A-11. Leaders plan direct fires as part of the troop leading procedures (TLP). Determining where and how the platoon and subordinate units can and will mass fires is an essential step as leaders develop their concept of operations.
Employment Of Direct Fires
A-12. A field of fire is the area that a weapon or group of weapons may cover effectively from a given position (FM 3-90). In selecting a position, a unit must balance how the field of fire will best gain an advantage while simultaneously providing cover and mitigating the effect of the enemy’s weapons systems. (See figure A-1.)
Figure A-1. Field of fire control measure symbol
Orient, Focus, Distribute, And Shift Fires
A-13. Leaders plan direct fires to be able to command and control their fire. Determining where and how they can mass fires is an essential step in the process for planning direct fires in both the offense and defense. This planning must enable leaders to orient, focus, distribute, and shift their direct fires in execution.
A-14. Orienting fires allows the leader to effectively engage the enemy with direct fires. The plan must allow friendly forces to acquire enemy elements rapidly and accurately. Orienting friendly forces on probable enemy locations and on likely avenues of approach speeds target acquisition. Conversely, failure to orient subordinate elements results in slower acquisition, greatly increases the likelihood that enemy forces can engage first.
A-15. Leaders determine points or areas to focus combat power after identifying probable enemy locations. The leader’s visualization of where and how the enemy may attack or defend enables the leader to determine the volume of fire necessary at points to have a decisive effect. Leaders establish weapons ready postures for the unit as well as triggers for initiating fires based on where and how they want to focus. Leaders evaluate the risk of fratricide and establish controls to prevent it (see paragraphs A-30to A-31). Control measures, although not inclusive, include the designation of recognition markings, weapons safety posture (see paragraph A-57), and weapons control status (WCS) (see paragraph A-59).
A-16. Distribution of fires enables the firing unit to distribute the effects of fires throughout the width and depth of the enemy array. Shifting fires means the ability to shift fires from one area to another area rapidly. In the defense these are typically planned areas; however, in the offense, they may be ad hoc. Leaders typically shift the focus or distribution of fires from one area to another in response to an emerging threat or a changed enemy formation.
A-17. Leaders shift fires to refocus and redistribute the effects based on the evolving estimate of the situation as the engagement proceeds. Situational awareness becomes an essential part of the fire control process at this point. Leaders apply the same techniques and considerations, including fire control measures that they used earlier to focus fires.
Planning Techniques
A-18. Based on where and how they want to focus and distribute fires, leaders can establish the weapons ready postures of their elements as well as triggers for initiating fires. During mission preparation, leaders plan, and conduct rehearsals of direct fires (and of the fire control process) based on the mission variables of METT-TC (I) mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, civil considerations, and informational considerations.
A-19. The leaders plan direct fires in conjunction with development of their mission analysis and completion of the plan. Determining where and how leaders can and will mass fires are also essential steps as leaders develop their concept of operations.
A-20. After identifying probable enemy locations, leaders determine the points or a reason the ground where they can focus combat power against the enemy. Their visualization of where and how the enemy will attack or defend assists them in determining enemy locations and the volume of fire against the enemy to have a decisive effect. If they intend to mass the fires of more than one subordinate element, leaders must establish the means for distributing fires.
A-21. Based on where and how they want to focus and distribute fires, leaders can then establish the weapons ready postures for platoon elements as well as triggers for initiating fires. Additionally, they must evaluate the risk of fratricide and establish controls to prevent it; these measures include the designation of recognition markings, WCS, and weapons safety posture.
A-22. After determining where and how they will mass and distribute fires, leaders then must orient elements so they can rapidly and accurately acquire the enemy. They also can war-game the selected course of action (COA) or concept of operations to determine probable requirements for refocusing and redistributing fires and to establish other required controls. During mission preparation, leaders plan and conduct rehearsals of direct fires (and of the fire control process) based on their mission analysis.
A-23. Leaders must continue to apply planning procedures and considerations throughout execution. They must be able to adjust direct fires based on a continuously updated mission analysis, combining situational awareness with the latest available intelligence products and assessments. When necessary, they also must apply direct fire SOPs, which are covered in the following discussion.
