PRINCIPLES
OF THE FIRE SUPPORT SYSTEM
The fire support system is made up of a diversity of lethal and non-lethal systems. In spite of the wide variety of tactics, techniques, and procedures, all elements of the fire support system have a common foundation that allows the FSCOORD to bring to bear the devastating effects of available weapons on the enemy.
The foundation of the fire support system is built on eleven principles common to each element of fire support at all levels. These principles which follow provide the framework for employing indirect fires in support of the maneuver, regardless of the delivery system.
| TYPE WEAPON | MINIMUM RANGE (METERS) | MAXIMUM RANGE (METERS) | MAXIMUM RANGE RAP (METERS) | MAXIMUM FPF WIDTH (METERS) | WEIGHT (POUNDS) | RATE
OF FIRE (ROUNDS/MINUTE) | MAXIMUM | SUSTAINED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60-mm
mortar (lightweight) | 50 | 3500 | NA | 70 | 45 | 30 | 15 |
| 81-mm mortar | 70 | 4595 | NA | 100 | 95 | 20 | 8 |
| 81-mm
mortar (3) improved | 100 | 5730 | NA | 100 | 93 | 35 | 15 |
| 107-mm
mortar HE M329A1 HE M329A2 | 920 770 | 5650 6840 | NA | 300 | 672 | 18 | 3 |
| 105-mm
(M119) | 14000 | 15000 | 200 | 3898 | 6 | 3 | |
| 105-mm (M102) | 11500 | 15100 | 200 | 3171 | 10 | 3 | |
| 105-mm (M1001A1) | 11000 | 14500 | 200 | 4980 | 10 | 3 | |
| 155-mm (M114A1/A2) | 14600 | 19400 | 300 | 12700 | 4 | 1 | |
| 155-mm
SP (M109A1/A2/A3) | 18100 | 23500 | 300 | 53940 (55000 A2/A3) | 4 | 1 | |
| 155-mm (M198) | 18100 | 30000 | 300 | 15800 | 4 | Varies | |
| 203-mm (M110A2) | 22900 | 30000 | 62500 | 1.5 | 0.5 | ||
| MLRS (M270) | 8000 | 30000 | NA | NA | 54600 | 12 | (Rockets) |
PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORT
The mission of the maneuver force will determine the fire support required for success. The maneuver commander must decide how fire support will facilitate his operational goals and objectives. Tailor fire support to provide for needs of the force.
PLAN EARLY AND CONTINUOUSLY
Fire support planning must begin when the mission is received by the maneuver commander and continue throughout the entire battle. Fire support planning cannot cease once the execution of a plan begins.
Effective fire support requires constant evaluation to ensure that the intent of the maneuver commander is achieved. The maneuver commander must understand he is responsible for the effectiveness of the fire support plan just as he is responsible for the success of the maneuver plan.
EXPLOIT ALL AVAILABLE TARGETING ASSETS
Targeting intelligence is available from many sources at all echelons. The intelligence gathered by the maneuver force and fire support sources is invaluable to each other and to the force commander.
Targeting intelligence must be aggressively sought out, continually evaluated against the attack criteria established by the maneuver commander, and routed to the appropriate fire support delivery system for engagement.
USE ALL LETHAL AND NON-LETHAL FlRE SUPPORT MEANS
The fire support system is composed of both lethal and non-lethal weapons systems. The lethal fire support system includes the maneuver force mortars, attack helicopters, close air support, and naval gunfire as well as indirect fires of the field artillery.
Non-lethal assets include electronic warfare systems that can be integrated into the fire support plan to disrupt or deny enemy command and control nodes beyond the range of lethal fire support systems.
Together, the variety of fire support means provides the maneuver commander with a broad spectrum of tools that can be employed against the enemy.
USE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS
Do not hunt a bear with a BB gun or a fly with a shotgun. Targets must be evaluated and attacked with the most effective means. This may require that one or more types of delivery systems be employed to attack a target.
When attacking a command and control facility, consideration should be given to employing electronic warfare systems in conjunction with indirect fire systems. Likewise, when attacking a mobile target, use aviation assets to force targets into engagement areas and to attack those enemy elements that attempt to escape the effects of other fire support systems.
USE THE LOWEST ECHELON CAPABLE OF FURNISHING EFFECTIVE SUPPORT
A good carpenter will select the proper tools for a job. This same principle applies to fire support. Select the method of attacking targets to most effectively achieve the criteria established by the maneuver commander.
FURNISH THE TYPE OF SUPPORT THAT IS REQUESTED
The maneuver commander establishes the criteria for attacking targets. All members of the fire support team must understand the importance of every target that is processed. Do not ignore requests for fires that exceed the capabilities of the fire support system.
AVOID UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION
Fire support is not an unlimited commodity. Targets must be attacked with, and by, whatever fire support systems are necessary to meet the criteria established by the maneuver commander. Using multiple means to attack a target is not duplication if that is the most effective method of attack.
PROVIDE RAPID COORDINATION
Coordination is essential to success. The locations of the supported units, the plans of the maneuver force, the locations and status of the fire support elements, the fire support coordination measures, and guidance of the maneuver commander must be continually updated, evaluated and coordinated throughout the entire battle. Establish and maintain communications channels to ensure that the needs of the force are met.
PROVIDE FOR FLEXIBILITY
The successful chess player is the one who is able to anticipate the moves of the opponent well before his opponent anticipates his. The maneuver commander, FSCOORD and battle staff must anticipate the dynamics of the battlefield and prepare decisive actions for each enemy reaction.
COORDINATE AIRSPACE
The battlefield is a multi-dimensional area. To provide effective fire support, the maneuver commander must maintain the ability to simultaneously engage targets with multiple fire support systems throughout the battle. The trajectories and lethal effects of the munitions present a hazard to friendly aircraft operating over the battlefield. Coordination and planning of fire control measures is key to maintaining fires and minimizing the risk to friendly aviation assets.
Table
of Contents
The
Fire Support Process
Fire
Support Planning
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