Issues and answers: NLOS-C caliber decision, today's modularity, counterfire, and sound bytes.

We've made a decision about the caliber for the non-line-of-sight cannon (NLOS-C) anticipated to be the cannon we field in support of future combat system (FCS)-equipped units of action (UAs) and, possibly, in the Stryker brigades. The goal was to improve precision and reduce our logistical tail.

Based on our analysis, the clear choice for the NLOS-C is the 38-caliber 155-mm howitzer. The 155-mm was 58 percent more effective against personnel targets than the 105-mm and 82 percent more effective against materiel targets than the 105. The 38-caliber was selected over the longer 39-caliber tube, trading four kilometers of range (using the M549 rocket-assisted projectile) to save 1,367 pounds. This will make the NLOS-C C-130 deployable with about 25 percent of its basic load of ammunition.

The study assessed the impact of caliber on the ability to meet the NLOS-C mission module priorities (see Figure 1). These priorities are NLOS-C Operational Requirements Document (ORD) objectives that specify the system's performance and force effectiveness for transportability, lethality, survivability and sustainability. In making the caliber decision, we also assessed challenges in terms of risk, cost and developmental scheduling.

We are completely convinced that this is the right future cannon, and combat arms leaders at both Forts Benning and Knox are equally convinced. At the end of the day, our future gunners will have a cannon that will be fully capable of providing close supporting fires from a chassis that, from the turret down, nearly mirrors the other FCS-manned ground variants.

Additionally, our analysis confirmed the overwhelming benefit of fielding a course-correcting fuze (CCF) that will vastly improve accuracy and drive down our logistical tail. With the support of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Commander, we are working aggressively with the acquisition and technology communities to provide our 155-mm and 105-mm Cannoneers this CCF capability as quickly as possible.

Modularity and Our Artillery Force Structure. Modularity is not about a future 2008 capability but rather a 2004 capability. This must be clearly understood.

As the Army creates one additional maneuver brigade combat team (BCT) in each of the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) (3d ID) at Fort Stewart, Georgia; the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, New York; and the 101st, Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; each brigade will require an additional cannon battalion. Paladin 155-mm self-propelled howitzers will support the 3d Infantry Division's new battalion, and M119 105-mm towed howitzers will support the 10th and 101st Divisions' new battalions.

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Commanders from both these light divisions, as well as the XVIII Airborne Corps, have provided operational needs statements (ONS) for the development of a new enhanced forcible-entry cannon (EFEC) that we have taken for action. We recognize this cannon must be capable of 6400-mil operations and transportable by Black Hawk helicopter and the high-mobility multipurpose wheeled-vehicle (HMMWV) to meet the mission needs of the Soldiers in these divisions. Most likely, it will continue to be a 105-mm howitzer, based on several operational considerations, particularly ammunition weight.

In the new modular concept, the fires battalions are organic to their BCTs. The BCTs formerly known as "light" (i.e., in the 10th and 101st Divisions) are now called "infantry" BCTs.

Although numbers are not final, the proposed organization and structure for the infantry fires battalion will consist of about 406 Soldiers as shown in Figure 2. The organization of the heavy BCT fires battalion is nearly identical (Figure 3)--the heavy fires battalion has a Q-37 Firefinder radar (Version 8). These battalions are designed to provide close support while fires brigade systems provide shaping and counterstrike (counterfire) operations.

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The proposed fires brigade resembles a combination of the division artillery (Div Arty) and an FA brigade. Figure 4 shows its current proposed organization.

What readers should take from this concept are the improved targeting, logistical and communications support in this brigade. The three multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) and two cannon battalions in the fires brigade provide the additional fires normally expected from the Div Arty and a reinforcing FA brigade.

As currently planned, the brigade would have one organic rocket battalion, either MLRS or the high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS). The remaining four battalions will be assigned from the force pool.

It is likely that the active component (AC) fires brigade will be multi-component--have some number of battalions (cannon and MLRS) that are Army National Guard (ARNG). All the AC and ARNG MLRS battalions will have either the M270Al MLRS launchers or HIMARS, depending on the type of maneuver formation they will support.

We are pushing the development of the guided MLRS (GLMRS) unitary to provide lethal effects in areas of collateral damage concern. The recent test firing of the GMLRS unitary was exceptionally accurate at a range of nearly 38 kilometers (70 kilometers is the objective range).

Counterfire in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). There remains an active counterfire fight in Iraq. Traditional methods of destroying enemy indirect fires are often challenged in the urban fight against low volume and often remotely fired rockets and mortars. Brigadier General Dick Formica, Commander of III Corps Artillery, and his team are working counterfire issues in Iraq, developing adaptive proactive and reactive counterfire tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).

