Usage
The purpose of suppression is to stop or prevent a target from observing, shooting or moving. This is useful for tactical reasons, as a suppressed target will be unable to return fire upon vulnerable forces that are moving without cover. This enables forces to advance to new positions that offer more tactical advantages (e.g., a high point). For example, a US Marines article notes that "communication and suppressive fire are what enables movement on the battlefield, giving Marines the upper hand." Suppressive fire may be used to enable a helicopter or boat to land or extract soldiers from a battle zone (the latter is called a "hot extraction").
The primary intended effect of suppressive fire is psychological. Rather than directly trying to kill enemy soldiers, it makes the enemy soldiers feel unable to safely perform any actions other than seeking cover. Colloquially, this goal is expressed as "it makes them keep their heads down" or "it keeps them pinned down". However, depending on factors including the type of ammunition and the target's protection, suppressive fire may cause casualties and/or damage to enemy equipment.
Heavy and continuous fire keeps an opponent suppressed and therefore limits the overall firepower of the enemy unit. If an enemy platoon has 30 soldiers, but only 15 are shooting back as the other 15 are lying flat because of suppressive fire, then that unit's firepower has been reduced by half. Suppressive fire also makes it harder for the enemy to be able to assess the situation clearly.
Suppressive fire is typically used as covering fire against targets in the close combat zone. However, suppressive fire delivered by artillery and other indirect fire means can be used to suppress targets of any type. NATO also defines 'suppression of enemy air defences' (SEAD), which has a broader definition and includes materiel damage.
Read more about this topic: Suppressive Fire
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