OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

3-84. The offense will continue to be the decisive form of combat. The main purpose of the offense remains to defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy force. Armed with a combination of superior long-range delivery systems, lethal "brilliant" munitions, and a comprehensive command and control system, the MLRS battalion provides the commander with the capability to interdict selected HPTs or entire target sets at depths previously accessible only to piloted aircraft, cruise missiles, or special operations forces. When synchronized with the array of other assets capable of providing fire support, including fixed and rotary

wing aircraft and nonlethal electronic attack assets, the MLRS battalion allows the commander to shape the AO to set the conditions for decisive offensive maneuver. Once those conditions have been established, the maneuver units will attack and dominate the enemy in the close combat, using both fires and maneuver. An MLRS unit must be prepared to support the 4 basic types of offensive operations:

• Movement to contact.

• Attack.

• Exploitation.

• Pursuit.

3-85. Detailed discussions for each type of operation and the responsibilities of the FSCOORD for each of them are located in FM 6-20.

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3-86. Units conduct movement to contact to gain or regain contact with the enemy. Once contact is made, the commander can further develop the situation.

3-87. A movement to contact will likely be executed as a series of tactical moves by subordinate elements as a precursor to the execution of an attack. In this circumstance, a combination of preparation fires and/or programs, series, or groups of targets may be employed to protect the force and ensure its freedom of maneuver during movement to, and occupation of, forward assembly areas and attack positions. Fire support tasks include:

• Plan artillery movement to facilitate tactical movement, maintain force momentum, and provide adequate immediately responsive support (for example, units "set" and ready to fire) for executing contingencies.

• Destroy enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

• Anticipate/plan for hasty attack contingencies.

• Plan, on order, FSCMs throughout the unit operation area

• When situational understanding is less than optimum, plan "worst case" fires where enemy could significantly impact friendly operations.

• Plan and execute preparation fires to ensure freedom of maneuver.

• Employ smoke, as required, to screen friendly movement and/or support the deception plan.

3-88. The MLRS can provide support during both movement and follow-on operations once contact is made. With its long range and tactical mobility, MLRS is suited to augment other artillery fires to protect the force and ensure its freedom of maneuver.

3-89. The MLRS must be integrated into march columns to ensure responsive supporting fires during the initial action. By planning for delivery of immediate mass MLRS fires, the commander can help the supported unit as it seizes and retains the initiative. Fires are thus characterized by decentralized control and must be extremely responsive to compensate for the relatively small amount of maneuver power forward.

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3-90. The purpose of the attack is to defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy or seize the ground it occupies. Successful attacks depend on the skillful massing of combat fires and forces, when necessary, while sustaining a tempo the enemy force cannot handle. The attack focuses on a powerful and violent assault upon the objective. The unit will likely mass all available firepower on the enemy at the beginning of the assault. This requires detailed planning, precise execution, and tremendous discipline in the fire support force at all levels. The commander's intent and time available to plan will drive the selection of available attack options—hasty attack, deliberate attack, spoiling attack, counterattack, raid, feint, demonstration, or any combination of these. Fire support tasks include—

• Establish critical friendly zones over tactical assembly areas, attack positions, and command posts.

• Plan and execute counter fires to ensure freedom of maneuver and protect the force.

• Mass effects of fires against HPTs to meet criteria established by the force commander to set conditions for crossing the line of departure.

• Synchronize artillery movement to facilitate tactical movement, maintain force momentum, and provide adequate, immediately responsive support for executing contingencies.

• Plan logistics support that facilitates tactical movement, maintains force momentum, and provides adequate, immediately responsive support for executing contingencies.

• Plan, on order, fire support coordination measures to facilitate execution of branches and sequels to the plan.

3-91. MLRS can best be used in support of attacks by delivering fires against reserve or reinforcing formations, delivering preparation fires, delivering counter fire, providing SEAD, massing against counterattacks, and reinforcing the DS artillery of attacking brigades. MLRS, if employed properly, is an excellent choice in support of raids or spoiling attacks.

