ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 5 5-28 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Note: Army airspace users are ground forces operating in an inherently joint environment. Commanders are responsible for integrating Army airspace users, regardless of who controls the airspace, within the larger unified action framework. Commanders continuously integrate airspace users throughout their areas of operations while conducting operations. This affords commanders the flexibility and responsiveness to capitalize on opportunities and operate in a manner consistent with mission command (see FM 3-52). Army aviation and fires are included airspace users under the term ground forces. Airspace elements do not routinely manage the flight path or trajectory of individual airspace users. Rather, airspace elements integrate airspace use for flight paths and trajectories in planning and execution to manage risk. Only when two or more airspace users conflict do airspace elements direct changes in flight path or, in the case of fires, coordinate with the fires cell to alter the trajectory or timing of fires. The commanders’ mission priorities and risk guidance are the basis for any changes. Pilots, unmanned aircraft system operators, and weapon system controllers still maintain the responsibility to make the directed changes to their flight path or trajectory. 5-120. Although the BCT commander has the responsibility for airspace control, the S-3 has overall authority for coordinating, deconflicting, and managing all airspace within the BCT’s area of operations (including that of the BCT’s subordinate and supporting units). The BCT’s ADAM/BAE is responsible for integrating the use of airspace for BCT operations. The BCT airspace control working group, managed by the airspace element, consists of an air liaison officer and representatives from the airspace element, aviation element, air defense airspace management, fires cell, tactical air control party, and unmanned aircraft systems element. The brigade aviation officer is the airspace control officer for the brigade S-3. They provide staff functions within the BCT’s main command post for planning and executing airspace control for the BCT commander and S-3. Subordinate and supporting units submit airspace control means requests to the BCT ADAM/BAE for processing and subsequent forwarding to higher headquarters airspace control elements. Further information on airspace control for the BCT can be found in FM 3-52 and ATPs 3-52.1, 3-52.2, 3-52.3, and 3-91.1. SECTION VI - SENSOR-TO-SHOOTER OPERATIONS 5-121. The decision to establish a sensor-to-shooter link is made during the MDMP (including targeting). The continuous process continues to be refined after the initial plans have been developed. 5-122. Target acquisition systems and equipment (sensors) perform the key tasks of detecting, locating, tracking, identifying, and classifying targets. Fire support typically involves the employment of both air-to- surface and surface-to-surface lethal and nonlethal weapons. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army aircraft perform air-to-surface fires. Surface-to-surface fire support typically includes Army and Marine Corps cannon, rocket, and missile artillery, and naval surface fire support systems. The fleeting nature of some enemy systems requires near real-time sensor-to-shooter links. Target acquisition systems must be capable of distinguishing between friendly and enemy activity. Special arrangements must be made with host nation military forces, multinational forces, joint Services, and national and local authorities to set up communications, identify liaison personnel, and establish procedures. Figure 5-1 displays the sensor-to- shooter challenge.