Tyrandis
23-12-2005, 00:39
OOC: This thread will serve as a reference for how my armies will fight and behave during large-scale actions. I'll add more stuff as time passes.
---
IC:
Armed Forces Operational Doctrine
Aviation Operations
DRAFT: TO BE EXPANDED AND FINALIZED
Air Superiority
Abstract:
This document provides general doctrine for counterair operations of the Tyrandis Imperial Air Force (TIAF) during a multinational conflict. It will attempt to only provide general guidelines for TIAF commanders; they are encouraged to take initiative in applying and modifying the doctrine to accomplish their respective missions and goals.
Control of the skies above an operational theatre is absolutely critical to the Imperium's general combined arms doctrine, as it provides major advantages to the party that holds it; the first Persian Gulf War is an excellent textbook example of what air superiority means to the combatant that seizes it, and those that cede it. The capture of air superiority gives all components of a Tyrandisan force greater freedom of action and its commanders much more flexibility in carrying out operations. Land and sea forces advancing under the aegis of air superiority have a much greater likelihood of success during engagements.
Thus, the primary directive of the TIAF is to secure air superiority for Tyrandisan forces; all other functions are secondary.
Objectives:
The primary goal of TIAF air superiority operations is to eliminate targets that challenge control of airspace, either directly (warplanes, air defense batteries) or indirectly (RADAR sites, airfields, logistics units). It is expected that Tyrandisan aviators capture air superiority over an entire theater of operations prior to any ground or naval action. However, it is not necessary that all enemy assets threatening control of the air are destroyed; invariably, some OPFOR missiles or aircraft will continue to operate. Nonetheless, TIAF counterair operations must minimize the potency of enemy aviation against friendly forces, while simultaneously hampering their ability to function in support of their own militaries.
Operations:
There are two elements to Tyrandisan air superiority doctrine: offensive and defensive. Sorties flown in support of both objectives are integrated in order to take advantage of mutually beneficial effects arising from a successful operation. For example, if a large number of hostile aviation assets are intercepted and destroyed, a follow-on strike mission against their associated airfields will be flown. Air superiority operations use all manner of ordinance in the TIAF's arsenal to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and missiles.
Offensive Air Superiority
Offensive Air Superiority (OAS) consists of missions aimed at destroying, disrupting, and/or limiting OPFOR aviation and missile assets. OAS operations will attempt to seek out and destroy these targets as close to their sources as pragmatically possible. Furthermore, OAS generally occurs over OPFOR occupied territory at the initiative of Tyrandisan command. The primary targets of OAS are air defense systems, theater missiles as well as their associated ground, sea, and air launch platforms, and airfields or other basing areas. Furthermore, OAS will attempt to strike at hostile command, control, communications and intelligence (C3I) nodes and any infrastructure that supports previously mentioned assets. OAS operations also "kick open the door" for Imperial Air Force use of contested airspace, such as interdiction and close air support. Finally, they reduce or even eliminate the threat of enemy air and missile attack to Tyrandisan ground and naval forces.
The major goal of Offensive Air Superiority is to take the initiative and attack enemy aviation assets before they can be utilized against friendly forces.
Targets
The targets of an OAS operation are those which threaten Tyrandisan control of airspace in a defined area. Based on the guidance of intelligence assessments of enemy threats, locations and capabilities, OAS targets are selected, prioritized, and sequenced. Planners evaluate target defenses and overall vulnerability to strike by various TIAF assets. Ideally, targets are neutralized as close to their source as possible. Otherwise, OAS operations are mounted against targets wherever found. Major examples of OAS targets are:
*Airfields and Operating Bases – The destruction of hangars, shelters, maintenance facilities, petroleum oil and lubricant structures, and other storage areas degrades OPFOR ability to launch aircraft sorties. Damaging taxiways for OPFOR airfield is especially favorable; this prevents use of the airfield for takeoff by hostile aviation assets and forcing returning aircraft to more distant locations, or areas more vulnerable to attack.
