"Plug 'n Play" MLRS platoon packages for BCTs.

Since its fielding in 2005, the Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) unitary rocket (XM31) has been used in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF). This extremely effective precision-guided munition (PGM) brought several fires battalion commanders from the 75th Fires Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to relook how to fight the MLRS battalion in the contemporary operating environment (COE) under the guidance of the brigade commander.

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PGMs aren't new--they've been around for some time. But with GMLRS unitary, for the first time, ground force commanders have a surface-to-surface PGM to support Army tactical formations. This and other technologies, such as precision target location advancements, are revolutionizing the way we deliver responsive precision rocket fires in support of division and brigade combat team (BCT) commanders.

This article does not focus on tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to employ a GMLRS unitary rocket or how to attach an independent MLRS platoon package to a BCT. Rather, it introduces the concept of how to provide responsive precision rocket fires to support ground maneuver.

Platoon Structure. Today's modular BCT-centric Army is more lethal, agile and able to deploy rapidly to any theater of operation. The MLRS battalion, however, is only modular in that it has an attached forward support company (FSC) to conduct level-two maintenance and battalion-level sustainment operations supported by a dedicated brigade support battalion (BSB).

The MLRS battalion still has three batteries, each with six launchers per battery (3 x 6), and deploys as a battalion consisting of 539 personnel and 242 combat vehicles. This footprint would be significant in a BCT's area of responsibility (AOR).

So we set out to determine whether or not we should change the existing MLRS modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE) or tailor an exportable package to provide precision GMLRS unitary to a BCT commander. The package design would be based on mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time available and civilian considerations (METT-TC).

We contemplated a two-launcher M270A1 platoon manned with 22 personnel. But at this phase of the concept development, we thought it was best to stay with the current structure of two platoons in each of the three batteries, each platoon with three launchers for a battalion structure of 6 x 3. Our reasoning was that we could resource the battalion's 6 x 3 platoons better than we could a battalion with a 9 x 2 platoon structure without exceeding our current MTOE authorizations. Whatever the number of platoon formations, we would have to augment each with a liaison officer (LNO) section, maintenance support team, and medic and communications specialists.

Analysis from Four Perspectives. Additionally, we analyzed employing MLRS packages from four perspectives: operational environments, types of fires, support relationships and command relationships. (See Figure 1.)

Operational Environments. First, MLRS units must be able to provide rocket and missile fires in support of ground-based maneuver across the continuum of the linear and contiguous operational environment (Cold War scenario) to the non-linear and noncontiguous operational environment (OEF scenario). (See Figure 2.) We recognized that at the high-intensity end of the spectrum, the volume of fires is high in a counterstrike battle while at the other end of the spectrum, the volume of fires is low where precision is paramount.

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Types of Fires. Due to MLRS' precision and the ability to limit its footprint with the GMLRS unitary rocket, MLRS now can provide all five Field Artillery (FA) fires shown in Figure 1--close support, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), counterstrike, interdiction and shaping fires. Previously, MLRS was not considered a weapon of choice for close supporting fires because it was primarily an area weapon system. That begs the question, "How best can we configure the formation to provide all types of fires responsively to the division and brigade commanders?"

Supported Relationships. As far as supported relationships are concerned, there is no change. MLRS still can provide reinforcing (R), general support reinforcing (GSR) or GS fires. However, the GMLRS unitary rocket allows MLRS to fire in support of troops-in-contact (TIC) as we have seen in the Central Command (CENTCOM) theater of operations.

Command Relationships. MLRS battalions are either organic or assigned to fires brigades but also can be attached (with prior coordination) for classes of supply (Class I, III, V, and IX). So, ultimately, the real challenge is packaging a GMLRS unitary capability to support operations across the full spectrum.

Plug 'n Play Package. The result of our analysis is what we have nicknamed the "Plug 'n Play" concept. The package is an MLRS platoon (plus) attached to a BCT to provide the BCT rocket fires. The platoon package consists of 33 Soldiers and 13 vehicles. (See Figure 3 on Page 30.)

