NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Transcription

1 NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC TARGETS A Guide for Interested Parties 1. Introduction 1.1. This is the National Rifle Association of Australia s for Electronic Targets document. It defines the requirements for NRAA sponsored International Competitions, National Competitions and for Open Prize meetings within Australia These requirements have been derived from the accompanying NRAA paper titled Electronic Targets A General Discussion About s. The relevant paragraphs of that paper are noted in the column in the table below. Readers are advised to have this document available when reading this s Document Club requirements for electronic targets will be dictated by available budgets. This document is also meant to be a guide for Clubs contemplating electronic target purchases within Australia. Club requirements may be less onerous, however they should note the implications of their choices, as they may need to upgrade their system, particularly if they wish to employ the targets at Open Prize meetings later Each requirement has been rated, and the degree of importance is either:, or. Potential suppliers should note that failure to meet any requirement automatically disqualifies their system from consideration. Multiple failures of important criteria are symptomatic of unsuitable equipment and would also lead to disqualification. On the other hand, desirable requirements are just that and Suppliers may use normal commercial judgment on whether to meet these. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 1 of 9

2 1.5 The NRAA recognizes that in general, there will three levels at which Electronic Targets will probably be used. (a) Club Level At Club Level with one or two E-Targets, a system which only uses a single monitor per target will probably be sufficient. Both Scorer and Shooter will use the single monitor, with the Scorer recording the score manually. More sophisticated equipment may be used of course, depending on finances available. (b) Queens Prize Meetings and Open Prize Meetings (i) At these meeting it is highly desirable that 2 or more scoring monitors per target are available. One monitor should be for the Shooter and one for the Scorer. If possible, a third one could be available for a Check Scorer. In order to keep costs down the 2 nd and 3 rd monitors may be Tablets or Smartphones if the system will allow it. (ii) A Scoreboard should be placed behind each target. The board should contain at the minimum a list of the shooters in their shooting order. If a Check Scorer is employed then it is desirable that a shot by shot record is kept on the board. If this is not possible then at the minimum each shooter s final score for the range should be recorded on the board. Competition Organisers should always keep in mind the visual display of shooter s scores and their progress so that onlookers are kept informed and interested in the competition. (iii) Please note that SSR s mandate that during any Open Prize Meeting or Queens Prize using Electronic Targets, that correct scoring rings should be visible at least on the aiming marks. Note Rule When using electronic targets, the correct aiming mark for the distance must be displayed on the target. This aiming mark must clearly display at least the correct scoring rings contained with the aiming mark. This is so that F Class shooters will have the same aiming marks as conventional targets. (c) Teams Match Level State and International s for these type of matches can be quite extensive. Section 13 of this document gives an extensive list. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 2 of 9

3 TABLE OF NRAA USER REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC TARGET SYSTEMS 1. General 1.3 Electronic targets shall be capable of being adapted readily into existing infrastructure 1.6 An electronic target system must be scalable to at least 60 concurrent target lanes. 1.7 Electronic target shall replace only the marker and official scores will continue to be recorded manually on scorecards. NRAA Policy 1.8 Electronic target systems shall be free of defects and be readily adaptable to changes in the nature of competitions, and that suppliers be prepared to facilitate fixes or updates at no or minimal cost to the NRAA and users affiliated to the NRAA. 2. Standard Shooting Rules 2.1 Electronic targets shall be capable of supporting all rifle shooting disciplines covered in the NRAA Standard Shooting Rules. 2.3 Electronic targets must meet the conditions (as appropriate) of the NRAA Standard Shooting Rules. 3. Approved Rifles and Ammunition 3.4 The electronic target system shall be capable of reliably detecting projectiles of various centre fire calibers on both the short-range and long-range targets. 4. Approved Target Dimensions 4.3 Electronic targets should provide a complete library of all the NRAA sponsored competition targets. 4.4 It should be noted that the ICFRA targets have been modified for Australian conditions and where more than one discipline use the same target. For example, both the Target Rifle and F-Class disciplines in Australia use a common modified ICFRA target. 4.5 It is expected that the NRAA will have cause to update or add to the library of NRAA sponsored competition targets over time, and it should be possible for a user to update their electronic target system with the most current library. 4.7 Blank target faces should be supplied, and with the centre of the target face suitably marked. Then the competition organiser can paste on relevant aiming marks and better align them with the centre of the virtual electronic target. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 3 of 9

