ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Appendix A A-8 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 SECTION III– MINES AND OBSCURANTS FIELD ARTILLERY SCATTERABLE MINES EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS A-19. The BCT engineer coordinator provides the expertise for employing all types of scatterable mines. The FSCOORD, fires cell planners, and targeting officers provide technical expertise to the engineer coordinator concerning the employment of field artillery-delivered scatterable mines. The Air Force air liaison officer advises the engineer coordinator concerning scatterable mines delivered by the Air Force. As part of the estimate process, the FSCOORD, brigade FSO, and fire cell planners and targeting officers advise the BCT commander of anticipated field artillery-delivered scatterable mine densities and safety zones. The estimated densities and safety zones could affect the use or positioning of field artillery- delivered scatterable mines. The engineer coordinator must seek an alternative scatterable mine delivery means if field artillery-delivered scatterable mines do not meet the commander’s density requirement or cannot be used because of range, positioning, or safety limitations. There are two types of cannon field artillery-delivered scatterable mines: an area denial antipersonnel mine, and the remote antiarmor munition system for use against lightly armored vehicles. Both are available only in 155-mm. Scatterable mines have two preset self-destruct times: short duration (4 hours); and long duration (48 hours). A-20. A theater army, corps, or division commander generally has the authority to employ scatterable mines. The commander may delegate authority for specific operations or limited periods of time. A-21. Field artillery-delivered scatterable mines enable the BCT or other maneuver commander to emplace a minefield quickly, which makes them best suited as situational obstacles. Like any obstacle, scatterable mines are best used at a choke point covered by effective observed indirect fire and direct fire. The principles of obstacle integration (see ATP 3-90.8) apply even more strongly to scatterable mines because the mines are surface-laid and visible. An undisturbed enemy in column can quickly work through this type of field. Note: The United States is aligning its antipersonnel landmines policy outside the Korean Peninsula with the key requirements of the Ottawa Convention, the international treaty prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of antipersonnel landmines, which more than 160 countries have joined, including all of our NATO allies. This means that the United States will not employ antipersonnel landmine projectiles outside the Korean Peninsula. CAPABILITIES A-22. In the defense, artillery-delivered scatterable mines are used to: Develop targets for long-range antitank weapons. Close gaps and lanes in other obstacles. Delay or disrupt attacking forces. Deny enemy unrestricted use of selected areas. Disrupt movement and commitment of second-echelon forces. Disrupt and harass enemy command and control, sustainment (excluding medical), or staging areas. Reinforce existing obstacles. Disrupt or delay river crossings. A-23. In the offense, artillery-delivered scatterable mines are used to: Supplement flank reconnaissance and security forces in protecting flanks along avenues of approach. Suppress and disrupt enemy security elements.