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#41
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On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 15:36:51 -0500, Howard Berkowitz
wrote: In article , "Paul F Austin" wrote: "Kevin Brooks" wrote "Paul F Austin" wrote in message Of course it's not. It's not even "my idea". I'm under no illusion that I or anyone on this forum will "think up" a new paradigm that those blockheads at the Pentagon, yadayada... Real analysis doesn't happen on Usenet. Although why the Army restricts its thinking to rotorcraft is a good question. Can we say "Key West Agreement"? Which one? The US Army-USAF relationship is actually derived from multiple agreements, the earliest dating to the '40s. The latest agreement didn't fully override all of the previous ones. John Hairell ) |
#42
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"M" *@*.* wrote in message ... Kevin Brooks I always thought the emphasis on radar stealth was off the mark. Consider missions like the one at the start of Desert Storm, where (iirc) Apaches sneaked in low at night and destroyed Iraqi early warning radars. Obviously, radar stealth seems useful for such missions. Actually, from what little I understand, that scenario is one where LO tech would be of the least usefulness. Early warning radars work on the longer end of the wavelength, and LO is least effective against EW systems; ISTR reading that stealthy platforms can rather often pop up on such systems. But the LO is better oriented towards the shorter wavelength acquisition and tracking systems. If I have that all wrong, sombody else can feel free to correct that view. So, a few stupid(?) questions: Am I wrong about radar stealth being quite useful in addition to terrain masking? Is using helos for such missions outdated? Are such deep missions a marginal issue nowadays, or was it so already back then? Or is it that the US is focusing its capability on tackling third rate opponents with minimal own-losses, rendering the issue of radar-based airdefences largely irrelevant? I don't think LO in the radar spectrum is nearly as important for a helo that is able to use terrain masking as would be reducing the IR and sound signatures. As to going deep, the aviators were quite enamored with that philosophy ever since the Apache arrived on the scene; when we played mixed force simulations, where our division had both Cobras and Apaches in hand, we invariably dedicated the Apaches to going deep (where they often took heavier losses) while we retained the Cobras for over-the-shoulder shooting and as our last-ditch AT reserve. The experience during OIF with the 11th AVN BDE deep attack does point out the dangers inherent in trying to use rotary assets in that role, but beware drawing to great a conclusion, as that mission may have had some planning problems, and it was executed knowingly at greater risk without SEAD support. without the benefit of the normal SEAD support from your own arty assets is extremely risky." More naive questions: Is artillery SEAD really seen as a requirement for attack helo missions within the envelope of enemy short-range airdefences? In my expereince at the DIV level, and watching the corps planning cycle up-close, yes it usually is included in the deep strike plan. If so, what about operating out of arty range? Unlikely--MLRS is now reaching out to a bit over 70 klicks, and when firing ATACMS it can go as deep as some 300 klicks. During exercises V Corps usually kept a significant part of the ATACMS supply under its thumb for use in both SEAD and against OPFOR deep attack (i.e., rocket) systems. Or without having arty on theatre in the first place (eg much of Afghanistan, esp early on)? Which is why we are now fielding HIMARS, the HEMTT truck based "light MLRS", with a six pack in the rack versus the two six packs available in the tracked version. You can also do the JAAT routine, where the attack helos work with fixed wing CAS. And, finally, if artillery is that effective for SEAD, wouldn't it also be effective against the targets of the attack helos? Nope. You are using the arty deep in the SEAD role against area targets. The attack helos are going there because they can pick out and kill the specific systems you are going after. If they are MBT's, then the current crop of arty systems (other than Copperhead, which needs a designator and rather good battlefield conditions) can't reliably kill them. Couldn't smart AT-MP submunitions, or whatever, then do all the job of the AH's, and more safely? How many smart AT packages have we fielded for the arty systems? None, other than Copperhead, which has a mixed record. We have tested some, and gotten to the almost-ready-to-field stage, but not actually fielded them. That *may* change with the new GMLRS (guided MLRS)...there was some talk about fielding a smart submunition package for it and for ATACMS. Moreover, while MLRS can saturate fairly large areas with submunitions, and will probably ruin the day of any manpad operator in the target area, one can't possibly use arty to saturate all the potential locations of air-defences. At least not with low-level ingress/eggress. A guy with a manpad can hide easily - in the worst case he'll be lurking just next to your base, like has been the case in some Russian helo losses in Chechenya. So you do a good mission analysis using the currently available planning software. Plot the ingress and egress in and check it against line-of-sight and AD weapons ranges; a good GIS can then shde in the areas where your path intersects the LOS from what terrain. You then either adjust your route, or plan for SEAD fires on that terrain. And what if the enemy has useful counter battery capability that limits arty SEAD support? Use AH's to take it out, but... I don't see us facing any bad guys who can overmatch our counterbattery, and the ever important firefinder radars, capabilities. Brooks g |
