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The Mk 56 does not have a rangefinder so unless the target can be locked on by radar it is not much use.

To overcome the problem of either no rangefinder or a shore target at night we split the GFCS.

With the MK34, MK37 and MK38 systems it was very easy.

The MK 1A and the MK8 Rangekeeper both can accept manual inputs. With the manual inputs which usually come from CIC either computer can control gun fire on any target.

CIC can establish own ships position pretty accurately from the ships DRT and with a spotter who can see the target and calls for fire can use either computer for firing. The spotter can walk your fire onto the target if its off a little.

For more accurate own ships position we could lock onto some landmark and then the director transmitts accurate range and bearing to CIC so we know much better where our ship is. Then CIC uses the spotters call for fire to the target to send target range and bearing to plot for entry into the computer. This was the most accurate firing in shore bombardment.

CIC does not care which director is used for range and bearing of a land mark nor does CIC care which computer is used.

The spotter or whoever called for fire can call in any spots needed.

If at night and we were close enough we could illuminate the target with starshells.

The MK56 could be used in the same way by supplying range and bearing of a landmark to CIC and CIC could in turn give target information to plot. The MK30 and MK42 computers cannot be split from the system so some other computer has to be used when splitting the system is required.