A-2. When executing direct fires, leaders must know how to apply several fundamental principles. The purpose of the principles of direct fire is not to restrict the actions of subordinates. Applied correctly, they help the platoon to accomplish its primary goal indirect fire engagements both to acquire first and shoot first. These principles give subordinates the freedom to act quickly upon acquisition of the enemy. This discussion focuses on the following principles:
- Destroy the greatest threat first.
- Mass the effects of direct fire.
- Employ the best weapon for the specific target.
- Avoid target overkill.
- Minimize exposure.
- Plan and implement control measures.
- Plan for limited visibility conditions.
- Plan for degraded capabilities.
Destroy The Greatest Threat First
A-3. The order in which the platoon engages enemy forces is in direct relation to the danger they present. The threat posed by the enemy depends on the weapons, range, and positioning. Presented with multiple targets, a unit will, in almost all situations, initially concentrate fires to destroy the greatest threat first and then distribute fires over the remainder of the enemy force. What constitutes the greatest threat will vary with the situation. For instance, while enemy vehicles or crew-served weapons are normally the most dangerous, an enemy rifle squad in position to flank a defending platoon would become the most dangerous threat. Friendly direct fire planning must be able to shift, focus and distribute direct fires over the width and depth of the anticipated area of operations (AO).
Mass The Effects Of Direct Fire
A-4. The platoon must mass its fires to achieve decisive results. Massing entails focusing fires at critical points and distributing the effects. Random application of fires is unlikely to have a decisive effect. For example, concentrating the platoon’s fires at a single target may ensure its destruction or suppression; however, that fire control technique its unlikely to achieve a decisive effect on the enemy formation or position. Leaders must direct their formations’ fires through careful planning and rehearsal of direct fire control measures and establish appropriate rates of fire to achieve mass.
Employ The Best Weapon For The Specific Target
A-5. Using the appropriate weapon increases the probability of rapid enemy destruction or suppression; at the same time, it saves ammunition. Leaders have many weapons with which to engage the enemy. Target type, range, and exposure are vital factors in determining the weapon and ammunition being employed, as are weapons and ammunition availability and desired targets effects. Additionally, leaders should consider individual crew capabilities when deciding on the employment of weapons. The platoon leader arrays forces based on the terrain, enemy, and desired effects of fires. As an example, when a platoon leader expects an enemy dismounted assault in restricted terrain, the platoon leader would employ subordinate squads, taking advantage of their ability to engage numerous fast-moving targets.
Avoid Target Overkill
A-6. Use only the amount of fire required to achieve necessary effects. Target overkill wastes ammunition and ties up weapons better employed acquiring and engaging other targets. The idea of having every weapon engage a different target, however, must be tempered by the requirement to destroy the greatest threats first. Two simple ways to minimize overkill are with sectors of fire, and by establishing fire patterns. Establishing primary and secondary sectors of fire ensures direct fires are planned throughout the width of the area. Leaders ensure that Soldiers first engage targets in their assigned primary sector and then engage targets in their secondary sector if their primary sector is clear. Soldiers should not engage outside of these sectors unless directed to. Utilizing one of the standard fire patterns (frontal, cross, or depth) acts similarly to an assigned sector, but also controls the sequence of targets to be engaged. For instance, in frontal fires, the right-most Soldier engages the right-most target first and works inwards. In prepared defensive positions with frontal cover, the default fire pattern is almost always a cross pattern which interlocks with adjacent fighting positions.
Minimize Friendly Exposure
A-7. Units increase their survivability by exposing themselves to the enemy only to the extent necessary to engage the enemy. Natural or man-made defilade provides the best cover from lethal direct fire munitions. Infantry Soldiers minimize their exposure by constantly seeking available cover, attempting to engage the enemy from the flank, remaining dispersed, firing from multiple positions, and limiting engagement times.
Plan And Implement Control Measures
A-8. The leader has numerous tools to assist in the planning and implementation of controlling direct fires. These tools include graphic control measures for friendly forces, engagement criteria, identification training for combat vehicles and aircraft, unit weapons safety posture, weapons control status, recognition markings, and a situational understanding to include standard range cards, area sketches, and rehearsals. Knowledge and employment of applicable control measures and rules of engagement are the primary means of preventing fratricide and noncombatant casualties.
Note. Because it is difficult to distinguish between friendly and enemy dismounted Soldiers, small-unit leaders must constantly monitor positions of friendly squads.
Plan For Limited Visibility Conditions
A-9. At night, limited visibility fire control equipment enables the platoon to engage enemy forces at nearly the same ranges that are applicable during the day. Obscurants such as dense fog, heavy obscuration, and blowing sand, however, can reduce the capabilities of thermal and infrared equipment. Leaders should develop contingency plans for such extreme limited visibility conditions. Although decreased acquisition capabilities have minimal effect on area fire, point target engagements likely will occur at decreased ranges. Typically, firing positions, whether offensive or defensive, must be adjusted closer to the area or point where the leader intends to focus fires. Another alternative is the use of visual or infrared illumination when there is insufficient ambient light for passive light intensification devices. While night vision capabilities can deliver high accuracy, their use can be hazardous. The use of tracers, lasers, infrared illuminators, or even the glow of unshielded optics can be detected by peer forces and then targeted for fires. Additionally, the use of optics tends to significantly limit peripheral vision by both individuals and units. Leaders must ensure that their forces deliberately widen their scan to reduce tunnel-vision and observe the full width of assigned sectors.
Note. Vehicles (when attached) equipped with thermal sights can assist squads in detecting and engaging enemy infantry forces in conditions such as heavy obscurants and low illumination.
Plan For Degraded Capabilities
A-10. Leaders initially develop plans based on their units’ maximum capabilities; they make backup plans for implementation in the event of casualties or weapon damage or failure. While leaders cannot anticipate or plan for every situation, they should develop plans for what they view as the most probable occurrences. Building redundancy into these plans, such as having two systems observe the same AO, is an invaluable asset when the situation (and number of available systems) permits. Designating secondary sectors of fire provide a means of shifting fires if adjacent elements are knocked out of action.
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