Standard Operating Procedures
A-24. A well-rehearsed direct fire SOP ensures quick, predictable actions by all members of the platoon. Leaders base the various elements of the SOP on the capabilities of their forces and on anticipated conditions and situations. SOP elements should include standing means for focusing fires, distributing their effects, orienting forces, and preventing fratricide. The platoon leader should adjust the direct fire SOP whenever changes to anticipated and actual METT-TC (I) become apparent.
A-25. If the platoon leader does not issue other instructions, the squads begin the engagement using the SOP. Subsequently, the platoon leader can use a fire command to refocus or redistribute fires. The following paragraphs discuss specific SOP provisions for orienting forces, orienting fires, focusing fires, distributing fires, shifting fires, and preventing fratricide.
Orienting Forces and Fires
A-26. A standard means of orienting friendly forces is to assign a principal direction of fire (known as PDF), using a target reference point (TRP), to orient each element on a probable enemy position or likely avenue of approach. To provide all-around security, the SOP can supplement the PDF with sectors using a friendly-based quadrant. The following example SOP elements illustrate the use of these techniques:
- The center (front) squad’s PDF is TRP 2 (center) until otherwise specified; the squad is responsible for the front two quadrants.
- The left flank squad’s PDF is TRP 1 (left) until otherwise specified; the squad is responsible for the left two friendly quadrants (overlapping with the center squad).
- The right flank squad’s PDF is TRP 3 (right) until otherwise specified; the squad is responsible for the right two friendly quadrants (overlapping with the center squad).
Focusing Fires
A-27. TRPs are a common means of focusing fires. One technique is to establish a standard respective position for TRPs in relation to friendly elements and to number TRPs consistently, such as from left to right. This allows leaders to determine and communicate the location of a TRP quickly.
Distributing Fires
A-28. Three useful means of distributing the platoon’s fires are TRPs, engagement priorities, and target array. While single TRPs (see paragraph A-41) allow leaders to focus fires, leaders can distribute fires by designating TRPs as the left and right limits of a squad’s fires. For instance, 1st Squad covers from TRP 1 to TRP 2. Leaders can designate engagement priority (see paragraph A-61), by type of enemy vehicle or weapon, for each type of friendly weapons system. The target array technique (see paragraph A-76) can assist in distribution by assigning specific friendly elements to engage enemy elements of approximately similar capabilities.
Shifting Fires
A-29. Leaders establish standards to designate the shifting of fires. For example, the support element shifts fires as directed or in accordance with established standards, shifting fire forward of the assault element as it moves across the objective or to the flanks of targets or areas. Additionally, leaders establish triggers for shifting fires (or ceasing) based on battlefield events such as the movement of enemy or friendly forces. One standard is the use of a minimum safe line when a friendly element, such as a breach force, is moving toward an area of indirect fires. As the element approaches the minimum safe line, observers call for fires shift (or cease), allowing the friendly force to move safely in the danger area (see figure 4-9 on page 4-52). In the defense, designating secondary sectors of fire provide a means of shifting fires if adjacent elements are knocked out of action.
Preventing Fratricide
A-30. A primary means of minimizing fratricide risk is to establish a standing WCS (see paragraphs A-59 and A-60). The SOP also must dictate ways of identifying friendly rifle squads and other dismounted elements; techniques include using an infrared light source or detonating an obscuration grenade of a designated color at the appropriate time. Minimizing the risk of fratricide in the platoon can be accomplished through command and control systems (if equipped); however, this does not supplant the platoon leader’s responsibility to plan for fratricide prevention.
A-31. Finally, the SOP must address the most critical requirement of fratricide prevention maintaining situational awareness. It must direct subordinate leaders to inform the platoon leader, adjacent elements, and subordinates whenever a friendly force is moving or preparing to move. Leaders must be especially cognizant of the heightened risk of fratricide when friendly elements enter or exit friendly lines, or when security elements, engineers, or other elements operate forwards of, or to the rear of, defensive positions. This information must always be disseminated to all levels.
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