Due to the unique maintenance requirements of the M270A1 launcher, we included a small maintenance team as the BCT is not resourced to conduct repairs on the loader-launch module (LLM). The remaining platoon augmentees consist of a communications specialist, medic and liaison team to help the BCT fire support element (FSE) employ and coordinate GMLRS unitary fires. Under this configuration, the platoon is attached to the BCT, which is responsible for providing all classes of supply, I through IX.

Platoon Testing. The initial concept was tested during a battalion-run platoon lane certification. Each of the six MLRS platoons were organized as independent GMLRS unitary platoons.

The Plug 'n Play GMLRS platoon concept was tested further at Fort Stewart, Georgia, during the 2nd BCT Trojans, 3rd Infantry Division, mission readiness exercise (MRE) from 17 February through 15 March. Initially, the platoon was to be attached to 2nd BCT and GSR to 1st Battalion, 9th FA Regiment (1-9 FAR). However, due to the limited training area and the fact that both the 4th and 2nd BCTs were in the field simultaneously, the 2nd BCT's AOR was smaller than the minimum range of the XM31 rocket.

Therefore, the simulated 52nd Infantry Division issued a fragmentary order (FRAGO) to the 2nd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, to reflect the GMLRS platoon under the operational control of (OPCON) the 2nd BCT and GS to the 52nd Division to facilitate GMLRS unitary engagements within the 52nd Division's AOR.

The platoon conducted several missions from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Trojan and three off-FOB missions where Task Force 1-9 FAR provided a gun-truck platoon for security. All missions were received and processed in a timely manner, and the BCT fully supported the GMLRS unitary platoon with all classes of supply.

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The key to the success of the GMLRS unitary platoon was an aggressive LNO team that integrated the platoon into the BCT targeting process.

Challenges and Refinement. The biggest hurdle the Plug 'n Play platoon had to overcome was convincing decision makers of the capabilities of both the XM31 rocket and the MLRS platoon without a live-fire demonstration. The platoon leader achieved this by briefing the BCT leadership, including video and storyboards from GMLRS unitary engagements in OIF and OEF. In time, the platoon leader proved the MLRS' capabilities and enabled the BCT to set conditions for GMLRS unitary rocket fires down range.

That being said, the burden on the platoon leader was far greater than anticipated, and therefore, we augmented the LNO team with a lieutenant and 13P MLRS Operations Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist. This refined GMLRS package deployed in support of the 4th BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, rotation at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California, from 15 March to 15 April.

New Mission--Close Support. The guided unitary MLRS rocket is the Army's only surface-fired, all-weather, precision, longer range (up to 70 kilometers) indirect fire munition immediately available to the BCT commander for TIC. This is significant, considering the rules of engagement (ROE) and requirement for minimal collateral damage effects in the current theater of operations.

An MLRS battalion now can provide close supporting fires. The MLRS always has been thought of as an area weapon system where one launcher with multiple aim points could neutralize everything in one square kilometer. Thus, MLRS earned the nicknames of "Grid Buster" and "Steel Rain." That is still the case, but with the addition of GMLRS unitary, MLRS launchers give commanders another option to engage targets when the tactical solution calls for precision munitions.

We owe it to our division and BCT commanders to consider how we can best package this capability to provide responsive precision fires without becoming a burden on BCT sustainment operations. The possibility even exists for the GMLRS unitary fires platoon to become organic to a BCT's fires battalion, providing the BCT commander with his own long-range PGM. Regardless, the Plug 'n Play GMLRS unitary platoon is one way we can provide PGMs to the BCT commander in a small, sustainable package.

