ATP-3-94-2 HIMARS Deep Operations Download
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1 September 2016 ATP 3-94.2 B-1 Appendix B Aviation in the Deep Area Army aviation’s inherent mobility, speed, range, flexibility, lethality, precision, and reconnaissance capabilities provide division and corps commanders multiple options for conducting operations in the deep area. This appendix provides an overview of Army aviation’s contribution to deep operations. Additionally, this appendix discusses considerations for planning, preparing, executing, and assessing aviation assets in the deep area. OVERVIEW B-1. Deep operations involve efforts to prevent uncommitted enemy forces from being committed in an effective manner. The purpose of deep operations is frequently tied to other events distant in time and space. Aviation operations in deep areas may include the following: Attacks to destroy, defeat, disrupt, divert or delay enemy forces or high-payoff targets that are out of friendly contact using manned and unmanned teaming or independent unmanned aircraft system or UAS attack-reconnaissance operations. Reconnaissance operations by manned or unmanned aircraft to obtain combat information to answer priority intelligence requirements on the terrain, enemy or civilian populations. Air assaults of conventional or SOF to seize an objective, destroy an enemy force, or capture or kill a high-value individual. Infiltrations of conventional and SOF to emplace sensors, conduct raids, establish special reconnaissance positions, or to conduct partisan linkup. Air movements of supplies and personnel to ground maneuver units operating decentralized in deep areas. Evacuation of casualties from units operating in deep areas. Personnel recovery of designated isolated personnel in deep areas. B-2. Army aviation attack reconnaissance units employing manned and unmanned teaming conduct attacks in support of offensive, defensive, and stability operations throughout the depth of the AO. This is done either as a decisive or shaping operation in support of ground forces. B-3. Armed unmanned aircraft are uniquely equipped to autonomously detect targets and coordinate or perform attacks or reconnaissance on those targets. Leveraging the use of kill boxes, Army aircraft in coordination with other joint assets may attack surface targets without further coordination with the establishing commander and without the requirement for terminal attack control. See ATP 3-09.34 for additional information regarding kill boxes. B-4. To ensure success, Army aviation attacks with the necessary combat power, tempo, and intensity to overwhelm the enemy force. Synchronizing joint fires with ground and air maneuver, maximizing the element of surprise, and audacity, speed, mass, and violence of execution are all essential components of successful Army aviation attacks. B-5. These attacks are typically conducted at such a distance from friendly forces that detailed integration with ground forces during actions on the objective are not usually required. Based on the nature of the target and complexity of the AO, Army aviation attacks in the deep area may be conducted as hasty attacks but are most often deliberate attacks that require detailed planning and the full integration of manned aircraft and UAS, and the simultaneous or sequential employment of close air support, indirect fires, and other enabling capabilities to mass effects, isolate, and destroy key enemy forces and capabilities. B-6. Based on the mission and operational variables, attacks in the deep area range from relatively low-risk to extremely high-risk operations. They may be conducted by attack reconnaissance elements ranging in size