B-34. Fire control measures are the means by which the platoon leader or subordinate leaders control fires. Application of these concepts, procedures, and techniques assists the unit in acquiring the enemy, focusing fires on him, distributing the effects of the fires, and preventing fratricide and friendly fire. At the same time, no single measure is sufficient to control fires. At the platoon level, fire control measures will be effective only if the entire unit has a common understanding of what they mean and how to employ them. The following discussion focuses on the various fire control measures employed by the Infantry platoon. Table B-1 lists the control measures; it is organized by whether they are terrain-based or threat-based.
Table B-1. Common control measures
B-35. Leaders use terrain-based fire control measures to focus and control fires on a particular point, line, or area rather than on a specific enemy element. The following paragraphs describe the TTP associated with this type of control measure.
Figure B-4. Constructed TRP markers example
Engagement Area
B-37. This fire control measure is an area along an enemy avenue of approach where the leader intends to mass the fires of available weapons to destroy an enemy force. The size and shape of the engagement area is determined by the degree of relatively unobstructed intervisibility available to the unit’s weapons systems in their firing positions and by the maximum range of those weapons. Typically, the platoon leader delineates responsibility within the engagement area by assigning each squad a sector of fire or direction of fire.
Quadrants
B-40. Quadrants are subdivisions of an area created by superimposing an imaginary pair of perpendicular axes over the terrain to create four separate areas or sectors. Establish quadrants on the terrain, friendly forces, or on the enemy formation.
Note. Techniques in which quadrants are based on enemy formations usually are referred to as target array; it is covered in discussion of threat-based fire control measures.
B-41. The method of quadrant numbering is established in the unit SOP; however, care must be taken to avoid confusion when quadrants based on terrain, friendly forces, and enemy formations are used simultaneously.
Terrain-Based Quadrant
B-42. A terrain-based quadrant entails use of a TRP, either existing or constructed, to designate the center point of the axes dividing the area into four quadrants. This technique can be employed in both the offense and defense. In the offense, the platoon leader designates the center of the quadrant using an existing feature or by creating a reference point. For example, using a ground burst illumination round, an obscurant marking round, or a fire ignited by incendiary or tracer rounds. The axes delineating the quadrants run parallel and perpendicular to the direction of movement. In the defense, the platoon leader designates the center of the quadrant using an existing or constructed TRP.
B-43. In examples shown in figure B-5, quadrants are marked using the letter “Q” and a number (Q1 to Q4); quadrant numbers are in the same relative positions as on military map sheets (from Q1 as the upper left-hand quadrant clockwise to Q4 as the lower left-hand quadrant).
Figure B-5. Terrain-based quadrants example
Friendly-Based Quadrant
B-44. The friendly-based quadrant technique entails superimposing quadrants over the unit’s formation. The center point is based on the center of the formation, and axes run parallel and perpendicular to the general direction of travel. For rapid orientation, the friendly quadrant technique may be better than the clock direction method; because different elements of a large formation rarely are oriented in the same exact direction and the relative dispersion of friendly forces causes parallax to the target. Figure B-6 illustrates use of friendly-based quadrants.
Figure B-6. Friendly-based quadrants example
Maximum Engagement Line
B-45. MEL is the linear depiction of the farthest limit of effective fire for a weapon or unit. This line is determined by both the weapons, unit’s maximum effective range and by the effects of terrain. For example, slope, vegetation, structures, and other features provide cover and concealment preventing the weapon from engaging to the maximum effective range. A MEL serves several purposes. The platoon leader can use it to prevent crews from engaging beyond the maximum effective range, to define criteria of the establishment of triggers, and to delineate the maximum extent of sectors on the area of operation sketch.
Restrictive Fire Line
B-46. An RFL is a linear fire control measure beyond which engagement is prohibited without coordination. In the offense, the platoon leader can designate an RFL to prevent a base of fire element from firing into the area where an assaulting element is maneuvering. This technique is particularly important when armored vehicles support the maneuver of rifle squads. In the defense, the platoon leader may establish a RFL to prevent the unit from engaging a friendly rifle squad positioned in restricted terrain on the flank of an avenue of approach.
Final Protective Line
B-47. FPL is a line of fire established where an enemy assault is to be checked by the interlocking fires of all available weapons. The unit reinforces this line with protective obstacles and with final protective fires whenever possible. Initiation of the final protective fires is the signal for elements, crews, and individual Soldiers to shift fires to their assigned portion of the FPL. They spare no ammunition in repelling the enemy assault, a particular concern for medium machine guns and other automatic weapons.