4 5.1 Electronic targets must employ the principle of recording a score when either the projectile strikes the target within a scoring ring and when it just touches a scoring line. 5.2 Electronic targets shall score all shots on the target to the 7.82mm gauge diameter. 6. Permissible Error in Shot Location 6.1 It is desirable that Electronic targets be capable of locating shots within 1mm of the centre of the actual shot hole on the target and in any of the environmental conditions encountered in Australia. Buyers should clearly establish with the supplier what accuracy a target is capable of when considering a purchase. 6.2 There should also be a method of establishing the accuracy of the target from time to time throughout the life of the target. 7. Range Template and Safety Issues Target Deployment In order to comply with range safety standards, electronic targets shall not be constructed with materials that might generate ricochets or cause fragmentation of a projectile. Small sensors and electrical wiring mounted in the target frame would not be considered a risk in generating ricochets and fragmentation. Nevertheless, they are best positioned on the outer region of the electronic target frame to mitigate the risk of their being struck by a projectile. Target frames shall be made of wood or other materials that are acceptable to the relevant State police authorities. Metal frames are prohibited. Electronic targets should be able to be relocated and manually handled into and out of position on target frames by no more than two persons. They should also be capable of being transported by mechanical means without risk of damage. Electronic targets shall be able to be adapted to fit on all target frame designs and if necessary, employ 1200mm or 1800mm standard leg arrangements. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 4 of 9

5 Electronic targets are required to operate reliably under the following Australian environmental weather conditions: a. In heavy rain and over flooded terrain or watercourses lying between the target and the firing line. b. Humidity levels of 100%. 9.9 c. Equipment metal case temperatures from minus 10 Celsius to plus 60 Celsius. d. In gusty wind strengths up to 30 knots. e. In hot dry and fine dust conditions. f. During electromagnetic interference in lightning storms Electronic target systems should be resistant to attack from stock, vermin and insects 9.11 Electronic targets are required to operate reliably under the following shock and vibration conditions: a. During and after gusty wind conditions. b. After accidental drop. c. After handling and mechanical transport Electronic targets are required to be immune from man-made electromagnetic interference as might be present with local radio and television transmitters, CB radios, mobile phones and airport radar transmitters. 10. Power Supplies Electronic target systems should operate on one or more of the following power supplies: a. Single- phase 240V, 50 hertz mains power. b. Single-phase 240V, 50 hertz portable generator sets. c. Vehicle type batteries, 12 volt DC, capable of being configured into DC supply voltages in multiples of 12 volts. d. Electrical solar panels configured to DC or with single-phase 240V, 50 hertz converters as required. Where Single phase 240V, 50 hertz power supplies are the primary power source, the electronic target system should be capable of switching to a backup DC supply in case of primary power supply failure. When electronic targets are being run on the DC power supply, either as a primary or backup source, the system shall warn and indicate low battery state. Interruption of any power supply shall not result in loss of data, or interrupt the sequence of competition before or after power is restored. All shooters shall be able to continue their shoot after a power failure interruption, without loss of their previous plot of shots and scores. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 5 of 9

6 11. Individual Shooter Display 11.4 The shooters monitor should be capable of being positioned so that the shooter can view and read the display from any shooting position The electronic display is required to have adequate adjustment of brightness and contrast to enable the display to be read in dull or bright sunlight conditions. A screen may be attached to shield the display from rain or background lighting reflections. The shooters display should visually indicate when the target is ready to receive the next shot from the shooter. These conditions may be set by any of the following circumstances: 11.6 a. The scorer has started the shooting sequence. b. The scorer has stopped the shooting sequence. c. The target has malfunctioned. The following information should be presented on the shooters display: a. A commence shooting indication. b. A stop shooting indication. c. A progressive position plot of each shot, as it is fired. d. A progressive scoresheet showing the number of the shot fired and its value e. Appropriate warning messages. f. Highlight the position of the current shot graphically, and its value on the scoresheet. g. Alert a user of a new shot being added to the scoresheet that may or may not belong to the shooter, e.g. by an audible beep. h. Highlight the target dimensions being used, e.g. SSR 500 metres, with any graphic to be scaled to match that target There may be no requirement to distinguish between sighters, scoring shots, or disputed shots, because the scorer will determine those and record the result manually on the official score card. There is a requirement to score and plot up to twenty five shots in any shooting sequence on both the firers and scorers displays. The following options or information may be presented on the shooters display: a. Highlight the discipline assumed to be applicable to the current shooter and adjust the shot scoring scheme accordingly. b. Highlight the match number assumed to be applicable to the current shoot. c. An elapsed time counter starting from the system being initialised for the current shooter. d. Allow an initial series of shots to be cut by the shooter such shots to be excluded from the total score as calculated by the system. e. Allow the Range Officer to cut shots that do not belong to a shooter, e.g. due to a cross fire or an optional sighter such shots to be excluded from the total score as calculated by the system. f. Allow the Range Officer to add shots that do belong to a shooter, e.g. a miss that has not otherwise been recognised such shots to be included in the total score as calculated by the system. g. Distinctively mark the centre of the group of shots for the current shooter as the group develops. h. X-Y position and the radius position of the current shot in millimetres. i. A zoom in and zoom out function for the plot of the current shooters group. j. A temporary snapshot display of the current shot on two targets adjacent to the electronic lane being used Electronic targets should be able to identify the shooter by a future Member s smart card. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 6 of 9

7 12. Scorer Display 12.1 The scoring display screen should be mounted on a suitable stand so that it is readily visible for a person sitting or standing. The scorer s display shall replicate the information on the shooters display. The scorer s display might be larger than the shooters display and one shall be located behind each shooter The scorer shall be able to read the screen in rain or bright light outdoor conditions The scorer shall control the shooting sequence as appropriate. The scorer s display should have a control feature enabling the scorer to start or stop the shooting cycle, and to indicate that intention on the allocated shooters display. In the commence shooting mode the shooter would keep cycling shots on the target until either stopped by the scorer or by a target malfunction. 13. Club, Competition and Team Shooting s At Club level, electronic target systems shall be configurable for up to, two display screens at the firing point, one for the shooter and another for the scorer. Some clubs, for cost reasons, may wish to tailor this to only a single display screen to be shared by both the shooter and scorer. At larger Regional and State competition meetings such as Open Prize Meetings with a large number of competitors and multiple firing lanes operating simultaneously, electronic target systems shall be configurable for two display screens at the firing point, one for the shooter and another for the scorer. At National teams events electronic target systems shall be configurable for: a. Two pairs of firers/coaches firing simultaneously on two separate targets. b. A master coach and team captain controlling shooting strategy from behind the firers. c. Two scorer/check scorers, one pair behind each firer. d. An electronic display is required for each function, although the master coach and team captain may share a display, whilst the scorer/check scorer may also share a display. e. Coaches and scorers/check scorers have a requirement to view the results of their particular single target. f. The team captain and master coach have a requirement to view the results on both team targets. The most complex International Teams scenario is probably the Palma International Team Match, where electronic target systems shall be configurable for: a. Four pairs of firers/coaches firing simultaneously on four separate targets. b. A master coach and team captain controlling shooting strategy from behind the firers. c. Four scorer/check scorers, one pair behind each firer. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 7 of 9

