ATP-3-09-12 Field Artillery Counterfire and Weapons Locating Radar Operations Download
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26 October 2021 ATP 3-09.12 4-1 Chapter 4 Employment Considerations for Weapons Locating Radars This chapter discusses concepts and procedures pertinent to the tactical employment of FA WLRs. The techniques contained in this chapter are applicable to WLRs employed at all echelons. CENTRALIZED PLANNING AND DECENTRALIZED EXECUTION 4-1. Commanders rely on staffs and personnel to execute their intent. Turning intent into reality takes the combined efforts of teams from both inside and outside the organization. Commanders build effective teams through professional development and training. During combat, they organize forces to accomplish their missions based on their concept of operations. The commander assigns responsibilities, establishes or delegates appropriate command or support relationships, and establishes coordinating instructions. Sound organization provides for unity of effort, centralized planning, and decentralized execution. Unity of effort is necessary for effectiveness and efficiency. Centralized planning is essential for controlling and coordinating the efforts of friendly forces. 4-2. The nature of the operation will determine the level in which control and planning for WLRs should be conducted. Additionally, the capabilities of each WLR must be considered when retaining or delegating control. 4-3. DIVARTY and FA BN AN/TPQ-53s should be considered a division and above asset in regards to control and planning. This is due to the far reaching capabilities of the AN/TPQ-53 which will be able to acquire targets across the battlefield, easily detecting targets in adjacent unit AOs. To coordinate unity of effort with this system of systems, and mitigate the risk of lost targets of opportunity, control and planning for an AN/TPQ-53 should be retained at division level and above unless required by operational needs or based on mission variables. 4-4. Due to the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-50 WLRs limited ranges, control and planning is primarily at the parent unit. FA BNs should retain C2 over their organic AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-50s to support the BCT’s counterfire fight. FAB and DIVARTY AN/TPQ-50s should be considered for coverage of friendly soft targets behind the forward line of own troops (FLOT). These include friendly CPs, sustainment locations, and other enemy unconventional force targets. 4-5. The counterfire HQ will determine the appropriate support relationship for all WLRs within its AO based on the following factors: Nature of friendly operation. WLR capabilities. Number and type of WLRs available. Enemy threat. Communication availability between WLRs and counterfire HQ. 4-6. Figure 4-1 is an example of the flow of control and orders for WLRs across a division AO. The DIVARTY, acting as the counterfire HQ, issues guidance and orders to the FA BN on where to place the FA BNs’ organic AN/TPQ-53s. This is represented by the dashed lines. The DIVARTY maintains centralized planning and control over the AN/TPQ-53s and the FA BNs executes these orders (decentralized). The FA BN is also responsible for the coordination of security and logistical support of their organic AN/TPQ-53s. Notice how the DIVARTY also maintains a direct flow with the rear AN/TPQ-50 which is organic to it. The FA BNs maintain a direct link with their organic AN/TPQ-50s, represented by the solid arrows. The FA BNs