JP 3-01 Countering Air and Missile Threats - Defense Innovation ...

Chapter V
(b) Point Defense. Point defense protects limited areas, normally in defense
of vital elements of forces or installations. For example, a SAM or AAA unit positioned to
protect an airfield is considered point defense.
(c) Self-Defense. Self-defense operations allow friendly units to defend
themselves against direct attacks or threats of attack through the use of organic weapons and
systems. The right of self-defense is inherent to all ROE and weapons control procedures.
(d) HVAA Protection. HVAA protection defends airborne assets that are so
important that the loss of even one could seriously impact US warfighting capabilities.
HVAA protection is normally performed by fighter aircraft using various CAP or escort
tactics, but can also be accomplished by surface-based assets such as Aegis ships.
(2) The following tasks also should be considered when planning active ADs:
(a) Determine Surveillance Coverage Areas. Defended airspace must be
under continuous surveillance to facilitate early warning. The DCA planner should use a
combination of air-, surface-, and space-based detection assets to achieve this requirement.
Adequate early warning of air and missile attacks provides the reaction time necessary for
friendly forces to seek shelter or take appropriate action. Early warning of hostile air and
missile attacks is vital for a layered defense.
(b) Develop the Active AMD Fire Plan. The objective is to provide the
required level of protection specified in the CAL. Defense resources involve applying a mix
of the following six employment guidelines, because not all may be required or possible to
defend dependent upon the threat and DCA assets available:
1. Mutual Support. Weapons are positioned so that the fires of one
weapon can engage targets within the dead zone of the adjacent weapon systems. For gun
systems, this dead zone is usually small. For missile systems, the dead zone may be large
and mutual support is a critical element. Mutual support can also cover non-operational
units or units at lower states of readiness.
2. Overlapping Fires. Weapons are positioned so that their engagement
envelopes overlap. Because of the many altitudes from which the enemy can attack or
conduct surveillance operations, defense planners must apply mutual supporting and
overlapping fires vertically and horizontally.
3. Balanced Fires. Weapons are positioned to deliver an equal volume of
fires in all directions. This is necessary for AD in an area where the terrain does not canalize
the enemy or when the avenue of approach is unpredictable.
4. Weighted Coverage. Weapons are positioned to concentrate fires
toward the most likely threat direction of attack. Based on the tactical situation, a
commander may risk leaving one direction of attack unprotected or lightly protected to
weight coverage in a more likely direction.
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