The term cone of darkness refers to the lighting effect produced when headlights of the contact and cover squads are positioned at a slight angle to each other.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It is unrelated to lighting
• D. It refers to cover positions only

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how lighting geometry affects concealment in night operations. The cone of darkness is the dark space created when two headlights are aimed at slightly different angles. Each light makes its own illuminated cone; when those beams aren’t perfectly aligned, a wedge of unlit area remains between them. That dark cone can be used tactically to allow movement with reduced exposure while keeping other areas lit for awareness. So, the term specifically describes a lighting effect, not something unrelated or tied only to cover positions, which is why this statement is correct.