*Aircraft – The destruction of all types of aircraft (fixed wing, rotary wing, and UAVs) is a primary goal of OAS operations. Generally speaking, aircraft on the ground are the most lucrative and profitable targets for OAS operations. In these strikes on grounded aviation, the use of JTIDS and other intelligence sharing devices, stealth technology and advanced munitions is absolutely critical to ensure mission success, especially when they are in revetments or other shelters. Aircraft in flight are also targets for OAS operations; in air-to-air combat, it is expected that the extensive spending into air force technology will prevail over all but the most advanced of hostile aircraft. Nonetheless however, interdiction of planes in the air is the most costly and difficult phase of operation for TIAF personnel to attack; thus, it is encouraged that TIAF commanders attempt to commit deep strike missions unless excessive losses would be incurred.
*Theater Missiles and Support Infrastructure – Theater missiles refers to those enemy munitions whose targets are within a given theater of operations. These weapons pose a significant threat to all friendly forces. OAS operations are most effective when they are launched prior to a missile release. Destruction of known launch platforms, support facilities, and supporting infrastructure greatly limits effective theater missile attacks against friendly forces, reducing casualties and improving overall mission success likelihood. The Tyrandisan Imperial Air Force also now possesses expanded capabilities to attack time-sensitive-targets, such as mobile missile launchers, thanks to greater C4I integration with overall force command and improved equipment.
*C4ISR Systems C4ISR systems are critical to the effective deployment of hostile forces, making them a high priority target during OAS operations. Destruction of C4ISR nodes, such as ground controlled intercept, acquisition, and other sensors w/ supporting facilities substantially reduces OPFOR capability to retaliate against friendly actions by disrupting their ability to detect, react, and bring forces to bear. Attacks on these sites are generally undertaken with either thermobaric vacuum or guided penetrating munitions. Space-based systems such as Teal Ruby-style IR satellites are to either be attacked directly by Tyrandisan ASATs or indirectly through destruction of associated ground facilities.
*Air Defense Systems The disruption or destruction of OPFOR air defense equipment and personnel assists greatly in the goal of achieving air superiority in an operational theater, and also opens up many more strike options for TIAF, Imperial Army, and Imperial Navy commanders.
OAS Resources
The effectiveness of OAS operations to attack the previously mentioned targets largely depends on the situation, threats, weather, and available intelligence data. TIAF ommanders are ordered to use systems and methods to minimize the risk of incurring casualties to assets being deployed. Types of weapons systems available to TIAF commanders for OAS operations are:
*Aircraft - Imperial Air Force fighter, interceptor, strike and interdiction aircraft are the primary component of OAS operations. Imperial Navy and Army aviation may also contribute assets to an OAS mission.
*Missiles – The TIAF's wide variety of missile ordinance includes surface to surface batteries, surface to air batteries, air to surface, and air intercept. Commanders are encouraged to use stand-off weapons for all non-critical missions; missiles that bring personnel within ranges of hostile retaliation are only to be employed when tactically necessary.
*UAV/UCAVs – Unmanned aerial vehicles provide TIAF commanders with mission-critical surveillance, reconnaissance, jamming, decoy, and harrassment capabilities. The nature of the Tyrandisan method of war attempts to limit personnel casualties; thus, these vehicles are invaluable when attacking a strongly defended target.
*Indirect Fire Support – If authorized, TIAF commanders may call in fire missions from Imperial Navy and Army artillery units for OAS support purposes, assuming that the asset being requested is within range of an intended target.
*C4ISR and Electronic Warfare Resources – Airborne and ground-based early warning and surveillance systems, satellites, RADAR, identification systems, communications, and surface/air/space based sensors improve OAS mission success by vital intelligence regarding target disposition and location. The use of electronic warfare by TIAF allows for fewer sorties to be flown, by substantially disrupting or otherwise maliciously affecting hostile infrastructure and support facilities, freeing up existing TIAF assets for other operations.
Mission Types:
Although the overall goal of all Offensive Air Superiority operations is to seize contested airspace, a variety of missions are used to accomplish the specific objectives that comprise this directive. The commanders of engaged TIAF units are given full authority to accomplish their orders by any means necessary. This includes the destruction of civilian facilities deemed to be operating in support of OPFOR aviation. Planning and coordination of OAS missions is delegated to the general officer level.
*Surface Attack – TIAF surface strike missions are intended to neutralize hostile air and missile threats, and their supporting facilities. Preferably, these targets are attacked before they are launched. However, when the TIAF is unable to prevent their employment, attack aircraft will nonetheless strike ground infrastructure before they can be moved or reloaded.
