TACTICAL FIRE DIRECTION

5-43. Tactical fire direction is the process that results in a decision on whether and how a target will be attacked. Specifically, it answers the following questions:

• Location of the target. Is it safe to fire? Is it within range? Are there intervening crests? Can the target be attacked?

• Nature of the target. How large is it? What is its degree of protection?

• Timeliness of target information. Is it a fleeting target?

• Ammunition available. What do the units have on hand to fire?

• Firing units available. Who is in range and ready to fire?

• Commander's guidance and/or TSOP. What do we want to do to the target?

• Request for fire. What did the requestor ask for? Can the battalion give it to him? Should the battalion give it to him?

• Munitions effects. Given the ammunition available, nature of the target, and commander's guidance, how should the target be attacked?

• Tactical situation. When should the battalion fire? Are special instructions required?

T

A

5-44. Target analysis is the examination of a potential target to determine the most suitable weapon, firing unit, ammunition, and method for attacking the target.

5-45. The amount of time devoted to target analysis and the thoroughness of the analysis depend on the following:

• Amount of target information.

• Availability of weapons and munitions to attack the target.

• Urgency of the engagement.

• Precedence of attack.

5-46. An FDO selects a particular precedence of attack after considering the following:

• Target characteristics. Targets vary considerably in composition, degree of protection, shape, mobility, and recoverability.

• Target location. The proximity of the target to friendly troops, probability of collateral damage, and the accuracy of the target location must be considered.

• Terrain. The terrain in the target area has a direct effect on the vulnerability of the target.

Certain terrain provides complete protection from some angles of approach but not from others. Thus, it influences the unit and munitions to be employed. The type of vegetation in the target area should be considered in the selection of ammunition.

• Weather. Weather is of little consequence in evaluating a target to be attacked with some munitions. However, precipitation and wind are of particular importance, for example, in evaluating a target to be attacked with DPICM or APAM.

• Commander's criteria. All phases of target analysis are conducted within constraints established by the commander. In determining the precedence for attacking a target, primary consideration should be given to the commander's target priorities. On the basis of ammunition constraints, a commander will also specify the type of effects desired against specific target sets. The three target effects categories are suppression, neutralization, and destruction.

M

S

A

W

5-47. When an FDO decides to attack a target, selection of a weapon-ammunition combination that can achieve the desired effect must incur a minimum expenditure of available ammunition.

Ammunition

5-48. The following are considerations in determining the most suitable ammunition:

• Type and quantity available. The nature of the target, its surroundings, and the desired effects dictate the type and amount of ammunition to be used.

• Troop safety. The FDO must ensure that fires do not endanger friendly troops, equipment, and facilities.

• Residual effects. Residual effects from special ammunition may influence whether a friendly unit can occupy an area. Conditions may be hazardous for supported troops occupying an area immediately after an attack with certain munitions.

• Effectiveness. The FDO must ensure that maximum effectiveness is attained from every mission fired. To match the optimum ammunition type to a target, the FDO must know what damage the ammunition can produce and the damage required to defeat a target.

Weapons

5-49. The following are considerations in determining the most suitable weapons:

• System response time. An FDO must ascertain the urgency of each fire mission and be aware of the status of each launcher.

• Predicted fire capability. The FDO must know the current survey and meteorological status of all firing units under his control.

M

A

5-50. The FDO must select a method of attack that ensures target area coverage and desired target effects:

• Aiming points. Normally, the size of the area to be attacked depends on the size of the target or the size of the area in which the target is known or suspected to be located.

• Density and duration of fires. Intense fires of short duration generally produce the best effects on a target.

M

C

5-51. The battery AFATDS uses the following methods of control:

• Fire when ready (FWR).

• At my command (AMC).

• On call (ONC). Must be changed to another method before execution.

• Time on target (TOT). Uses a time for effects on target.

• Timed when ready (TWR).

• Timed time on target (TTT).

Fire When Ready

5-52. The FWR method of control allows the operator to arm and fire the weapons at his own discretion once the rocket launcher is aimed. The rocket launcher is considered aimed when the launcher is within +/-3 mils of the commanded aimpoint and the rate of rocket launcher movement is less than 20 mils a second.

At My Command

5-53. The AMC method of control provides the battery FDC with the decision of when to fire the munitions. The AMC allows for the automatic execution of the fire mission up to achieving aimpoint.