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3-92. Exploitation and pursuit operations follow successful attacks. Exploitation occurs when the attacker extends the destruction of the defending force by maintaining continuous pressure. The ultimate objective is the disintegration of the enemy to the point where he has no alternative but surrender or die. Exploiting forces disrupt enemy C2, seize objectives in the enemy rear, cut lines of communication, and isolate and destroy enemy units. As the enemy's will to fight erodes and their formations begin to disintegrate, exploitation may develop into pursuit. The pursuit is an offensive operation against a retreating enemy force. The objective is the complete destruction of that force. Fire support tasks include—

• Plan artillery movement to facilitate tactical movement and maintain force momentum.

• Use firepower of air platforms to maximum extent possible to maintain momentum of the attack.

• Task organize follow and support forces with sufficient artillery to deal with bypassed enemy forces.

• Activate/continually update fire support coordination measures throughout the division operation area.

• Synchronize fires with employment of dynamic obstacles in chokepoints to continue destruction of retreating enemy forces.

• Continue neutralization of enemy fire support and air defense systems to facilitate ground and air maneuver.

3-93. Both exploitation and pursuits involve rapid movement forward. The 70+-kilometer range provided by the GMLRS, the 300-kilometer range of ATACMS, and the system enhancements provided by the M270A1 and M142 launcher system enable MLRS to support these operations efficiently. Because of the fluid nature of these attacks, MLRS use must adhere to positive clearance of fires procedures.

3-94. Some considerations in these types of offensive operations include positioning MLRS units close to the line of departure or FLOT, ensuring that MLRS units travel well forward with maneuver units, and planning for ammunition and ammunition resupply throughout the operation.

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3-95. The primary role of target acquisition radars in the offense is to protect the friendly force by locating targets for engagement. In offensive operations, particular attention must be given to planning target acquisition to facilitate future operations. The TA planners must ensure a smooth transition from one phase of the operation to the next by providing continuous coverage of the zone of operation. The FSCOORD must specifically concern himself with coordinating the use of the terrain for the radar and recommending fire finder zones.

3-96. Because, in the offense, intelligence provides many enemy positions in advance and the friendly force is uncovered as it maneuvers, the first fire finder zone considered for use is the call-for-fire zone (CFFZ). Establishing a CFFZ will facilitate immediate counter fire to suppress enemy artillery disrupting

the friendly scheme of maneuver. Critical friendly zones may be phased along the maneuver axis of advance and activated when entered by friendly forces. This is particularly important in those areas where friendly forces are most vulnerable (for example, river-crossing sites and areas open to easy visual observation).

3-97. Command, control, and cueing should be decentralized during offensive operations. The FA controlling headquarters should designate cueing agents that can cue the radar by calling it directly. The controlling headquarters must inform the radar section concerning who these agents are and which ones have priority. This is necessary to streamline acquisition and counter fire effort when committed maneuver forces may be particularly vulnerable to enemy indirect fire.

3-98. One additional consideration in the offense is that TA assets may move forward so far or so fast that survey may initially be unavailable in some positions. Therefore, the TA assets may have to use hasty survey techniques for control until survey is available.

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3-99. The immediate purpose of defensive operations is to defeat an enemy attack. The greater intent of the defense is to force the attack to culminate, to gain the initiative for friendly forces, and to create the opportunity to shift to the offensive. The defender seeks to mass overwhelming combat power at the times and places of his choosing. It shifts that mass, as required, to support the main effort in a defensive scheme that will deny the enemy the ability to achieve its objectives.

3-100. The two primary forms of defensive operations are mobile and area defense. An effective defense consists of both active and passive components combined to deprive the enemy of the initiative. Mobile defenses orient on the destruction of the attacking force by permitting the enemy to advance into a position that exposes it to counterattack by a mobile reserve. Area defenses orient on retention of terrain by absorbing the enemy in an interlocking series of positions and destroying it largely by fires.

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3-101. Mobile defense orients on the destruction of the enemy force by employing a combination of fire and maneuver, offense, defense, and delay to defeat its attack. Units strive to execute a dynamic defense, achieving a synergy from a combination of firepower and maneuver that dominate the enemy, rob it of the initiative, and negate its ability to continue offensive operations.