B-48. The platoon leader uses threat-based fire control measures to focus and control fires by directing the unit to engage a specific enemy element rather than to fire on a point or area. The following paragraphs describe the TTP associated with this type of control measure.
Rules of Engagement
B-49. ROE specify the circumstances and limitations under which forces may engage; they include definitions of combatant and noncombatant elements and prescribe the treatment of noncombatants. Factors influencing ROE are national command policy, mission, commander’s intent, the operational environment, and the law of war. ROE always recognize a Soldier’s right of self-defense; while at the same time, they clearly define circumstances in which he may fire.
B-50. For example, during a cordon and search mission, the command may establish a weapons control status of WEAPONS TIGHT for antiarmor weapons. The commander does this because higher command directives explicitly restrict the use of antiarmor weapons as an explosive breach technique.
Weapons Ready Posture
B-51. Weapons ready posture is the selected ammunition and range for individual and crew-served weapons in rifle squads. It is a means by which leaders use their mission analysis to specify the ammunition and range of the most probable anticipated engagement. Ammunition selection depends on the target type, but the leader may adjust it based on engagement priorities, desired effects, and effective range. Range selection depends on the anticipated engagement range; it is affected by terrain intervisibility, weather, and light conditions. Within the platoon, weapons ready posture affects the types and quantities of ammunition loaded in ready boxes, stowed in ready racks, and carried by rifle squads. The following considerations apply:
B-54. When setting and adjusting the weapons safety posture, the platoon leader must weigh the desire to prevent accidental discharges against the requirement for immediate action based on the enemy threat. If the threat of direct contact is high, the platoon leader could establish the weapons safety posture as AMMUNITION LOADED. If the requirement for action is less immediate, he might lower the posture to AMMUNITION LOCKED or AMMUNITION PREPARED. Additionally, the platoon leader can designate different weapons safety postures for different elements of the unit.
Table B-2. Weapons safety posture levels
B-56. As an example, the platoon leader may establish the weapons control status as WEAPONS HOLD when friendly forces are conducting a passage of lines. By maintaining situational understanding of his own elements and adjacent friendly forces, however, he may be able to lower the weapons control status. In such a case, the platoon leader may be able to set a WEAPONS FREE status when he knows there are no friendly elements in the vicinity of the engagement. This permits his elements to engage targets at extended ranges even though it is difficult to distinguish targets accurately at ranges beyond 2000 meters under battlefield conditions. Another consideration is the weapons control status are extremely important for forces using combat identification systems. Establishing the weapons control status as WEAPONS FREE permits leaders to engage an unknown target when they fail to get a friendly response.
Trigger
B-58. A trigger is a specific set of conditions dictating initiation of fires. Often referred to as engagement criteria, a trigger specifies the circumstances in which subordinate elements should engage. The circumstances can be based on a friendly or enemy event. For example, the trigger for a friendly platoon to initiate engagement could be three or more enemy combat vehicles passing or crossing a given point or line. This line can be natural or man-made linear feature, such as a road, ridge line, or stream. It also may be a line perpendicular to the unit’s orientation, delineated by one or more reference points.
Point Fire
B-60. Entails concentrating the effects of a unit’s fire against a specific, identified target such as a vehicle, machine gun bunker, or antitank guided missile (ATGM) position. When leaders direct point fire, all of the unit’s weapons engage the target, firing until it is destroyed or the required time of suppression has expired. Employing converging fires from dispersed positions makes point fire more effective because the target is engaged from multiple directions. The unit may initiate an engagement using point fire against the most dangerous threat, and revert to area fire against other, less threatening point targets.
Note. Use of point fire is fairly rare because a unit seldom encounters a single, clearly identified enemy weapon.
Area Fire
B-61. Involves distributing the effects of a unit’s fire over an area in which enemy positions are numerous or are not obvious. If the area is large, leaders assign sectors of fire to subordinate elements using a terrain-based distribution method such as the quadrant technique. Typically, the primary purpose of the area fire is suppression; however, sustaining suppression requires judicious control of the rate of fire.
