X
XGnr
Guest
Any soldier can be taught engage an aircraft with a missile or gun system. Afghanistan proved that point where the dustmen engaged enemy aircraft with SA AD and a fire and forget missile system (Stinger) in a theatre where only enemy aircraft flew.
Our (NATO and Joint doctrine) AD situation is somewhat more complex. There are many allied variants of air, aviation, RPV, UAV and other assets that fly in a complex AD environment at all height bands (levels). Many of our western aircraft are being used by potential aggressors. Our former enemy is selling their aircraft to our allies. Superimpose rules of engagement, airspace control measures, weapons control states on top of the aircraft recognition problem and you have a real challenge. This challenge can be overcame with some technology, but it is the human with the finger on the trigger who decides the fate of an enemy (or friendly) jet or RW jock. Our glamour boys in blue would prefer that the guys pointing the missiles were specialists. Government accountants seem to agree with them as missiles are too expensive to "waste". $$ wise, one 35K missile can remove a 35 million dollar enemy (or friendly) figher quite easily.
Using the current CF VLLAD Javelin missile system as an example, you require a skilled operator who can take all of the above mentioned factors into account, and successfully engage the proper target in poor lighting and weather conditions. To get to that state requires an immense number of hours in training simulators and lots of ac recognition training, retraining and more training.
If you were to push Javelin down to the infantry they would have to take the same amount of training to ensure survivability of our ac and to prevent wasting expensive missiles on our ac. In other words they would become specialists - which we now have in the AD (mind you in ever reduced numbers).
Even Stinger requires extensive training and the same rules of engagement and other requirements present the Stinger gunner with many of the same challenges as the Javelin Gunner.
I am happy to note that someone recognizes the need for more point AD at the bn level. There is a glimmer of hope yet...
Our (NATO and Joint doctrine) AD situation is somewhat more complex. There are many allied variants of air, aviation, RPV, UAV and other assets that fly in a complex AD environment at all height bands (levels). Many of our western aircraft are being used by potential aggressors. Our former enemy is selling their aircraft to our allies. Superimpose rules of engagement, airspace control measures, weapons control states on top of the aircraft recognition problem and you have a real challenge. This challenge can be overcame with some technology, but it is the human with the finger on the trigger who decides the fate of an enemy (or friendly) jet or RW jock. Our glamour boys in blue would prefer that the guys pointing the missiles were specialists. Government accountants seem to agree with them as missiles are too expensive to "waste". $$ wise, one 35K missile can remove a 35 million dollar enemy (or friendly) figher quite easily.
Using the current CF VLLAD Javelin missile system as an example, you require a skilled operator who can take all of the above mentioned factors into account, and successfully engage the proper target in poor lighting and weather conditions. To get to that state requires an immense number of hours in training simulators and lots of ac recognition training, retraining and more training.
If you were to push Javelin down to the infantry they would have to take the same amount of training to ensure survivability of our ac and to prevent wasting expensive missiles on our ac. In other words they would become specialists - which we now have in the AD (mind you in ever reduced numbers).
Even Stinger requires extensive training and the same rules of engagement and other requirements present the Stinger gunner with many of the same challenges as the Javelin Gunner.
I am happy to note that someone recognizes the need for more point AD at the bn level. There is a glimmer of hope yet...