Could U.S. Advanced Air Defenses Destroy Russian Ground-fired Rockets?
Kris Osborn is President, Center for Military Modernization
(Washington D.C.) With more Bradley Fighting Vehicles, tanks, Humvees and even Strykers on the way, the Pentagon’s most recent $2.5 billion support package to Ukraine contains some potentially lesser recognized yet extremely significant assistance…. air defenses.
“History is watching us,” The US Defense spoke in Germany with strong words Secretary Lloyd Austin Addressing the Ukraine Contact Group, which includes 50+ countries, to announce the new Pentagon support package.
“This is a crucial moment,” Austin spoke in a press conference Jan. 20. “Russia is regrouping, recruiting and trying to re-equip. This is not a moment to slow down: It’s a time to dig deeper. The Ukrainian people are watching us. The Kremlin is watching us. And history is watching us.”
Air Defenses
In addition to more armored cars and longer-lasting support articles such as ammunition and artillery, the Pentagon is making an aggressive move to improve air defenses. The latest package includes new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems According to a Pentagon report, there are eight Avenger air defense systems.
NASAMS: National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System
“Our new package provides even more air defense capabilities to help Ukraine defend its cities and its skies,” Austin was also added.
Although the Ukrainians have received some NASMs in the past, this rise seems to be significant in many key aspects, especially considering that neither Russia nor Ukraine has air superiority. This is a surprising mystery in the Russian invasion. They have hundreds of fighter jets more than Ukraine. The reasons could be due to the Ukrainian air-war resolve, tenacity and air defenses, as well as a Russian reluctance or unwillingness to take risks. Russia has relied heavily upon long-range rockets for its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, children, and neighborhoods.
While more air defenses will certainly help Ukraine prevent Russia from gaining air superiority, there is yet another potentially lesser recognized tactical aspect to Ukraine’s acquisition of Ukrainian air-defenses and Avenger air-defense systems. A vehicle-mounted counter-airsystem Avenger missiles This would be ideal for attacking Russian helicopters and drones. NASMs, and Avengers in particular could prove useful alongside the Patriot missile as weapons, radar and fire control systems able to track and intercept many of Russia’s ground-fired rockets.
Many of Russia’s attacks have been with both precision and non-precision ground-fired rockets capable of reaching 200-to-300 km in some cases, placing the launchers well beyond the reach of traditional 155mm artillery which typically travels roughly 30 km. This is the reason why Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) was introduced. HIMARS rockets have proven so impactful, as it would seem they give Ukraine the ability to destroy Russia’s missile launchers. Ukraine has certain benefits from ISR and can track and destroy some Russian launchers using GMLRS or HIMARS. Many believe that GMLRS and HIMARS changed the course of war. Similar to the impact of HIMARS and GMLRS, Avengers’ arrival could also prove very important.
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A second factor to consider is that the Patriot missile was recently added to the arsenal. It could be crucial to stopping incoming Russian missiles and cruise missiles. Modernized Patriot missiles We are well-positioned for tracking and intercepting some weapons being fired by Russia. The Patriot Advanced Capability-3, an advanced kinetic energy hit to-kill interceptor surface–to-air missile, is designed to eliminate incoming threats and protect ground forces and buildings. As a kinetic energy interceptor, the weapon relies upon the sheer force of impact to destroy approaching enemy attacks and does not need to use explosives – thus the “hit-to-kill” description.
It may have been a Scud killer in Desert Storm, but today’s Patriot is nearly an entirely new weapon. Software upgrades dating back many decades, also known as Missile Segment Enhanced, have improved the guidance technology and intercept technology of this weapon. More recently, Raytheon radar upgrade has enabled Patriot missiles in recent years to simultaneously track and destroy 2 maneuvering cruise missiles. It then steers to intercept an incoming missile. This is done by selecting the correct trajectory and applying a direct body-to–body hit on the target.
