FIELD ARTILLERY OPERATIONS

GENERAL

A commander measures his capability for accomplishing his mission in terms of combat power.
There are two primary elements of combat power, maneuver and firepower. Since the preponderance of
firepower in the battlefield is provided by the artillery. Being an FA officer, or to be assigned in an FA unit,
it is a must that you should know or determine the organizational set up of FA. You should be able to
identify the different duties and responsibilities of every member of the battery, so that when you assigned
to an FA unit you’re already acquainted to it.

Field Artillery provides close support fire, counter fire and interdiction fires.

- Close support fires engage enemy troops, weapons, or positions that are threatening or can threaten the
force in either the attack or defense.

- Counter fires attack enemy indirect fire systems, to include mortar, artillery, air defense,
missile, and rocket systems, observation posts and field artillery command and control facilities.

- Interdiction fires disrupt, delay and destroy enemy forces that, because of range
limitations or intervening terrain, cannot fire their primary weapon systems on friendly forces.

MISSION OF FIELD ARTILLERY

To destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fires and to assist in
the integration of all fire support assets into combined arms operation.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIELD ARTILLERY WEAPONS

As to caliber

Light – 120 mm and less

Medium – 121 mm through 160 mm
Heavy – 161 mm through 210 mm
Very heavy – 210 and more

As to means of transport

Towed
Self propelled
Aerial

CHARACTERISTICS OF 105 MMHOWITZER M101A1

Maximum range - - - appox 11,270 meters

Maximum rate of fire - - 10 rds/min for the 1st 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire - - 3 rounds per minute
 Prime mover - - 2 ½ Ton truck or helicopter
Tube life (M2A1)- - 5,000 rounds (EFC)
(M2A2) - - 7,500 round (EFC)
Weight in firing or traversing
position - - 4,980 lbs

CHARACTERISTICS OF 155 MM HOWITZER M114A1 (US) TOWED

Maximum range - - - appox 14,600 meters

Maximum rate of fire - - 4 rds/min for the 1st 3 minutes
Sustained rate of fire - - 1 rounds per minute thereafter
Prime mover - - 5 Ton 6X 6 or heavy lift helicopter
Tube life (M1) - - 2,000 rounds (EFC)
(M1A1) - - 7,500 round (EFC)
Weight in firing or traversing
position - - 12,700 lbs

CHARACTERISTICS OF UPGRADED 105 MM HOWITZER M101A1

Maximum range using M1 standard ammunition - - - - - - - - - - - 11, 400 meters

Maximum range using base bleed (extended range) ammo - - - - 17,200 meters

CAPABILITIES OF FIELD ARTILLERY

1. Adds depth to the battlefield

2. Massing of fires on one or more targets
3.Provide continuous fires under all conditions of weather and from all types of terrain.
4.Provides a variety of ammunition and fuze combinations

LIMITATIONS OF FIELD ARTILLERY

1. Mission effectiveness reduced during close combat

2. Has limited ability to survive enemy ground, air and artillery firì¥Á2[€ 22ð¿22222222222224"22
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