ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-22 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 3-121. Field artillery weapons may be placed in buildings or damaged structures for protection. However, building collapse and fire are possibilities. Overpressure can significantly increase the noise hazard for crews. A 105-mm howitzer battery may have better mobility than larger self-propelled howitzers in confined areas and may be quickly moved by helicopter, unhindered by ground obstacles. SURVEY AND MAPS 3-122. Map spotting may be difficult in large cities. The maps and diagrams used in urban operations are often a mix of available documents that do not use common datum. Existing survey datum and markers, especially in developing countries, may be inaccurate or altered. City zoning maps, tourist maps, and sketches from reconnaissance teams may be used with military maps. Street signs may be non-existent or may have been altered by the enemy. The BCTs should acquire and disseminate high resolution imagery to subordinate units. 3-123. Maneuver forces may use unit building numbering systems and sketches for clearing areas. The brigade staff, FSCOORD and fires cell planners must understand all of these problems and work with survey teams and field artillery battalion fire direction centers to translate target locations and friendly force locations accurately into grid locations on the common datum. Firing units will have the same problems pin-pointing their firing locations. The global positioning system may be greatly degraded due to satellite- to-receiver line of sight masking from buildings. Many more targets will be point targets, requiring increased target location accuracy. Thus, firing unit, observer, target acquisition, and target area survey requirements will increase. Hasty survey techniques may frequently be necessary. 3-124. Hasty survey is hampered by decreased line of sight. Magnetic interference from buildings and power lines may interfere with the establishment of directional control. Establishment of multiple survey control points should be anticipated. Placement of survey control points should be well thought out to ensure that rubbling or traffic does not destroy the points. Additional survey assets may be required, and additional time may need to be allotted for survey operations. WEATHER 3-125. Weather conditions, especially winds, can vary considerably from outside the city to inside the city. Tall skyscrapers, suburban homes, athletic fields, rivers, and other settings all have different atmospheric conditions (especially light and low-level winds). Low-level winds may vary greatly from upper-level winds, and may fluctuate considerably and unpredictably. The FSO and planning cell should engage with the SWO to obtain weather effects assessments based on current and forecast conditions within the urban environment. The FSO should coordinate the placement of any weather capability (such as weather sensors and weather observers including meteorological teams) with the BCT SWO to obtain representative weather conditions. COMMUNICATIONS 3-126. Structures and urban infrastructure reduce radio ranges. Use of wire, messenger, and visual signals should be increased. Antennas should be set up on upper floors to increase their range. They are vulnerable if positioned on rooftops. Existing civilian telephone systems should be used for unsecured communication. Wire and local area network cables should be routed through sewers and buildings for protection. Generators should be placed near existing walls outside occupied buildings. Units will have an increased dependence on satellite based communication platforms. COMMANDER’S INTENT 3-127. The BCT commander’s intent imparts the vision as to how the operation should progress. Clear understanding of this intent by the FSCOORD and fires cell planners ensures effective and timely application of fire support to the operation and immediate and the tailored fires needed to deal with situations as they arise. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners use the BCT commander’s targeting guidance to develop ammunition requirements and restrictions; for example: point detonating fuzes set on delay, concrete piercing fuzes to penetrate structures, and white phosphorus for incendiary effects against materiel targets.