[Marcello]

"GPS allows the observer to know his EXACT position so the calculations used to plot an artillery barrage or air strike will be more accurate.

A laser range finder allows the observer to get the precise range from himself to his intended target. Again, allowing much more accurate calculations."

In real life, yes. In the game they are assumed to be the equipmement necessary to target laser guided artillery shells (like Krasnopol) and GPS guided ones (like Excalibur). That at least is what I remember from the discussion we had back then.