FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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The Fire Support System 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 2-19 provide terminal guidance for other weapon platforms, as well as operate during periods of limited visibility. The US Army normally employs attack helicopters as maneuver units to conduct two basic types of attack missions: attacks against enemy forces in close, friendly contact with other Army maneuver forces and attacks against enemy forces out of out of direct fire contact with friendly forces. Both can be executed as either hasty or deliberate attacks and are typically supported with integrated joint fires. This type of attack requires detailed planning and the full integration of manned and unmanned aircraft, and the simultaneous or sequential employment of CAS, indirect fires, and other enabling capabilities to mass effects, isolate, and destroy key enemy forces and capabilities. U.S. Army attack helicopters can also perform CAS in support of another component. The USMC employs its attack rotary-wing aviation primarily as a CAS platform. For more information on Army fixed wing aircraft and attack helicopters see ATP 3-09.32/MCRP 3-31.6/NTTP 3-09.2/AFTTP 3-2.6. 2-86. In addition to Army aviation responsibilities during SCAR, tactical level maneuver commanders can employ a method similar to the SCAR - a coordinated attack interdiction mission in which the ground maneuver commander plans/coordinates/employs a coordinated attack using supporting CAS, Attack Aviation, UAS, and artillery against HPTs and targets of opportunity inside the ATO cycle planning horizon and in close proximity to friendly forces (examples include engagement areas, enemy penetrations, and Level III threats in a consolidation area). This method, previously referred to as a joint air attack team or JAAT is a capability a tactical maneuver commander retains to ensure they can integrate rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, supported by other fire support attack/delivery platforms (artillery, CEMA, NSFS, mortars) to locate and attack targets of opportunity in the close fight. 2-87. In situations such as this, the maneuver commander can designate the Army aviation commander with the highest situational awareness and ability to provide C2 as the on-scene commander (usually the Air Mission Commander). The on-scene commander is an individual in the immediate vicinity of an isolating event who temporarily assumes command of the incident (JP 3-50). The commander will coordinate directly with the appropriate tactical maneuver HQ FSE and FAC(A)/JTAC to execute the attack. The aviation commander designated as the on-scene commander is not a SCAR Aircrew, on-scene commander is simply a designated commander who temporarily assumes command of the coordinated attack. This method can be employed anywhere on the battlefield (including the consolidation area), across the range of military operations. CAS procedures may or may not be required depending on the proximity to friendly forces. Maximum synergy occurs when the on-scene commander of the coordinated attack possess the authority to coordinate the attack directly with the other team members. When CAS is not available, direct attack coordination is more efficient because there is no requirement for JTAC/FAC(A) control. 2-88. Unmanned Aircraft (UA). The long endurance of UA enables them to provide extended support to time sensitive targets (TST), high-value targets, and HPT missions. UA can also support or conduct CAS, SCAR, AI, and other joint fires missions. Specific tasks for the UA may include TA and marking, terminal guidance of ordnance, providing precision coordinates for GPS-aided munitions, delivery of onboard precision-guided ordnance, BDA, signal intelligence, communication/data relays, and retargeting to include shoot-look-shoot. UA should be requested, tasked, routed, controlled, and deconflicted in a manner similar to methods used for fixed-winged and rotary-winged manned aircraft, with exceptions made for their unmanned nature (such as the inability to see and avoid other air traffic). When the necessary equipment, network, and personnel are included it becomes a UAS. For more information on UAS employment see ATP 3-04.1. STANDOFF WEAPONS 2-89. A standoff weapon is a medium-range, precision-guided, air to-surface glide weapon employing a variety of munitions that can be employed against land and sea targets. It is a launch-and-leave weapon that employs a GPS-aided INS and is capable of day, night, and adverse weather operations. Standoff weapons provide an ability to engage targets at extended ranges while minimizing the risk to friendly forces. Some examples of air-to-surface standoff capabilities include: The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (referred to as JASSM) and its extended-range variant, which are air-launched, low-observable, subsonic cruise missiles specifically designed to penetrate air defense systems. The missiles incorporate GPS-aided INS guidance with an infrared seeker in the terminal phase of flight. Optimizing JASSM's full-precision and low-observable capabilities requires prior coordination with both strike units and target intelligence agencies.