systems and precise navigation aids.

d. Liaising with Operations and/or Navigating Officers as necessary for:

• Ensuring all precise navigation aids are properly used, that related user checks are carried out and that defects are promptly brought to the attention of the officer responsible for equipment maintenance.

• Echo sounder calibration.

• The supervision in non Hydrographic Survey Vessels of Passage Data Gathering1 and advise on the ship’s ocean route so that data is gathered in sparsely populated areas.

• The submission of Hydrographic Notes.

e. Promulgation of adverse weather and oceanographic conditions.

f. Provision of actual and forecast surface wind speed and direction, visibility,cloud, precipitation, icing, turbulence, and atmospheric pressure for ship, fixedwing and rotary wing opoerations.

1.FLOOs Vol 1

BRd 2

19-17



g. Provision of actual and forecast upper winds, temperatures and humidities foraviation gunnery, missile, nuclear, biological and chemical fallout, radio andradar propagation and electronic warfare applications.

h. Provision of sea, swell and surf forecasts for naval and amphibiousoperations.

i. Provision of advice on the frequency and distribution of meteorological andoceanographic observations.

j. Provision of advice on sonar range prediction for active and passive sensors,detection, counter-detection, best depth for variable depth sonars andoptimum frequency for variable frequency systems.

k. Provision of advice on electro-magnetic and electro-optic propagation.

l. Provision of advice on how the physical environment may be tacticallyexploited throughout the whole spectrum of naval operations.

m. Provision of advice on Environmental Impact Assessment for sonaroperations.

n. Formulate and manage the Recognised Environmental Picture (REP).

2. The X(HM) Officer will possess the following skills according to level of specialistqualifications:

a. Upon completion of the HM Common Course is qualified to: Producemeteorological shipping and supervised aviation forecasts for both fixed androtary wing operations worldwide on any platform; Provide sonar rangeprediction for single unit ASW operations for all types of sonar except towedarray; and conduct any form of hydrographic survey under the direction of aCharge Hydrographic Surveyor (H Charge). Junior X(HM) officers in postswithout H Charge supervision are able to conduct surveys and should beencouraged to do so. The data gathered has the potential to be of value in theCommand decision making process but the Command should recognise theinexperience of junior X(HM) officers when basing operational decisions onsuch data. Prior to commencing the Tac HM Course X(HM) Officers willcomplete the initial section of Taskbook training to consolidate HM CommonCourse training.

b. Upon completion of Tac HM Course is qualified in the tactical application of theHM skill set. In particular, the oceanographic skill base is extended to includesonar range prediction for towed array operations and low frequency activeoperations and the provision of tactical advice to the command for multi-unitand area ASW operations. The course also develops an increased skilldelivery in the force aspects of electro-magnetic and electro-optic predictionas well as tactical implications of Rapid Environmental Assessment.

c. Upon completion of the HM Advanced Survey Course is qualified to plan,execute, analyse and render the output from any form of hydrographic surveyundertaken in any part of the world under the supervision and guidance of anH Charge Officer.

BRd 2

19-18



d. Upon completion of the HM Advanced Meteorology Course is able tomanipulate multi-sourced environmental data sets from REA using GIStechniques and provide a full analysis of the environment for the REP.Together with the application of advanced level theory and the latesttechniques he will be able to provide a full analysis of the effects of conditions,current and future, on weapons and sensors, friend or foe, on current andfuture operations to optimise the Command’s capability and to aid decisionmaking.

1972. Briefings and Forecasts

1. The senior X(HM) Officer borne for HM duties is responsible as appropriate forhydrographic, meteorological and oceanographic briefings to operational commandersand other users, tailored to the particular role or tasking of a force or individual unit. Whenbriefings relate to a specific operation it is essential that the X(HM) Officer is made a fullmember of the command team to ensure full consideration is given to the impact of thephysical enviornment on the operation.

2. X(HM) Officer training is modular and takes place throughout an X(HM) Officer’scareer. It is essential, therefore, that Commanding Officers are aware of the competencylevels of X(HM) Officers under their command. This is of particular importance with respectto aviation weather forecasts.

3. As the meteorological and oceanographic environment is continually changing it isessential that the X(HM) Officer keeps forecasts under review and takes prompt action topass either the observation or forecast of any change to the appropriate authority.

1973. In the Absence of an X(HM) Officer

1. At sea, when no X(HM) Officer is borne, meteorological duties are normallyundertaken by the Navigating Officer, whilst the wider aspects of the tactical exploitationof the environment will normally be undertaken by the Principal Warfare Officer, in so faras their training and experience permits. When a flight is embarked the Flight Commanderor a delegated aircrew officer is responsible for all aspects of aviation meteorology whichaffect helicopter operations.

2. At RN ports it is customary for the responsibility for meteorological duties and liaisonwith the local meteorological organisation to be undertaken by the Queen’sHarbourmaster. Elsewhere, in the absence of a local organisation, requests for theprovision of services should be addressed to Commander-in-Chief Fleet in accordancewith prevailing regulations.

3. HM and METOC ratings at Petty Officer and below are not permitted to autonomouslyissue aviation forecasts.

1974. Provision of X(HM) Information to Non-Service Authorities

1. X(HM) officers are not to issue data or forecast information to non-Service persons orauthorities without prior permission from the Ministry of Defence (DI-ICSP). Advice may beprovided to NATO and civilian units participating in naval exercises and operations.

2. Products and services provided to the RN by the national Hydrographic andMeteorological Office Agencies are not to be provided to non-service authorities withoutprior approval being obtained from the Ministry of Defence (DI-ICSP).

chapter 19

Documents