ATP-3-09-12 Field Artillery Counterfire and Weapons Locating Radar Operations Download
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Chapter 1 1-10 ATP 3-09.12 26 October 2021 Advising the maneuver commander in the establishment of attack guidance for counterfire targets. Coordinating counterfire operations with higher echelon counterfire operations. Integrating counterfire into the operation plan in a complementary manner to enable maneuver operations. Achieving indirect fire superiority within the supported maneuver commander's AO. BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM 1-35. The BCT organic FA BN has a counterfire operations section (COS) to coordinate the counterfire fight on behalf of the BCT commander. For an example of a counterfire battle drill see figure 1-2, on page 1-11. The FSCOORD advises the BCT commander on whether to use centralized or decentralized counterfire. The COS may remain at the direct support (DS) FA BN Main command post (CP) or it can co-locate with the FSE at the BCT main CP. The COS receives information from WLR sections and turns that information into targetable data. The COS initiates clearance of fires procedures. The COS then passes that target data to the appropriate delivery system based on the approved attack guidance matrix. For more information on the attack guidance matrix see ATP 3-60. 1-36. The BCT conducts centralized counterfire by keeping control of its WLRs and executing BN-level fire missions. WLR target data can be sent to the FSE or the COS under centralized control. The FSCOORD directs the routing of target data. Centralized control provides for positive clearance of both ground and air before executing a fire mission. 1-37. The BCT conducts decentralized counterfire by assigning a DS relationship between a WLR and a subordinate firing unit. The counterfire section or the BCT FSE monitors, but does not control the WLR. Decentralized control streamlines the process of sensor to shooter response time, however, it is critical that procedures are in place for clearance of fires. 1-38. Possible control methods to deconflict WLR coverage during decentralized operations may include the use of BCT forward boundaries, common sensor boundaries, FSCMs, phase lines, or designating specific target sets or coverage areas.