text: The Fire Support System
  * Close air support is air action by aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to
  friendly forces and that require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement
  of those forces (JP 3-09.3).
  * Strike coordination and reconnaissance is an air mission to detect targets and coordinate or
  perform attack or reconnaissance on those targets. (JP 3-03). SCAR missions are flown in a
  specific geographic area and are an element of the C2 interface to coordinate multiple flights,
  detect and attack targets, neutralize enemy air defenses, and provide battle damage assessment
  (BDA).
  * Suppression of enemy air defenses is activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades
  surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means (JP 3-01).
  2-93. Rotary-wing aircraft can employ a variety of weapons, including precision-guided weapons beyond
  line of sight. They can quickly reach and move throughout the depth and breadth of the battlefield. This
  mobility and flexibility help the commander seize or retain the initiative. They can also provide terminal
  guidance for other weapon platforms, as well as operate during periods of limited visibility. The US Army
  normally employs attack helicopters as maneuver units to conduct two basic types of attack missions: attacks
  against enemy forces in close, friendly contact with other Army maneuver forces and attacks against enemy
  forces out of direct fire contact with friendly forces. Both can be executed as either hasty or deliberate attacks
  and are typically supported with integrated joint fires. This type of attack requires detailed planning and the
  full integration of manned and unmanned aircraft (UA), and the simultaneous or sequential employment of
  CAS, indirect fires, and other enabling capabilities to mass effects, isolate, and destroy key enemy forces and
  capabilities. U.S. Army attack helicopters can also perform CAS in support of another component. The
  USMC employs its attack rotary-wing aviation primarily as a CAS platform. For more information on Army
  fixed-wing aircraft and attack helicopters see ATP 3-09.32.
  2-94. In addition to Army aviation responsibilities during SCAR, tactical level maneuver commanders can
  employ a method similar to the SCAR - a coordinated attack interdiction mission in which the ground
  maneuver commander plans/coordinates/employs a coordinated attack using supporting CAS, Attack
  Aviation, UAS, and artillery against HPTs and targets of opportunity inside the ATO cycle planning horizon
  and in close proximity to friendly forces (examples include EAs, enemy penetrations, and Level III threats
  in a rear area). This method, previously referred to as a joint air attack team or JAAT is a capability a tactical
  maneuver commander retains to ensure they can integrate rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft, supported by
  other fire support attack/delivery platforms (artillery, CEMA, NSFS, mortars) to locate and attack targets of
  opportunity in the close fight.
  2-95. In situations such as this, the maneuver commander can designate the Army aviation commander with
  the highest situational awareness and ability to provide C2 as the on-scene commander (usually the Air
  Mission Commander). The on-scene commander is an individual in the immediate vicinity of an isolating
  event who temporarily assumes command of the incident (JP 3-50). The commander will coordinate directly
  with the appropriate tactical maneuver HQ FSE and FAC(A)/JTAC to execute the attack. The aviation
  commander designated as the on-scene commander temporarily assumes command of the coordinated attack.
  This method can be employed anywhere on the battlefield (including the rear area), across the range of
  military operations. CAS procedures may or may not be required depending on the proximity to friendly
  forces. Maximum synergy occurs when the on-scene commander of the coordinated attack possesses the
  authority to coordinate the attack directly with the other team members. When CAS is not available, direct
  attack coordination is more efficient because there is no requirement for JTAC/FAC(A) control.
  2-96. The long endurance of UA enables them to provide extended support to time sensitive targets (TST),
  high-value targets, and HPT missions. UA can also support or conduct CAS, SCAR, AI, and other joint fires
  missions. Specific tasks for the UA may include TA and marking, terminal guidance of ordnance, providing
  precision coordinates for GPS-aided munitions, delivery of onboard precision-guided ordnance, BDA,
  signals intelligence, communication/data relays, and retargeting to include shoot-look-shoot. UA should be
  requested, tasked, routed, controlled, and deconflicted in a manner similar to methods used for fixed-winged
  and rotary-winged manned aircraft, with exceptions made for their unmanned nature (such as the inability to
  see and avoid other air traffic). When the necessary equipment, network, and personnel are included it
  becomes a UAS. For more information on UAS employment see ATP 3-04.1.