text: Ground Tactical Plan
  UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
  4-59. Beforetheairborneassault,theABNTFCmayrelyonunmannedaircraftsystem(UAS)operationsto
  provide surveillance capabilities and to enhance the ABNAFC’s situational awareness as he plans,
  coordinates,andexecutesthe airborneassault. UASemploymentpriortotheassaultisweightedagainstthe
  element of surprise. Once the airborne assault is executed, the commander can employ UAS from his
  organic elements or he can request to have direct access to real-time feeds from additional UAS support
  from his higher headquarters. UAS employment is particularly effective when employed together with
  groundandattackreconnaissanceelementsasateamduringshapingoperationsinwhichthecommanderis
  trying to create the conditions for successful airborne assault execution. (Refer to FM 3-04.155 for
  moreinformation.)
  CAPABILITIES
  4-60. UASbringnumerous capabilitiesto the ABNAF.Employment ofthesesystemsbefore executingthe
  airborne assault and employment with ground and attack reconnaissance units provides reconnaissance,
  surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities. UAS also can support military deception by flying in an
  area to make the enemy think it is a friendly objective. The RQ-7B Shadow can participate in attack
  operationsbyeitheremployingindirectfiresandbylaserdesignationoftargetsforjointaircraftandremote
  engagementsbyarmed manned and unmanned aircraft. The MQ-1C GrayEagle can do the same and may
  bearmed withHellfiremissilestoengageautonomouslyorfireitsmissilesforaremotedesignator.
  ReconnaissanceOperations
  4-61. When UAS complement the ground reconnaissance units during reconnaissance operations, they
  operateforwardoftheelement(METT-TCdependent).Theycanconductdetailedsurveillanceofareasthat
  are particularlydangerousto groundreconnaissance units, suchasdrop zones, landingzonesand objective
  areas.Theycanbeemployedeffectivelyinsupportofoperationsinurbanterrain.
  4-62. Theycan support route reconnaissance forward ofreconnaissance and securityunits or be employed
  in conjunction with reconnaissance and security units when it is necessary to reconnoiter multiple routes
  simultaneously.ThereconnaissanceunitleadercanemployUASto supportanareaorzonereconnaissance
  mission. Upon contact, UAS provide early warning for the element and then maintain contact until the
  elementconductsareconnaissancehandoverfromtheUAStoanotherelement.
  SecurityOperations
  4-63. Insecurityoperations, UAScomplementreconnaissance unitsbyassistinginidentificationofenemy
  reconnaissance and main body elements and by providing early warning forward of reconnaissance units.
  Besides acquiring enemyforces, UAS canplayacritical roleinproviding securitythroughthe depthofthe
  screen byobserving dead space between ground observation posts. Theycan support reconnaissance units
  duringareasecuritymissionsbyscreeningorconductingreconnaissance.
  Reconnaissance/TargetHandover
  4-64. When a UAS makes contact, particularly during reconnaissance operations, the operator hands over
  theUAScontacttoground orattackreconnaissance unitsasquicklyaspossible.Rapidhandoverallowsthe
  UAS to avoid enemy air defense weapons and helps maintain the tempo of the operation. During the
  handover, the UAS assists in providing direction to the ground or attack reconnaissance unit charged with
  establishing contact with or engaging the enemy. It maintains contact with the enemy until the units are in
  positionandhaveestablishedsensororvisualcontact.
  4-65. The firstactioninthe handover process isa report (suchas, spot report or situationreport) fromthe
  UAS operator to the ground or attack reconnaissance unit. Next, the UAS reconnoiters the area for secure
  positions for the unit (such as hide, overwatch, observation posts or battle positions) and likely mounted
  and dismounted routes into the area. The ground or attack reconnaissance unit moves to initial hide
  positionsalongthe route selected bythe leader based on UAS-collected information.The ground or attack
  reconnaissance unit then moves to establishsensor or visual contact withthe enemy. Once this contact is