fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

AIR DEFENSE ESTIMATE NUMBER____
References: Maps, charts, or other documents.
Time Zone Used Throughout the Estimate:
1. MISSION
ESTIMATE OF THE AIR DEFENSE SITUATION
(Classification)
Headquarters
Place
Date, time, and zone
Message reference number
FM 44-100
When the estimate's purpose is to support the force level commander's operation, use the force level commander's
mission statement. As the commander or operations officer, use the unit's mission statement when the estimate's
purpose is to determine which course of action best accomplishes the support mission.
2. SITUATION AND CONSIDERATIONS
This paragraph describes the conditions under which the unit will perform its mission and the possible courses of action
of the supported force.
(a) Characteristics of area of operation. For this paragraph, determine those factors of the situation which
influence friendly and threat actions and which, therefore, may influence the choice of a course of action. In the absence
of facts, use logical assumptions that might directly affect the mission. Includes analysis of the effects of pertinent
characteristics on conducting air and missile defense operations
1. Weather. Put the analysis of data from predicted weather and light conditions for the period in this
paragraph. Assess how the weather affects friendly operations. Also include the evaluation of how weather and light
conditions might affect the use of threat UAVs; missiles; aircraft, both fixed and rotary-wing; and airborne or air assault
operations. Try to determine or predict when the threat will probably use those assets due to the weather.
2. Terrain. Analyze the effects of terrain, including effects on observation and fire; cover and concealment;
movement (surface and air); employment of friendly and threat NBC weapons; communications, electronic warfare and
combat surveillance; unconventional warfare; psychological operations; and other aspects of military operations.
Determine key terrain and air avenues of approach. Also discuss terrain features that limit air vehicle detection or target
acquisition and terrain that might canalize or force air targets to fly a particular profile. Try to determine where the threat
will most probably use air assets.
3. Other pertinent factors. List analysis of political, economic, sociological, psychological, and other factors
(such as hydrography, environment, communications, science, technology, materiel, transportation, safety and accident
prevention, and manpower). Include deduction about their effects on friendly and threat operations.
(b) Threat Forces. A threat evaluation discusses threat capabilities that are or may be a threat to the operation.
1. Disposition. List locations of threat forces that will participate in air or missile operations or that threaten
friendly air and missile defense operations. Determine combinations of air platforms that the threat may use when
conducting a particular type of operation.
2. Composition. The threat organization for combat includes identity of units, types of air platforms and
missiles, and armament. Also address how many sorties and missiles are expected to be flown per day, and
possible composition of those sorties.
Figure B-1. AD Estimate General Format
B-3