8 d. An electronic display is required for each function, although the master coach and team captain may share a display, whilst the scorer/check scorer may also share a display. e. Coaches and scorers/check scorers have a requirement to view the results of their particular single target. f. The team captain and master coach have a requirement to view the results on all four team targets. In National and International team shooting matches, the electronic target system shall also give the option of a temporary snapshot display of the current shots on any other team s allocated electronic target lanes. At any Open Prize meeting in Australia and at National and International team shooting matches, electronic target systems cannot employ any device capable of connectivity between third parties and competitors or team members on the shooting mound, such as wireless tablets. Wireless Tablets and equipment such as Smartphones may be used by Scorers and Checkscorers, but these devices must not be capable of communicating with the Shooter in any way. 14. Match Organisers Match Organisers shall be provided with a master control interface to the electronic target system in order to, for example: a. Set parameters that apply to all shooters (e.g. match number, distance being fired) b. Access functions reserved for Range Officers, and Access system diagnostic information (e.g. failure of target sensors or other key components of the electronic target system.) There is a requirement to minimize the functionality to shooters and scorers via their displays. Any system control functionality should be protected by password and/or access being only possible via the master control interface. 15. Shooting Anomalies 15.1 All detected shooting anomalies shall be reported on the shooters and scorers displays with an appropriate error message. Electronic targets shall employ the principle of full disclosure of all available information so that a Scorer and Range Officer can fairly judge the actual result of any shot fired and account for every miss (real or apparent). 16. Spectator Considerations Electronic target systems shall provide a scorers display large enough to be viewed by spectators within three metres distance of the scorer. Electronic target systems shall be capable of downloading reliable, attractive and timely information for upload to the Internet in accordance with a protocol that can be controlled and vetted by the Match Organisers. E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 8 of 9

9 17.1 The following three levels of maintenance support are required and should be designed into the target system: a. Level One Maintenance: Is undertaken by the shooting body. It simply involves identification of the faulty unit and either isolating the fault and shuffling shooters to another target, or replacing it with a serviceable unit. The latter action requires a reserve of shooting system units, including spare cables. The supplier should recommend what numbers and types of reserve equipment should be held. This will depend on the number of target systems employed by each shooting body. This should include each shooting system unit, including target, central processing unit, shooters display, scorer s display, and a selection of cables as appropriate. b. Level Two Maintenance: Is undertaken by a qualified electronic technician and shall be conducted in-situ, if necessary, with specified portable test equipment. It is expected that this work would be conducted on the faulty item previously identified, and at the end of the day s competition. It should be completed so that the repaired equipment can be redeployed for competition the next day. The concept is that repair is effected by fault finding to printed circuit card, or module level and by replacement of the faulty module. The equipment shall be designed so that module replacement can be undertaken in less than half an hour. The faulty module, if repairable, shall be back loaded for Level Three Maintenance. A level two maintenance kit containing: a maintenance manual, a selection of modules, cable repair items and other high use items should be supplied with the target system. c. Level Three Maintenance: Is provided either by the manufacturer, or by a local agent. Level Three Maintenance should be performed within Australia. Level three maintenance involves fault-finding to component level on the returned module and by replacement of the failed component and any recalibration that may be required. If the cost of repair is uneconomical, the module would be scrapped and a new module shipped in return to the level two maintenance technician. The turn-around time for level three maintenance, including shipping, shall not exceed two weeks Customer support, and preferably maintenance support, shall be provided from within Australia. Suppliers should visit potential users to discuss their circumstances, the tailoring options, undertake a local environmental audit, including assessment of potential local electromagnetic interference, in order to recommend a suitable system prior to sales Suppliers should provide training to users on electronic target system operation and maintenance Suppliers should provide users with written protocols that address, inter alia: a. How to set up and test their systems before each match. b. How to reset and test their systems after an interruption. c. How to assess the consistency of operation of all targets running simultaneously. Approved:..(Chairman NRAA) Dated: E-Targets - s February 2013 Page 9 of 9