Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)

Learn how to conduct Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions...

Intro

"Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) is conducted to neutralize, destroy, or temporarily degrade enemy air defense systems in a specific area by physical attack, electronic warfare, or both."

For A3, not only are physical attack possible but Electronic Warfare (EW) is also possible

SEAD operations are usually executed while in either offensive operations or in preparation for offensive operations

Threat Categories

3 basic categories of ENY AA (Anti-Air) threats are:

• SAM (Surface to Air Missile)

• AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery)

• Mobile AA

SAMs - are missiles that posses a guidance system, either in the missile itself, and/or with separate ground-based guidance support. They are usually supersonic in nature and their warhead detonates in the immediate proximity of the intended A/C (Air/Craft).

AAA - is an umbrella name that is used to categorized a ranged of projectiles that either detonate based on a radar guidance system when the projectile is in proximity of the A/C, or are not guided and need to directly intercept the A/C in order to neutralize it.

Mobile AA - encompasses tracked and wheeled vehicles that can have SAM and/or AAA

Surface to Air Missile (SAM)

A3 examples of SAMs:

• MIM-145 Defender (far) (NATO)
  
  • Each unit has:
    
    • 4 guided missiles
    • can be controlled via a UAV terminal
    • used in conjunction with the AN/MPQ-105 (NATO) & R-750 Cronus (CSAT) radar guidance system

• S-750 (CSAT)
  
  • CSAT version of the NATO MIM-145 Defender

• Mk21 Centurion (medium)
  
  • Each unit has:
    
    • 8 guided missiles
    • can be controlled via a UAV terminal

• Mk49 Spartan (short)
  
  • Each unit has:
    
    • 21 guided missiles
    • can be controlled via a UAV terminal

• AA turrets (short) are available for NATO/CSAT that are either:
  
  • tripod based (and break-down into 2 sections)
  • portable (shoulder fired)

Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)

A3 examples of 'Triple A' (AAA):

• Praetorian 1C
  
  • Each unit has:
    
    • 20mm mini-gun rounds
    • can be controlled via a UAV terminal

IFV-6a Cheetah & ZSU-39 Tigris are another example

***NOTE***
This is a point defense weapon system meaning that, even though it uses a 'track & search' radar, the rounds must make physical contact with the intended target

Mobile AA

IFV-6a Cheetah & ZSU-39 Tigris are tracked vehicles based on the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) chassis

Both are armed with:

• twin 35mm auto cannon

• 'Titan' surface to air, infrared guided missiles (short)

Vanilla vs. DLC (Down-Loadable Content)

The 'Jets' DLC is a great add-on for AA & SEAD operations. Both factions have new pieces of equipment but the NATO faction has several autonomous AA platforms. So when playing multiplayer, it may be easier to play the CSAT faction in order to allow for more SEAD options. These automated AA systems are also 'hackable' and so they add an additional level of choices to defeat. Once 'hacked', the unit switches alliance to the hacking unit (NATO to CSAT and vice-versa).

Anti-Radiation Missiles

Anti-radiation missiles target any ACTIVE ENY radar equipment (such as most AA weapon platforms)

The A/C that fires the missile does NOT need to have their active radar engaged but they do need to have passive radar working

The missiles have Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) abilities

A3 offers 2 such missiles:

• AGM-88C HARM (NATO)

• KH58 ARM (CSAT)

Anti-radiation missiles differ from 'radar-guided' in that the later NEED ACTIVE radar to remain locked onto its target. If the active radar is turned off, then the missile will no longer maintain a target lock-on

***Electronic Warfare (EW)***

***ONLY UAV operators can hack, so use them as your Soldier***

Anti-Air weapons systems are subjected to EW measures

For the most part, all that is needed is an opposing faction player with a UAV terminal

If the UAV terminal is in close proximity to the system, then it can be subjected to 'hijacking'

Planning

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1212458750
Planning starts with determining ENY:

• Composition

• Disposition

• Strength

Once the ENY ORBAT (ORder of BATtle) has been established, then you must consider what SEAD capabilities you are in possession in order to counter their effects

After you are aware of both the ENYs and your capabilities/counter-capabilities, then you must perform reconnaissance (at least map but in-person/aerial is best)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1832593749
During the recon of the OBJ you must consider:

• routes to & from the OBJ

• probable areas of employment (hilltops/valleys/strong points etc.)

Based on the recon, then you can array your SEAD capabilities as needed
Some important assets that should not be forgotten are:

• artillery

• mortar

• UAV

Ensure that your SEAD capabilities can provide coverage to counter ENY AA capabilities

***Once you identify ENY targets you must be prepared to interdict those targets NLT H-hour***

***Create a DA (Direct Assault) mission with UAV terminals and demolitions in order to execute EW operations and/or target destruction***

AA Radar/Missile Capabilities

Each AA weapon system has different radar and weapon coverage.