*Fighter Sweep – Fighter sweeps by TIAF tactical assets are generally a combined AWACS/fighter mission designed to seek out and destroy OPFOR airborne assets within defined operational parameters.
*Escort – Escort missions are sorties flown by TIAF aircraft intended to protect certain airborne assets from attack by enemy air and surface threats.
*Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defense – S/DEAD missions are intended to neutralize or at-worst degrade enemy surface-to-air defense systems and capabilities. These are usually assigned by general officers, who must consider the threat such weapons create to the overall operation's likelihood of success. In order to reduce attrition of pilots and aircraft, use of the RVQA-25 "Bandit" UCAV and other specialized munitions for the role is encouraged wherever possible. Machines can be replaced at a relatively low cost; airmen cannot.
OAS Planning
Tyrandisan aircraft doctrine calls for commanders to plan and execute OAS operations against targets based on four distinct criteria: Threat Level, Neutralization Objectives, Available Assets, and Estimated Attrition.
*Threat Level - This stage of OAS execution involves a detailed assessment of the threat created by a target to the campaign's success, based on existing intelligence. TNIA (Tyrandis National Intelligence Agency) assets may also provide data to assist commanders in evaluating a target's threat potency.
*Neutralization Objectives - This step of the operation attempts to determine the positive impact that an OAS operation will have regarding Tyrandisan interests. For example, if airbases X, Y, and Z in country A are successfully attacked with thermobaric vacuum munitions, then aircraft operating from those staging areas will either be destroyed outright or forced to move to a less suitable location. Ultimately, a numeric value is assigned to both NO and Estimated Attrition, in order to calculate a cost/benefit analysis in a quantitative method.
*Available Assets - During this stage of operational planning, the availablity of TIAF aircraft and other ordinance, as well as personnel, for the operation is determined. The potency of these assets are then evaluated against the estimated strength of the target and any attached OPFOR air defense. If sufficient forces are not available, the operation must be either cancelled or altered.
*Estimated Attrition - This final phase of planning attempts to calculate the risk posed to assets involved, as well as the final number of casualties incurred from the operation's execution. Should the ratio between lost assets:neutralization objective benefit be less than one, the operation will not be allowed to proceed unless extreme necessity demands it.
---
IC:
Armed Forces Operational Doctrine
Aviation Operations
DRAFT: TO BE EXPANDED AND FINALIZED
Air Superiority
Abstract:
This document provides general doctrine for counterair operations of the Tyrandis Imperial Air Force (TIAF) during a multinational conflict. It will attempt to only provide general guidelines for TIAF commanders; they are encouraged to take initiative in applying and modifying the doctrine to accomplish their respective missions and goals.
Control of the skies above an operational theatre is absolutely critical to the Imperium's general combined arms doctrine, as it provides major advantages to the party that holds it; the first Persian Gulf War is an excellent textbook example of what air superiority means to the combatant that seizes it, and those that cede it. The capture of air superiority gives all components of a Tyrandisan force greater freedom of action and its commanders much more flexibility in carrying out operations. Land and sea forces advancing under the aegis of air superiority have a much greater likelihood of success during engagements.
Thus, the primary directive of the TIAF is to secure air superiority for Tyrandisan forces; all other functions are secondary.
Objectives:
The primary goal of TIAF air superiority operations is to eliminate targets that challenge control of airspace, either directly (warplanes, air defense batteries) or indirectly (RADAR sites, airfields, logistics units). It is expected that Tyrandisan aviators capture air superiority over an entire theater of operations prior to any ground or naval action. However, it is not necessary that all enemy assets threatening control of the air are destroyed; invariably, some OPFOR missiles or aircraft will continue to operate. Nonetheless, TIAF counterair operations must minimize the potency of enemy aviation against friendly forces, while simultaneously hampering their ability to function in support of their own militaries.
Operations:
There are two elements to Tyrandisan air superiority doctrine: offensive and defensive. Sorties flown in support of both objectives are integrated in order to take advantage of mutually beneficial effects arising from a successful operation. For example, if a large number of hostile aviation assets are intercepted and destroyed, a follow-on strike mission against their associated airfields will be flown. Air superiority operations use all manner of ordinance in the TIAF's arsenal to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and missiles.
