text: Chapter 7
  Fire Support
  The integration of air, artillery, and missile assets into a unified fire support
  plan is a major task for the combined arms commander. Integration is a
  decisive element, fundamental to the success of any operation on the
  modern battlefield. The OPFOR does not consider itself to be an “artillery-
  centric” army. Rather, it views itself as using various forms of fire support
  to achieve success during offensive and defensive operations. In the offense,
  fire support is important to the success of any attack. It can destroy key
  systems; disrupt, immobilize, or destroy enemy groupings; and repel
  counterattacks. Fire support is also the cornerstone of any defense, blunt-
  ing attacks at the crucial point in the battle. It disrupts enemy prepara-
  tions for the attack, causes attrition as he approaches, and repels forces.
  FIRE SUPPORT CONCEPTS
  7-1. Fire support is the collective and coordinated use of target acquisition,
  indirect fire weapons, aircraft, and other lethal and nonlethal means in
  support of operational or tactical objectives. The goal is to synchronize all
  available fire support systems to achieve the most effective results,
  thereby maximizing combat power. Effective fire support enables OPFOR
  ground forces to attack successfully and quickly to exploit weaknesses.
  Commanders try to accomplish their missions using a combination of
  maneuver and fire. The OPFOR continues to expand and upgrade fire
  support systems to achieve a qualitative edge over its regional opponents.
  However, it realizes that it may be at a qualitative disadvantage compared to
  a modern extraregional force.
  7-2. The OPFOR stresses that fire support should integrate air assets, surface-
  to-surface missiles (SSMs), and artillery to attack enemy targets throughout the
  area of responsibility (AOR). The combined arms commander always seeks to
  increase the effectiveness of air and missile attacks and artillery fire to destroy
  enemy formations, weapon systems, or key components of an enemy combat
  system. (See Systems Warfare later in this chapter and in Chapter 1.) This
  ensures continuous fire support for maneuver units throughout the AOR.
  7-3. The OPFOR considers information warfare (IW) an essential element of
  fire support. It provides a nonlethal alternative or supplement to attack by
  fire and maneuver. It is integrated into the overall concept of the operation,
  to confuse, deceive, delay, and disorganize the enemy.
  FIRE SUPPORT PRINCIPLES
  7-4. The principles of fire support are the framework for a thought process
  that ensures the most effective use of fire support assets. These principles apply
  at all levels of command, regardless of the specific fire support assets available:
  • Plan early and continuously.