fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM 44-100
Employment of Active Air Defense
3-61. Early warning of enemy air attack is vital if early engagement and
defense in depth are to be achieved. Active air defense is developed to permit
the interception of intruding threat aircraft as early as possible and as far
forward as feasible. Engagement should continue through weapons release,
departure from the target area, and return to base. Firing doctrine should
address the allocation of available weapons to inbound threats before any
allocation to outbound aircraft. The following paragraphs address how
weapon systems may be employed.
3-14
3-62. Fighter-interceptor. Fighter aircraft may fly three basic missions:
• Interception. Intercept missions may involve the scramble of
aircraft from ground alert status, redirection of aircraft from combat
air patrols, or redirection of aircraft from other type missions.
• Combat air patrol (CAP). These missions enable rapid reaction to
threat intrusion and may be positioned well forward of areas to be
defended, over a specific area, in support of friendly air or surface
forces, over critical areas of a combat zone, or over air, land, and sea
corridors.
• Air escort. Air escort missions in support of other aircraft.
Unescorted aircraft normally carry self-defense weapons.
3-63. Armed Helicopters. Aerial combat is an integral part of the ground
commander's scheme of maneuver and may be controlled by either the
aviation or ground maneuver force commander. Although it is a self-defense
mission, air combat can occur during both offensive and defensive operations.
Air combat is inherent in aviation's maneuver role in the reconnaissance and
security, attack, and air assault missions and must be linked to the aviation
command and control system.
3-64. Surface-to-Air Weapons. Surface-to-air weapons are employed to
protect the force. These weapons offer large amounts of firepower and instant
responsiveness. For maximum effect, a mix of types of surface-to-air weapons
should be employed in an integrated air defense since the optimal capabilities
of each weapon system occur at different ranges and altitudes. Surface-to-air
systems provide the best overall coverage when their operations are both
integrated and coordinated. Integration and coordination ensures both a
minimum-risk passage for friendly aircraft and a means to deconflict
employment of surface-to-air weapons and fighters.
PASSIVE DEFENSE OPERATIONS
3-65. Passive defense is all measures, other than active defense, taken to
minimize the effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats against friendly
forces and assets. Passive defense improves survivability by reducing the
likelihood of being detected and targeted from the air and by mitigating the
potential effects of air surveillance and attack. It includes measures initiated
to reduce vulnerability and to minimize the effect of damage caused by TM
attack. It does not involve the employment of lethal weapons. Passive defense
measures by all elements of the joint force are essential to force protection.