23. When an enemy threat from a given direction is detected, the pilot must execute immediate evasive action. These actions include descending, turning or increasing airspeed or a combination of all three to place a barrier between the helicopter and the source of the threat.
24. Although quick reaction is important, the normal constraints of terrain, aircraft operating limits and pilot ability must be considered so that the manoeuvre can be executed safely. Because of the lower altitudes generally flown under operational conditions, any descent deemed necessary during evasive manoeuvres should be carried out with full throttle. The key to manoeuvring is to place an obstacle between the helicopter and the source of enemy fire.
25. The specific evasive manoeuvre required will depend on the type of hostile fire encountered. In most engagements, an immediate turn will be required by the pilot. The type and direction will depend on the threat that is encountered. For two sections of helicopters operating as an element, the sections should turn in opposite directions to force the enemy to choose which to engage. Once the element has split, the section that is engaged will have to carry out further manoeuvring which will yet again, result in the section splitting. This splitting not only causes the enemy to choose targets, it also
Figure 9-1: Element Initial Reaction
26. Some recommended actions are given below for various weapon systems: a. Tanks and Small Arms. Immediately turn away from the fire and fly
towards an area for concealment. If concealment is unavailable, sharp turns of unequal magnitude and at unequal intervals and small changes in altitude will provide the best protection until you are beyond the effective range of hostile weapons. If the situation permits, employ immediate suppressive fire via aircraft mounted weapons or call for fire;
b. Large Calibre Anti-Aircraft Fire (Radar Controlled). If the helicopter is equipped with a radar jammer, maintain aircraft orientation toward the threat radar, deploy chaff, and mask the helicopter. If the helicopter is not equipped with a radar jammer, execute an immediate 90 degree turn. After turning, do not maintain a straight line of flight or maintain the same altitude for more than ten seconds before initiating a second 90 degree turn. An immediate descent to NOE altitude will reduce the danger; c. Fighters. When in an area where threat fighters are known or suspected
to be operating, fly the helicopter at NOE altitude as much as possible. Upon sighting a fighter, try to mask the helicopter or land. If the fighter is alone and executes a dive, have the helicopters split, turn toward the attacker and descend. This manoeuvre will cause the fighter to choose a target and increase his attack angle. Depending on the dive angle, it may be advantageous to turn sharply and manoeuvre away once the attacker is committed. The fighter will then have to break off his attack to recover from the manoeuvre. Once the fighter breaks off his attack, manoeuvre the helicopter to take advantage of terrain, vegetation, and shadow for concealment. If none is available and a re-attack is likely, fly to stay within the turn radius of the fighter until alternative action is possible. If the fighter has launched a missile, the use of chaff/flares to delay enemy radar and missiles launched must be considered. Be prepared to evade the fighter's wingman with similar techniques;
d. Heat Seeking Missiles. Try to keep helicopter heat sources away from the threat. If a missile is sighted, turn the tail of the helicopter away from the missile and mask the helicopter. Descent to NOE flying. Newer generation missiles track at closer to the Ultra Violet (UV) range and are all aspect tracking, therefore the proper use of flares and masking is a must;
e. Anti-tank Guided Missiles. These missiles can be either wire guided or laser guided. Some missiles fly relatively slowly and can be avoided by rapidly repositioning the helicopter which in the case of the wire guidance may cause the wire to break. As with all threats, masking is the best countermeasure. If terrain or vegetation is not available for masking
f. Artillery. Depart the impact area and determine NBC requirements; and g. Radar Guided Missiles. If the helicopter is equipped with a radar
jammer, maintain aircraft orientation toward the threat radar. Manoeuvre the helicopter to break the line of sight to the radar source while
simultaneously activating chaff (if available). OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
27. Aircraft survivability functions must be included throughout mission planning, rehearsal, execution, and recovery operations. Mission planning begins with the receipt of the warning order. It continues through mission execution, including the after-action review. It is important to plan and implement aircraft survivability functions when receiving the mission and enemy situation. ASE and EW must be considered in all phases of mission planning. The level of planning involved is always predicated on the time, information, and personnel available. OPLANs and Op Os for military operations are extensive in scope and contain information that serves as a baseline for most unit operations.
28. The generation of the Op O begins upon receipt of the enemy and friendly
situation, the mission, and the commander’s intent. ASE planning starts with Op O / Frag O development. The enemy and friendly situations are defined with the emphasis on the EW capabilities of both, and their ability to find, fix, jam, deceive, disrupt, or destroy each other. Once the situation is clearly defined, the mission is analyzed to evaluate the risk to friendly forces, while accomplishing the mission within the prescribed guidelines. After the threat assessment is complete, risk reduction techniques are specified in the execution instructions. These techniques may require the lifted unit commander’s approval if the mission constraints need to be altered significantly from the original intent. The next step is to determine support for ASE and the command and signal guidance necessary to accomplish the EW phase of the mission.
29. During the execution of the mission it is important for aircrews to be familiar with the ASE situational awareness displays and the expected threat indications. Some actions must be performed without delay. When the visual indications reveal a gun or missile being fired at the helicopter, or the ASE indicates a radar track or launch, the aircrew has limited time to perform an action preventing the helicopter from being engaged. Crew coordination of evasive manoeuvre performance must be rehearsed, and standardized terminology, such as “missile three o’ clock, break right,” used to avoid confusion. There are situations when evasive manoeuvring is not required, such as during radar search or acquisition. Three distinct reactions to threat engagements are:
a. indication (determine immediate actions);
b. evasive manoeuvre (when masking terrain is not readily available); and c. actions on contact (decision to continue or abort mission).
30. Formation types, and spacing intervals, should be selected to provide all helicopters the necessary manoeuvre space for hostile fire avoidance. Standardized terminology, such as “chalk two breaking right...missile” or “chalk three breaking
left...tracers at nine o’ clock,” should be used to alert the flight to your actions. Briefings should include evasive formation break up procedures and the method for reforming after breaking the engagement. It is important to communicate your ASE indications to other helicopters in the formation, since you may be the only helicopter receiving indications, due to terrain, narrow radar beam, altitude, or maintenance problems.
31. Final consideration is to rehearse the actions on contact and flight profiles for each operation. This would ensure that the actions and reactions of each helicopter and section are well known by all. This can then be discussed within the crew to ensure that lookouts and cockpit reactions are coordinated.
CHAPTER 10
SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS