ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Fire Support at Battalion and Below 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 D-13 FINAL PROTECTIVE FIRE D-43. In fire support operations, an FPF is continuous artillery or mortar fires fired on a predetermined target: Fire the FPF at the maximum rate of fire until the firing unit is requested to stop, ammunition is exhausted, or the firing unit is forced to move. The brigade commander normally allocates field artillery FPFs to battalion, which may allocate to company level. The battalion commander normally allocates battalion controlled mortars to company level. Authority to shoot an FPF is that of the lowest maneuver commander in whose area the FPF is placed or his authorized representative. D-44. The FIST has the responsibility to adjust in the FPF when the tactical situation dictates. The FIST may adjust one gun or all guns designated to fire the FPF. Cancel the FPF when it is no longer needed. D-45. Table D-3 gives information necessary to plan FPFs. The FPF widths in the table are neither precise nor restrictive. The sheafs can be opened or closed to cover the specific terrain on which the FPF is located. The table is derived from data on the bursting diameter of rounds extracted from various sources. The bursting diameter of an HE round is generally considered to be twice the distance from the point of impact at which the round will reliably place one lethal fragment per square meter of target. Table D-3. Final protective fire planning data SIZE TYPE NUMBER OF MORTARS OR GUNS APPROXIMATE WIDTH SIZE 120-mm M285 6 (platoon) 350 60 120-mm M285 3 (section) 180 60 81-mm M29A1 4 (platoon) 160 40 81-mm M29A1 3 (section) 120 40 81 mm M252 4 (platoon) 150 50 60-mm M224 2 (section) 75 30 105-mm Howitzer 3 guns 105 35 105-mm Howitzer 6 guns 210 35 155-mm Howitzer 3 guns 150 50 155-mm Howitzer 6 guns 300 50 mm – millimeter TIME-SENSITIVE TARGETS D-46. A time-sensitive target is a joint force commander validated target or set of targets requiring immediate response because it is a highly lucrative, fleeting target of opportunity or it poses (or will soon pose) a danger to friendly forces (JP 3-60). A time-sensitive target is a joint force commander designated target or target type of such high importance to the accomplishment of the joint force commander mission and objectives or one that presents such a significant strategic or operational threat to friendly forces or allies, that the joint force commander dedicates intelligence collection and attack assets to ensure success. SENSITIVE TARGETS D-47. Certain targets require special care or caution in treatment because failure to engage them or to engage them improperly can lead to major adverse consequences. Examples include leadership targets (high-value individuals who must be handled sensitively due to potential political repercussions); targets located in areas with a high risk of collateral damage; and weapons of mass destruction facilities where an attack can lead to major long term environmental damage.