Fires brigade: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
No edit summary
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
No edit summary
Line 14: Line 14:


Some of the functions previously under DIVARTY, such as [[105mm howitzer]]s in light units and [[155mm howitzer]]s 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.
Some of the functions previously under DIVARTY, such as [[105mm howitzer]]s in light units and [[155mm howitzer]]s 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. Their headquarters are intended to control one to six firing battalions.  
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.  
<hr>
<hr>


Line 35: Line 35:
<center>''future [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] battery''</center>
<center>''future [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] battery''</center>
<hr>
<hr>
Some heavy brigades also include [[M109 howitzer]]s. Target acquisition batteries are likely to be supplemented with additional [[counterbattery]] radars such as the [[TPQ-37|AN/TPQ-37]], and a [[geophysical MASINT]] sensor, the Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS).
Some heavy brigades also include [[M109 howitzer]]s.  
===Target acquisition===
Target acquisition batteries are likely to be supplemented with additional [[counterbattery]] radars such as the [[TPQ-37|AN/TPQ-37]], and a [[geophysical MASINT]] sensor, the Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS).
===Brigade support battalion===
<ref>{{citation
| url = http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm4-90.pdf
| title = FM 4-90 (FM 4-90.7) Brigade Support Battalion
  | date = August 2010 | publisher = U.S. Army
}}</ref>
==Current uses==
==Current uses==
Concern has been expressed that fires brigades receive inadequate field experience, when the main Army missions are [[counterinsurgency]] and [[counterterrorism]].<ref>{{citation
Concern has been expressed that fires brigades receive inadequate field experience, when the main Army missions are [[counterinsurgency]] and [[counterterrorism]].<ref>{{citation

Revision as of 18:39, 18 February 2011

This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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. Electronic warfare is restricted to signals intelligence collection and coordination of electronic attcackk 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.


Heavy

Heavy
Target Acquisition Battery
Signal company
Brigade Special Troops Battalion
future unmanned aerial vehicle battery

Some heavy brigades also include M109 howitzers.

Target acquisition

Target acquisition batteries are likely to be supplemented with additional counterbattery radars such as the AN/TPQ-37, and a geophysical MASINT sensor, the Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS).

Brigade support battalion

[3]

Current uses

Concern has been expressed that fires brigades receive inadequate field experience, when the main Army missions are counterinsurgency and counterterrorism.[4]

References

  1. Samuel R. White, Jr. (November-December 2005), "The Fires Brigade: Not Your Daddy’s FFA HQ", Field Artillery Magazine
  2. FM3-36, Electronic Warfare in Operations, Department of the Army, 2009
  3. FM 4-90 (FM 4-90.7) Brigade Support Battalion, U.S. Army, August 2010
  4. John C. Hale (1 January 2010), "Eating Soup with a Spoon: The employment of Fires brigades in the Global War on Terrorism", Fires