text: ________________________________________________________________________________Chapter 11
  Planning
  11-42. Although the opening stages of an offensive operation are likely to be
  conventional, OPFOR planning focuses on the necessity of—
  • Countering enemy employment of nuclear weapons.
  • Maintaining the initiative and momentum.
  • Maintaining fire superiority over the enemy (preempting his nuclear
  attack, if necessary).
  11-43. In deliberately planned operations, the OPFOR plans nuclear fires in
  detail. An exploitation force would probably receive the highest percentage of
  weapons; however, the OPFOR may also reserve weapons for other large, im-
  portant targets. In more fluid situations, such as during exploitation, the
  commander may keep some nuclear weapon systems at high readiness to fire
  on targets of opportunity. Nuclear allocations vary with the strength of the
  enemy defense and the scheme of maneuver.
  11-44. Since the enemy too is under nuclear threat, he also must disperse his
  formations, which can make him more vulnerable to penetration by an at-
  tacking force. However, the OPFOR realizes that enemy troops are also highly
  mobile and capable of rapidly concentrating to protect a threatened area. There-
  fore, it considers surprise and timing of operations to be extremely critical in or-
  der to complicate enemy targeting and deny him the time to use his mobility.
  Execution
  11-45. Upon securing a nuclear release, the OPFOR would direct nuclear at-
  tacks against the strongest points of the enemy’s formations and throughout
  his operational depth. This would create gaps through which maneuver
  units, in “nuclear-dispersed” formations, would attack as an exploitation
  force. As closely as safety and circumstances permit, maneuver forces follow
  up on attacks near the battle line. Airborne troops may exploit deep attacks.
  11-46. An exploitation force would probably attack to take full advantage
  of the speed of advance it could expect to achieve. The aim of these maneu-
  ver units would be to seize or neutralize remaining enemy nuclear weapons,
  delivery systems, and C2 systems. By attacking from different directions, the
  maneuver units would try to split and isolate the enemy.
  11-47. Commanders would ensure a rapid tempo of advance by assigning
  tank and mechanized infantry units to the exploitation force. Such units are
  quite effective in this role, because they have maneuverability, firepower,
  lower vulnerability to enemy nuclear attacks, and the capability to achieve
  penetrations of great depth.
  DEFENSIVE NUCLEAR EMPLOYMENT
  11-48. Primary uses of nuclear weapons in the defense are to—
  • Destroy enemy nuclear and precision weapons and delivery means.
  • Destroy main attacking groups.
  • Eliminate penetrations.
  • Support counterattacks.