Changing the Culture: Reconnaissance Squadron Employment of Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided Improved Target- Acquisition Weapon System in Full-Spectrum Operations Adam Moore

Changing the Culture: Reconnaissance Squadron Employment of Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided Improved Target-Acquisition Weapon System in Full-Spectrum Operations by Adam Moore gates the effects of American weapons while maximizing the effects of their own.

“After a while, they figured it out,” LTC

Gukeisen said of the insurgents’ activities. “The ‘Darwinism factor’ kicked in. They knew how to avoid the effects of [high explosives] and Willy Pete.”

Insurgents occupied elevated attack positions on mountains overlooking roads, towns and bases.

They used gravity to increase the maximum ranges of their weapon systems while simultaneously decreasing the ability of U.S. and coalition forces to deliver effective return fire. The distance and elevation provided insurgents with natural cover, blocking American attempts to close in and engage them. This allowed enemy forces the time they needed to execute preplanned egresses. Natural overhead cover provided by the rocky terrain protected insurgents from the effects of indirect fire. When cover was unavailable, insurgents planned their retreat to avoid contact of close-air support or indirect fire. These tactics frustrated American forces.

TOW system’s capabilities The TOW missile system’s maximum range of 3,750 meters is longer than any other standard direct-fire weapon system carried by the American infantryman or cavalryman. Unlike indirect-fire systems, the on-site commander, usually a staff sergeant, can clear the TOW missile for fire. This significantly reduces the reaction time for American forces against hostile acts. Insurgents can no longer exploit the time-to-target window required to deliver indirect fire. The direct-fire capability of a TOW missile means that enemy forces may not use caves and mountain outcroppings as overhead cover to hide from its deadly effects.

LTC Gukeisen’s soldiers used the TOW missile’s capabilities in firing multiple missiles at hostile forces during their recent deployment to Afghanistan. The missiles, fired from distances ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 meters, all had deadly effect. The optical range and clarity of the targeting system accompanying the TOW missile opened up new uses for the weapon as well.

“Do you realize what you can do [with TOW missiles]?” LTC Gukeisen commented. “You can put a precision-guided missile out to 3,750 [meters]. I don’t think [the insurgents] ever figured it out: one, what hit them, and two, where it came from.” Based on the squadron’s success, “we began an analysis of how to cover large amounts of ground with limited forces,” LTC Gukeisen said.

The analysis capitalized on the fact that ITAS gives the TOW missile operator a magnified sight with both day- and night-vision capabilities. Units like 3-10 Cavalry employ ITAS as part of their observation plan. ITAS, used in conjunction with systems like the Long-Range Surveillance System Scout, provides greater depth of observation to units’ areas of operation.

LRSSS covers far distances and facilitates positive identification of potential threats. Once positive ID is determined, the TOW/ ITAS operator engages.

As these hunter-killer teams spread out to observation posts across a large area, the TOW/ITAS system reduces the number of soldiers required for observation, and its range allows observation posts to provide mutually supporting fires for each other.

The 3-10 Cavalry’s Charlie Troop incorporated the same principles as part of a forward-operating base defense plan. Shadow and Predator unmanned aerial vehicles provided overhead coverage and more firepower when needed. A handful of teams at established locations allowed 3-10 Cavalry to control large portions of terrain merely through observation, reducing the number of ground patrols needed in a given area and thus limiting the threat exposure to soldiers.

The TOW missile’s accuracy, paired with ITAS’ optical capabilities, set the system apart from all other direct-fire weapons 3-10 Cavalry soldiers used. The TOW missile’s precision guidance gave it the reliability of a point-weapon system, even at its maximum range. This accuracy meant that many of the firing restrictions – concern over collateral damage being one of them

– which limited use of most crew-served weapons in Afghanistan did not apply to the TOW missile. “Do you really want to use your .50 cal or [M]240?” LTC Gukeisen pointed out. “[I’d say] ‘Remember, Lieutenant, that a machine gun is not a point-weapon system.” Fire-mission threat However, 3-10 Cavalry soldiers did not always need to fire the TOW missile when using the system in an engagement – they also employed the far-target locator attached to the TOW/ITAS missile system. The FTL is a laser-based locator that gives the operator a 10-digit grid to a target. No bracketing is required to bring indirect fire down onto the heads of hostile forces. “[The FTL made it] a battle drill for us,” LTC Gukeisen said. “That grid allowed us to immediately have a call-for-fire mission.”

LTC Gukeisen’s 3-10 Cavalry used the FTL to develop battle drills that combined the effects of indirect fire and the TOW missile. By coordinating the times of flight for the TOW missile and indirect fire, 3-10 Cavalry soldiers could synchronize the impacts of both on a desired target. The combination of a direct-fire missile with indirect ensured the targets had no cover to hide behind. “The terrain is the dom-TOW missiles increase American soldiers’ ability to engage enemy combatants previously thought to be out of reach. (photo by Close Combat Weapons Systems) 16 November-December 2011 Insurgents do not use tanks against U.S. forces in Afghanistan. If more American units realized the superior anti-personnel capabilities of the TOW/ITAS system, it would become far more hazardous for insurgents to try to use any weapons at all. Former CPT Adam Moore served as an Armor officer for four years on active duty and three years in the Alabama Army National Guard. He is employed as a military analyst for Science Applications International Corporation in Huntsville, AL. Acronym Quick-Scan FTL – far-target locator ITAS – improved target-acquisition system LRSSS – Long-Range Surveillance System Scout TOW – tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided TTP – tactics, techniques and procedures inating factor in Afghanistan,” LTC Gukeisen pointed out, but his soldiers overcame the terrain problem lethally. “[We had to] control the high ground, deny terrain and cover locations with [TOW/ITAS]. But [with TOW/ITAS], we had a system that could kill instantly.”

The soldiers of 3-10 Cavalry used every aspect of the TOW/ ITAS system. Most importantly, they used the system with the innovation and ingenuity that has characterized American soldiers in conflicts past. They looked beyond the TOW missile’s old label of just an anti-armor platform and found that it excelled in several new missions.

TOW missiles increase American soldiers’ ability to engage enemy combatants previously thought to be out of reach. Insurgents now have much less time to retreat from an engagement before they receive overwhelming fire. ITAS’ observation capabilities give American soldiers the ability to cover much larger areas of land while simultaneously reducing the number of personnel required to maintain that coverage. In areas with collateral-damage concerns, the accuracy of a precision-guided, direct-fire TOW missile is unparalleled. Thanks to the FTL, American forces can send instant call-for-fire missions. The lethality of a TOW missile can augment indirect fire. In areas with collateral-damage concerns, the accuracy of a precision-guided, direct-fire TOW missile is unparalleled. Thanks to the FTL, American forces can send instant call-for-fire missions. The lethality of a TOW missile can augment indirect fire.