ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download

Chapter 1 1-2 ATP 3-09.30 28 September 2017 FIRE DIRECTION CENTER 1-4. An FDC serves as the "brain" of the system. It receives the call for fire from the observer and sends a fire order to the firing unit. An FDC has the capability to determine how to attack a target (tactical fire direction) as well as determining firing data and converting this data into fire commands (technical fire direction). ARTILLERY FIRING UNIT 1-5. The firing platoon is the basic firing element of the cannon or rocket battalion. The platoon has command system capabilities to interface with the battalion command posts, battery operation centers, and fire direction centers. In special circumstances, the platoon may be further divided into smaller firing units such as pairs or individual howitzers or launchers. MORTARS 1-6. Mortars provide unique indirect fires that are responsive to the ground maneuver commander. Their rapid, high-angle fires are invaluable against dug in adversaries and targets in defilade, which are not vulnerable to attack by direct fires. Although they are part of the total fire support system, mortar sections and platoons are not simply small artillery batteries. Mortars allow the maneuver commander to quickly place indirect fires on the adversary. All mortar sections and platoons exist to provide immediate responsive fires to meet the rapid changes in the tactical situation on the battlefield. ROCKETS AND MISSILES 1-7. The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) provides long range, surface to surface fires against, well defended high-payoff targets, day or night, and in nearly all weather conditions. ATACMS can support a range of operations including suppression of enemy Air Defense (SEAD), counterfires, and strikes requiring high levels of accuracy. Their reliability, accuracy, and range make them viable against stationary, non-hardened targets. However, due to their extremely high altitude of delivery (apex of missile trajectory), close coordination must be made with air planners and liaisons to ensure that aircraft are not in the vicinity during missiles’ terminal falls. The missiles fired from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and a high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) launcher deliver warheads that include antipersonnel and antimateriel bomblets, unitary high-explosive charges, or guided submunitions. MLRS and HIMARS provide the joint force with counterfire and capacity to strike enemy defenses, light materiel, and personnel targets. These weapon systems supplement cannon artillery fires with large volumes of fires against selected targets. The MLRS and HIMARS typically fire free-flight rockets against area targets and guided munitions against point targets. NAVAL SURFACE FIRE SUPPORT 1-8. Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) provides fire support by naval surface gun, missile, and EW systems in support of a unit or units tasked with achieving the commander’s objectives. Naval assets can provide support in a unique manner and should be considered as one source of fire support along with other components and weapon systems. When the number of ships permits, individual ships will be assigned as Direct Support (DS) to assault battalions. The DS mission establishes the priority in which the ship will process calls for supporting fire and the anticipated zone of fire (ZF). The ship delivers fires on planned targets and targets of opportunity in the ZF, which normally corresponds to the zone of action of the supported unit. When possible, ships capable of performing simultaneous missions will be given a DS mission, to allow for maximum fire support to the forward units of the landing force. JP 3-09 AIR TO SURFACE 1-9. Aviation delivered fires are more complex than surface to surface fires due to the greater variety of weapons effects and delivery conditions. Fixed Wing Aircraft provide the commander’s flexibility, range, speed, lethality, precision, and the ability to mass fires at a desired time and place. Fixed wing aircraft support