#43
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In article , John Hairell
wrote: On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 15:36:51 -0500, Howard Berkowitz wrote: In article , "Paul F Austin" wrote: "Kevin Brooks" wrote "Paul F Austin" wrote in message Of course it's not. It's not even "my idea". I'm under no illusion that I or anyone on this forum will "think up" a new paradigm that those blockheads at the Pentagon, yadayada... Real analysis doesn't happen on Usenet. Although why the Army restricts its thinking to rotorcraft is a good question. Can we say "Key West Agreement"? Which one? The US Army-USAF relationship is actually derived from multiple agreements, the earliest dating to the '40s. The latest agreement didn't fully override all of the previous ones. I want to say 1947, but it would probably have to been a little after that (or maybe late in the year) since the Air Force was represented as a full service. |
#44
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"Howard Berkowitz" wrote in message
... Can we say "Key West Agreement"? Which one? The US Army-USAF relationship is actually derived from multiple agreements, the earliest dating to the '40s. The latest agreement didn't fully override all of the previous ones. I want to say 1947, but it would probably have to been a little after that (or maybe late in the year) since the Air Force was represented as a full service. If you google on "Key West Agreement", you will be overwhelmed with information. It wuz 1948. ;-) |
#45
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In article .net,
"Felger Carbon" wrote: "Howard Berkowitz" wrote in message ... Can we say "Key West Agreement"? Which one? The US Army-USAF relationship is actually derived from multiple agreements, the earliest dating to the '40s. The latest agreement didn't fully override all of the previous ones. I want to say 1947, but it would probably have to been a little after that (or maybe late in the year) since the Air Force was represented as a full service. If you google on "Key West Agreement", you will be overwhelmed with information. It wuz 1948. ;-) Hey, I was busy being a fetus most of that year! Talk about information overload when you get born! Thanks. |
#46
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Kevin Brooks
How many smart AT packages have we fielded for the arty systems? None, other than Copperhead, which has a mixed record. We have tested some, and gotten to the almost-ready-to-field stage, but not actually fielded them. That *may* change with the new GMLRS (guided MLRS)...there was some talk about fielding a smart submunition package for it and for ATACMS. But there are non-US systems, like the Swedish Strix, which is a 120mm mortar fired guided AT round. At least on paper, it seems very formidable with autonomous guidance, target search and prioritization, and a decent-sized top-attack warhead. The Brittish 80mm Merlin was rather similar, although mm-wave radar rather than IR, but I recall that it was cancelled. I find it surprizing that the US hasn't adopted any smart artillery rounds, except the Copperhead, which really isn't all that smart (non-autonomous). Especially considering the hype that was there already in the 80's about cargo rockets with autonomous AT-munitions that would render massed MBT usage obsolete (again ... Eg plans of Lance carrying dozens of such munitions. Perhaps the fact that none was fielded has something to do with the end of the cold war. Speculatively, if it was seen that the AH's (etc) that they already had were sufficient to deal with any armour threat out there? Otoh, it's interesting that Sweden would come up with such a round. Do they perhaps see it the other way around, as a substitute for the attack helos they don't have? I don't see us facing any bad guys who can overmatch our counterbattery, and the ever important firefinder radars, capabilities. Unlikely yes, but I could think of rapidly deployed light 'speed-bump' infantry getting into trouble lacking sufficient arty. Mogadishu perhaps illustrates in a small scale that even US troops can find themselves on the ground without sufficient support. |
#47
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The matter of using MLRS for SEAD for AH's brings up