Once aim-point is reached, the FCS transmits a ready to fire message to FDC and awaits reception of the fire command before continuing. At the appropriate time, FDC transmits an amended call for fire (CFF) containing the fire command. Upon reception of the amended CFF, the FCS prompts the operator to ARM WEAPONS and then FIRE WEAPONS. The fire command may be overridden by placing the arm/safe switch to the ARM position once the ready to fire message has been transmitted.

On Call

5-54. The ONC method of control initially places the FM into inactive target list, this must be amended before sent to the LCHR. The LCHR may also manually enter in an ONC into the LCFCP. The ONC fire mission begins execution when the launcher receives an amended CFF changing this method of control.

The fire mission then begins execution under the amended method of control. The FCS operator can manually execute the ONC mission by pressing the EXECUTE function key in the fire mission option screen. If manually executed, the ONC method of control executes the same as an AMC.

Time on Target

5-55. The TOT method of control is used to deliver munitions onto a target at a specific time. The launcher has 2 countdown clocks to inform the operator when to park and press the launcher lay (LCHR LAY) function key, and when to activate the arm and fire switches. The 2 clocks are based on a single TOT time of day entry. The first clock (CNTDN = NO LATER THAN FOR LCHR LAY) notifies the operator of the latest time the launcher should be parked, and the LCHR LAY key is pressed. This time is equal to the TOT time of day entry minus the current system time, any weapon processing time, nominal launcher module (LM) movement time, the estimated flight time of the munitions, and 20 additional seconds. The countdown clock is updated every second until the LCHR LAY function key is pressed. If the clock reaches 0, it remains at 0 until the LCHR LAY key is pressed. Once the LCHR LAY key is pressed, a second clock (CNTDN = NO EARLIER THAN FOR FIRING) is displayed that notifies the operator when to activate the fire switch. The time displayed on the second countdown clock is calculated by subtracting

the current system time and actual flight time of the rockets from the TOT time. When the fire switch is activated at a countdown clock time of zero seconds, the munitions will arrive on the target at the TOT time.

Timed When Ready

5-56. The TWR is a controlled FWR mission that has a no-later-than (NLT) time that the launcher should be parked and the LCHR LAY function key pressed. Also, a NET and NLT firing clock is provided to inform the operator when the FCS allows the arming and firing of the munitions. The operator is allowed to fire the munitions when the launcher is aimed and the current time of day is between the 2 time-of-day entries.

Timed Time on Target

5-57. The TTT is a modified TOT method of control. The time the weapons are to arrive on target for a TTT is within a window determined by the 2 time-of-day entries that were entered into the FCS.

P

W

E

5-58. One of the most important steps in performing a target analysis is determining the number and type of rounds required to produce the desired effects on a target. (Refer to the joint munitions effectiveness manuals for surface-to-surface weapons [JMEM/SS/JWES].)

MLRS R

E

D

5-59. In close air support, artillery, mortars, and naval gunfire support fires, the term “danger close” is included in the method of engagement segment of a call for fire to indicate that friendly forces are within close proximity of the target. The close proximity distance is determined by the weapon and ammunition fired. The term “danger close” is used when there are friendly troops or positions within a prescribed distance of the target. This is simply a warning, not a restriction, to both the force commander and the FDC to take proper precautions.

5-60. Risk estimate distances allow commanders and FSCOORDs to estimate risk in terms of the probability of friendly causalities that may result from employing weapons against the enemy. Risk estimate distances are defined as the distance, in meters, from the intended point of impact at which a specific degree of vulnerability will not be exceeded. Actual classified risk estimate distances are determined by using the classified joint munitions effectiveness manual surface-to-surface weapons effectiveness systems (JWES) CD (FM 101-63-1-CD).

5-61. Table 5-5 provides unclassified risk estimate data for the currently fielded MLRS munitions. These distances will be used for training only. The data are based on an assumed location error, posture of the friendly troops concerned, and quantity of munitions fired. The range from the MLRS launcher to the target and the munitions type characterize the information presented. Commanders at all levels must determine the risk they are willing to accept for a particular mission or phase of a battle. This risk is specifically defined as the probability of incapacitation (PI) of a soldier. The 1/100 PI value can be interpreted as being less than, or equal to, 1 chance in 1 hundred.

Note: Do not fire DPICM rockets when friendly forces are located beyond the target along the launcher-target line, as rocket debris will extend beyond the target area.

Table 5-5. MLRS Risk Estimate Distances (Training Only)

M39 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000

M39A1 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000

M48 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500