ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Attack Systems Capabilities 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 A-5 M982-SERIES EXCALIBUR GUIDED PROJECTILE A-5. The M982-series Excalibur is a family of fire-and-forget global positioning system and internal measurement unit guided projectiles that use a jam-resistant global positioning system receiver and a guidance package that enables the projectile to fly with global positioning system accuracy to preprogrammed aimpoints independent of range. The M982 projectile uses a gliding airframe to achieve extended range. The M982-series employs a non-ballistic flight path that reduces the ability of counterfire radars to accurately locate the firing unit and enhances friendly force survivability. CANNON DANGER CLOSE AND RISK-ESTIMATE DISTANCES A-6. The danger close distance for cannon field artillery is 600 meters (see ATP 3-09.32). Danger close is a term that is used to alert ground commanders, fire direction centers, and aircrews of the proximity of the intended weapon impact point to the closest friendly forces. Although it is based upon point of impact methodologies in the case of air-to-surface weapons, danger close distances do not necessarily equate to the actual 1/1000 chance of friendly incapacitation in every situation. A-7. Forward observers or JTACs will pass the phrase “Danger Close” during a fire mission, method of engagement, or close air support attack brief remarks to alert fire direction centers, ground commanders, and aircrews of the proximity of the closest friendly troops to the intended point of weapon impact. Danger Close is simply a warning of the proximity of friendly forces (and possibility of increased risk). Danger close does not restrict ground force maneuver or fires employment. Note: Danger close is included with method of engagement when the predicted impact of a round or shell is within 600 meters of friendly troops for mortars or artillery and 750 meters for naval surface fires. The creeping method of adjustment (no adjustment greater than 100 meters) will be used exclusively during danger close missions. Do not confuse the danger close method of engagement with risk estimate distances or minimum safe distances. Risk Estimate Distances A-8. Risk estimate distances allow the BCT commander, the fire support coordinator (FSCOORD), brigade FSO, fires cell planners, and targeting officers to estimate risk in terms of the probability of friendly casualties that may result from employing weapons against the enemy in close proximity to friendly personnel. Risk estimate distances are the distance, in meters from the intended point of impact at which a specific degree of vulnerability will not be exceeded. A-9. Unclassified risk estimate distances for unguided cannon field artillery munitions are published in ATP 3-09.32. Actual classified risk estimate distances are determined by using the classified Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manuals Joint Weaponeering System (JMEM JWS). Note: The JMEM JWS calculates the number of munitions required to engage the target. The Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness publishes JMEM. The JMEM JWS was developed to provide a set of data and methodologies that would permit a standardized comparison of weapon effectiveness across all service communities. The system is target oriented, allowing users to determine the effectiveness of weapon systems against a specified target irrespective of the weapon delivery mode. All Services use the JMEM JWS to estimate the effects of their weapon systems against an extensive list of target types. MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM A-10. ATP 3-09.32 summarizes the capabilities of field artillery rocket and missile systems and munitions. The detailed discussion of the capabilities of the field artillery rocket and missile systems is found in ATP 3-09.60.