2003 US Army BRADLEY GUNNERY 503p.pdf - Survival Books

FM 3-22.1 (23-1)APPENDIX EUrban OperationsBoth the worldwide shift from rural to urban societies, and therequirement to switch between combat and SASO, have changedUS Army doctrine. When he can, the enemy will try to offset standoff andprecision fire by drawing the fight to urban areas. Urban operations (UO)are military actions planned and conducted where man-made terrainaffects tactical options.This appendix discusses the principles of urban operations andprovides TTP for employing the BFV in urban areas.E-1. CONSIDERATIONSThe commander must treat any urban area as a terrain complex. He must know thecharacteristics of each type of urban terrain and how it will affect his units and weapons.He must also understand the advantages and disadvantages that urbanization offers, andhow it will affect tactical operations.a. Urban sprawl complicates adherence to the following principles:(1) Battalions task-organize around the brigade.(2) Units below battalion operate as part of the battalion TF rather than alone.(3) The battalion tries to avoid costly, time-consuming UO by isolating andbypassing built-up areas.b. The commander can conduct urban combat operations to capitalize on the area'sstrategic or tactical advantages or to deny these advantages to the enemy. Major urbanareas represent their country's power and wealth in the form of industrial bases,transportation complexes, economic institutions, and political and cultural centers.Denying or capturing these can boost morale enough to decide the success or failure ofthe larger conflict. Villages and small towns are often caught up in a battle due to theirnearness to major avenues of approach or because they sit on lines of communicationsneeded for ground combat operations.E-2. TASKSThe primary tasks of the Bradley fighting vehicle in an urban environment are to suppressenemy fires and breach exterior walls. The vehicles’ armor-piercing rounds can easilypenetrate brick structures, and they can penetrate concrete up to 16 inches thick. Theyalso work well against sandbag-reinforced and earthen structures.a. Elevation and Depression. The 25-mm's elevation ranges from about -10 to+60 degrees.b. Visibility. The crew has limited visibility to the sides and rear and no visibilityto the top.c. Ammunition. The 25-mm AP, HE, and even TP-T rounds can be used effectivelyagainst enemy-occupied buildings and fortifications.d. Fields of Fire. Figure E-1, page E-2, compares the BFV's and the M1 tank's fieldsof fire on urban terrain. The BFV can engage a target nine to ten stories high at20 meters, whereas an M1 tank requires 90 meters.E-1