Counter Insurgency (COIN) campaigns present some of the most demanding missions for military aircraft involved in Close Air Support (CAS). Yet improvements in sensors and weapons are honing the ability of air power to deliver decisive effects in this regard.
In spite of the limited presence of traditional anti-aircraft threats such as Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA), aircraft involved in supporting COIN operations have to cover vast geographical areas to help detect and bring force to bear on concealed enemy forces that can attack from almost any direction in relation to friendly forces and are often either ‘danger-close’ to friendly troops or civilians, raising the possibility of ‘blue-on-blue’ or collateral damage incidents. Furthermore, since COIN operations are usually discretionary rather than existential conflicts for Western forces, civilian and friendly casualties are a potentially strategic issue due to fears of wavering domestic support for continuing operations, witness the event in April when a misdirected US airstrike killed 18 friendly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces militia in Tabqua, northern Syria.
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Armada International.
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Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Armada International.
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Best Supporting Actors
The nature of modern day operations means that air strikes are often the primary form of attack used against targets, and traditional battlefields, which generally only involve the two opposing sides but that are away from civilians, reside for now in the history books.
Suits Of Armour
Helicopter armour that protects aircrew members and passengers from small arms fire is a proven requirement driven by recent, and ongoing, conflicts in the Iraq/Syria and central Asian theatres, meanwhile the drive towards lighter armour will continue.
Up Close And Personal
Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS) are effectively the ‘last line of defence’ for naval vessels. CIWS have evolved in recent years as the immediate threats to ships have grown more complex, with new avenues of development in the domain for companies and navies alike.
Small Targets Present Big Challenges
Counter Insurgency (COIN) campaigns present some of the most demanding missions for military aircraft involved in Close Air Support (CAS). Yet improvements in sensors and weapons are honing the ability of air power to deliver decisive effects in this regard.
Commercial Break
Despite a reduction in US strategic commitments around the world, the commercial Satellite Communications (SATCOM) industry is confident that military demand will increase as countries seek to diversify supply and augment nationally-owned capabilities.
Doctor And The Medics
Responding to emerging requirements in battlefield medicine associated with increases in expeditionary deployments, special forces continue to evolve their practices to safely operate in areas lacking even the most basic support infrastructure.
Wheels And Tracks For The God Of War
Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) has many inherent advantages over towed artillery. These include its greater tactical mobility, the ability to provide protection to the crew, the carriage of onboard ammunition, and the possibility for automation of all firing functions.
Superiority Complex
The world’s air forces deploy a variety of Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM). This article profiles some of the leading European, Israeli and North American efforts for prosecuting within visual range and beyond visual range engagements.
Over The Ocean
While they are primarily used by air forces, with armies, following closely behind, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are becoming an asset that naval forces are increasingly interested in operating, although the introduction of them comes with a number of challenges.