Warrior spoke to Daryl Youngman (Deputy Director of the Air and Missile Defense Cross Functional Team), Army Futures Command, August 2021, about the progress of these innovative technologies. Enhanced Patriot connectivity is an integral part of the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), an Air and Cruise Missile Defense System that connects sensor and target nodes over a broad operational envelope. Youngman stated that the IBCS system connected Patriot missile batteries to ground nodes during one assessment. F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
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Do Ukraine need more armor?
Bradleys’ arrival is welcome and will be paradigm-changing as Ukraine counterattacks and seeks territory. This development is supported by Humvees, tactical trucks and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.
The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the latest $2.5 Billion package in Germany. It includes 59 more BradleysAs many as 90 Strykers 350 Humvees. According to reports, more tanks from other allied countries are also on the way. This is likely to be crucial for Ukrainians.
An increased number of Russian forces may mean that there is a greater need for tactical and armored combat vehicles. Bradleys Ukrainians will likely have a previously unimaginable ability to travel this far. “breach” Close to enemy contact, a Russian perimeter “mass” You will need to have the ability to hold on to new ground with heavier mechanized force.
Although the Russian forces have had tactical, logistical, and morale issues, they have vast numbers. Therefore, it appears that there might be a need to have Ukrainians. “mass” For their counterattacks to be successful, armored forces will need to be utilized to a greater extent. Tank support will be crucial for Bradleys, Stykers and other Combined Arms Maneuver-effectiveness.
This is the latest effort of Pentagon support. “Strykers” were sent to Ukraine which will be a great help for arriving. Bradleys. Strykers are wheeled vehicles that can travel up to 60 mph, which is faster than Bradleys. They can also be used to improve infantry and firepower by using roads and infrastructure.
It would be fascinating to see which Stryker variants were sent. There are reconnaissance variants that could prove crucial in locating or tracking down Stryker. “targeting” Russian formations to advance ground forces Standard Stryker infantry carrier, which can be used to advance at high speeds into enemy territory with both 30mm cannon firepower as well as armed infantry. It would be fascinating to find out which Stryker variants Ukraine receives, since they could be the latest modernized vehicles. “air-burst” 30mm ammunition for “area” Attacks and dispersed fragmentation to raise anti-personnel lethality
Perhaps some Strykers that are on their way may be Short Range Air Defense- or SHORAD-capable. SHORAD arm Strykers with an unprecedented anti-air firepower. HELLFIRE While in combat, missiles can be used to attack enemy drones and helicopters. These missiles could be deployed against enemy drones and helicopters, although this is less likely than it was in the past few years. They would complement the air defenses already in place with the latest package of Avengers and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems.
Regardless, looking at what’s happening on the ground in Ukraine, it seems much more armor such as Bradleys, Strykers and tanks may be necessary. Although precision fires like rockets and 155mm artillery have had a significant impact on stopping, slowing down, or even destroying Russian attackers in some cases, drones and precision fires like rockets continue to be a major factor in the success of Ukrainian forces. However, more pure weapons will likely be needed. “mass.”
Sun Tzu’s famous “mass matters” In war quote still holds true to some extent today as it did many centuries ago. For a longer-lasting victory in Ukraine, a large mechanized force will be necessary to defeat it. This is especially true for Ukraine where, at this point, it appears that neither Russians nor Ukrainians have air supremacy. This fact makes ground targeting, mechanized advances and combat success even more important.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky Zelensky addressed the group to thank them for their support. He also stated that more assistance is required at this critical time. A Pentagon report says Zelensky asked the international supporters to “remember “the world your parents dreamed of for you. And I’m addressing those who themselves dream of a certain world for their children. It is time now to protect those dreams.”
“People who dream that freedom will be protected for Ukraine for all of Europe for each and every coalition country,” Zelensky said. “It is about people who believe that evil and hatred will always lose. The Kremlin must lose.”
Kris Osborn serves as President of Warrior Maven-The Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn also served as an anchor and military specialist on national television networks. Osborn has been a guest military expert for Fox News, MSNBC and The Military Channel. He holds a Masters in Comparative Literature at Columbia University.
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