View the complete version here: www.amazon.com/dp/1533408491

Previous: B-9: Develop Contingencies

B-10. To bring direct fires against an enemy force, leaders must continuously apply the steps of the fire control process. At the heart of this process are two critical actions: rapid, accurate target acquisition and massing of fire to achieve decisive effects on the target. Target acquisition is the detection, identification, and location of a target in sufficient detail to permit the employment of weapons. Massing entails focusing fires at critical points and distributing the fires for optimum effect.

B-11. The following discussion examines target acquisition and massing of fires using these basic steps of the fire control process:

• Identify probable enemy locations and determine the enemy scheme of maneuver.
• Determine where and how to mass fires.
• Orient forces to speed target acquisition.
• Shift fires to refocus or redistribute.

Next: B-12: Identify Probable Enemy Locations and Determine the Enemy Scheme of Maneuver

Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad