Field Manual - US Army - FM 1-112 - Attack Helicopter Operations | Date: 28 April 2011, 11:14
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ATTACK HELICOPTER FUNDAMENTALS
Attack helicopter battalions are assigned to divisional aviation brigades and corps
ATKHRs (in corps aviation brigades). They provide the supported commander a highly
mobile and lethal armor, personnel, and materiel destruction capability during the day
and night. This chapter explains what an ATKHB is, how it is organized for the different
types of divisions and the corps ATKHRs, and its organizational capabilities and
limitations.
1-1. ROLES OF THE ATKHB
a. General.
(1) The ATKHB is an aerial maneuver unit usually employed as a battalion.
It conducts attack, reconnaissance, and security operations that complement other
maneuver forces. The ATKHB enables the supported commander to mass combat power
rapidly at the decisive time and place to affect a battle's outcome. The commander must
integrate the ATKHB into his tactical maneuver plan with other maneuver units. When
employed with other combat assets, the ATKHB can strike the enemy where and when it
is most vulnerable.
(2) An ATKHB never fights alone. Attacks are coordinated with other
maneuver, combat support, CSS, and joint forces to form a combined arms team. This
team surprises and overwhelms the enemy at the point of attack. Attacks may be
conducted out of physical contact with other friendly forces but synchronized with their
scheme of maneuver, or they may be in direct contact with friendly forces.
b. Tenets of Army Operations. Success on future battlefields depends on how
well the tenets of Army operations doctrine are applied. These tenets are initiative,
depth, agility, synchronization, and versatility. General aviation employment principles
as related to these tenets are discussed in depth in FM 1-111, Aviation Brigade
Operations, Chapter 1. Application of these tenets as related to the ATKHB are discussed
below.
(1) Initiative. Attack helicopters are offensive weapon systems. They
provide commanders the means to deliver massed firepower rapidly and accurately, thus
disorganizing enemy forces and allowing the friendly force to gain or maintain the
initiative. To be successful, the ATKHB must be integrated into the ground commander's
scheme of maneuver. This requires that commanders analyze the battlefield and decide
early where the ATKHB will be employed.
FM 1-112
1-2
(2) Depth. The ATKHB can attack the enemy forces anywhere on the
battlefield. Commanders must see and use the entire battlefield to strike the enemy and
prevent it from concentrating forces at a point of its choice. The speed with which attack
helicopters can mass combat power at chosen points in the battle area allows the force
commander to influence the battle to a depth that would otherwise be beyond his reach.
(3) Agility. The mobility and flexibility of attack helicopters expand the
reach of commanders to all areas of the battlefield. Terrain provides cover and
concealment for attack helicopters just as it does for armor and infantry; however, it does
not limit the mobility of the helicopter. The ATKHB can attack the enemy's flanks and
rear, thus providing ground forces the time to maneuver and engage enemy forces from
directions where they are most vulnerable.
(4) Synchronization. To survive and succeed on the battlefield, the
ATKHB must fight as an integrated member of the combined arms team. In combat, the
fires of other attacking weapons enhance the firepower of the attack helicopter. This
combined attack strengthens the total force by overcoming limitations found in each
weapon system. As a result, total combat power is increased and survivability is
improved. When the enemy is simultaneously faced with an array of armor, infantry, FA,
TACAIR, and attack helicopter units, it can no longer concentrate on countering a single
set of weapons from one direction at a time. Rather, it is attacked throughout its depth
with a variety of weapons.
(5) Versatility. On today's and tomorrow's battlefields, the tempo of the
fight is rapid, violent, and extremely fluid. The ATKHB's primary mission is the
destruction of enemy armor or mechanized forces. The ATKHB, however, must be
prepared to conduct reconnaissance and security operations. Additionally, in OOTW, a
subversive or less distinguishable enemy may require the ATKHB to provide direct or
indirect fires in DS of friendly ground forces operating in an urban environment. The
ability of the ATKHB to transition smoothly and rapidly is the result of well-led, welltrained,
and well-equipped forces; high standards; and detailed planning. While the
ATKHB can react quickly, it requires as much mission planning time as other maneuver
battalions.
c. Framework of the Battlefield. The Army's warfighting doctrine specifies
that deep, close, and rear operations occur simultaneously. An ATKHB can conduct all
three during offensive and defensive operations. An ATKHB conducting deep operations
allows corps and division commanders to influence close operations before the enemy
closes with friendly forces. During the conduct of close operations, an ATKHB allows
corps and division commanders to weigh their main effort and brigade commanders to
attack the enemy in depth. An ATKHB also gives corps and division commanders the
ability to mass combat power rapidly against enemy ground penetrations and large airborne
or heliborne assaults into the corps or divisional rear area.
PassWord: no
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