PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-594
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 594
MAY 2002
PS 594
MAY 02
7
Combat, Tactical and Engineering Vehicles…
Get Tip-top Protection from TIPs
F
riendly fire protection on the battlefield is vital. And the combat identification panels
(CIPs) on Pages 2-5 do a good job of protecting you from all sides—except the top.
That’s where thermal identification panels (TIPs) come in.
What are TIPs?
TIPs are 4x4-ft thermal cloth panels that are used to identify stationary friendly
vehicles from the air and prevent casualties caused by friendly fire.
When viewed through thermal
sights—such as those found on AH-
64 Apache helicopters and the Air
Force’s LANTIRN system—a TIPs
panel appears as a large cold spot
that marks the vehicle as friendly.
TIPs can also be used as primary
markers for positions and structures
where CIPs are not installed.
How to Get TIPs
TIPs are being fielded as free-issue items. If you’ve not yet received your panels,
check with the TIP Program Manager at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, DSN 987-5272/5864 or
(732) 427-5272/5864.
Units that don’t get TIPs, or need replacements after the initial distribution, must
order the panels through the regular supply system.
TIPs are available in OD green or desert tan to match vehicle camouflage pat-
terns. The opposite side of each panel is international orange for use during air-to-
ground visual operations. Get the green/orange panels with NSN 2590-01-447-8997
and the tan/orange panels with NSN 2590–01-448-4531.
How to Install TIPs
1.
Remove the cloth panel from its storage bag.
2.
Place the panel on the rear deck or similar flat spot that allows exposure of the
panel without interfering with vehicle operations. For example, the turret ammuni-
tion vent doors are a good spot on M1-series tanks.
3.
Position the TIP so that it is tilted
approximately 20° from the surface
it sits on. A filled sandbag or duffel
bag placed under the panel can be
used to create the required angle.
The slight tilt lets the panel act as a
thermal mirror that reflects the
cooler temperature of the sky.
4.
Tie the TIP in place using the
metal grommets around the outside
edge of the panel.
More Info
If you need more information about TIPs, contact the combat identification
product manager at DSN 987-5324 or (732) 427-5324 or e-mail:
wayne.calabretta@iews.monmouth.army.mil
TIPs provide
air-to-ground
identification
HMMWV…
Warning Light Bulbs
Warning Light Bulbs
If you’re using the
HEMTT
wrecker warning light system,
NSN 6220-01-250-5190, on your
up-armored HMMWV because of
its magnetic base portability,
make a note of this…
“When you need a
replacement lamp
bulb
, order NSN
instead of the
entire system.”
“The bulb is
Item 19 in Fig 103 of
TM 9-2320-279-24P.”
It’ll
save you
lots
of
money.
Angle TIP to
a 20° angle
Nice
hat!
you’re gonna
want one when
the
bombs
start falling!
594. 06-07 (C)
3/30/02
12:16 PM
Page 1
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