CHAPTER 6: OPFOR Defensive Operations

6-7 ANTITANK FIRE IN THE DEFENSE (see also Chapter 1 page 1-8 Antitank Reserves).

    In the defense, AT units have these missions:

• Destroy BLUFOR tanks and APCs forward of the first echelon.

• Destroy tanks and APCs that have penetrated the first defensive echelon.

• Cover gaps in the defense, support the counterattack.

    The OPFOR views antitank fires as a critical component to success of a defense. Attack helicopters mounting rockets and ATGMs provide additional AT capabilities and can be used as a quick reaction reserve AT force. ATGM positions are at least 100 meters apart. The normal frontage for the ATGM unit is up to 500 meters for a platoon and 1500 meters for a battery. One or two alternate firing positions are also designated for each ATGM team to allow for maneuver during the conduct of the defense. The normal distance between tanks and antitank weapons in defensive positions is about 100 to 150 meters. On open terrain, 200 to 250 meters may separate tanks in defensive positions.

    In the defense, ATGMs have an engagement zone that extends out to 3 km or more from the forward edge. Tanks firing from defilade positions first engage attacking tanks 2 to 3 km in front of the defensive positions. The engagement zone for AT guns extends out to about 1,500 meters. Mounted AT grenade launcher or hand-held grenade launcher weapons can engage BLUFOR armor at ranges less than 1,000 meters.

    Fixed-wing aviation, helicopters, and massed artillery may fire against detected armor concentrations in assembly areas. Aircraft, especially ATGM-equipped attack helicopters, are the most effective weapons to engage moving armor forces at greater ranges. Mine laying helicopters may lay hasty AT minefields. The long-range rocket launcher can fire rockets with scatterable-mine warheads deep into the BLUFOR's forward defensive positions and along his axes of advance.

    Given the range of artillery, the goal is to concentrate fires on key sectors to break up the advancing BLUFOR attack. For example, the OPFOR should plan artillery fire to separate attacking BLUFOR infantry from their tanks approximately 700 to 1,000 meters from the forward edge. Protective fires are targeted within 300 to 400 meters of the forward edge, with concentrations to halt the advance of BLUFOR that have penetrated the defenses. Priority targets for the OPFOR units include tanks and other armored vehicles. Antitank weapons engage BLUFOR tanks at an effective range up to 5 km in front of the forward defenses.

    a. principles of antitank defense. The OPFOR can use AT fires to help channel BLUFOR armor into an open area with limited cover and concealment. Minefields are used in conjunction with AT assets to channel BLUFOR tank movements.

    The OPFOR will establish zones of antitank fire. These zones will typically be in front of the forward defensive positions, on the flanks, and between platoon strong points where antitank fires are concentrated during a BLUFOR attack. The most distant boundary of the zone of antitank fire depends on the terrain and the maximum effective range of the weapons systems being employed. The following table provides an example of ATGM ranges. More detail is found in the Equipment Chapter page 3-21.

Figure 6-8. ATGM ranges.

    b. Kill Zones (fire sacks). The OPFOR will establish one or more kill zones or fire sacks to support strongpoints. A fire sack is an area either forward of the front line of the strongpoint or in the depth of the defense, where a high density of preplanned flanking and frontal fires are placed on the BLUFOR by all available fire means. These fires are designed to produce high casualties among the attacking BLUFOR in a short period of time.

    Fire sacks are built to lead the BLUFOR into the area, through the use of natural terrain obstacles as well as minefields, man-made obstacles, and terrain changes. Once in the sack, the BLUFOR is cut off and surrounded by OPFOR units. The obstacles on the edges of the fire sack will serve to contain the BLUFOR, preventing escape. The defenses in the fire sack are well camouflaged and include the use of dummy weapons and positions.

    A typical OPFOR fire sack can be up to 1,000 meters in depth, with a frontage of 900 to 1,000 meters when created ahead of the forward edge or 500 to 800 meters when created within the strongpoint. Fire sacks may be created by a maneuver of fire, weapons, and units during a defensive battle. They may be either within the main defenses or forward of them in a security zone, but are always contained physically within the defensive positions.