The infantry leader must be knowledgeable of the capabilities, limitations, dangers, and effects of the armor weapon systems in support of his missions. The figure below shows the difference in the capabilities of the BFV and the M1A1/A2 tank with regard to fields of fire on urban terrain. Note that the BFV can engage a target 9 to 10 stories high at 20 meters, whereas an M1A1/A2 tank requires 90 meters.
Bradley Fighting Vehicles. The primary role of the BFV in most environments is to provide suppressive fires, breach exterior walls, destroy enemy fortifications, and provide shock to the enemy. The vehicle’s armor-piercing rounds can penetrate concrete up to 16 inches thick and can easily penetrate brick structures. It is highly effective against earthen- and sandbag-reinforced structures. The BFV can elevate its 25mm gun to about +60 degrees and depress the gun to about -10 degrees. The crew has limited visibility to the sides and rear and no visibility to the top when buttoned up. The BFV can be outfitted with an external phone hookup for communications with accompanying infantry. The 25mm gun, firing armor-piercing (AP), high-explosive (HE), and even target practice––tracer (TP-T) rounds, can be used effectively against enemy-occupied buildings and fortifications.
M1-Series Tanks. Normally, the primary ammunition for the main gun in the urban and restricted terrain environments is the high-explosive antitank (HEAT) round. It is the most effective against masonry and will penetrate all but the thickest reinforced concrete. A HEAT round will create a hole in masonry or concrete large enough for a man to fit through, but will not cut the reinforcing steel bars. HEAT is also effective against earthen- and sandbag-reinforced strongpoints, most bunkers, and fighting positions. Multipurpose antitank (MPAT) rounds will penetrate masonry and concrete but are less effective than HEAT rounds against heavier structures. Sabot ammunition has limited use against nonvehicular targets, and its discarding petals endanger accompanying infantry. Sabot petals create a hazard area extending 70 meters on either side of the gun target line for a distance of 1 kilometer. The external M2 heavy barrel (HB) .50-cal. MG can elevate to +36 degrees; however, to fire the .50-cal. on the M1A2 Abrams, the tank commander must be exposed to enemy fire.
Mobile Gun System Vehicle. The thermal sights on the MGS vehicle can detect enemy activity through darkness and smoke, conditions that may limit even the best-equipped infantry. The MGS vehicle can deliver devastating fires; is fully protected against antipersonnel mines, fragments, and small arms; and has excellent mobility along unblocked routes. The MGS vehicle projects a psychological presence, an aura of invulnerability that aids friendly forces in deterring violence. Mounted patrols by MGS vehicles can monitor large areas of a city while making their presence known to the entire populace, both friendly and unfriendly. The mobile, protected firepower of MGS vehicles can also add security to resupply convoys. The MGS vehicle’s smoke-generation capability can aid in extracting wounded personnel and in other small-unit actions.
Crewmen in MGS vehicles have poor all-around vision through their vision blocks and are easily blinded by smoke or dust. MGS vehicle gunners cannot easily identify enemy targets unless the commander exposes himself to fire by opening his hatch or other infantrymen direct the gunner to the target. Heavy fires from MGS vehicles can cause unwanted collateral damage and can destabilize basic structures.
Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) Striker. The ICV can provide protection to the infantry by negating the effects of enemy small-arms weapons, either by driving soldiers up to a building or by acting as a shield while the infantry moves behind it along a street or in restricted terrain. ICVs can resupply units quickly and with more ammunition than by foot. Because of their armor protection, ICVs can be used to conduct CASEVAC under fire. If buttoned up, crewmen in ICVs have poor all-around vision through their vision blocks and are easily blinded by smoke or dust. The ICV has only a local defense weapon system mounted. Once the infantry has dismounted and is not supporting the vehicle, its firepower is diminished. The ICV is vulnerable to most weapons systems other than small arms and is particularly vulnerable to AT weapons.
Infantry Riding on Armored Vehicles
An additional maneuver consideration for a light/mechanized or mechanized/light operation is the decision of whether to move infantrymen on tanks. This mode of transportation can be difficult but is not impossible. It does, in fact, afford some significant advantages. The mounted infantry can provide additional security for the company. When the team conducts a halt or must execute a breach or other tactical tasks, infantry assets are readily available to provide support and security.
The commander must weigh the potential dangers of carrying tank-mounted infantrymen against the advantages of mobility and security they can provide. Some of the safety considerations involved in mounting infantry on tanks are:
1.When mounting an armored vehicle, soldiers must always approach the vehicle from the front to get permission from the vehicle commander to mount. They then mount the side of the vehicle away from the coaxial machine gun and in view of the driver.
2.If the vehicle has a stabilization system, squad leaders ensure it is off before giving the okay for the vehicle to move.
3.The infantry must dismount as soon as possible when tanks come under fire or when targets appear that require the tank gunner to traverse the turret quickly to fire.
4.All soldiers must be alert for obstacles that can cause the tank to turn suddenly and for trees that can knock riders off the tank.
5.The M1 tank is not designed to carry riders easily. Riders must not move to the rear deck, as engine operating temperatures make this area unsafe for them. Other tank safety measures include the following:
•One infantry squad can ride on the turret. Soldiers must mount in such a way that their legs cannot become entangled between the turret and the hull by an unexpected turret movement. Rope may be used as a field-expedient infantry rail to provide secure handholds.
•Everyone must be to the rear of the smoke grenade launchers. This automatically keeps soldiers clear of the coaxial machine gun and laser range finder.
•Infantry must always be prepared for sudden turret movement.
•Leaders should caution soldiers about sitting on the turret blowout panels, because 250 pounds of pressure will prevent the panels from working properly. If there is an explosion in the ammunition rack, these panels blow outward to lessen the blast effect in the crew compartment.
•If enemy contact is made, the tank should stop in a covered and concealed position and allow the infantry time to dismount and move away from the tank. This action needs to be practiced before movement.
•The infantry should not ride with anything more than their battle gear. Personal gear should be transported elsewhere.
PART TWO
Soldier Combat Skills
10
Call for and Adjust Fire
A call for fire is a concise message prepared by an observer (a person needing indirect-fire support). A soldier or a forward observer (FO) can prepare and request a call for fire but must plan targets and follow proper call-for-fire procedures (see coordination checklists, pages 24 and 28–29) in order to receive immediate fire support. Send a call for fire quickly but clearly enough that it can be understood, recorded, and read back to the observer without error.
PRINCIPLES: FORWARD OBSERVER EXERCISE
FOs must continually select or prearrange targets in support of the commander’s intent.
•Consider what the commander wants to do.
•Plan early and continuously.
•Exploit all available targeting assets.