the question of whether it's sufficient for saturating the defences. While anti-personnel bomblets, like those used in MLRS, cluster bombs and such, typically are very effective, there are situations where this isn't the case. Soft terrain, like snow covered ground, or boggy ground, greatly reduces the effect of any impact fuzed arty, and small muntions in particular. Firstly, the submunitions may fail to detonate, as the decelearition when hitting the soft terrain may be insufficient to trigger them. Secondly, the effect of those that do detonate, is greatly reduced by the snow or bog absorbing the blast and sharpnel. And finally, there'll be no bouncing, which otherwise could give bomblets a kind of low-level airburst capability. Airburst by proximity fuzing is the obvious solution, but I think it'd be prohibitavely expensive with bomblets. In forested terrain, 'trigger-hair' impact fuzing may give canopy-level airbursts, but I guess that wouldn't be practical with bomblets either. Are there bomblets (anti-personnel submunitions) that actually work well in soft terrain? And if so, how do they accomplish it? |
#48
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Kevin Brooks wrote:
"M" *@*.* wrote in message ... Kevin Brooks I always thought the emphasis on radar stealth was off the mark. Consider missions like the one at the start of Desert Storm, where (iirc) Apaches sneaked in low at night and destroyed Iraqi early warning radars. Obviously, radar stealth seems useful for such missions. Actually, from what little I understand, that scenario is one where LO tech would be of the least usefulness. Early warning radars work on the longer end of the wavelength, and LO is least effective against EW systems; ISTR reading that stealthy platforms can rather often pop up on such systems. But the LO is better oriented towards the shorter wavelength acquisition and tracking systems. If I have that all wrong, sombody else can feel free to correct that view. So, a few stupid(?) questions: Am I wrong about radar stealth being quite useful in addition to terrain masking? Is using helos for such missions outdated? Are such deep missions a marginal issue nowadays, or was it so already back then? Or is it that the US is focusing its capability on tackling third rate opponents with minimal own-losses, rendering the issue of radar-based airdefences largely irrelevant? I don't think LO in the radar spectrum is nearly as important for a helo that is able to use terrain masking as would be reducing the IR and sound signatures. As to going deep, the aviators were quite enamored with that philosophy ever since the Apache arrived on the scene; when we played mixed force simulations, where our division had both Cobras and Apaches in hand, we invariably dedicated the Apaches to going deep (where they often took heavier losses) while we retained the Cobras for over-the-shoulder shooting and as our last-ditch AT reserve. The experience during OIF with the 11th AVN BDE deep attack does point out the dangers inherent in trying to use rotary assets in that role, but beware drawing to great a conclusion, as that mission may have had some planning problems, and it was executed knowingly at greater risk without SEAD support. without the benefit of the normal SEAD support from your own arty assets is extremely risky." More naive questions: Is artillery SEAD really seen as a requirement for attack helo missions within the envelope of enemy short-range airdefences? In my expereince at the DIV level, and watching the corps planning cycle up-close, yes it usually is included in the deep strike plan. If so, what about operating out of arty range? Unlikely--MLRS is now reaching out to a bit over 70 klicks, and when firing ATACMS it can go as deep as some 300 klicks. During exercises V Corps usually kept a significant part of the ATACMS supply under its thumb for use in both SEAD and against OPFOR deep attack (i.e., rocket) systems. Or without having arty on theatre in the first place (eg much of Afghanistan, esp early on)? Which is why we are now fielding HIMARS, the HEMTT truck based "light MLRS", with a six pack in the rack versus the two six packs available in the tracked version. You can also do the JAAT routine, where the attack helos work with fixed wing CAS. And, finally, if artillery is that effective for SEAD, wouldn't it also be effective against the targets of the attack helos? Nope. You are using the arty deep in the SEAD role against area targets. The attack helos are going there because they can pick out and kill the specific systems you are going after. If they are MBT's, then the current crop of arty systems (other than Copperhead, which needs a designator and rather good battlefield conditions) can't reliably kill them. Couldn't smart AT-MP submunitions, or whatever, then do all the job of the AH's, and more safely? How many smart AT packages have we fielded for the arty systems? None, other than Copperhead, which has a mixed record. We have tested some, and gotten to the almost-ready-to-field stage, but not actually fielded them. Not true. The Army fielded and used the SADARM artillery-fired AT submunitions in Iraq last year. The 3ID(M) After Action report says they fired over 120 rounds with 48 targets killed. http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...-aar-jul03.pdf (You'll have to search in the report) That *may* change with the new GMLRS (guided MLRS)...there was some talk about fielding a smart submunition package for it and for ATACMS. I think GMLRS is headed toward a unitary round more than smart subs. ATACSM BAT may still show up, though. The Army has also just issued a contract (now under protest) for manufacture of a 120mm Precision-Guided Mortar Projectile, and is soliciting for an off-the-shelf round to complement the depleted SADARM stocks. -- Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail "If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed) |
