ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Environmental And Terrain Considerations For Fire Support 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 E-11 E-83. Air observers. Observers in aircraft are valuable because they can see deep and are not as prone to disorientation as are ground observers. However, weather conditions may reduce the availability of aircraft. E-84. Radars. Consider the following when radars are used in cold weather: Extremely cold weather may degrade their operations. Remote sensors are rarely effective when used in deep snow. TARGETING E-85. Because of terrain and weather phenomena, target detection is difficult. However, ice fogs and snow clouds created by moving enemy formations will reveal targets. Also, tracks in the snow may indicate enemy positions. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT E-86. The following are considerations in the use of CAS in cold weather operations: Frequent poor weather reduces the availability of CAS. The sameness of the terrain makes the marking of targets critical. Panels or pyrotechnics must be used to indicate friendly locations. COMMUNICATIONS E-87. Effective communications are hampered by: Electronic interference. Weakened batteries. Conventional dry-cell batteries are 40 percent effective below 0° F, 20 percent effective below -10° F, and 8 percent effective below -30° F. A similar problem exists for nickel-cadmium and lithium batteries. Frost from human respiration forms in the radio mouthpiece. Cover it with cloth or a sock. SURVEY E-88. Extreme cold in arctic and subarctic regions adversely affects survey equipment operability. Accuracies may be degraded and impact on transfer data, massed fire, and unobserved fire. FIELD ARTILLERY MOVEMENT E-89. Considerations affecting planning for field artillery cold weather movement include: Consider route reconnaissance in FA ground and air. Determine ice thickness and load-bearing capacity before the field artillery crosses frozen lakes and rivers. Consider that a vehicle may be required to position towed artillery weapons used in air assault operations conducted into snowy areas. Plan for maximum use of aerial resupply.