Nimrod Strategic/CAS platform?

[foldingwings]

I know very little about the world of mud but is CAS always tactical and what is it called when it isn't close to friendlies?

That's BAI (Battlefield Air Interdiction) but it is no longer in the NATO doctrine lexicon so your are left with AI which very much covers the whole of the battlefield on the other side of the FSCL (if you have a fixed linear one which is doubtful these days).

The real problem is the JFLCC needs rapid response time for CAS as he uses it (or should) only when his LF are engaged in 'close' combat (whites of the eyes stuff) and precision air is required to assist with kill and/or disengage of opposing forces. It all used to be controlled by a FAC or equivalent (probably still is) and accuracy is vital to avoid fratricide. So even JDAM may not be permissible in many circumstances and only visually laid or laser-guided weapons will do the trick. So if your MRA4 is not prioritised by the JFACC to CAS (cos, let's say, it's being used for CSAR - a higher JFACC priority) and it only has JDAMs because it cannot guide laser guideds (and nobody else is available on the day). Then your troops engaged are on a sticky wicket and the JFLCC now detests the JFACC!

Does that help? If you are serving, get yourself on a course at AWC Cranwell and learn more!

Foldie
RAF FJ Mud (Rtd)

[foldingwings]

Why does the system put an @ in the word laser? I didn't!

Foldie

[Ivan Rogov]

FSCL, is that the latest version of FEBA/FLOT? I think you have set me straight on the CAS ability/availability of an asset tasked on a different mission on the ATO. The weapon issue could apply to any asset (Quite varied in MNF Ops) that hasn't got the weapon type the JTAC (FAC) wants, they seem quite able to make the most of what is offered though. Not sure Land and Air get on at the best of times in the CAOC

Although I and others have called it CAS I think we actually mean an armed ISR platform (armed ISTAR?) for over watch and area denial, ECAS, TST, CSAR, POL etc. Many more medium sized UAV are getting armed since the CIA demonstrated how effective they could be, and now Iraqi/US King Airs and the USMC are developing armed C130 with ISR, after day one or two of a conflict these platforms are ideal.

The courses I have attended at AWC were very good and I'd like to go on more, but at my rank we generally only get on those related to out current role. Getting time to off to attend is difficult too, but I think I might have some spare time after March

[foldingwings]

Ivan,

FSCL = Fire Support Coordination Line. During the old Cold War days it was linear and beyond the FEBA and defined the range of artillery pieces positioned on or about the FEBA. Consequently it was an area of the battlefield where coordination of assets was essential.

However, as I think I stated previously, today any FSCL (if it even exists) could not be linear - hence we have Kill Boxes etc to effectively do a similar thing.

Foldie

[BEagle]

Why does the system put an @ in the word l@ser? I didn't!

Foldie - it's to stop those stupid and annoying 'tailored adverts' which infest PPRuNe from automatically advertising high-powered la.sers which ne'er-do-wells might buy to shine at aircraft.

All this mud-moving is all very well; personally I'd opt for the WE177 and nuke 'em till they glow!

[Vage Rot]

Originally Posted by foldingwings

Why does the system put an @ in the word l@ser? I didn't!

I think you will find that the correct term is "Freaking layser" !!