Short Range Air Defense
Encyclopedia
Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) is a term used to describe a group of anti-aircraft weapons and tactics
that have to do with defense against low-altitude air threats, primarily helicopters and low-flying close air support
aircraft such as the A-10
or MiG-27
. SHORAD and its complements, HIMAD (High to Medium Air Defense) and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) divide air defense of the battlespace
into domes of responsibility based on altitude and defensive weapon ranges.
use the Air Defense Anti-Tank System
(ADATS) based on the M113A2. The ADATS is considered to be the most successful SHORAD system in the world with 85% or better engagement success rate
. ADATS is a completely self-contained system in an unmanned turret with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) and TV sensors, laser rangefinder and designator, a search radar. Composed of eight missiles Air Defense Anti-Tank System
, the ADATS can find and hit multi-treats in few second.
air defense assets at the battalion
or brigade
level. US SHORAD teams are based around the FIM-92 Stinger
missile and its mounted platforms, the M1097 Avenger
and M6 Linebacker. Airborne
and Air Assault
units primarily employ MANPADS teams for SHORAD; armored
units rely on the Linebacker and Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle.
(MOS's) are related to SHORAD:
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
that have to do with defense against low-altitude air threats, primarily helicopters and low-flying close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
aircraft such as the A-10
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
or MiG-27
Mikoyan MiG-27
The Mikoyan MiG-27 is a variable-geometry ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union and later license-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur . It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimized for...
. SHORAD and its complements, HIMAD (High to Medium Air Defense) and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) divide air defense of the battlespace
Battlespace
Battlespace is a term used to signify a unified military strategy to integrate and combine armed forces for the military theatre of operations, including air, information, land, sea, and space to achieve military goals. It includes the environment, factors, and conditions that must be understood...
into domes of responsibility based on altitude and defensive weapon ranges.
Canada
The Canadian Forces Land Force CommandCanadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
use the Air Defense Anti-Tank System
Air Defense Anti-Tank System
The Air Defense Anti-Tank System is a dual-purpose short range surface-to-air and anti-tank missile system based on the M113A2 vehicle. It is manufactured by the Swiss company Oerlikon-Contraves, a member of the Rheinmetall Defence Group of Germany....
(ADATS) based on the M113A2. The ADATS is considered to be the most successful SHORAD system in the world with 85% or better engagement success rate
. ADATS is a completely self-contained system in an unmanned turret with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) and TV sensors, laser rangefinder and designator, a search radar. Composed of eight missiles Air Defense Anti-Tank System
Air Defense Anti-Tank System
The Air Defense Anti-Tank System is a dual-purpose short range surface-to-air and anti-tank missile system based on the M113A2 vehicle. It is manufactured by the Swiss company Oerlikon-Contraves, a member of the Rheinmetall Defence Group of Germany....
, the ADATS can find and hit multi-treats in few second.
United States
In the United States Army, SHORAD teams are attached as organicOrganic (military)
In military terminology, organic refers to a military unit that is a permanent part of a larger unit and provides some specialized capability to that parent unit...
air defense assets at the battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
or brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
level. US SHORAD teams are based around the FIM-92 Stinger
FIM-92 Stinger
The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
missile and its mounted platforms, the M1097 Avenger
M1097 Avenger
The Avenger Air Defense System, designated AN/TWQ-1 under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, is a missile system which provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters...
and M6 Linebacker. Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
and Air Assault
Air assault
Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces...
units primarily employ MANPADS teams for SHORAD; armored
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
units rely on the Linebacker and Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle.
Related Military Occupational Specialties
The following Military Occupational SpecialtiesMilitary Occupational Specialty
A United States military occupation code, or a Military Occupational Specialty code , is a nine character code used in the United States Army and United States Marines to identify a specific job. In the U.S. Air Force, a system of Air Force Specialty Codes is used...
(MOS's) are related to SHORAD:
- 14J: Air Defense Tactical Operations Center Operator
- 14S: Avenger Crew Member / MANPADS Fire Unit
- 14R: Bradley Linebacker Crew Member
See also
- HIMAD - High to Medium Air Defense
- THAAD - Terminal High Altitude Area Defense