ATP-3-94-2 HIMARS Deep Operations Download
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Appendix B B-4 ATP 3-94.2 1 September 2016 information or conduct lethal attacks against surface targets without additional coordination with the establishing commander and without the requirement for terminal attack control. B-18. In the close area, Army aviation rotary-wing assets use procedural ACMs such as standard use Army aircraft flight routes to maneuver to and from the support area to the deep area to mitigate risk and maximize the use of division allocated airspace. For more information on airspace, see FM 3-52 and ATP 3-09.34. Communications B-19. An important consideration for any operation in the deep area is the ability of the headquarters to maintain communications with the attack force during the deep operation. This allows the controlling headquarters to maintain situational awareness regarding the progress and status of the mission, and it provides the commander the ability to adjust the mission, if required. The ability for the CP to maintain this communication is often strained due to the distance to the target and limited communications capabilities of the attack force aircraft. The use of external relay assets, such as UAS communications relay packages and retransmission nodes, may help eliminate some line-of-sight communication limitations. MOVEMENT AND MANEUVER B-20. Army aviation maneuvers to attack, air assault, or infiltrate ground forces to achieve a position of relative advantage over the enemy and other threats in the deep area. The mobility and speed of aviation forces allows the commander to shape the enemy in the deep area using of aviation direct fires before the enemy can be brought to bear effectively on friendly forces in the close area. While Army aviation enables movement and maneuver, route selection and passage of lines are critical for the employment of aviation assets. B-21. Army aviation reconnaissance and security forces can conduct air route reconnaissance and acquire or confirm target compositions, dispositions, and locations. They also can screen the attacking forces’ flanks during movement or while in battle positions in order to provide early and accurate warning of impending enemy force attacks. Methods of Attack B-22. Timing is critical to the successful employment of attacks in the deep area. Employed too early, enabling assets may not be able to adequately support the operation. Employed too late, it may miss all or part of the targeted enemy unit, consequently failing to destroy the enemy force at the designated time and/or place. The timing of the attacks should enhance the commander’s scheme of maneuver. In order to effectively synchronize attacks in the deep area, three methods of employment may be used to include the following: Continuous attack. Phased attack. Maximum destruction. B-23. Dependent on the size of the attack element and the level of risk the commander is willing to accept, the methods of employment may be used individually, simultaneously, or sequentially to achieve the desired effect. These considerations may also affect adjacent operations and support requirements. To maximize the effectiveness of the attacks, windows of opportunity are assessed against the periods when exposure to the enemy will be the greatest. Continuous Attack B-24. To exert constant pressure on the enemy force, multiple aviation units may be employed using the continuous attack method. This method ensures at least one aviation unit will be attacking at all times. While one unit is engaged in the battle, two or more other units prepare to relieve the engaged unit by maneuvering to the battle position or attack by fire position or by positioning at a holding area or FARP. The continuous attack method provides the commander with the most flexibility as well as the most efficient use of sustainment operations. B-25. Employing a continuous attack in the deep area is a complex operation that requires careful consideration of time as it relates to the duration of the operation and the synchronization of resources. The