VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
CHAPTER 7
Antiair Warfare (AAW)
7000 INTRODUCTION
Antiair warfare (AAW) consists of those measures taken to defend a maritime force against attack
by airborne weapons, launched from aircraft, ships, submarines, and land-based sites. AAW procedures
used by a naval force at sea when operating in isolation from shore air defense authorities are described in
this chapter. However, when ships are operating beneath or adjacent to an established Air Defense Region
(ADR), they are to coordinate their AAW operations with those of the appropriate Combined Air Operations
Center (CAOC) or Sector Operations Center (SOC).
NOT RELEASABLE
NOTE
In some coastal areas low-level transit routes (LLTR) and transit corridors (TC) that serve for
coordinating air traffic and AD/AAW represent weapons-tight zones for surface units, when
activated. TC and LLTR are temporary air corridors of defined dimensions through the area of
organic, low-level air defenses of surface forces.
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7001 COMMAND AND CONTROL IN ANTIAIR WARFARE
The OTC’s functions in antiair warfare, including those that may be delegated to the Antiair Warfare
Commander (AAWC), are summarized in Table 1-2. When operating with a small force, the OTC will
normally retain most of his command functions; when operating with a larger force, the OTC will normally
delegate most of his command functions to the AAWC. Irrespective of any specific AAW duties that may
have been assigned to him, the commanding officer of each ship is responsible for the defense of his ship.
The threat, Rules of Engagement (ROE), and TF/TG communications and control capabilities will
determine whether or not the OTC executes centralized control or decentralized control. In general, effective
AAW is facilitated by decentralized control when faced with a modern threat equipped with both
high-speed ASSMs and an ECM capability. The high-speed air threat and severe electronic warfare environment
significantly compresses air defense reaction time. This, coupled with lack of assured communications,
requires that AAW be executed in a decentralized manner once the battle is joined.
Prior to battle, preplanned responses are developed that must be consistent with any applicable
ROE. These preplanned responses are contained in the OPTASK AAW and form the basis of decentralized
execution.
7002 SECTOR AAW COORDINATOR
If the tactical situation dictates that the AAW area should be divided into sectors, a sector AAW coordinator
(SAAWC) may be designated. Within his sector, an SAAWC will be subject to the overriding
authority (VETO) of the AAWC, but is otherwise vested with most of the prerogatives and responsibilities
of the AAWC.
7-1 ORIGINAL