ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Fire Support for Tactical Tasks During Brigade Combat Team Operations 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 2-9 2-39. Fire support planning and its coordination with maneuver forces occurs continuously in order to facilitate reaction to enemy action or counteraction and to mitigate the risk of fratricide. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners work with the BCT commander and staff to ensure the integration of fire support into a naturally dynamic scheme of maneuver. 2-40. Cyber electromagnetic activities perform several functions to support the offense. For example as the friendly force moves through the enemy’s security zone and closes with the enemy’s main defensive positions, jamming resources concentrate to disrupt enemy’s ability to react. This includes neutralizing enemy fire control, target intelligence, and intelligence-gathering systems. TARGET ACQUISITION IN SUPPORT OF OFFENSIVE TASKS 2-41. The effective assignment of target acquisition assets enables responsive fires during offensive tasks. Quick-fire nets allow the observers to communicate with specific field artillery or mortar fire units. These kinds of communication arrangements enhance responsiveness. Communication planning should also include communications nets for the clearing of targets for air assets. 2-42. During offensive tasks, target acquisition radars support the protection of friendly forces by locating enemy indirect fire systems. In offensive tasks, particular attention must be given to planning target acquisition that enables future operations. For example, fires cell targeting officers focus on the identification of enemy indirect fire assets. They must identify and coordinate the use of the terrain for the radar and recommend radar zones to the BCT commander. Detailed planning should provide for continuous coverage of the supported command’s area of operations. 2-43. Control and cueing for radars should be decentralized during offensive tasks. The field artillery controlling headquarters should designate cueing agents that can directly contact the radar through the radar deployment order. The radar deployment order identifies the cueing agents and their priorities to the radar section. See ATP 3-09.12 for additional information on target acquisition. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION IN SUPPORT OF OFFENSIVE TASKS 2-44. For cannon field artillery battalions, offensive tasks frequently involve forward, rearward, and lateral movement to better provide supporting fires to the attacking force. During periods of rapid advance, large areas of terrain may be available and position areas for artillery may be relatively easy to find. When advances stall, or attacking forces are counterattacked, available terrain may be limited. General considerations for the cannon field artillery battalion during offensive tasks include: Position firing units to effectively support the maneuver commander’s fire support requirements. Plan for rapid movement along multiple routes using all available resources. Position firing units to range beyond maneuver objectives. Identify requirements for extended range munitions. Coordinate for external radar support, if needed. Designate and position combat mission configured loads of artillery ammunition. Ensure logistics support plans address security, movement, and recovery of unused ammunition. Plan for unit defense in a 6400-mil (360-degree) environment. Plan and execute radar zones. 2-45. Requirements for radar positioning and movement are identified early in the operations process (see chapter 6) and tied to specific events. This allows continuous coverage by facilitating mutually supporting coverage between radars. The field artillery battalion commander monitors this process closely to ensure that the use of terrain, movements, and radar zones are properly coordinated. General considerations for target acquisition during all types of offensive tasks include: Execute target acquisition in support of the supported command’s operations. Position observers and radars to support the observation and collection plans. Plan for frequent repositioning of target acquisition assets.