ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 157 of 308
Coordinating Fire Support 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 5-41 platforms of other Services, particularly the Air Force, enable the ground commander to quickly influence operations and add depth to the battlefield. REQUIREMENT FOR SUPPRESION OF ENEMY AIR DEFENSES 5-181. The availability of fires from air assets also gives the BCT commander the corresponding responsibility to protect those assets. This obligation is significant in view of the increasingly sophisticated threat that faces U.S. forces. Threat forces have the capability to field effective integrated air defense networks consisting of weapon systems, radars, and command posts that present a formidable all-altitude protection umbrella. 5-182. Enemy air defense systems will be found during offensive and defensive tasks. However, threat air defense capabilities in stability tasks also pose a significant hazard to friendly air assets. These air assets must be able to survive to contribute their full combat potential. Therefore, suppression of enemy air defenses is a critical function that must be accomplished quickly and efficiently. 5-183. Suppression of enemy air defenses must be synchronized with elements of the fire support system and with joint and multinational forces to produce maximum combat power. Unity of effort and synchronization of fire support resources requires detailed planning and coordination and precise timing. PLANNING AND EXECUTION FOR SUPPRESSION OF ENEMY AIR DEFENSES 5-184. Planning for suppression of enemy air defenses starts with the Army or Air Force unit that requests air operations. First consideration is given to those suppression means organic to or available to the requesting unit. When requirements for suppression of enemy air defenses exceed the availability or capability of these means, use the theater and Army air-ground system structure to request or coordinate joint support. 5-185. The BCT FSCOORD and brigade FSO direct BCT participation in suppression of enemy air defenses through the BCT main command post fires cell, targeting working group, and targeting board. Suppression of enemy air defenses requires the coordination of all fire support means including electronic attack, and electronic warfare support capabilities. The S-2, in conjunction with the intelligence cell, gives the S-3, FSCOORD, brigade FSO, targeting working group, and targeting board information on the projected enemy defense threat. The fires cell integrates these data, plus airspace use information and weather effects information, into the plan for suppression of enemy air defenses. 5-186. Suppression of enemy air defenses is supported by the coordinated use of air- and ground-based acquisition platforms, which include helicopter and fixed-wing assets. Plan disruptive efforts to complement destructive efforts and include electronic attack and electronic warfare support capabilities. Use electronic attack to degrade jammable threats and neutralize enemy systems when destruction is not feasible. To prevent fratricide of friendly air defense and target acquisition radars, the BCT main command post fires cell staff, together with the ADAM officer, the electronic warfare officer, and the spectrum manager coordinate the friendly electronic order of battle, radar frequencies, and location information for inclusion in the airspace control order. 5-187. The division and corps plan and conduct localized suppression to protect aircraft that are required to penetrate the forward line of own troops. This entails suppressing the enemy air defense systems along the routes to (ingress) and from (egress) the attack objective as well as systems surrounding the objective when they are within range of Army attack means. A corridor may have to be established to protect helicopters participating in air assault operations. Effective targeting for the suppression of enemy air defenses is synchronized with the commander’s maneuver and air operations and supports air assets in contact with the enemy air defenses threat.