FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Field Artillery Operations 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 4-11 (projectile square weight, fuze type, and propellant temperature); thus, accurate firing data are possible. Accurate Meteorological Information. The effects of weather on the projectile in flight must be considered, and firing data must compensate for those effects. Firing tables and technical gunnery procedures allow the unit to consider specific weather information (air temperature, air density/pressure, wind direction, and wind speed) in determining accurate firing data. Accurate Computational Procedures. The computation of firing data must be accurate. Manual and automated techniques are designed to achieve accurate and timely delivery of fire. The balance between accuracy, speed, and the other requirements discussed in this chapter should be included in the computational procedures. Note: Nonstandard Conditions. If the five requirements for accurate predicted fire cannot be met, the FDC needs to take steps to improve firing data. For more information see TC 3-09.81. SURVEY 4-64. FA survey is critical to the first two requirements for accurate predicted fire. FA survey must provide indirect fire assets and target locating assets with a common grid. The common grid refers to all firing and target-locating elements within a unified command located and oriented to prescribed accuracies with respect to a single three-dimensional datum (ATP 3-09.02). Common survey allows the maneuver commander to employ FS resources with a guarantee of accurate and timely FS. Common control is the horizontal and vertical map or chart location of points in the target and position area, tied in with the horizontal and vertical control in use by two or more units (ATP 3-09.02). Survey planning within the force is based on the following tactical considerations: The commander's target adjustment policy (that is, if the element of surprise is an important aspect of his tactical plan). The requirement for transfer of adjusted target locations to higher and lower echelons. The required attack of HPTs onto which fire cannot be adjusted (or if surprise is a factor). The planned positioning of indirect fire units during each phase of the operation. The planned tasking of TA sensors and the processing of targets to an attack system. 4-65. The maneuver headquarters establishes survey time lines and accuracy requirements in the initial planning stages of an operation based on the commander's guidance. The maneuver commander gives the FA battalion commander targeting priorities and the effects required on HPTs. This information translates into survey requirements for the TA sensors and the designated attack systems, which must be on a common grid by the time required. The effects on the target and inherent system inaccuracies determine the survey accuracy requirement (hasty, fourth-order, or fifth-order survey). 4-66. There is no longer a military occupational specialty dedicated solely to survey. This creates a need to train non-survey soldiers on how to operate the survey equipment. The commander designates the personnel to train and form the survey team. The survey team provides survey for the unit. The survey equipment is assigned to the FA BN. See ATP 3-09.02 for more information on survey. PROVIDE PROACTIVE AND RESPONSIVE FIRES THAT CREATE DESIRED EFFECTS 4-67. Effective gunnery, TA, weapons, munitions, C2 are essential for proactive and responsive FA fires to maneuver forces. Procedures must be streamlined to minimize the time between the proactive acquisition of a target, the call for fire, and the responsive delivery of fires. A call for fire is a standardized request for fire containing data necessary for obtaining the required fire on a target. Unnecessary delay can result in a failure to have desired effects on the target. Responsiveness can be achieved by: Training especially digital sustainment training. Streamlining the call for fire through use of digital systems. Planning fire support requirements in advance.