This United States Army publication, Field Manual FM 3-04 Army Aviation April 2020, is the Army's capstone doctrinal publication for conducting aviation operations. Its purpose is to provide the context for employing and integrating Army Aviation into unified land operations. It describes how Army Aviation forces, as part of the combined arms team, shape operational environments (OEs), prevent conflict, conduct large-scale combat operations (LSCO), and consolidate gains against a peer threat. FM 3-04 provides a foundation for subordinate training doctrine, professional military education, leader development, and individual and collective training. Together with ADP 3-0, ADP 3-90, and FM 3-0, this manual provides the foundation for how Army Aviation forces conduct prompt and sustained LSCO.
FM 3-04 is applicable to all members of the Army Profession: leaders, Soldiers, and Army civilians. The principle audience for FM 3-04 is commanders, staffs, and leaders at all echelons of the combined arms team. Army headquarters commanders and staffs serving as joint or multinational task force headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army also use this publication.
