FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 2 2-16 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 nominations into two categories: targets and suspected targets. Targets must meet accuracy and timeliness requirements for engagement. Suspected targets must be confirmed before any engagement” (ATP 3-60). 2-67. Some of the many possible target detection assets include satellites and other national assets, joint ISR systems to include the USAF distributed common ground system, unmanned aircraft system (UAS), WLR, FOs, scouts, and special operations forces. When planning the target acquisition portion of information collection, it is useful to group those assets into the four primary information collection tasks and missions of reconnaissance, surveillance, security operations, and intelligence operations. For a complete listing of intelligence collection capabilities by command echelon, refer to FM 2-0. Target Engagement Authority 2-68. Engagement authority is an authority vested with a joint force commander that may be delegated to a subordinate commander, that permits an engagement decision (JP 3-01). The authority and responsibility to engage targets rests with the JFC responsible for the AO. The JFC communicates engagement criteria to the force through ROE specific to each AO. The JFC may delegate target engagement authority to subordinate commanders. In large-scale ground combat operations, especially during the offense, it is critical that Target Engagement Authority be delegated to the absolute lowest echelon that has the proper resources to identify and attack enemy formations, facilities, and other capabilities in-accordance with the Law of War and established ROE. This empowers agility by entrusting engagement decisions to leaders at the tactical edge. SECTION III – FIRE SUPPORT SYSTEM – ATTACK AND DELIVERY CAPABILITIES 2-69. This section discusses lethal and nonlethal weapon systems capabilities. For more technical information see ATP 3-09.32/MCRP 3-31.6/NTTP 3-09.2/AFTTP 3-2.6, JFIRE, multi-service tactics, techniques and procedures for joint application of firepower. Joint FS surface to surface and air to surface capabilities. CEMA. Space operations. Information related activities. SURFACE TO SURFACE CAPABILITIES 2-70. Army, Navy, and USMC surface-to-surface indirect fires includes cannon, rocket, and missile systems as well as mortars organic to maneuver elements. FA attack/delivery systems provide continuously available fires under all weather conditions, all types of terrain, at increasingly greater ranges, and is the most available fire support weapon available within any AO available 24 hours a day with 360 degree coverage. FA provides close-support fires to maneuver forces, FA can also perform counterfire, interdiction, SEAD, and integrate into SCAR missions. FA employs a wide range of munitions, to include long range precision and near precision munitions that provide all-weather precision strike capability at great distances. FA support can range from tactical fires in a company AO to strategic fires across combatant command boundaries. FA units have several limitations: A Firing signature that makes the unit vulnerable to detection by enemy TA assets. Limited self-defense capability against ground and air attacks. Limited ability to destroy moving targets. ROCKETS 2-71. The multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) supplements cannon artillery by delivering a large volume of fires in a very short period of time against HPTs at increasingly greater ranges. MLRS is used for counterfire and deliberate attacks against enemy air defense, light materiel, and personnel targets. The all- weather MLRS fires free-flight and guided rockets and missiles. Free-flight or guided rocket options include warheads with either unitary high-explosive or dual-purpose improved conventional munitions.