FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Environmental and Terrain Considerations for Fire Support 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 D-7 SURVEY AND MAPS D-42. Map spotting may be difficult in large cities. The maps and diagrams used in urban operations are often a mix of available documents that do not use common datum. Existing survey datum and markers, especially in developing countries, may be inaccurate or altered. City zoning maps, tourist maps, and sketches from reconnaissance teams may be used with military maps. Street signs may be non-existent or may have been altered by the enemy. Higher units should acquire and disseminate high resolution imagery to subordinate units. D-43. Maneuver forces may use unit building numbering systems and sketches for clearing areas. The staff, FSCOORD and FSEs must understand all of these problems and work with survey teams and FA FDCs to translate target locations and friendly force locations accurately into grid locations on the common datum. Firing units will have the same problems pin-pointing their firing locations. The GPS may be greatly degraded due to satellite-to-receiver line of sight masking from buildings. Many more targets will be point targets, requiring increased target location accuracy. Thus, firing unit, observer, target acquisition, and target area survey requirements will increase. Hasty survey techniques may frequently be necessary. D-44. Hasty survey is hampered by decreased line of sight. Magnetic interference from buildings and power lines may interfere with the establishment of directional control. Establishment of multiple survey control points should be anticipated. Placement of survey control points should be well thought out to ensure that rubbling or traffic does not destroy the points. Additional survey assets may be required, and additional time may need to be allotted for survey operations. WEATHER D-45. Weather conditions, especially winds, can vary considerably from outside the city to inside the city. Tall skyscrapers, suburban homes, athletic fields, rivers, and other settings all have different atmospheric conditions (especially light and low-level winds). Low-level winds may vary greatly from upper-level winds, and may fluctuate considerably and unpredictably. The FSCOORD and planning cell should engage with the squadron weather officer (referred to as the SWO) to obtain weather effects assessments based on current and forecast conditions within the urban environment. The FSCOORD should coordinate the placement of any weather capability (such as weather sensors and weather observers including MET teams) with the SWO to obtain representative weather conditions. COMMUNICATIONS D-46. Structures and urban infrastructure reduce radio ranges. Use of wire, messenger, and visual signals should be increased. Antennas should be set up on upper floors to increase their range. They are vulnerable if positioned on rooftops. Existing civilian telephone systems should be used for unsecured communication. Wire and local area network cables should be routed through sewers and buildings for protection. Generators should be placed near existing walls outside occupied buildings. Units will have an increased dependence on satellite based communication platforms. COMMANDER'S INTENT D-47. The commander's intent imparts the vision as to how the operation should progress. Clear understanding of this intent by the FSCOORD and FSEs ensures effective and timely application of FS to the operation and immediate and the tailored fires needed to deal with situations as they arise. The FSCOORD and FSE use the commander's targeting guidance to develop ammunition requirements and restrictions. COUNTERFIRE D-48. Counterfire is difficult in urban environments. Masking can degrade the performance of radars. It will be more difficult for air and ground observers to locate enemy artillery by visual, sound, and flash methods. Radar sites must be carefully selected. If radars are sited too close behind tall buildings, they will be masked and lose some effectiveness. High terrain outside the urban area should be considered, when possible. Counterfire ammunition requirements may increase if the enemy effectively uses buildings and available