ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
Page 13 of 102
Division Artillery ATP 3-09.90 1-3 COUNTERFIRE 1-10. The division commander can assign the role of counterfire headquarters to the DIVARTY, an assigned or attached field artillery brigade (FAB), or to one of the BCTs FA battalions. When allocated the necessary assets the DIVARTY provides counterfire for the division. The DIVARTY will focus on engaging the enemies command and control and medium to long artillery assets. The counterfire headquarters plans and coordinates sensor management, and delivers fires in support of the division. The use of call for fire zones placed around suspected or known enemy artillery assets and critical friendly zones placed around the division’s key assets or locations are critical to the counterfire fight. Positioning of DIVARTY counterfire delivery systems forward is a key consideration especially in an anti-access area-denial environment. The DIVARTY commander should consider the use of quick fire channels to enable responsive sensor to shooter links. For more information on counterfire see FM 3-09, ATP 3-09.12, and appendix B of this publication. SUPPRESSION OF ENEMY AIR DEFENSES 1-11. Suppression of enemy air defenses is activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means (JP 3-01). When allocated the necessary assets such as indirect fire, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or electronic attack assets, the DIVARTY may conduct SEAD to shape an objective for the division. SEAD is critical to the survival of division, corps, joint task force, and joint force commander air assets. It is an integral part of attack aviation planning, synchronized with, and integrated into the overall division or other supported command and combat aviation brigade (particularly air assault) operations. Fires suppress, neutralize, and destroy known and suspected enemy air defense weapons, radars, and command and control elements. See FM 3-09 for more information. DEEP FIGHT 1-12. A deep area is the portion of the commander’s area of operations that is not assigned to subordinate units (ADRP 3-0). The DIVARTY can help the division shape the deep fight. The DIVARTY when allocated MLRS, HIMARS, and cannon units can provide long range fires against enemy cannon, rocket, or missile units and against their headquarters and command and control assets. Fires should also be planned against follow on echelons of enemy units such as air defense systems, tank battalions, and attack helicopter units. The DIVARTY can facilitate the deep fight by employing MLRS, HIMARS, and cannon units forward in the division AO, Sensor to shooter links can be established to provide timely fires against long range enemy artillery assets when obtained by the division or DIVARTY weapons locating radar (WLR) sections and UAS. CLOSE SUPPORT FIRES 1-13. When allocated the necessary assets, the DIVARTY is capable of providing close support fires to BCTs in support of offensive, defensive, and stability tasks. MLRS and HIMARS battalions are extremely effective at providing suppression against large enemy formations. Precision-guided munitions such as Excalibur or guided MLRS (referred to as GMLRS) are useful against targets near friendly troops, built up areas, and civilian populations. For more information on precision-guided munitions see ATP 3-09.32. INTEGRATE ALL FORMS OF ARMY, JOINT, AND MULTINATIONAL FIRES 1-14. The DIVARTY commander as the division FSCOORD is responsible for integrating all forms of Army, Joint and Multinational fires to include nonlethal capabilities. The division fires cell provides effective exchange of information to adjacent headquarters, subordinate division elements, and other warfighting functions. The DIVARTY commander can integrate the division fires cell with all or part of the DIVARTY staff and targeting personnel. 12 October 2017