fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM44-100
5-30
5-141. Four common temporary airspace restrictions are: restricted
operations areas, minimum risk routes, standard-use Army aircraft flight
routes and air corridors, and sectors of fire and primary target lines. They are
discussed in the following paragraphs.
5-142. Restricted Operations Area. Identifies airspace of defined
dimensions within which the operation of one or more airspace users is
restricted, generally for a short time. The airspace control authority
establishes these areas in response to the requests of ground force
commanders. Consequently, the maneuver unit commander will normally
have complete weapon control status authority within an activated restricted
operations area.
5-143. Restricted operations areas for air and missiles can be established to
maximize ADA effectiveness. In such cases, the normal ADA weapon control
status will be WEAPONS FREE.
5-144. Restricted operations areas for ADA can be established to maximize
air effectiveness. In such cases, the normal ADA weapons control status will
be WEAPONS HOLD.
5-145. Minimum Risk Route (MRR). Temporary corridor of defined
dimensions passing in either direction through ADA defenses, a HIDACZ, or
through a restricted operations area. It is designated to reduce risk to highspeed
aircraft transiting the tactical operations area at low altitudes. The
weapon control status for MRR will normally be maintained at WEAPONS
TIGHT. Such circumstances will exist where there is inadequate timely
control capability to permit a more flexible method of air defense. In such
eases where friendly air does not use MRR, it is recognized that established
AD procedures will apply. Low-level transit routes are the NATO equivalent
of MRR.
5-146. The weapon control status for ADA fire units whose engagement
ranges intercept an activated MRR remains at WEAPONS TIGHT for that
part of the route. Should it become necessary to change to WEAPONS FREE,
the commander who established it will close that particular route.
5-147. Standard-use Army Aircraft Flight Routes. Temporary air
corridors of defined dimensions established below the coordinating altitude to
allow the Army commander to safely route movement of aviation assets
performing combat support and combat service support missions. They
normally are located in the corps through brigade rear areas but may be
extended to support logistics missions. Air corridors are restricted routes of
travel specified for use by friendly Army aircraft and established to prevent
friendly forces from firing on friendly aircraft.
5-148. The weapon control status for ADA fire units whose engagement
ranges intercept an activated standard-use Army aircraft route or air corridor
remains at WEAPONS TIGHT for that part of the route or corridor. Should it
become necessary to change to WEAPONS FREE, the commander who
established it will close that particular route. Procedures for deconfliction of
friendly surface-to-surface missile firings and UAV operations can be found
in Joint Pub 3-55.1 and FM 100-103-1.