The fires community recognizes these counterfire challenges and is doing everything possible to expedite the fielding of more lightweight countermortar radars (LCMRs) in theater to provide additional 6400-mil coverage. The LCMRs will complement Firefinder radars that have considerably more range. We are working with the LCMR Program Manager to improve the radar's range, accuracy and processing time to achieve a lethality in total radar coverage that allows the enemy one chance to fire before he and his systems are destroyed.

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Professional Development and "Building the Bench." Recently, we conducted a "Board of Directors" (BOD) session at Fort Sill with approximately 70 FA officer, warrant officer and NCO Army AC and ARNG leaders and Marine artillerymen. The BOD's purpose was to share our vision for the FA way ahead and solicit from field leaders recommendations for adjustments to the vision and advise for the branch's strategic investments.

The number one "take away" from this session was that Fort Sill needed to do a better job of communicating strategically with the branch--from our most junior NCOs, warrants and lieutenants up to the most senior leaders in the branch, to include the retired "Gray Beard" community. We are committed to communicating better with the entire branch and our Gray Beards.

Also, I encourage commanders to maximize their participation in the quarterly Fires and Effects Video Teleconference (VTC) sponsored by the 30th Regiment, part of the FA School at Fort Sill. Our most recent VTC included Lieutenant Colonels Steve Sliwa, Brad Becker and Scott Wuestner, who are our FA battalion commanders in the Stryker brigades.

This is an excellent forum to "get your head in the huddle" with others who are both fighting as artillerymen as well as commanding task forces and leading other non-traditional artillery missions. I find these VTCs of tremendous value and encourage those who can to make them officer and senior NCO professional development (OPD) sessions.

Sound Bytes and Future Discussions. We have several joint initiatives ongoing at Fort Sill. For example, the 212th FA Brigade, III Corps Artillery, and the XVIII Corps recently completed an incredibly successful joint live-fire training exercise (LFTX) that featured the airdrop of M198s into Fort Sill in conjunction with artillery fires and close air support (CAS) from Navy, Marine and Air Force aircraft.

Colonel Dave Halverson and his new Joint and Combined Integration (JACI) Directorate at the FA School are working to resolve several critical joint issues with the Strategy, Plans and Policy Division of the G3, Army Staff, at the Pentagon. JACI is working on a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by all services to support each other's exercises and train JTACs in air-ground operations; re-installing an USAF detachment at Fort Sill; improving the Army presence at the Air-Ground Operations School (AGOS) at Nellis AFB, Nevada; and, most significantly, qualifying 13F Fire Support Specialists as joint tactical air controllers (JTACs). Six 3d ID 13Fs just graduated from training at AGOS, the first phase of JTAC qualification. Our JACI also is working a two-week Joint Fires and Effects Course (JFEC) to start at the end of this FY.

Many of our OIF and OEF units have developed some excellent TTPs for coordinating nonlethal effects, to include information operations (IO). Although Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, remains the proponent for the IO Functional Area 30, we have signed up as the Army lead to develop TTP and provide training for IO at the brigade level and below. IO is large and complex as much of its success depends on interagency and even coalition contributions. Understanding that, we must embrace and implement proponency for IO at the tactical level.

There are other hot issues that I will address in the September-October edition and in strategic communications messages or during the VTCs. These issues include the latest on assigning company fire support teams (FISTs) to maneuver companies; the relationships between the organic fires battalions and the fires brigade; who the fire support coordinator (FSCOORD) is, the effects coordinator or the senior FA commander; changes to the NCO education system (NCOES) and officer education system (OES) courses; and what the FA School will teach in the two additional weeks of the FA Captain's Career Course (FACCC) now that the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CA[S.sup.3]) at Fort Leavenworth has ended.

In my first column in the March-June edition, I invited your questions or comments on any and all issues; a few of you came "up on the net" and each was answered. I repeat the offer; send your comments to [e-mail].

Again, I encourage you all to be steady in the harness and keep up the "chatter in the infield." There is much misinformation we need to correct.

Proudly tell the real story of how America's artillery Soldiers are agile and adaptable, get the toughest missions and accomplish them to incredible standards. Continue to press along the ascending trajectory.

* Range must be at least 30 kilometers for high-explosive (HE) rounds.
* Accuracy must not exceed .55 percent of the range at low-angle at 30
  kilometers or less--165-meter circular error probable (CEP).
* Rate-of-fire must be at least six rounds per minute (RPM).
* Have automatic loading (no personnel).
* Rearm the system in 12 minutes.
* Store at least 24 rounds of ammunition on board.
* Have survivability through crew-served weapons and active protection.

Figure 1: Mission Module Priorities for the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon
(NLOS-C)

Major General David P. Valcourt

Chief of Field Artillery