3-102. Maximizing the advantages conferred on the defender in owning and knowing the terrain, the unit sets the tempo of operations throughout the depth of its AO. Defending forces blind or deceive enemy critical reconnaissance elements to prevent disclosure of friendly dispositions, capabilities, and intent. The defending unit tracks the enemy throughout its attack, identifying critical enemy nodes such as C2, radars, logistics trains, and fire support systems for attack. The defender commits the minimum force possible to positional defense.

3-103. A mobile striking force is established that uses maximum combat power to strike the attacking enemy at the most vulnerable time and place—when the attacker is attempting to overcome that part of the defending force acting as the tactical anvil. At the decisive moment, the defending unit unleashes its firepower and maneuver forces to strike the attacker simultaneously throughout the depth of its forces to defeat it in detail.

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3-104. Units conduct an area defense to deny the enemy access to designated terrain or facilities for a specified time. In an area defense, the bulk of defending forces deploy to retain ground, using a combination of defensive positions and small, mobile reserves. Commanders organize the defense around a relatively static framework provided by defensive positions, seeking to destroy enemy forces close in with interlocking direct fires and at depth with massed precision fires. Precision in selection and design of engagement areas, and control and distribution of both direct and indirect fires, are keys to a successful defense. Even while conducting an area defense, units will take the fight to the enemy and inflict levels of damage that will force it to quit the field.

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3-105. Although the shaping of the AO is important to the success of all combat operations, in the defense it is an absolute requirement if the unit is to survive and win. Operations in depth prevent the enemy from gaining momentum or reinforcing success it may experience in its attack. The unit seeks to avoid the attrition nature of sequential operations through integrated, simultaneous application of combat power throughout the depth of the AO, striving to defeat an enemy rapidly with minimum friendly casualties. The unit employs specific resources to identify and track HPTs and critical combat forces and functions. When those targets, forces, and functions are located, the unit masses fires and/or forces at the right place and time to destroy them and achieve the commander’s intent.

3-106. The design and successful application of firepower in depth allows the unit to seize the initiative, retain and exercise the spirit of the offense, and set the conditions for decisive operations. Sudden strikes by both fire and maneuver from a variety of directions, synchronized with other disruptive effects on the enemy such as jamming, smoke, and deception, will unhinge or obviate an attack even before it has begun.

Successful synchronization of the battle plan and achievement of optimum effects demand the detailed integration and precise timing of both the scheme of maneuver and concept of fires.

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3-107. Units employ firepower at extended depths to accomplish a wide range of tactical and operational tasks. Fire supporters use ATACMS munitions to attack virtually any target set at ranges of up to 300 kilometers. In combination with air interdiction, this land force firepower capability holds every enemy capability at risk throughout the depth of the AO. Conventional operations, spearheaded by the division aviation brigade in the form of joint air attack or combined arms teams, remain a significant tool for eliminating critical enemy functions (such as enemy artillery groups or ground maneuver forces).

3-108. Lethal and non lethal fires are delivered by direct and indirect fire systems, close air support (CAS), attack helicopters, and electronic means. Collectively, judicious use of the firepower resources wielded by the unit will enable it to set the conditions for dominant maneuver and successful decisive operations. The unit employs its firepower at extended depths to accomplish a wide range of operational and tactical tasks. In defensive operations, the commander normally maintains more centralized control of all artillery assets, including MLRS, to ensure they are immediately responsive to the force commander.

However, MLRS units may be attached to, or under the OPCON of covering force units. The duration of the attachment or OPCON and other instructions and restrictions should be delineated in the OPORD.

3-109. MLRS units can support defensive operations with fires by providing the following:

• Counter fire and SEAD fires.

• Fires on enemy C2 assets and maneuver assembly areas to disrupt command, control, and attack preparations.

• Engagement of enemy forces as far forward as possible. Attack of targets with MLRS DPICM strips enemy forces of light armor and infantry support and causes mobility and firepower kills to heavy armor.

• Long-range missile fires on targets arrayed in depth, unassigned area targets, uncommitted forces, and other HPTs.

3-110. A Firefinder to MLRS sensor-to-shooter link through battalion to the launcher is most effective during defensive operations. This link allows rapid detection and destruction of enemy artillery and mortars as they fire in support of their maneuver advance.

3-111. The positioning of MLRS in the security area to range more deeply is appropriate and must be carefully considered and planned. Considerations include the following:

• Increases security risks to MLRS units.

• Complicates communications requirements with force FA headquarters.

• Makes logistical support more difficult.

3-112. Other considerations:

• Availability of suitable firing positions and routes.

• MLRS units should not be positioned on major avenues of approach. Enemy breakthroughs may jeopardize the unit or force it to displace prematurely.

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3-113. The primary role of TA radars in the defense is to protect those units and installations the commander deems critical to a successful defense. TA planners must also consider how to execute a transition from defensive to offensive operations (such as counterattacks). Positioning, task organization, and on-order missions should facilitate the transition.

3-114. In the defense, the first consideration is to protect critical units or installations by using critical friendly zones (CFZs). The second consideration concerning the use of zones is determining areas in which to use CFFZs. Based on a thorough IPB and other target indicators, CFFZs should be used to monitor suspect areas from which friendly forces anticipate artillery fire that could jeopardize the mission. This facilitates effective counter fire to suppress or neutralize those targets. Artillery target intelligence zones (ATIZs) may be used in areas in which we are not sure about enemy artillery. They may also be used in areas that are out of range of friendly organic artillery but the force commander wishes to monitor closely.

Censor zones may be placed around friendly artillery whose fires might cause Firefinder radars to acquire the artillery as hostile fire. For example, this could easily occur in the case of nonlinear operations.

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3-115. SEAD operations target all known or suspected enemy air defense sites that cannot be avoided and are capable of engaging friendly air assets. The FC/FE integrates SEAD fires into an overall fire plan that focuses fires according to the commander’s guidance. Synchronization of the SEAD fires with the maneuver plan is accomplished using procedural control (an H-hour sequence), positive control (initiating fires on each target as the lead aircraft passes a predetermined reference point or trigger), or a combination of the two. Regardless of the technique, the FSCOORD conducts detailed planning and close coordination with the appropriate combined arms staff members, the MLRS battalion S-3/FDO, and the higher HQ FC.

3-116. To support an aviation brigade attack package with SEAD, the aviation brigade FSCOORD (at division) or the corps FC—

• Determines SEAD requirements to support the aviation brigade.

• Provides target list to tactical and main tactical operations center FCs/FEs and the FIB fire control element.

• Coordinates cross-cueing UAS with electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) assets focusing on air routes or corridors.

• Coordinates delivery of fires for preplanned SEAD based on UA over flights and ELINT/SIGINT detection.

• Uses MLRS battalion to attack targets located by Longbow Apache that they cannot kill themselves. Initiates sensor-to-shooter link to minimize response time.

• Coordinates critical friendly zones on SEAD firers.

• Employs fire support coordination measures to support aviation brigade engagement areas when required.

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3-117. The planning and execution of the digitized counter fire fight is aggressive and proactive. The combination of the AFATDS, MLRS, and cannon weapon systems and a vast array of sensors that include the highly responsive and successful AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 radars enable an unprecedented level of proactive and reactive counter fire. The multitude of sensors that includes radars and UAS provides accurate, near real-time targeting information. This enhanced targeting and lethality of munitions, improved digital C2, and ability of platforms to service targets result in a successful counter fire fight.

3-118. The AFATDS provides the next generation of automated C2 for fire support and field artillery requirements. The AFATDS is designed to achieve a synergistic effect of all available fire support weapons by broadening, modernizing, and improving the supportability and survivability of fire support C2 for the

3-118. The AFATDS provides the next generation of automated C2 for fire support and field artillery requirements. The AFATDS is designed to achieve a synergistic effect of all available fire support weapons by broadening, modernizing, and improving the supportability and survivability of fire support C2 for the