fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM44-100
identification authority to lower echelons is normal for ADA and non-ADA
units that do not have near-real-time transmission capability for
identification data. Such units have both identification and engagement
authority. Capabilities dictate that ADA units engage threatening ballistic
missiles and ASMs based on classification, not identification.
Weapon Control Status
5-106. Weapon control statuses (weapons free, weapons tight, weapons hold)
describe the relative degree of control of air defense fires. Weapon control
statuses apply to weapon systems, volumes of airspace, or types of air
platforms. The degree or extent of control varies depending on the tactical
situation. Establishment of separate weapon control statuses for fixed and
rotary wing aircraft, UAV and for missiles is normal. Air and missile defense
forces must have the ability to receive and disseminate weapon control
statuses for all classes of air platforms.
5-107. Weapons Free. Weapons can fire at any air target not positively
identified as friendly. This is the least restrictive weapon control status.
5-108. Weapons Tight. Fire only at air targets that are identified as hostile
according to the prevailing hostile criteria. Identification can be effected by a
number of means to include visual identification (aided or unaided),
electronic, or procedural means. Capabilities dictate that ADA units engage
threatening ballistic missiles and ASMs based on classification, not
identification.
5-109. Weapons Hold. Do not fire except in self-defense or in response to a
formal order. This is the most restrictive weapon control status.
5-110. There is no difference between weapons free and weapons tight for
theater missile targets. Normally, ADA units will use weapons tight to allow
theater missile engagements and do not use weapons free with respect to
theater missile targets.
Level of Control
5-111. Level of control describes the AD echelon at which positive
management of the air battle is being conducted. This can be an AADC,
RADC, SADC, ADA brigade FDC, battalion FDC, or the individual fire unit.
This is the level that has engagement authority. This may be a different level
for fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, UAVs, and theater missiles. The
AADC will specify the level of control in the air defense plan and this may
change over the course of an operation.
5-112. Engagement authority is delegated to the lowest level in SHORAD fire
units. HIMAD fire units normally have engagement authority for theater
missile engagements; however, the engagement authority for aircraft is
normally at SADC or higher.
Modes of Control
5-113. Two modes of control are centralized and decentralized. The mode of
control selected will depend upon the capabilities of the C4I system, the
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