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Lieutenant Colonel John A. (Jack) Kelly, Field Artillery (FA), is the Commander of 3rd Battalion, 13th FA Regiment (3-13 FAR), 75th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served as the Deputy Fire Support Coordinator (DFSCOORD) for Task Force Baghdad in the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II; and at Fort Hood, Texas, as the Battalion Executive Officer (XO), S3 and a Brigade Fire Support Officer (FSO) in the 2-82 FA, also in the 1st Cavalry Division. He commanded A/3-9 FA, 214th FA Brigade, III Corps Artillery, at Fort Sill, and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), also in the 214th FA Brigade. Among other assignments, he was a Firing Battery Platoon Leader for B/2-82 FA, 3rd Armored Division, in the Gulf for Operation Desert Storm (ODS). He holds a Master in Education from the University of Long Island, Brooklyn, New York.

The author would like to recognize the contributions of the MLRS Plug 'n Play concept team of LTC Michael J. Gould, former Commander of 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (6-27 FA), and LTC John D. Hall, former Commander of 6-32 FA, both battalions in the 75th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The team developed the concept under the guidance of Colonel Samuel H. Johnson, Commander of the 75th Fires Brigade.

By Lieutenant Colonel John A. Kelly, FA

RELATED ARTICLE: FATC Becomes the 434th FA Brigade

The Field Artillery Training Center (FATC), Fires Center of Excellence (CoE), was reflagged as the 434th FA Brigade in a ceremony at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on 17 April. The 434th FA Brigade is one of five Army training centers (ATCs) in the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

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The 434th Brigade's mission remains the same as FATC's: receive, process and train volunteers in Basic Combat Training (BCT), Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 13B Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Warrior Transition Course and English as a Second Language. This training transforms volunteers into Soldiers who are Army Strong--demonstrate character and Army values, have a warrior spirit, are competent and confident in their warfighting and technical skills, and can contribute successfully to their first units.

FATC's history goes back to the FA Replacement Center established at Fort Sill in 1950 to fulfill the need for replacements during the Korean War. When the Korean War ended, the organization was inactivated and the Artillery Training Center was formed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. It was not until 23 April 1959 that Fort Sill became FATC's permanent home with activation of the brigade's 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th Battalions.

From 1959 to 1975, FATC underwent several changes in both organization and size. During this period, FATC was assigned to the FA School and Brigade. On 1 July 1975, FATC was reestablished as a separate major command at Fort Sill. In February 1976, a new era began as FATC initiated one-station-unit-training (OSUT). Soldiers conducted both BCT and AIT in the same unit, initially only with MOS 13B. By 1978, five MOS were trained in OSUT. In 1984, FATC added a sixth MOS, 13M Multiple-Launch Rocket System Crewmember.

In 1978, the training and reception battalions were re-designated in accordance with the Army's combat arms regimental system. The next major change to the brigade took place in 2004 as the 2nd Battalion, 80th FA (2-80 FA), the brigade's AIT battalion, was inactivated and as the 1-78 FA, the brigade's support battalion, was designated the AIT battalion and assigned to the 30th FA Regiment (now the 428th FA Brigade). In January 2007, FATC closed the OSUT chapter in its history when 13B OSUT training ended.

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Today's 434th FA Brigade is the largest FA brigade in the Army, training more than 20,000 Soldiers annually. It will continue to provide the quality training required to prepare the Army's newest warriors for the future.

LTC Thearon M. Williams, FA

Deputy Commander

434th FA Brigade

Fort Sill, OK

Operational Environments
  * Linear & Contiguous
  * Linear & Non-Contiguous
  * Non-linear & Contiguous
  * Non-Linear & Non-Contiguous
Types of Fires
  * Close Support of Maneuver
  * Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)
  * Counterstrike
  * Interdiction
  * Shaping Operations
Support Relationships
  * Direct Support (DS)
  * Reinforcing (R)
  * General Support Reinforcing (GSR)
  * General Support (GS)
Command Relationships
  * Organic
  * Assigned
  * Attached
  * Under Operational Control (OPCON)
  * Under Tactical Control (TACON)
  * For Administrative Control (ADCON)

Figure 1: Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Platoon Package--Four
Perspectives for Analysis. The challenge was to determine how to
configure MLRS platoons to provide full-spectrum, responsive fires to
brigade combat teams (BCTs)--including Guided MLRS (GMLRS) unitary
fires.