Offensive Air Superiority
Offensive Air Superiority (OAS) consists of missions aimed at destroying, disrupting, and/or limiting OPFOR aviation and missile assets. OAS operations will attempt to seek out and destroy these targets as close to their sources as pragmatically possible. Furthermore, OAS generally occurs over OPFOR occupied territory at the initiative of Tyrandisan command. The primary targets of OAS are air defense systems, theater missiles as well as their associated ground, sea, and air launch platforms, and airfields or other basing areas. Furthermore, OAS will attempt to strike at hostile command, control, communications and intelligence (C3I) nodes and any infrastructure that supports previously mentioned assets. OAS operations also "kick open the door" for Imperial Air Force use of contested airspace, such as interdiction and close air support. Finally, they reduce or even eliminate the threat of enemy air and missile attack to Tyrandisan ground and naval forces.
The major goal of Offensive Air Superiority is to take the initiative and attack enemy aviation assets before they can be utilized against friendly forces.
Targets
The targets of an OAS operation are those which threaten Tyrandisan control of airspace in a defined area. Based on the guidance of intelligence assessments of enemy threats, locations and capabilities, OAS targets are selected, prioritized, and sequenced. Planners evaluate target defenses and overall vulnerability to strike by various TIAF assets. Ideally, targets are neutralized as close to their source as possible. Otherwise, OAS operations are mounted against targets wherever found. Major examples of OAS targets are:
*Airfields and Operating Bases – The destruction of hangars, shelters, maintenance facilities, petroleum oil and lubricant structures, and other storage areas degrades OPFOR ability to launch aircraft sorties. Damaging taxiways for OPFOR airfield is especially favorable; this prevents use of the airfield for takeoff by hostile aviation assets and forcing returning aircraft to more distant locations, or areas more vulnerable to attack.
*Aircraft – The destruction of all types of aircraft (fixed wing, rotary wing, and UAVs) is a primary goal of OAS operations. Generally speaking, aircraft on the ground are the most lucrative and profitable targets for OAS operations. In these strikes on grounded aviation, the use of JTIDS and other intelligence sharing devices, stealth technology and advanced munitions is absolutely critical to ensure mission success, especially when they are in revetments or other shelters. Aircraft in flight are also targets for OAS operations; in air-to-air combat, it is expected that the extensive spending into air force technology will prevail over all but the most advanced of hostile aircraft. Nonetheless however, interdiction of planes in the air is the most costly and difficult phase of operation for TIAF personnel to attack; thus, it is encouraged that TIAF commanders attempt to commit deep strike missions unless excessive losses would be incurred.
*Theater Missiles and Support Infrastructure – Theater missiles refers to those enemy munitions whose targets are within a given theater of operations. These weapons pose a significant threat to all friendly forces. OAS operations are most effective when they are launched prior to a missile release. Destruction of known launch platforms, support facilities, and supporting infrastructure greatly limits effective theater missile attacks against friendly forces, reducing casualties and improving overall mission success likelihood. The Tyrandisan Imperial Air Force also now possesses expanded capabilities to attack time-sensitive-targets, such as mobile missile launchers, thanks to greater C4I integration with overall force command and improved equipment.
*C4ISR Systems C4ISR systems are critical to the effective deployment of hostile forces, making them a high priority target during OAS operations. Destruction of C4ISR nodes, such as ground controlled intercept, acquisition, and other sensors w/ supporting facilities substantially reduces OPFOR capability to retaliate against friendly actions by disrupting their ability to detect, react, and bring forces to bear. Attacks on these sites are generally undertaken with either thermobaric vacuum or guided penetrating munitions. Space-based systems such as Teal Ruby-style IR satellites are to either be attacked directly by Tyrandisan ASATs or indirectly through destruction of associated ground facilities.
*Air Defense Systems The disruption or destruction of OPFOR air defense equipment and personnel assists greatly in the goal of achieving air superiority in an operational theater, and also opens up many more strike options for TIAF, Imperial Army, and Imperial Navy commanders.
OAS Resources
The effectiveness of OAS operations to attack the previously mentioned targets largely depends on the situation, threats, weather, and available intelligence data. TIAF ommanders are ordered to use systems and methods to minimize the risk of incurring casualties to assets being deployed. Types of weapons systems available to TIAF commanders for OAS operations are:
*Aircraft - Imperial Air Force fighter, interceptor, strike and interdiction aircraft are the primary component of OAS operations. Imperial Navy and Army aviation may also contribute assets to an OAS mission.
