Fires brigade: Difference between revisions
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz No edit summary |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz |
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Some heavy brigades also include [[M109 howitzer]]s. | Some heavy brigades also include [[M109 howitzer]]s. | ||
===Target acquisition=== | ===Target acquisition=== | ||
Target acquisition batteries are likely to be supplemented with additional [[counterbattery]] radars | Target acquisition batteries' base equipment includes [[TPQ-46|AN/TPQ-46]]short range and [[AN/TPQ-37]] long range counterbattery radars. are likely to be supplemented with additional [[counterbattery]] radars, and a [[geophysical MASINT]] sensor, the [[Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor]] (UTAMS). | ||
===Brigade support battalion=== | ===Brigade support battalion=== | ||
This unit operates operates an Ammunition Transfer holding Point (ATHP) in the brigade support | This unit operates operates an Ammunition Transfer holding Point (ATHP) in the brigade support |
Revision as of 14:34, 19 February 2011
Under the restructuring of the United States Army initiatives, when Brigade Combat Teams replaced divisions as the primary maneuver unit, those division artillery resources that did not decentralize to the BCTs were placed in fires brigades. The original intent had been to assign both kinetic (ie., physically destructive) artillery as well as non-kinetic resources such as electronic warfare to them,[1] but the deployed form has only kinetic means as well as resources that support them in target acquisition. Army electronic warfare is restricted to signals intelligence collection and the coordination of electronic attack by other services.[2]
Ten to twelve such brigades are planned, half active and half reserve. Now-flexible division headquarters typically would control two fires brigades.
Some of the functions previously under DIVARTY, such as 105mm howitzers in light units and 155mm howitzers in heavy units, decentralized to the BCT. In light units, 155mm support remains at the fires brigade, which is focused less on direct support and more planning and execution for joint fire support operations. Its capabilities to affect the enemy emphasized newer systems to carry out precision-strikes, counterstrikes and shaping, which utilized lethal and non-lethal means.
Organization
In general, these brigades are organized in heavy and light versions, a typical organization of which is shown below. The only constant firing unit is a rocket/missile battalion, with either MLRS or HIMARS. Their headquarters are intended to control one to six firing battalions.
Some heavy brigades also include M109 howitzers. Target acquisitionTarget acquisition batteries' base equipment includes AN/TPQ-46short range and AN/TPQ-37 long range counterbattery radars. are likely to be supplemented with additional counterbattery radars, and a geophysical MASINT sensor, the Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS). Brigade support battalionThis unit operates operates an Ammunition Transfer holding Point (ATHP) in the brigade support area (BSA), and a Quartermaster Collection Company (MA) for Mortuary Affairs Support. The BSBs of the Fires Brigade contains a headquarters and headquarters company, a distribution company, a field maintenance company, and Forward Support Companies (FSC) designed to support the particular type of field artillery battalion of which the brigade is comprised (i.e., Paladin, MLRS, towed). It does not contain a medical company.[3] Current usesConcern has been expressed that fires brigades receive inadequate field experience, when the main Army missions are counterinsurgency and counterterrorism.[4] References
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