APPENDIX C
STINGRAY EMPLOYMENT
The Stingray can be employed on the battlefield as an adjunct direct-fire system on M2/M3 BFVs. It is a combat protection system that increases the force survivability against threat optical devices. The Stingray can counter multiple ground and aerial threat weapons by detecting and jamming their optical sighting systems during day and night battlefield conditions before the threat system can be used to fire conventional weapons.
C-1. CAPABILITIES AND OPERATION
The Stingray can operate in automatic, semiautomatic, or manual modes depending on the control measures required to protect friendly forces and to obtain the maximum effect on the threat systems. The automatic mode can be used when there is no danger to friendly forces and when there is a large number of enemy systems. The semiautomatic mode can be used when more restrictive control measures are required. The semiautomatic mode restricts the Stingray system to its scanning function until the operator gives the command to fire. The manual mode can be used when control of the system is required either because the situation calls for restricted laser operations for security reasons or because manual mode is required by command restrictions. Manual control also permits rapid reorientation to a new sector when a higher priority threat appears or at the completion of one mission and a change of sector is required.
a. In combat, Stingray-equipped BFVs are employed as an integral part of a larger force. The Stingray-equipped BFV provides the platoon and force the capability to observe, detect, and jam threat ground and aerial targets beyond the direct-fire engagement range of other organic weapon systems. The Stingray-equipped BFV protects the force by jamming known enemy locations and by detecting enemy positions that might otherwise go undetected.
b. The Stingray is be controlled the same as other direct-fire weapons on the battlefield. It will be assigned a sector of fire within the platoon and company sector. Stingray sectors will be included on the BFV range card, and restrictions on the Stingray mode of operation will be noted in the range card remarks section. The platoon leader will employ the system in accordance with the commander's intent and plan.
c. The Stingray will normally be operated in the automatic or semiautomatic mode. There may be situations that require the use of the manual mode. This information will be included in the commander's OPORD to the platoon leader.
C-2. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Stingray-equipped BFVs will assist in protecting the force by overwatching, identifying, and jamming threat optics. In the attack, they can be employed in both the supporting and main attack role. Upon consolidation or reorganization, Stingray-equipped BFVs should be positioned on the most likely avenues of approach to assist in detecting and defeating threat sighting systems.
a. Movement to Contact. During movement, the Stingray should be employed within the platoon formation to provide maximum protection to the platoon. It can be linked with other Stingrays to provide overlapping sectors of coverage. The Stingray can be employed with the overwatch or bounding element during bounding overwatch. In the overwatch, Stingrays operate in the semiautomatic mode to detect the presence of enemy without jamming. On engagement by the enemy, the Stingray can switch to the automatic mode to jam threat systems. Stingrays can operate in the semiautomatic mode when employed with the bounding element, and can be placed in the automatic mode to detect and jam threat systems on contact with the enemy.
b. Attack. In the attack, Stingray-equipped BFVs can be employed with the support-by-fire and assaulting elements.
(1) In the support-by-fire element, Stingrays can be positioned and employed initially as in the overwatch element. On order of the platoon leader, the Stingray can be placed in the automatic mode to suppress targets on the objective. Then, it shifts to another sector to isolate the objective during the maneuver element's assault on the objective.
(2) During a mounted assault, Stingrays can be positioned and employed as in the bounding element. Stingrays are oriented to the vehicle gun line, operating in the automatic mode to detect and jam enemy sights while the crew fights their onboard systems.
(3) During consolidation on the objective, Stingrays are assigned sectors to cover the most critical enemy avenues of approach. During this time, the Stingray operates in the automatic mode.
C-3. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Stingray-equipped BFVs are positioned to take advantage of observation and fields of fire on the most critical avenues of approach to detect and jam targets beyond the normal engagement ranges for threat direct-fire weapons. Platoon Stingray-equipped BFVs are employed as a part of the company defense to protect exposed flanks, unprotected rear, or forward to provide early warning. Stingrays could also be part of a detachment left in contact.
a. The Stingray initially operates in the manual mode while the covering force and screening elements are forward in the security area. It is assigned sectors that will not interfere with the covering force's withdrawal. Once the covering force passes through, the Stingray operates in the semiautomatic mode until contact is made with the enemy. On contact, the Stingray switches to the automatic mode.
b. During a counterattack, the Stingray is employed and operated in the same manner as in the attack.
C-4. SECURITY FORCE OPERATIONS
Platoons with Stingray-equipped BFVs perform security operations as a part of a larger force. They perform missions such as covering force or screen. Stingray-equipped BFVs are positioned to take advantage of observation and fields of fire of the most critical avenues of approach to detect and jam enemy optics.
a. Covering Force Operations. In order to help shape the battle, the Stingray operates in the semiautomatic mode on avenues of approach that the company commander wants the enemy to believe are lightly defended, and in the automatic mode on other enemy avenues of approach. Threat targets are jammed at maximum ranges to deprive the enemy of information about the density and disposition of friendly forces. Once the enemy moves within range, the platoon engages them with other onboard direct-fire systems. At the completion of their mission, the covering force disengages from enemy contact and withdraw through friendly forces in the main battle area. During withdrawal, the Stingrays operate in the automatic mode.
b. Screening Missions. Stingray-equipped platoons routinely perform front, flank, and rear screen missions. Stingrays operates in the semiautomatic mode during these missions and are employed to provide maximum area coverage along the screen line to detect any threat approach. To avoid detection, the Stingray operates in the manual mode.
C-5. RETROGRADE OPERATIONS
Stingray-equipped platoons perform retrograde operations as part of a larger force. In retrograde operations, the platoon participates in either a withdrawal under pressure or a withdrawal not under pressure. A withdrawal under pressure is conducted the same as a covering force withdrawal back through the MBA. A withdrawal not under pressure is conducted when the platoon or force is not in contact with the enemy. A detachment left in contact remains in position while the remainder of the platoon or company withdraws. The DLIC Stingray operates in the automatic mode, and the Stingray in the withdrawing platoon or force operates in the semiautomatic mode with an additional sector oriented toward the expected enemy approach. As the DLIC starts to withdraw, the remainder of the platoon or force provides overwatching fires to cover the DLIC's withdrawal.
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