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Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 14 TACTICAL HELICOPTER MISSIONS COMBAT COMBAT SUPPORT COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR Air Mobile Operations Casualty Evacuation Aeromedical Evacuation Aid to the Civil Power Anti-armour/ Attack Operations Command and Liaison Logistical Transport Counter-Drug Operations Direction and Control of Fire Tactical Transport Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance and Surveillance Humanitarian Assistance Special Operations Peace Support COMBAT OPERATIONS 3. Combat missions are those conducted with the intention of attacking the enemy in one form or another. Typical combat missions for helicopter forces include: a. Airmobile Operations. NATO defines Airmobile Operations as "Operations in which combat forces and their equipment manoeuvre about the area of operations by aircraft to engage in ground combat". The airmobile mission is normally executed by specific task organized units, or by composite units with armed or attack helicopter assets integral to the main assault force. Airmobility and Air Assault are the NATO and American terms respectively for this combat mission. Airmobile operations normally involve all six tactical helicopter tasks. b. Anti-Armour/Attack. The primary purpose of the attack mission is to destroy enemy ground forces with direct fire. Reconnaissance and the provision of fire support are the primary component tasks in this mission. Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 15 c. Direction and Control of Fire. These missions involve directing all forms of direct and indirect fire onto ground targets. (Mortars, Field, and Naval Artillery, Armed Helicopters, and Fighters). Reconnaissance and communications tasks combine to form this mission. d. Reconnaissance and Surveillance. These operations typically involve observation by visual and electronic means to obtain or deny information. Technological advances in optical and electro-optical systems allow these missions to be conducted day and night in nearly all environmental conditions. Counterreconnaissance and security missions are normally considered as part of this mission area. Reconnaissance and the provision of fire support combine on these this missions. e. Special Operations. Special operations are considered those which do not typically fit into other combat mission categories but which by their nature, may involve a high degree of risk. Deep reconnaissance, raids, insertion and extraction of Special Forces personnel, special intelligence gathering, Combat Search And Rescue (C-SAR), and psychological operations are some of the activities carried out in this mission area. Helicopters performing these missions are normally equipped with advanced systems and weapons and are crewed by specially trained personnel. Special operations can involve any of the tactical aviation basic tasks. COMBAT SUPPORT OPERATIONS 4. Combat support missions are those which provide operational support and sustainment to forces involved in combat. These missions include but are not limited to: Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 16 a. Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC). Removal of casualties from the immediate battle area as quickly as possible is an extremely important mission. Casualty Collection Points (CCP) will normally be established in each Battalion’s rear area. Critically wounded personnel will be extracted directly from the Battalion CCP; less critical casualties will normally travel by road, unless space is available. Dedicated aviation casualty evacuation units are rare. Normally troop transport aircraft perform this mission. b. Command and Liaison (C&L). The primary purpose of this mission is to assist with the battle procedure process of commanders at all levels. Helicopters may also simplify liaison between units with extended lines of communication or between allied forces. The speed, flexibility, and communications abilities inherent to tactical aviation all contribute to successful C&L missions. Reconnaissance and communications support are the primary component tasks in this mission. c. Tactical Transport. Tactical transport operations involve the movement of combat troops, equipment, and supplies to areas of tactical importance for current or future operations. The threat associated with conducting helicopter operations into these areas requires tactical mission planning, detailed briefing, and tactical flight profiles. COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT OPERATIONS 5. These missions centre on the sustainment of operations. They are generally conducted within a low threat environment and primarily involve the non-tactical transport of personnel and supplies. 6. Well organized CSS operations will transport combat supplies forward, and casualties to the rear. OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR (OOTW) 7. There are several types of missions which fall outside of the traditional warfare realm that tactical aviation is often involved with. In general, the same principles that apply to aviation units employed during combat operations hold true during the conduct of OOTW. Unit commanders must ensure the security of their personnel and equipment at all times since the nonhostile intent of some missions may not be seen in the same light by all the factions concerned. The capability to make a quick transition from peace to a combat posture must be maintained. Operations Other Than War typically include: Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 17 a. Aid to the Civil Power/Assistance to Civil Authorities. The National Defence Act describes the procedures to be followed when civilian authorities see the need for military assistance. These requests are made by Provincial Attorney Generals directly to the Chief of Defence staff, who determines what the military response will be. The military forces committed are always subordinate to the existing civil authorities. b. Counter Drug Operations. Any counter-drug operation involving Canadian Forces aviation assets must be coordinated with civil law enforcement authorities having jurisdictional authority. This will primarily be the RCMP. Support to these operations may also involve equipment loans or transfers and other assistance as requested. Aviation support may occur in any phase of the operation. c. Counter Terrorist Operations. Counter terrorism operations may involve the use of aviation in the full range of measures to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism. d. