ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Appendix A A-14 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 situation and purpose of the minefield. Lane-closing mines should be delivered in a sufficient length and width to cover the lane. Field artillery-emplaced minefields used for interdiction or area denial, or as an obstacle, should be large enough to fill the choke point and tie into natural or manmade obstacles at either end. Minefields should also have enough depth, length, or width (depending on the orientation to the enemy) to present a formidable obstacle that cannot be easily breached. A-63. For all field artillery-delivered minefields, the fire support planners need to consider delivery errors in determining the size of a minefield. If the aimpoint grid has been determined by survey or by replot procedures after being fired in, the delivery error will probably be small. If the aimpoint location is map- spotted, or the firing unit’s survey or meteorological data are suspect, delivery error may be larger. In the latter situation, the planner may want to increase the size of the requested minefield to ensure coverage. Minefield density depends on the intended effect. If a minefield is covered with direct and observed indirect fire (for example, if the enemy is buttoned up and maneuvering), a low-density minefield provides an effective obstacle. If the mines are available, a medium-density field is desirable but not absolutely necessary. Medium-and high-density fields are particularly useful for defending forces that are heavily outnumbered or that need time to move to alternate firing positions or to withdraw to a subsequent battle position. Instructions for completing the firing unit portion of the DA Form 5032 (Field Artillery Minefield Planning Sheet)are in TC 3-09.81. An example of the completed front side of the DA Form 5032 (Field Artillery Minefield Planning Sheet)is at figure A-1.