The idea of writing this article arose out of endless disputes about the effectiveness of air defense and the obligation of air cover for the positions of air defense systems. Many stubbornly insist that a fully echeloned air defense system is practically impenetrable, opponents argue that air defense is an "air force for the poor." So who's right?
In this article, we will discuss the scenario of a breakthrough of an echeloned air defense system that does not have a full-fledged air cover, based on Israeli-made technology and weapons. I chose Israel for several reasons: endless disputes about the supply of modern air defense systems to the Middle East region, and the real combat experience of such operations ("Artsav-19", for example).
So let's start the "battle". Today, such an attack will be a planned operation carried out simultaneously, using all the capabilities of the principle of "network-centric warfare" and a full range of weapons. For the sake of the purity of the experiment, we will assume that the enemy has a "network-centric" connection and will not use the ground / sea launch system (IAI Harop drones) and foreign-made systems (AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles) in the breakthrough.
The amount of funds will be directly proportional to the network to be broken through, so we will omit the number of parties outside the brackets. The construction of the air wing will be standard (by echelons) - diversified UAVs, fighters, AWACS and electronic warfare aircraft, aircraft refuellers. And, of course, the attack will be coordinated with the reconnaissance satellites window.
In the presence of over-the-horizon radar, such an attack will not come as a surprise, but leaves the enemy little time for maneuvers and preparation. Over-the-horizon interception (if the enemy has such an opportunity) is extremely unlikely. The AFAR of a fighter (and even more so AWACS) is capable of almost 100% incapacitation of the radar seeker of head-on air defense missile systems with a focused high-energy radio beam, if necessary using group suppression of individual targets in turn. This tactic allows you to concentrate hundreds of kilowatts on the receiver of a single seeker, practically burning its electronics in seconds.
Suppression of GOS using APAR
For an effective breakthrough, first of all, it is necessary to open up the enemy's positions and, first of all, the long-range air defense system. Of course, the enemy will not turn on all its guidance radars and will try not to reveal their positions if they consider the threat not serious enough. Therefore, in the forefront of the air wave will go "tricks", for example, "ATALD" (Advanced Tactical Air Launched Decoy & Aerial Target) manufactured by IMI. Their task is to make the adversary believe in the need to use "all that is possible and what is not" to repel an attack of this magnitude.
This is, in fact, an autonomous drone launched from a fighter jet, its primary task is to create as many plausible false targets as possible on the enemy's radars. One "ATALD" can simulate an entire air link of fighters or cruise missiles on several radars simultaneously, adjusting to their range and giving false targets realistic behavior (maneuvering, evasion).
The drone is insensitive to electronic warfare equipment, since it does not conduct radio reconnaissance, its main task is to "sparkle like a Christmas tree on New Year's Eve" and attract maximum attention. And its small size, radio-absorbing coverage and spatial spread of false targets make it a difficult target to intercept.
ATALD-Advanced Tactical Air Launched Decoy & Aerial Target
While target simulators will "troll the enemy" to detect the positions of their radars, satellites, AWACS and high-altitude radio reconnaissance UAVs will scrupulously record all incoming information, calculate the coordinates of targets and instantly distribute this information to the entire air connection.
AWACS aircraft "Nahshon-Eitam" (IAI) with EL / W-2085 (Elta)
Reconnaissance satellite equipped with synthetic aperture radar "Polaris" aka Ofek-8 (IAI)
High-altitude long-range radio reconnaissance UAV 4X-UMI Heron TP (IAI)
The second echelon, slightly lagging behind the simulators, is followed by the "Delilah" swarm at extremely low altitudes. Their task is to penetrate as much as possible into the enemy's territory by the time the targets are assigned, and their launch range is 250 km. IMI "Delilah" is small in size and does not radiate in the radio range when used in stand-alone mode. Target detection occurs by geographic coordinates using GPS or inertial navigation, and an electro-optical / thermal imaging seeker or seeker of guidance to a radio emission source (anti-radar version) is responsible for the final aiming.
The first targets of the CD will be electronic warfare sources, long-range air defense radar systems and the main communication centers. The ability to unite in a "flock", to attack simultaneously from several sides, or to "make a clearing" in the close-range air defense system guarantee high efficiency of hitting the main targets.
IMI "Delilah"
Also, "Popeye Turbo ALCM" can be used as a weapon of destruction of especially distant targets. This aviation version of the Popeye Turbo SLCM has a range of over 350 km.
Popeye Turbo ALCM (Rafael)
As soon as the enemy loses long-range air defense systems and main electronic warfare stations, the air group reduces the distance, and cheaper weapons are used. The medium-range air defense radar will be hit with Popeye Lite missiles (at ranges up to 150 km), as well as corrected gliding bombs Spice-1000 (at ranges up to 100 km).
Popeye Lite (Rafael) on a fighter pylon
Spice-1000 (Rafael) on a fighter pylon
SAM positions, left without radar, inaccurately marked positions, as well as their supply bases are cleared using the "MSOV" (Modular Stand Off Vehicle) from IMI. This is essentially a large gliding drone carrying a variety of weapons on board - from cluster warheads to individually guided munitions. His task is to reach the given coordinates, find the target and open the bomb bay. MSOV weighs over a ton and has a launch range of up to 100 km. Guidance - GPS / INS.
MSOV - Modular Stand Off Vehicle
Fighter-bombers armed with "Spice-250" gliding bombs will be "finishing work" on the short-range air defense systems, clearing launchers, communications centers and command headquarters. Each aircraft can drop 16 of these ammunition, 113 kg each. Electronic warfare coverage for each flight will be carried out using the "Skyshield Jammer POD" on one of the aircraft. This proven system operates in a 360-degree radius, automatically responding and adjusting to radiation sources.
Spice 250 (Rafael) against the background of the F-16 mockup with full ammunition
SKY SHIELD Airborne Support Jammer (Rafael)
Now our "mission" has come to an end. I apologize in advance for the "abundance" of performance characteristics, but this is not a technical catalog, but a speculative experiment. Thank you all for your attention.
All performance characteristics are publicly available.
Note. Fans of non-constructive comments like "if there is no water in the tap", do not waste precious time on useless pressing of buttons and go straight to
American version of Raytheon's air defense breakthrough scenario.