*Missiles – The TIAF's wide variety of missile ordinance includes surface to surface batteries, surface to air batteries, air to surface, and air intercept. Commanders are encouraged to use stand-off weapons for all non-critical missions; missiles that bring personnel within ranges of hostile retaliation are only to be employed when tactically necessary.
*UAV/UCAVs – Unmanned aerial vehicles provide TIAF commanders with mission-critical surveillance, reconnaissance, jamming, decoy, and harrassment capabilities. The nature of the Tyrandisan method of war attempts to limit personnel casualties; thus, these vehicles are invaluable when attacking a strongly defended target.
*Indirect Fire Support – If authorized, TIAF commanders may call in fire missions from Imperial Navy and Army artillery units for OAS support purposes, assuming that the asset being requested is within range of an intended target.
*C4ISR and Electronic Warfare Resources – Airborne and ground-based early warning and surveillance systems, satellites, RADAR, identification systems, communications, and surface/air/space based sensors improve OAS mission success by vital intelligence regarding target disposition and location. The use of electronic warfare by TIAF allows for fewer sorties to be flown, by substantially disrupting or otherwise maliciously affecting hostile infrastructure and support facilities, freeing up existing TIAF assets for other operations.
Mission Types:
Although the overall goal of all Offensive Air Superiority operations is to seize contested airspace, a variety of missions are used to accomplish the specific objectives that comprise this directive. The commanders of engaged TIAF units are given full authority to accomplish their orders by any means necessary. This includes the destruction of civilian facilities deemed to be operating in support of OPFOR aviation. Planning and coordination of OAS missions is delegated to the general officer level.
*Surface Attack – TIAF surface strike missions are intended to neutralize hostile air and missile threats, and their supporting facilities. Preferably, these targets are attacked before they are launched. However, when the TIAF is unable to prevent their employment, attack aircraft will nonetheless strike ground infrastructure before they can be moved or reloaded.
*Fighter Sweep – Fighter sweeps by TIAF tactical assets are generally a combined AWACS/fighter mission designed to seek out and destroy OPFOR airborne assets within defined operational parameters.
*Escort – Escort missions are sorties flown by TIAF aircraft intended to protect certain airborne assets from attack by enemy air and surface threats.
*Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defense – S/DEAD missions are intended to neutralize or at-worst degrade enemy surface-to-air defense systems and capabilities. These are usually assigned by general officers, who must consider the threat such weapons create to the overall operation's likelihood of success. In order to reduce attrition of pilots and aircraft, use of the RVQA-25 "Bandit" UCAV and other specialized munitions for the role is encouraged wherever possible. Machines can be replaced at a relatively low cost; airmen cannot.
OAS Planning
Tyrandisan aircraft doctrine calls for commanders to plan and execute OAS operations against targets based on four distinct criteria: Threat Level, Neutralization Objectives, Available Assets, and Estimated Attrition.
*Threat Level - This stage of OAS execution involves a detailed assessment of the threat created by a target to the campaign's success, based on existing intelligence. TNIA (Tyrandis National Intelligence Agency) assets may also provide data to assist commanders in evaluating a target's threat potency.
*Neutralization Objectives - This step of the operation attempts to determine the positive impact that an OAS operation will have regarding Tyrandisan interests. For example, if airbases X, Y, and Z in country A are successfully attacked with thermobaric vacuum munitions, then aircraft operating from those staging areas will either be destroyed outright or forced to move to a less suitable location. Ultimately, a numeric value is assigned to both NO and Estimated Attrition, in order to calculate a cost/benefit analysis in a quantitative method.
*Available Assets - During this stage of operational planning, the availablity of TIAF aircraft and other ordinance, as well as personnel, for the operation is determined. The potency of these assets are then evaluated against the estimated strength of the target and any attached OPFOR air defense. If sufficient forces are not available, the operation must be either cancelled or altered.
*Estimated Attrition - This final phase of planning attempts to calculate the risk posed to assets involved, as well as the final number of casualties incurred from the operation's execution. Should the ratio between lost assets:neutralization objective benefit be less than one, the operation will not be allowed to proceed unless extreme necessity demands it.