SPMAGTF(X) MOUT Training Program of Instruction

Light Armored Reconnaissance Operations in an Urban Environment

INTRODUCTION

GAIN ATTENTION

PURPOSE

The purpose of this period of instruction is to familiarize you with the capabilities, limitations, and the employment and coordination of light armored reconnaissance (LAR) and infantry operations in the urban environment.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS

MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Ref: MCO 3501.15

M10C.3.14, M10C.7.1, M10C.7.2

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, the student will understand the basic coordination procedures for LAR-infantry operations during MOUT.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Know the limitations and capabilities of LAR.
2. Know how to direct and control LAR fires.
3. Know the various weapons that a light armored vehicle (LAV) has available.
4. Understand the protection and coordination requirements for LAR-infantry employment.

METHOD AND MEDIA

This period of instruction will be taught through lecture, static display and demonstration.

TESTING

This period of instruction will be evaluated through practical application.

TRANISTION

BODY

1. Limitations:

a. General: The Mission of the LAV-25 is to conduct reconnaissance, security, screening and limited offensive and defensive missions as directed by the supported commander. Employing the LAV-25 in urban terrain using the tactics that where designed for tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) limits the capability of this vehicle and has the potential to making it extremely susceptible to its inherent weaknesses. The LAV is NOT an APC or IFV - it offers little protection in the danger zone rich environment of a built-up area.

b. Sniper Threat: Vehicle commanders and drivers, if not buttoned-up, become a priority target for snipers. Once buttoned-up, the vehicle crew has severely restricted visibility. Because of this reduced visibility, LAVs are extremely vulnerable to anti-tank or heavy machine gun fire. The natural channelization of an urban area makes it extremely difficult for a vehicle to maneuver. This is why it is imperative that the infantry provide security. In the urban environment, an LAV is better suited to overcome minor obstacles than a HMMWV, and it possess a more stable mounted weapon system. However, it still suffers from many of the limitations of an unarmored vehicle.

c. Obscuration: Smoke, buildings, rubble and other obscurants will restrict the LAV crew's fields of view.

d. Minimum Ranges: Because of the short engagement range of urban combat, it may be difficult for the LAV to engage fleeting targets or targets that are under the minimum effective range of the LAV's weapons systems.

2. LAV Capabilities and Considerations:

a. Primary function: Provide strategic mobility to reach and engage the threat, tactical mobility for effective use of fire power, fire power to defeat soft and armored targets, battlefield survivability to carry out combat missions.
Length: 251.6 inches (6.39 meters)
Height: 106.0 inches, (101.0 with pintle mount removed) (2.69 meters)
Width: 98.4 inches (turret facing forward) (2.5 meters)
Weight: 24,100 pounds (10,941 kilograms)
Combat Weight: 28,200 pounds (12,802.8 kilograms)
Range: 410 miles (660.1 kilometers)
Speed: 62 mph (99.2 km/hr)
Swim speed: 6 mph (9.6 km/hr)
Crew: Driver, gunner, commander and 6 troops
Armament: M242 25mm chain gun, M240 7.62mm machine gun mounted coaxial to the main gun
Communications: Two SINCGARS per vehicle
Features: The LAV-25 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities. It is air transportable via C-130, C-141, C-5 and CH-53 E. When combat loaded there are 210 ready rounds and 420 stowed rounds of 25 mm ammunition as well as 400 ready rounds and 1200 stowed rounds of 7.62mm. There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of smoke grenades. A supplementary M240E1 7.62mm machine gun can be pintle-mounted at the commander's station in the turret. The LAV-25 is fully amphibious with a maximum of 3 minutes preparation.

b. Considerations:

Armor: 1/4 homogenous steel (LIGHT!), applique armor can be applied
Personnel: Lack of trigger pullers - 3 crewmen, 3-4 scouts per LAV-25
Maneuverability: In built-up areas easily channeled into tight areas
Space: Is NOT an APC nor an IFV

3. MOUT Coordination Considerations:

a. Dismounted Infantry-LAV Relationship: LAR is NOT light armored infantry. As a result, the LAV possesses little inherent ability to conduct self-defense. This is especially true in the close terrain of an urban environment. Accordingly, the following considerations apply:

1) The LAV commander should work closely with the supported commander in mission analysis, mission assignment, and planning and execution considerations.
2) Whenever the LAV is operating on the ground (not amphibious), it needs to be closely integrated with the dismounted infantry effort in order to provide mutual protection and mutual support.
3) The supported colander must understand the risks and limitations involved in using LAVs in close urban terrain. This in turn, enables the commander to utilize the LAV to its fullest potential.

b. Immediate Action Drills: These must be developed and rehearsed extensively. This not only true for the LAV community, but also between the LAV Marines and the supported unit.

c. Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs): It is essential that the LAV-infantry relationship have clearly defined SOPs. Due to the urban environment risk and the uncertainty that accompanies it, all parties must understand, and be prepared to execute, the variety of actions that for every possible urban situation and mission.

4. Missions: Possible and realistic mission profiles for MOUT include the LAVs strengths and weaknesses. These missions include LAR employment as an isolation force outside the built-up area, as a raid force, a reaction force, NEO missions, vehicle recovery, medical evacuation, fire support, civil disturbance support operations, and limited patrol operations.

a. Isolate:

1) Secure an area by direct fire, observation (use of thermal) and indirect fires
2) Blocking of lines of communications/main supply routes (LOCs/MSRs)
3) Cordoning operations
4) Overwatch
5) Vulnerability to anti-tank weapons and heavy machine gun fire must always be taken into consideration

b. Raid:

1) Speed and firepower
2) Shock and surprise
3) Vulnerability to anti-tank weapons and heavy machine gun fire
4) Limited personnel for actions on the objective
5) Potential to be channeled into an ambush

c. Reaction Force:

1) Speed and firepower
2) Shock and surprise
3) Provide support from a secure area
4) Limited personnel for actions on the objective
5) Potential to be channeled into an ambush
6) Vulnerability to anti-tank weapons and heavy machine guns

d. NEO:

1) Speed and firepower
2) Transportability and mobility
3) Some degree of protection for evacutees
4) Can only carry a small number of evacutees
5) Infantry security support is vital

e. Vehicle Recovery:

1) Towing capability
2) Manueverability
3) Be prepared for the potential of an ambush
4) Risk to vehicle and crew must be weighed against the value of recovery of another vehicle
5) Infantry security support is vital

f. Medical Evacuation:

1) LAV-L is best suited for this mission
2) Use a combination of LAV-L and LAV-25 with infantry teams in support
3) Speed, security and firepower in comparison to other evacuation options
4) Safety and protected treatment of wounded or injured Marines

g. Fire Support:

1) Direct fire from the chain gun
2) Ability to utilize communications to call indirect fires
3) Lack of maneuver space makes the LAV vulnerable in an urban environment

h. Civil Disturbance:

1) Shock and surprise
2) Close coordination with infantry riot line is essential to mission success
3) Possible vulnerability to Moltov Cocktails or other homemade explosive devices
4) Vulnerability to potential ambush

i. Patrolling:

1) Manueverability
2) Greater speed and firepower than HMMWV
3) Vulnerability to potential ambush
4) And as with all mechanized urban operations - THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS MECH- INFANTRY COORDINATION

QUESTIONS

SUMMARY

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