ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-16 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 is warfare carried out on land in a direct-fire fight, supported by direct and indirect fires, and other assets (ADRP 3-0). PLANNING 3-79. Planning considerations for fires in support of urban operations include: Exchange fire support and observer plans with adjacent units. Conduct target mensuration for precision munitions. Coordinate for collateral damage estimates as necessary. Develop an observer plan to include observation posts in buildings, location of laser designators, and overwatch of trigger points and gun-target lines. Plan electronic warfare assets to defeat the improvised explosive device threat, disrupt enemy information collection (see the discussion in chapter 4 and FM 3-55), reconnaissance and surveillance efforts, and detect enemy use of the electromagnetic spectrum for targeting purposes. Identify location of hazardous sites; both above and below ground such as fuel and industrial storage tanks, gas distribution lines, and any other area where incendiary effects of detonating artillery and mortar rounds will start fires. Identify the general construction or composition of the buildings and road surfaces (may impact the type of munitions used). Where does building masking, overhead power lines, or towers degrade global positioning system and compass functioning? Will the use of obscurants and illumination favor friendly units or the threat? Will buildings or structures require fire support personnel to carry or use equipment not normally carried such as field expedient antennas, climbing rope, wire gloves, axes or sledgehammers? Plan for radar coverage. 3-80. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners often find their major challenges to be in providing fire support to numerous smaller engagements that, while separate, are part of coordinated, larger unit operations. Prioritizing fire support, sustaining fire support, and positioning and repositioning fire support assets take on greater significance in urban operations. The FSCOORD, fires cell planners and other staff should thoroughly examine priority of fires considerations when war gaming various courses of action. 3-81. Target development is the systematic examination of potential target systems—and their components, individual targets, and even elements of targets—to determine the necessary type and duration of the action that must be exerted on each target to create an effect that is consistent with the commander’s specific objectives (JP 3-60). 3-82. Targeting translates the BCT commander’s targeting guidance and desired effects to define high- value targets, and from these, further refine selection to identify high-payoff targets. There are heightened concerns for collateral damage in urban areas. When developing target lists the fires cell planners and targeting officers must remember that destructive weapons are not the only means for engagement of targets. Electronic attack and appropriate aspects of information operations and cyber electromagnetic activities can be used as well. Consequently they must ensure all means of combat power are integrated into the operation and appropriate techniques for their employment are in place and rehearsed. For more on targeting see chapter 6 of this ATP, ATP 3-60, FM 3-09, and JP 3-60. CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN TARGETS 3-83. The enemy has many covered and concealed positions and movement lanes and may be on rooftops, in buildings, and in sewer and subway systems. Aerial observers are extremely valuable for targeting because they can see farther to detect movements, positions on rooftops, and fortifications. Engagements on rooftops are planned for to clear away enemy forward observers, snipers, communications and radar equipment. Engagement areas are planned on major roads, at road intersections, and on known or likely