ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
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Appendix B B-2 ATP 3-09.90 B-9. Fires cell planners must ensure a smooth transition from one phase to the next by providing continuous radar coverage across the division AO. Requirements for radar positioning and movement are identified during MDMP and tied to specific events. This allows continuous coverage by facilitating mutually supporting coverage between radars. The counterfire officer monitors this process closely to ensure that the use of terrain, movements, and radar zones are properly coordinated. B-10. A method for providing continuous radar coverage is done by moving one or more radars forward while another radar covers the moving radars sector of search. This can be enhanced by weapons locating radars of one echelon or unit assisting another echelon or units weapons locating radars by providing coverage while they move. Triggers for initiating this movement can be based on phase lines, events, or time determined during the planning process. The movement of radars must be synchronized with the scheme of maneuver. B-11. The first consideration for radar zones in the offense is f o r t h e u s e o f c a l l f o r f i r e z o n e s . Establishing call for fire zones facilitates immediate counterfire to suppress, neutralize, or destroy enemy artillery that may disrupt the scheme of maneuver. Critical friendly zones may be planned along the axis of advance and over critical friendly forces determined by the supported commander. Special consideration should be given to gap crossings, breaching forces, choke points, or other vulnerable areas. B-12. Control of WLRs will generally be more decentralized to facilitate command, control, movement, and cueing. The f i r e s c e l l p l a n n e r s m u s t e n s u r e that cueing agents are established. This is necessary to streamline the counterfire effort when division forces may be particularly vulnerable to enemy indirect fire. COUNTERFIRE IN SUPPORT OF DEFENSIVE TASKS B-13. The primary role of WLRs in the defense is to provide target data and information to allow for counterfire mission processing. Fires cell planners must also consider transitions to offensive tasks such as counterattacks. Positioning, task organization, and on-order missions should facilitate transitions. B-14. The first consideration is the use of the radar's zone capabilities to provide coverage for critical units or installations using critical friendly zones. The division commander should indicate the assets that are deemed essential to ensure mission accomplishment. If the commander does not identify these assets, the FSCOORD must query the commander for the necessary guidance. Once the guidance is obtained, the information is passed to the fires cell for implementation. B-15. Call for fire zones are planned on suspected or known enemy indirect fire systems. The intent is to suppress, neutralize, or destroy enemy indirect fire systems before they start their preparatory fires. Call for fire zones are planned based off of IPB and other target indicators. Call for fire zones are used to monitor suspect areas from which enemy indirect fires may jeopardize the mission. B-16. Artillery target intelligence zones (also called ATIZ) may be established in areas where we are not sure about enemy indirect fires and need to develop the situation. They can also be used in areas of suspected enemy indirect fires that the commander wishes to monitor closely but are out of friendly indirect fire range. B-17. For more information on zone management see ATP 3-09.12. COUNTERFIRE IN SUPPORT OF STABILITY TASKS B-18. Counterfire conducted in support of stability tasks is essentially the same as that conducted for offensive and defensive tasks. Counterfire is an essential combat multiplier during stability tasks. Consideration must be given to the use of 6400 mil (360 degrees) coverage of the entire AO. WLRs are usually positioned in static locations and rarely moved once established. During stability tasks the use of WLRs to provide 6400 mils (360 degrees) coverage becomes an essential factor in counterfire. Due to the nature of stability tasks, it can be assumed that the enemy will have freedom of maneuver and the ability to initiate contact at the time and location of their choosing. Considerations for the clearance of fires in the support area, use of precision-guided munitions, and collateral damage estimation become important issues. Due to the ability of the enemy to fire without being present or to fire from civilian areas, proactive counterfire is of greater importance during stability operations. 12 October 2017