FM 3-01.85: Patriot Battalion and Battery Operations - BITS

Threat
capability to attack enemy radars (for ARM variants). Newer missiles may
use dual mode seekers for increased reliability and combat capability.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
2-11. UAVs are unmanned aircraft used to perform a variety of missions,
ranging from reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance to attack and
electronic warfare. Enemy UAVs conducting reconnaissance, surveillance
and target acquisition (RSTA) missions are used to detect, identify, and
locate friendly targets and conduct battle damage assessments. UAVs
equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and data links can provide near realtime
targeting for fire support systems, maneuver forces, and aircraft. Those
UAVs that are used to conduct electronic warfare (EW) are employed to jam
C2 centers and sensor nodes.
2-12. UAV payloads consist of daylight television, infrared video, and film
cameras (for reconnaissance missions). Other major payload categories
include EW, electronic intelligence, radar, and attack warheads. Several
threat nations are developing and fielding antiradiation homing UAVs with
the primary mission of attacking battlefield radio frequency emitters (radars,
communications). These platforms have a variety of launch options and are
usually fire-and-forget systems. Other attack UAV systems employ terminal
guidance to kill tanks or fighting vehicles.
2-13. UAVs are difficult to detect, track, or engage because they have
relatively low RCSs, and low flight speeds. In addition, their flight profiles
take full advantage of terrain, thus masking their presence and increasing
survivability. UAVs conducting RSTA missions fly at altitudes safe from
small arms fire. In addition, UAVs can stand off and detect from up to 25
kilometers.
2-14. Future UAV roles, in addition to information gathering, will include
electronic combat, decoy, ground attack, and suppression of enemy air
defense. Standoff ranges may exceed 50 kilometers. A significant new
capability involves the direct linkage of a reconnaissance UAV to an artillery
unit’s fire direction center. This linkage provides near-real-time information
to ground commanders, followed by immediate fire and damage assessment.
UAVs are also good candidates for stealth technology and spin-off
technologies from cruise missile development programs.
FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
2-15. Although enemy fixed-wing aircraft no longer present the most
challenging threat to air defenders, they remain a formidable threat. They
are used to perform a variety of missions in both offensive and defensive
counterair operations, as well as–air interdiction, strategic attack, close air
support, EW, and RSTA. They can be used to attack friendly troops, convoys,
armored vehicles, C2 centers, air defense systems, and other battlefield
targets.
2-16. Fixed-wing aircraft are challenging to air defenders for several reasons.
First, they can employ a variety of munitions, including guns, rockets, CMs
and ASMs. Integrated navigation/bombing computers and related mission
2-3