text: Attack
  lines of deployment (PLDs), assault positions, direct fire control measures, and indirect fire support
  coordination measures (FSCMs). Between the PLD and the objective, units can use a final coordination line
  (FCL), assault positions, support by fire and attack by fire positions, and a time of assault to further control
  the final stage of their attacks. Beyond the objective, commanders can impose a LOA if they do not want
  their units to conduct exploitation or a pursuit or template where they want their forces to position after the
  completion of the attack such as a battle position or blocking position.
  5-10. Units increase control over the movement of all attacking elements in attacks during limited visibility
  conditions. Typically, they impose additional control measures beyond those used in daylight attacks. These
  additional measures may include using a PD and a direction of attack.
  PLANNING FOR AN ATTACK
  5-11. In an attack, units seek to keep enemy forces off balance while continually reducing the enemy force’s
  options. Friendly forces seek to place enemy forces into a position where they can easily be defeated or
  destroyed. Friendly forces focus effects on enemy forces that seek to prevent the unit from accomplishing its
  mission and seizing its objective. Planning helps commanders synchronize the effects of combat power
  through the MDMP and troop leading procedures.
  5-12. Units focus the effects of friendly systems to achieve fire superiority and allow their maneuver forces
  to breach enemy defensive networks. A friendly force must gain and maintain fire superiority at critical points
  during an attack. The unit uses long-range artillery systems (cannon and rockets) and air support (rotary- and
  fixed-wing) to engage the enemy throughout the depth of the enemy’s defensive positions. The warfighting
  functions provide a model of how units organize and employ the force to ensure all capabilities of the force
  are synchronized in time and maneuver space during an attack.
  COMMAND AND CONTROL
  5-13. Commanders assign subordinate units their missions and use control measures necessary to
  synchronize and maintain control over the operation. Units plan to control the attack by determining the
  methods through command posts and signal assets and use graphic control measures (such as probable line
  of contact and enemy trigger lines) to manage the attack. They also control the attack by stating the desired
  effect of fires on the enemy weapons system such as suppression or destruction using previously developed
  enemy situational and weapons templates. Units match friendly weapon systems against selected enemy
  systems to determine the PLD as they array subordinate elements to shape the battlefield. They determine
  how long it takes subordinates to move from the LD to the PLD and any required support by fire positions
  once they determine their respective PLDs. They establish when and where their forces must maneuver into
  enemy direct fire range.
  5-14. In addition to accomplishing the mission, every attack plan contains provisions for exploiting success
  or any advantages that may arise during the operation. Units exploit success by aggressively executing their
  plans, promoting subordinate leader initiative, and rapidly executing battle drills.
  5-15. Information systems offer ways that units can gain and maintain enemy contact. Units enhance shared
  situational understanding by developing SOPs that govern the COP. Information systems improve the rapid,
  clear communication of orders and commander’s intent, thereby reducing the confusion and friction of battle.
  This is especially true when the lowest tactical echelons can rapidly update the data on the information
  systems providing that common operational picture. The disposition and activities of friendly and enemy
  forces and third-party agencies are important elements of information. Service and joint intelligence systems
  feeding those information systems enable commanders and echelon staffs to detect and track enemy forces
  without having subordinate forces make physical contact with enemy forces. The ability to see and
  understand the situation before enemy forces do allows friendly forces to act first and maneuver out of direct
  contact with enemy forces at a high tempo. These abilities allow units to position their subordinate forces
  where those forces can overwhelm selected elements of the enemy force. This disrupts and destroys the
  enemy’s combined arms team. Such attacks—delivered simultaneously with precision by air, land, maritime,
  space, and cyberspace systems throughout the width, height, and depth of the battlefield—can stun enemy
  forces and rapidly lead to their defeat.