CSAR: Building Towards Capability

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) as a joint force operation requires a specialisation that many nations cannot afford. However, mission equipment and specialised aircraft can provide a workable capability when required.

- Dr. Joetey Attariwala

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) is a highly specialised mission capability which is distinct from traditional Search and Rescue (SAR). Most nations invest in multi-level SAR which is often integrated with Coast Guards and paramilitary organisations like law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies. CSAR differs in the specialist nature of the mission which is focused on the recovery of distressed or isolated military personnel in a wide range of threat environments. The very nature of CSAR means that missions often exist in non-linear, non-contiguous battlespace.

Technically speaking, CSAR can encompass multiple modalities of rescue - be it land, sea or air - however it is commonly acknowledged that CSAR usually references airborne assets including fixed wing aircraft (variants of the Lockheed Martin HC-130 for example), and rotary wing assets which are the most prevalent for this role, principally due to their ability to extract personnel by landing or by hoist. This article will principally focus on CSAR helicopters crewed by highly trained pilots, gunners and pararescuemen (PJs).

Today’s CSAR aircraft are configured for day and night operations, and often operate independently, which means they are fitted with very sophisticated equipment. Pilots in modern CSAR helicopters regularly use Night Vision Goggles (NVG); while aircraft can be fitted with radars such as the multi-panel Leonardo Osprey, a small size, weight and power (SWaP) AESA radar system (E-scan) which provides a genuine multi-domain 360 degree coverage capability. According to Leonardo, being a lightweight, flat panel radar with no moving parts makes it ideal to attach to the side of an aircraft and integrate with whatever type of mission system is being used. It also uses a tactical long-range Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) which allows the helicopter crew to examine the target area prior to beginning the insertion of a rescue team or pick-up of personnel.