ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 5 5-38 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 5-163. Acquired counterfire targets may be engaged by the cannon field artillery battalion or forwarded through field artillery and fire support channels for attack by other assets. The BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion commander has additional options for executing BCT counterfire operations when a reinforcing field artillery battalion is provided: The BCT fires cell passes all counterfire missions to the R field artillery battalion. This allows the BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion to concentrate on providing close fires. The radars send all acquisitions directly to the R field artillery battalion; this normally lowers mission-processing time. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONTROL OF WEAPON LOCATING RADARS 5-164. Cannon field artillery battalion target acquisition assets must support the BCT commander’s intent. The FSCOORD, brigade fires support officer, and fire cell planners recommend an organization for combat for the BCT’s radar assets to best meet the BCT commander’s requirements and mission. The cannon field artillery battalion coordinates radar management with supported G-2s or S-2s, G-3s or S-3s and fires cells. Control options for weapon locating radars include centralized control at the field artillery brigade, decentralized control, and a combination of centralized and decentralized control. 5-165. A radar execution matrix is a useful tool for both planning and execution of the operation. See ATP 3-09.12 for an example combined weapon locating radar deployment order and execution matrix. Centralized Control at the BCT Fires cell or BCT Field Artillery Battalion 5-166. BCT target acquisition assets may be held under the centralized control of the BCT fires cell or the BCT’s field artillery battalion. Centralized control optimizes coverage to support the BCT commander's intent. When the BCT has control of target acquisition assets, the BCT’s organic cannon field artillery battalion should provide the target-processing element from the target acquisition platoon with its associated equipment to the BCT fires cell. 5-167. The BCT fires cell does not have sufficient quick reaction organic target processing capability without augmentation. Regardless of which headquarters exercises control, the cannon field artillery battalion may be tasked to provide survey and logistical support and maneuver battalions or the cavalry squadron may be tasked to provide security support because of the dispersal of radars across the BCT area of operations. Under centralized control, the BCT S-2, brigade FSO, and fires cell planners work with the ADAM, brigade aviation officer and BAE, field artillery battalion S-2 and targeting officer, and cannon field artillery battalion command post personnel to: Designate a general position area, sector of search, and zones for each of the radars. Coordinate terrain management including the positioning of radar and priority for movement, sectors of search, and radar zones with the ADAM/BAE, cannon field artillery battalion S-2 and S-3, and supported and supporting units. Designate cueing agents. Establish cueing guidance. Establish sensor-to-shooter linkages. Deconflict airspace. Coordinate dynamic retargeting. Coordinate the dynamic re-tasking of aviation and fires assets. Coordinate the clearance of fires. Control radar movement. Centralized control at the division artillery or field artillery brigade 5-168. The division commander may direct the division artillery or a supporting FAB to control counterfire for the division. The division commander will specify the degree of control the division artillery or FAB will exercise over the BCTs’ organic field artillery assets. When a FAB is acting as the division force field artillery headquarters, target acquisition assets may be held under the centralized control of that FAB. Centralized control (the division artillery or FAB develops the entire radar coverage plan for the