direct fire planning

1. 12 Dec 05 INFANTRY COMPANY DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

2. 12 Dec 05 Direct Fire Control “Suppressing or destroying the enemy with direct fires is fundamental to success in close combat.” FM 3-21.10 DRAFT p. G-1

3. 12 Dec 05 BATTLE COMMAND Art / Science VISUALIZE The Commander’s Vision of the Battle METT-TC ANALYSIS Art / Science Communicating the Vision DESCRIBE ENDSTATE DECISIVE POINT CDR’S INTENT Art/ Science GUIDANCE UNIT PURPOSE DIRECT The CDR Constantly Assesses

4. 12 Dec 05 Agenda Principles of Direct Fire Control Fire Control Process Fire Control Measures Fire Commands Direct Fire Planning Target Acquisition

5. 12 Dec 05 Principles of Fire Control Mass the effects of fire. Destroy the greatest threat first. Avoid target overkill. Employ the best weapon for the target. Minimize friendly exposure. Prevent fratricide. Plan for extreme limited visibility conditions. Develop contingencies for diminished capabilities. Applied correctly, they allow the company team to acquire first and shoot first. FM 3-21.10 DRAFT p g-1

6. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control Process To be successful, units must do two things: 1. Rapidly and accurately acquire the target. 2. Mass the effects of fires. How? Identify probable enemy locations and determine enemy scheme of maneuver. Determine where and how to mass (focus and distribute) fire effects. Orient forces to speed target acquisition. Shift fires to focus or redistribute their effects. FM 3-21.10 DRAFT ANNEX G

8. focusing fires on him

9. distribute effects of fires

10. prevent fratricide

12. threat-basedFM 3-21.10 DRAFT p G-9

13. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control MeasuresTerrain-Based •Target reference point (TRP) •Engagement area •Sector of fire •Direction of fire •Terrain-based quadrant •Friendly-based quadrant •Maximum engagement line (MEL) •Restrictive fire line (RFL) •Final protective line (FPL) Example of terrain-based quadrant

14. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control MeasuresTerrain-Based Friendly-based Quadrant

15. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control MeasuresThreat-Based •Fire patterns •Target array •Engagement priorities •Weapons ready posture •Trigger •Weapons control status •Rules of engagement (ROE) •Weapons safety posture •Engagement techniques

16. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control MeasuresThreat-Based Fire Patterns

17. 12 Dec 05 Fire Control MeasuresThreat-Based Target Array

18. 12 Dec 05 Trigger A specific set of conditions that dictate the initiation of fires Weapons Control Status Weapons Hold Weapons Tight Weapons Free Weapons Safety Posture Ammunition Loaded Ammunition Locked Ammunition Prepared Weapons Cleared Red – Green – Green & Clear Fire Control MeasuresThreat-Based FM 3-21.10 DRAFT Annex G

20. Exhaust smoke

21. Antenna masts

22. Engine, suspension heat sources

23. Dust and reflections

24. Firing signature

25. Spoil