ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 4 4-2 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 The ground control station is not strictly a video tool; it allows unmanned aircraft to be controlled and vectored by an operator. 4-4. The cannon field artillery battalion S-2, with the aid of the BCT fires cell, assesses intelligence reports and information to enhance the common operational picture and nominate targets to the BCT. They work with the BCT S-2 and intelligence staff to focus priority intelligence requirement-based collection efforts to identify and locate high-payoff targets within the high-value targets. The BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion uses this enemy focused intelligence in the development and execution of artillery fires supporting BCT offensive and defensive tasks. 4-5. The BCT main command post fires cell is fully networked with the BCT S-2 and the military intelligence team and will work closely with all fire support providers to manage the attack of targets and to produce battlefield damage assessment of targets once attacked. The military intelligence company is organized with a mission management capability to provide dynamic tasking of organic information collection assets in response to targeting priorities and target attack needs. The information collection team uses combat information from organic and external collectors that is routed to cue unmanned aircraft systems, or other sensors necessary to update and refine target attack information. Special consideration is given to high-payoff targets. One such focus is the counterfire program that is so essential to BCT survivability and flexibility. Depending on the magnitude of the indirect fire threat, a large portion of the BCT’s information collection capabilities may be dedicated to counterfire programs. An early focus on mitigating the indirect fire threat will improve the BCT’s survivability. 4-6. Targeting is a fundamental task of the fires warfighting function that encompasses many disciplines and requires participation from many staff elements. The BCT main command post fires cell coordinates target acquisition, target disseminating and target engagement functions for the BCT commander. The intelligence officer provides the fires cell and members of the targeting working group and targeting board (S-3, fire support coordinator (FSCOORD), brigade fire support officer (FSO), fires cell planners and targeting officers, air liaison officer, electronic attack officer, and others) with information and intelligence for targeting the threat’s forces and systems with direct and indirect fires. This includes identification of threat capabilities and limitations. 4-7. When high-value targets are identified, the targeting working group and targeting board determine which critical components of high-value targets can be successfully identified, targeted, and attacked to create enemy failure. These components become potential high-payoff targets. For more information on intelligence support to targeting, see Army doctrine reference publication (ADRP) 2-0, ATPs 2-01, 2-01.3 and 2-19.4. 4-8. The intelligence officer ensures the information collection plan supports the finalized targeting plan. Subtasks of intelligence support to targeting include providing intelligence support to target development and to target detection. This is a drill-down effort to identify and locate critical enemy elements or nodes within the functioning network of high-value targets that can be attacked to cause the network to fail. This can be a campaign-like effort with support from many sources including: Direct observation by special operations forces, scouts, and forward observers. Electronic intelligence sources such as the Prophet radio frequency intercept system. Human intelligence sources employed by the BCT military intelligence tactical human intelligence platoons. Weapon locating radars. Unmanned aircraft systems. Higher headquarters and joint sources. Maneuver formations down through the squad level.