#49
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"M" *@*.* wrote in message ... Kevin Brooks How many smart AT packages have we fielded for the arty systems? None, other than Copperhead, which has a mixed record. We have tested some, and gotten to the almost-ready-to-field stage, but not actually fielded them. That *may* change with the new GMLRS (guided MLRS)...there was some talk about fielding a smart submunition package for it and for ATACMS. But there are non-US systems, like the Swedish Strix, which is a 120mm mortar fired guided AT round. At least on paper, it seems very formidable with autonomous guidance, target search and prioritization, and a decent-sized top-attack warhead. The Brittish 80mm Merlin was rather similar, although mm-wave radar rather than IR, but I recall that it was cancelled. If Strix were such a great system it would have been picked up by more nations than just Sweden and Switzerland (not sure that having two of the biggest neutrals buy it is much of an endorsement!). Despite claims otherwise, it will be subject to decoying with properly set up IR emitters. And it only has a 7 klick range, which is not going to do much in the interdiction role. If you try to fire it while your forces are in the close fight, there is a significant fratricide risk. I find it surprizing that the US hasn't adopted any smart artillery rounds, except the Copperhead, which really isn't all that smart (non-autonomous). Especially considering the hype that was there already in the 80's about cargo rockets with autonomous AT-munitions that would render massed MBT usage obsolete (again ... Eg plans of Lance carrying dozens of such munitions. That was "Assault Breaker", father of ATACMS. The plans to develop smart submunitions dispensers for the MLRS family, along with FASCAM versions, died when the threat of a major conflict with the USSR winked out. Perhaps the fact that none was fielded has something to do with the end of the cold war. Yep. But have no fear--the Excalibur GPS guided 155mm projectile is about ready to enter service, IIRC. We also have GMLRS, with guided accuracy out to around 74 km, according to released test results. And remember that ATACMS is guided, out to 300 km. Speculatively, if it was seen that the AH's (etc) that they already had were sufficient to deal with any armour threat out there? Otoh, it's interesting that Sweden would come up with such a round. Do they perhaps see it the other way around, as a substitute for the attack helos they don't have? Given its short range, I doubt it. I don't see us facing any bad guys who can overmatch our counterbattery, and the ever important firefinder radars, capabilities. Unlikely yes, but I could think of rapidly deployed light 'speed-bump' infantry getting into trouble lacking sufficient arty. Mogadishu perhaps illustrates in a small scale that even US troops can find themselves on the ground without sufficient support. One of the lessons (re)learned from Anaconda was *always* have your arty assets available. We are fielding the M777 light 155mm gun now, and HIMARS is also pending fielding. We already have the M119 light 105mm guns. There is no need for *any* significant US troop deployment to go in without arty accompanying it. Brooks |
#50
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"Thomas Schoene" wrote in message link.net... Kevin Brooks wrote: snip How many smart AT packages have we fielded for the arty systems? None, other than Copperhead, which has a mixed record. We have tested some, and gotten to the almost-ready-to-field stage, but not actually fielded them. Not true. The Army fielded and used the SADARM artillery-fired AT submunitions in Iraq last year. The 3ID(M) After Action report says they fired over 120 rounds with 48 targets killed. Thanks; I had thought that program was axed a couple of years back. http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...-aar-jul03.pdf (You'll have to search in the report) That *may* change with the new GMLRS (guided MLRS)...there was some talk about fielding a smart submunition package for it and for ATACMS. I think GMLRS is headed toward a unitary round more than smart subs. ATACSM BAT may still show up, though. I believe you are correct, but I am not sure that the use of a a smart submunition warhead is dead yet. The interest in being able to engage transient targets and reduce the sensor-to-shooter cycle time would seem to point to a place for such a system. The Army has also just issued a contract (now under protest) for manufacture of a 120mm Precision-Guided Mortar Projectile, and is soliciting for an off-the-shelf round to complement the depleted SADARM stocks. The 120mm projectile is not going to be of much use in the deep attack--not enough leg on it. In the close battle, the danger close range would have to be a concern; lobbing autonomous IR or MMWR guided munitions over the FLOT whre your own Brads and Abrams are operating could be problematic. Is the new system going to use autonomous targeting, or laser designation? Brooks -- Tom Schoene |
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