2. FA Cannon Battalion Radio Nets.
a. When planning communications systems, consider both internal and external communications
requirements.
(1) Internal communications requirements include the facilities for command, control, and coordination
of the activities of the unit. The installation and maintenance of internal communications systems are the
responsibility of the unit commander. In a higher HQ, such as a battalion or division, the internal
communications system serves as part of the external communications system of the subordinate unit.
(2) External communications requirements include the facilities by which a unit maintains
communication with its next higher HQ, adjacent units (as required), and supported or reinforced units. These
allow the unit to receive data and information necessary to do its mission. The commander of any unit is
responsible for the integration of his communications asset into the communications system of the next higher
HQ.
b. In general, eight primary nets are required for a cannon battalion to operate and perform its mission. Six
are internal nets and two are external nets. In non-TACFIRE units, all six of the internal nets are FM voice. In
TACFIRE units, four of the nets are FM digital, with three dedicated primarily to fire direction and one to fire
Support planning and coordination. Four of the nets are FM voice and are used for internal command of the
battalion; administration and logistics; survey planning and coordination; and voice fire support planning,
coordination, and execution. The voice fire support and survey nets are the external nets. They are in the signal
operation instructions (SOI) of the supported maneuver unit and the force FA HQ. "Force FA" HQ is the HQ that
assigns the battalion its tactical mission and/or the HQ authorized to change the battalion's mission. This will
normally be a DIVARTY or a FA brigade, but it may also be a corps artillery HQ.
c. A cannon battalion combat radio net matrix is shown in Figure 2-3. According to the battalion's tactical
mission (DS, R, GSR, or GS), the matrix depicts what net(s) the units should enter and at what level of
communication.
(1) DS mission. The DS battalion nerve center is the FDC. The DS battalion may be equipped to
support a heavy maneuver brigade with self-propelled howitzers or a light infantry brigade with towed howitzers.
The requirements are the same, but the equipment configurations are different. Nets indicated as digital may be
voice nets until units field the necessary equipment to use digital methods and means of communication.
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