ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Appendix A A-10 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Interdiction or Area Denial A-33. If employed in isolation, field artillery-delivered scatterable mines tend to be of limited use when used for interdiction or area denial. The size and density of field artillery-delivered minefields depend on ammunition availability, trajectory, number of aim points, and the time available to emplace them. Depending upon the mission variables of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, civil considerations (METT-TC), commanders may elect not to tie up their supporting artillery for the time required to emplace large high density minefields. Consequently, in order for artillery-delivered scatterable mines to be effectively used for interdiction, planners must mitigate these factors and place right-sized (based on the desired obstacle effect), precisely planned minefields that take advantage of existing natural obstacles (for example restrictive terrain that creates natural choke points) so that the mines are not easily bypassed. Artillery-delivered scatterable minefields may, in fact, be hard to breach when properly tied in with terrain, covered by fire, and employed where they are hard to detect. A-34. If field artillery-delivered remote antiarmor munition systems and area denial antipersonnel mines are used for interdiction or area denial, three employment guidelines apply. Employ the mines: At choke points to keep the enemy from easily bypassing the minefield. In high-density fields to prevent breaching. When and where mines are hard to detect; for example, in limited visibility (at night or in fog) or where the enemy vehicles will be buttoned up (for instance, in a chemically contaminated area). A-35. Field artillery-delivered mines are poorly suited for interdicting roads for three reasons: The mines tend to break up or malfunction when they land on a hard surface road. The mines are easy to see against the uniform background of a road. Units on roads and already moving in columns are the best formations for breaching scatterable minefields. A-36. In summary, field artillery-delivered minefields can be used for interdiction and area denial, but a greater amount of ammunition must be delivered at a carefully chosen place and time. In general, remote antiarmor munition systems and remote antiarmor munition systems are most effectively employed when covered by direct fire. Where direct fires may not be practical, observed indirect fires or accurately placed massed indirect fires can yield equitable effectiveness. Employment as an Obstacle A-37. Considerations for employing artillery-delivered scatterable mines include: Employ minefields where they can be tied into existing restrictive terrain or to reinforce other tactical obstacles. Cover minefields with effective direct fire and observed indirect fire using high explosive- variable time munitions or dual-purpose improved conventional munitions. Keep minefields under continuous observation. Use night observation devices or employ illumination on targets at night. Design minefields (width, depth, density, and composition) based on the desired effect, intended target, and consideration of the terrain. Plan direct and observed indirect fires to defeat enemy breaching assets templated within maneuver formations or at probable breaching locations. A-38. Scatterable mines in general present a unique planning challenge for fire support personnel because the mines are scattered on the surface of the terrain and are easily visible. This leads to two special considerations: reducing the enemy’s ability to see and minimizing indirect fires on top of scatterable mines. Reduce the Enemy’s Ability to See A-39. Use direct fire to make the enemy close their vehicle hatches. Obscure the minefield with smoke.