Here are some examples:



The IFV-6a Cheetah:

• aerial - 9km; ground - 6km

• 360 degrees horizontal/100 degrees vertical coverage

• identifies targets that are less than 5km away

• A/C speed must be at or below 2,500 km/hr

• 'data link' to other vehicles up to 16km away

• uses the Titan missile
  
  • infrared-guided
    
    • lock onto aircraft at up to 4.5 km away
      
      • target is flying less than 1,800 km/h

MIM-145 Defender:

• MUST use the AN/MPQ-105 radar system for targets to be engaged

• aerial - 16km; ground - 12km

• 120 degree horizontal/vertical coverage

• 'data link' to other vehicles up to 16km away

SEAD Tactics

SEAD operations:

Tactic #1 - Bait & Switch
The least valuable flying asset that you have is used to trigger the ENY AA unit by flying in an area. Doing so 'reveals' the ENY AA asset to friendly forces/map. Then, another assets (flying or ground) can engage the revealed target(s).

Tactic #2 - Terrain Masking
The least valuable flying asset that you have uses the terrain to 'mask' itself from ENY AA radar/direct fire and does a grid search of an area where it reveals itself (usually by briefly gaining altitude) to enable its radar (or ENY radar) to track ENY assets.

Tactic #3 - Recon
Utilize ground forces (recon) to locate ENY AA assets. Once located, the ENY weapon systems can be: 'hacked' and/or destroyed by the force; and/or targeted by friendly assets (artillery/mortar/aircraft etc.)

Counter SEAD operations:

Tips:
- SECURE your perimeter (airfield/FOB etc.)
- Use razor wire/fence/mines/patrols etc. to protect gaps in coverage
- Build H-barriers (or similar protective structure)
- Mine entrance

Tactic #1 - GDA (Ground Dominance Activities)
Multiple buddy-teams (2 Soldiers) are sent in at least the 4 cardinal directions and set up an outer perimeter to detect ENY SEAD operations as they attempt to infiltrate your Area of Operations (AO). Additional buddy-teams are used to patrol/protect areas that are vulnerable to 'hacking'. They should be armed or have available a UAV terminal in-order-to regain control of a 'hacked' unit.

SEAD Mission FTX with Jets DLC

FTX - Field Training eXercise
***ALL weapon systems are armed at 25%***

ORBAT:

NATO -
Praetorian 1C AAA, Mk-49 Spartan SAM, and Mk-21 Centurion SAM

***Only ONE unit per type and limited to Airfields and large FOBs (Forward Operating Base)

AN/MPQ-105 radar and MIM-145 Defender Surface-to-Air Missile system

***Only ONE unit per type and limited to Airfields and large FOBs (Forward Operating Base)


1-3X IFV-6a Cheetah - not limited in location

1-3X AA specialists - not limited in location
1-3X AA turret - *limited to Airfields and large FOBs*

CSAT-
1X Zamak MRL wheeled self-propelled Multiple Rocket Launcher
1X KH-3A Fenghuang UCAV
2X Darter UAV
2X Laser Designator (w/th battery)
2X UAV Terminals
4X satchel charges

Mounted/dismounted unit
1 SQD:
- SQD LDR
- ASST SQD LDR
- JTAC/FO (1X Laser Designator (w/th battery)
- UAV TL (1X UAV Terminal)
- UAV ATL (1X UAV Terminal)
- AA specialist
- Ammo bearer
- Medic

OPORD:
CSAT forces are to conduct a SEAD reconnaissance of NATO Airbase SOUTH, NLT 302300ZJUN23 (H-1), tasked with locating all ENY anti-air forces/equipment, prepare SEAD targets for future fire mission(s), scout ingress/egress corridors that friendly forces will use to infiltrate during future offensive operations to ensure ENY anti-air assets are identified. During commencement of offensive operations, the SQD must be prepared to conduct a Direct Assault (DA) mission of EW or destruction of ENY equipment.

Conclusion

SEAD and counter SEAD operations are important if you need:

• attack fighter/CAS air superiority

• freedom of maneuver for vertical envelopment (Air Assault/Air Mobile/ ABN Ops etc.)

Arma 3 'Jets' DLC offers many SEAD options

Turrets are 'hackable' by UAV operators

Know the radar/missile ranges/limits

Combined Arms with fires allows ENY weapon systems to be destroyed

Soldiers need to be able to conduct DA missions in order to destroy or 'hack' ENY assets

When performing counter SEAD ops, ensure to:

• protect your perimeter (razor wire/H-barriers/mines/patrols etc.)

• ensure Soldiers can protect (Force Protection) turrets from being 'hacked'/destroyed

[Greybeard]

Sir...I sh@t you not!

[Roseru]

You Gotta Be Shitting Me!