ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Coordinating Fire Support 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 5-39 division or other supported command) optimizes coverage to support the commander's intent. When the FAB has control of all division target acquisition assets, the BCT cannon field artillery battalion should provide the target-processing element from the target acquisition platoon (together with its associated equipment) to the BCT fires cell. The BCT fires cell does not have sufficient quick reaction organic target processing elements and thus does not have target-processing capability without augmentation. 5-169. The fire direction center of the BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion has this capability. Regardless of which headquarters exercises control, FAB-subordinate field artillery or BCT cannon field artillery battalions may be tasked to provide logistical, survey, and security support because of the dispersal of radars across the BCT area of operations. Under division artillery or FAB centralized control, the division or FAB S-2, S-3, and operations and counterfire, target processing, and fire control elements (as available) in the division artillery or FAB main command post work with FAB-subordinate and BCT cannon field artillery battalion S-2s and targeting officers and cannon field artillery battalion command post personnel to: Designate a general position area, sector of search, and zones for each of the radars; establish clear priority for changes and coordinate them with subordinate, supported, and supporting units. Establish cueing guidance. Designate cueing agents. Establish sensor-to-shooter linkages. Control radar movement. Designate who receives targets. Decentralized control 5-170. Decentralized control can be accomplished by attaching radars to a reinforcing (R) FAB battalion, BCT field artillery battalion or possibly to BCT cannon field artillery battalion batteries. Under decentralized control, target acquisition assets are provided to subordinate units for their control and employment. When attached, the radar is considered an integral part of the support package to the field artillery battalion or battery. The cannon field artillery battalion S-2, in conjunction with the targeting officer, controls the radar (executing the same responsibilities as the field artillery brigade S-2, S-3, and target processing and fire control elements). 5-171. Counterfire radar sections are responsible for covering the supported maneuver battalion or cavalry squadron area of operations or a specified zone of responsibility. The brigade FSO and fires cell planners coordinate mission requirements and priorities with the cannon field artillery battalion S-2 based on the BCT commander's guidance and intent. Normally the BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion retains centralized control of its counterfire radars. However, the division commander may direct that BCT counterfire radars may be placed under the control of a FAB multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) battalion or other fires unit from the division or corps based on METT-TC, while any remaining counterfire radar(s) are kept under control of the FAB. A combination of centralized and decentralized control 5-172. Any combination of centralized and decentralized control of radars may be used according to the situation. For example, one of the counterfire radars and a howitzer battery may be in direct support (DS) of a BCT subordinate maneuver battalion or cavalry squadron, while the remaining counterfire radar is kept under control of the cannon field artillery battalion. 5-173. Although the FAB has organic radars, the division or corps may task the BCT to cover division or corps target areas of interest within the BCT area of operations with BCT information collection and target acquisition assets (see chapter 1 and ATP 3-09.12), including the BCT cannon field artillery battalion’s radars. 5-174. Reinforcing (R) units from a FAB may or may not require both target acquisition assets and additional processing capability to effectively perform counterfire. Closely linked to BCT maneuver through the fires cell, the FSCOORD, brigade FSO, and cannon field artillery battalion S-3 must provide and coordinate the following for the R FAB unit: