PLATOON HEADQUARTERS

4-97. The MLRS firing platoon generally conducts operations under battery control, occupies a separate area of operations, and conducts its own RSOP. The MLRS firing platoon can be considered analogous to a cannon firing battery for fire support, positioning, and logistics considerations. Tactically, the platoon leader must do all of those tasks usually associated with the cannon battery commander. The leaders of the firing platoon must be innovative and creative in their approach to operations. The unique tactics of an MLRS firing platoon place great responsibility on personnel to meet their missions. Instructions covering features of combat operations, which lend themselves to definite or standardized procedures without loss of effectiveness, should be covered by TSOP. A battery TSOP normally guides preparation of MLRS platoon TSOPs. (For a guide and checklist for preparing an MLRS battery TSOP, see appendix C.)

C

C

4-98. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant are responsible for the command and control of platoon operations and for advising the battery commander and/or BOC on their launcher and ammunition status.

The battery commander and/or BOC directs the platoon leader and sergeant concerning the specific number of operational launchers that are posturing for specific munitions and ready to fire status. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant are responsible for coordinating all logistical support with the LOC. The POC personnel monitor all traffic between the BOC and the launchers by using the platoon AFATDS. Loss of the platoon FDC would severely hinder platoon command and control. The POC personnel maintain a DA Form 1594 and a DA Form 7232-R (MLRS FDC Fire Mission Log). A reproducible copy of DA Form 7232-R is located at the back of this manual. An example of DA Form 7232-R is shown in chapter 6. Fire mission logs should be maintained for 1 year as a record of live-fire missions conducted.

P

4-99. The POC is located in an M1068 with an AFATDS. The POC is manned by MLRS fire direction personnel and is supervised by the platoon leader or the platoon sergeant. The reconnaissance sergeant may also work in the POC when he is in the platoon HQ position. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant should locate the POC on elevated terrain for communications and should center it in the platoon HQ position for maximum protection against ground attack and ease of platoon internal wire communications.

S

4-100. The POC is the hub of platoon support activities. Any attached MSTs stay with the platoon HQ and are deployed in accordance with unit TSOP. Launchers in an inoperational (INOP) status normally move to the platoon HQ area to reduce the security, command, control, and resupply burdens.

OPAREA

4-101. An MLRS platoon position area should normally be large enough to allow a 3-by-3-kilometer OPAREA (see figure 4-3). Exact size of the OPAREA is a function of METT-TC and a result of risk assessment. The tactical situation and competition for terrain may require that platoons modify the size of the OPAREA. However, smaller areas severely restrict the platoon leader's employment options, the length of time the platoon can occupy, and the survivability of the platoon. The launcher signature, noise, smoke, and fire make each firing position easily identifiable from great distances, especially in open terrain. After use by MLRS launchers, the firing point (FP) may be subjected to intense enemy counter fire; therefore, firing points are considered highly dangerous. Except for cases of tactical necessity, launchers should use a firing point only once.

4-102. The MLRS platoon does not require sole use of the terrain within its position area. With proper coordination, maneuver units can pass through the OPAREA without disrupting operations. Other units may use parts of the platoon OPAREA. However, commanders may resist sharing space with MLRS

because of the danger from potential counter fire. This is particularly true of less mobile units.

Coordination of terrain must, therefore, be thorough and continuous.

4-103. Units in the general vicinity should be aware of launchers in the area and avoid them—see and avoid. If a unit encounters a launcher in position, it should avoid locating nearby. The danger area around the launcher, due to blast and flying debris during a launch, is 300 meters to the front and 400 meters to the rear of the launcher. The supported force commander, rather than attempting to specify each individual position and/or area, may specify no-go areas for MLRS. MLRS units would then be expected to plan their positions around the no-go terrain. Regardless of the method or the extent of planning, battery commanders and platoon leaders/sergeants must coordinate face-to-face with commanders in close proximity of their planned position areas.

4-104. There are 6 types of positions within the OPAREA; each type may have several locations. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant must identify all OPAREA position types, except hide areas, by grid during a reconnaissance.

Figure 4-3. Operational Area

F

4-105. Each platoon OPAREA should have at least 9 FPs, three for each launcher. Each launcher section chief is responsible for final selection and verification of the firing points. The following are considerations when selecting a firing point:

• The platoon leader is responsible for selecting firing areas. The section chief then selects the FP locations (the launchers should not fire from terrain with slopes greater than 89 mils).

• There should be no immediate mask in the probable direction of fire.

• Hide areas (HAs) should normally be located within 100 meters of the FP; however, longer distances are acceptable if response times can be kept short.

• The FP may be on a “reverse slope” of a terrain feature. Although masks should still be considered, reverse slopes break line-of-sight with the FLOT and may reduce the threat of attack by enemy direct fire systems during firing operations.

• The FP may be located on a road. The road should lead directly to the reload point (RL) or the next FP to reduce ground signature, response time, and time required to move.

• Communications must be established with the BOC and the POC.

• The FP should be 500 meters from other FP (800 meters preferred) and 800 meters from other positions or elements, except HAs.

• For attack of time-sensitive targets with missiles using M270, the launcher may be placed AMC for extended periods of time (up to 2 hours), when using the M270A1 or the M142 the time period is indefinite. FPs for these missions should also serve the purpose of a HA and provide concealment. These FPs should be selected to enhance survivability while the launcher is laid on target awaiting the command to fire.

4-106. The following are additional FP considerations for M270/M270A1 launchers:

• The launcher should be able to park within 150 meters of the firing point grid recorded in the launcher's database and within 100 mils of the commanded heading.

• The launcher's slope must not exceed 266 mils for rocket missions (89 mils or less is recommended) and 89 mils for missile missions. The FCS continuously displays launcher slope to assist the driver in parking the vehicle.

• Once the vehicle is stopped, the driver should move the vehicle back and forth slightly or pivot the vehicle in place slightly to allow the tracks to settle into place. This reduces the chance of the vehicle moving during firing.

4-107. The following are additional FP considerations for M142 launchers:

• The wheeled M142 travels faster on improved roads but can be slowed or denied access by rough terrain and wet or soft soil that would not impede the M270/M270A1.

• Excessive dry vegetation on the FP can ignite causing damage to exposed wiring and air lines on the under carriage.

• Initial parking at proper heading is critical to meet timelines. Re-parking the M142 is more time consuming than pivot steering the M270/M270A1.

• FP slope tolerances are critical— 89 mils with no tolerances / buffer for rockets up to 266 mils.

H

A

4-108. The launcher section chief selects the HA—an area in which to hide the launcher while awaiting a fire mission. The hide area should be covered and concealed, and close to the designated FP (normally not less than 20 meter and not more than 100 meters away). A launcher in the HA must be able to communicate with the BOC. The HA may be on a road leading to the FP to reduce the ground signature and to speed response time.

4-109. Hide area operations may degrade or disrupt the M270A1/M142 launcher GPS performance due to line of site obstruction. This is especially the case when the hide position is under dense foliage or a structure (such as a barn or bridge). However, degraded GPS performance is not as critical to the mission as the launcher’s ability to survive in a hostile environment. The launcher should be able to acquire good GPS information within 2 minutes of leaving the hide location. Travel time from hide to the firing point (often 2 to 5 minutes) is adequate for the launcher receiver to be operationally “hot” before launcher lay. The launcher crew can decrease the firing time by tracking at least 1 satellite in the hide area. When possible, use the DAGR to check hide areas and firing points for good satellite acquisition.

R

P

4-110. The RL is where the launchers upload launch pods and the HEMTT-HEMATs/ RSV-RST off-load. This is the most vulnerable point for each element. Each platoon OPAREA should have at least 2 RLs. Select RL points based on the following conditions:

• Cover and concealment for a HEMTT-HEMAT and launcher in the position at the same time.

• Maneuver room for the 100-foot (30.48-meter) turning radius of the 55-foot-long (16.76-meter) HEMTT-HEMAT and boom operations.

• Located at least 800 meters from FPs and at least 500 meters from any other element.

• Firm ground or pavement for supporting vehicles and launch pods.

• Covered and concealed route from AHA to RL.

• Trafficability.

4-111. The RL must have sufficient maneuver room for the M270/M270A1 launcher. The 55 foot (16.76 meter) long HEMTT-HEMAT requires a 100 foot (30.48 meter) turning radius. The HIMARS RSV-RST has a turning radius of 30 meters. .

4-112. The following are additional RL considerations for the M142 launcher:

• Slope is critical in RL selection. The M142 cannot violate the 89mil slope limit during reload.

• The RL must allow the M142 to download and upload without re-parking.

• The RL should enable the M142 to drive forward into position, reload and drive forward to exit the RL (a drive through RL is preferable to an RL that require the launcher to back up).

SCP

4-113. The SCP is where the launchers update the PDS or PNU. At least 2 SCPs should be established in the OPAREA. These should be collocated with the RLs to reduce travel time of the launchers. The same considerations, except in the area of Class V resupply, apply for SCPs as for RLs.

P

H

4-114. Platoon HQ is where the command post, the platoon leader's HMMWV, the platoon sergeant's HMMWV, and, if attached, the MST vehicles are positioned. Normally, INOP launchers (being serviced, crew resting, and so forth) are also positioned in the platoon HQ. Each platoon OPAREA should have a primary platoon HQ location and an alternate location, if possible. The platoon HQ location is based on the following:

• Optimum communications with the BOC and launchers.

• Cover and concealment.

• Communications mask between the position and the enemy.

• Defensibility with the AHA.

• Trafficability.

AHA

4-115. The ammunition section positions its vehicles in the AHA while awaiting transload or delivery of ammunition. It can be collocated with the platoon HQ if the ground threat is greater than the air attack or counter fire threat. Otherwise, the AHA should be located 100 to 300 meters from the platoon HQ and astride the main entrance route into the platoon HQ for entry control. The AHA is not an issue point for the firing sections. The AHA selection considerations are as follows:

• Cover and concealment.

• Trafficability.

• Vehicle maneuver room for turning around and boom operations. See paragraph 4-111.

• Proximity to the MSR.

• Defensibility with platoon headquarters.

• Arc blast area in the event of sympathetic detonation, either through mishandling or enemy action, of the munitions stored there. See chapter 7 for more information.