Simultaneous Fire
B-62. To rapidly mass the effects of their fires or to gain fire superiority. For example, a unit may initiate a support by fire operation with simultaneous fire, then, revert to alternating or sequential fire to maintain suppression. Simultaneous fire also is employed to negate the low probability of the hit and kill of certain antiarmor weapons. For example, a rifle squad may employ simultaneous fire with its M136 AT4 series to ensure rapid destruction of an enemy armored fighting vehicle engaging a friendly position.
Alternating Fire
B-63. Pairs of elements continuously engage the same point or area target one at a time. For example, an Infantry company may alternate fires of two platoons; an Infantry platoon may alternate the fires of its squads; or an Infantry platoon may alternate the fires of a pair of medium machine guns. Alternating fire permits the unit to maintain suppression for a longer duration than does volley fire; it also forces the enemy to acquire and engage alternating points of fire.
Observed Fire
B-64. Usually is used when the platoon is in protected defensive positions with engagement ranges in excess of 2500 meters for stabilized systems and 1500 meters for unstabilized systems. It can be employed between elements of the platoon, such as the squad lasing and observing while the weapons squad engages. The platoon leader directs one squad to engage. The remaining squads observe fires and prepare to engage on order in case the engaging element consistently misses its targets, experiences a malfunction, or runs low on ammunition. Observed fire allows for mutual observation and assistance while protecting the location of the observing elements.
Sequential Fire
B-65. Entails the subordinate elements of a unit engaging the same point or area target one after another in an arranged sequence. Sequential fire also can help to prevent the waste of ammunition, as when a platoon waits to see the effects of the first Javelin before firing another. Additionally, sequential fire permits elements already have fired to pass on information they have learned from the engagement. An example would be a Soldier who missed an enemy armored fighting vehicle with M136 AT4 series fires passing range and lead information to the next Soldier preparing to engage the enemy armored fighting vehicle with an M136 AT4 series.
Time of Suppression
B-66. Is the period, specified by the platoon leader, during which an enemy position or force is required to be suppressed. Suppression time is typically dependent on the time it will take a supported element to maneuver. Usually, a unit suppresses an enemy position using the sustained rate of fire of its automatic weapons. In planning for sustained suppression, a leader must consider several factors: the estimated time of suppression, the size of the area being suppressed, the type of enemy force to be suppressed, range to the target, rates of fire, and available ammunition quantities.
Reconnaissance by Fire
B-67. Is the process of engaging possible enemy locations to elicit a tactical response, such as return fire or movement? This response permits the platoon leader and subordinate leaders to make target acquisition and to mass fires against the enemy element. Typically, the platoon leader directs a subordinate element to conduct the reconnaissance by fire. For example, he may direct an overwatching squad to conduct the reconnaissance by fire against a probable enemy position before initiating movement by a bounding element.
B-69. Leaders may initiate frontal fire when targets are arrayed in front of the unit in a lateral configuration. Weapons systems engage targets to their respective fronts. For example, the left flank weapon engages the left-most target; the right flank weapon engages the right-most target. As weapons systems destroy targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation from near too far.
B-70. Leaders initiate cross fire when targets are arrayed laterally across the unit’s front in a manner permitting diagonal fires at the enemy’s flank, or when obstructions prevent unit weapons from firing frontally. Right flank weapons engage the left-most targets; left flank weapons engage the right-most targets. Firing diagonally across an EA provides more flank shots, thus increasing the chance of kills; it also reduces the possibility of the enemy detecting friendly elements should the enemy continue to move forward. As friendly elements destroy targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.
B-71. Leaders initiate depth fire when enemy targets disperse in-depth, perpendicular to the unit. Center weapons engage the closest targets; flank weapons engage deeper targets. As the unit destroys targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.
Figure B-7. Fire patterns examples
Target Array
B-72. Target array enables the leader to distribute fires when the enemy force is concentrated and terrain-based controls are inadequate. Forces create this threat-based distribution measure by superimposing a quadrant pattern on the enemy formation. Soldiers center the pattern the enemy formation, with the axes running parallel and perpendicular to the enemy’s direction of travel. The target array fire control measure is effective against an enemy with a well-structured organization and standardized doctrine. However, it may prove less effective against an enemy presenting few organized formations, or does not follow strict prescribed tactics. Leaders describe quadrants using the quadrants’ relative locations. The examples in figure B-8 illustrate the target array technique.
Figure B-8. Target array examples