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. These operations provide emergency relief in response to domestic or foreign agency requests for assistance to victims of natural or man-made disasters. The ability of aviation to deploy rapidly and its capability to operate in austere environments make it ideally suited to support a broad range of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. e. Nation Building/Assistance to Emerging Nations. These operations are conducted in an effort to support a host nation's efforts to promote self-development. The aims of these operations are normally accomplished through education, training, and the development of essential skills and infrastructure. f. Peace Support. These operations are conducted in support of diplomatic initiatives to restore peace between hostile factions. Peacekeeping operations seek to maintain peace in areas where there is a potential for conflict; the consent of all parties involved in the dispute is a mandatory requirement. The operations are characterized as having ambiguous situations requiring the peacekeepers to deal with tense and possibly violent factions without becoming participants or showing favouritism. Peace enforcement implies the threat or actual use of force to compel hostile factions to cease their violent activities. Due to the volatile nature of these operations, aviation units engaged in peace support operations must have a heightened awareness of force protection measures and procedures. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 18 g. Search and Rescue. While not formally trained for Search and Rescue missions, tactical helicopter units may be tasked to search for and rescue personnel in distress. While dedicated SAR assets provide the primary SAR response in Canada, the scarcity of these assets and the distances between their operating bases indicate that tactical helicopters may by default provide the first response. SECTION 3 ORGANIZING FOR BATTLE 8. Tactical helicopters are employed at all levels in army, air force, and joint operations. It is important to understand the different nature of these operations. 9. When tactical helicopters are tasked directly by the air force in support of joint operations, they are part of the overall Air Component of that joint force. Details on the nature of Air Component Operations are contained in the Air Command doctrine manual, “Out of the Sun”. 10. Canada’s army receives its tactical helicopter support from the air force. Normally, the assignment of tactical helicopters to a land commander gives him Operational Command or Control of these resources. These command and control relationship allows the gaining commander to effectively task aircraft for the short notice tasks associated with operations in relatively small area of operations. This decentralized form of execution is especially important when C2 systems are lost or degraded due to enemy action or environmental conditions. 11. In a fully deployed Army, consisting of a number of Corps, aviation assets will be found from the Army HQ level (Echelons above Corps or EAC) down to the independent brigade level. The most specialized aviation assets such as Special Forces, Electronic Warfare, and Heavy Lift aircraft, will be retained at the highest levels of command to react to requirements at the operational level. 12. A Corps is the principal combat formation and has both tactical and combat service support functions. A Corps consists of a number of Divisions and other specialized tactical elements including tactical aviation. Normally there will be dedicated aviation assets retained at corps level for the execution of specific Corps missions. Special Forces in particular are seldom grouped below Corps level. Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 19 Figure 2-1: Tactical Aviation’s Battlefield Focus (Extracted from FM-100) 13. The Divisions within a corps are structured dependent upon their role. As with the corps, each division has both tactical and CSS functions. Each division consists of a number of brigades and specialized supporting elements. The Division is normally the lowest level that Aviation is permanently assigned. 14. A Tactical Aviation Wing consisting of reconnaissance, attack, and utility helicopter squadrons would normally support a Division. 15. A Brigade is equipped based upon its role, and is a grouping of combat units with limited integral combat support and combat service support. The brigades within a division normally receive their aviation support from the assets held at division level. 16. The Brigade-Group contains a mixture of combat, combat support, and combat service support elements to allow it to conduct independent operations. As a result, a brigade-group deployed on operations is established with dedicated helicopter resources. Other independent organizations normally have their own integral aviation. 17. A Tactical Helicopter Squadron is integral to the independent brigade-group on operations. Ideally, the squadron will be equipped to provide reconnaissance, mobility, and fire support to the formation. An independent squadron consists of 16-24 aircraft, integral maintenance, logistics, and administrative support, and command and control elements. It is able to move independently, and defend itself within a deployed brigade structure. 18. A Tactical Helicopter Flight will consist of up to eight aircraft and a command and control element. It may also include a refueller and aircraft maintenance detachment. It is not established to defend itself when deployed, and will rely on the supported unit for ground defence. The supported unit will normally provide logistical support to the flight. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 20 SECTION 4 THE OPERATIONS OF WAR 19. Three major operations of war are recognised: offence, defence and delay. All three are conducted in contact with the enemy and can be carried out simultaneously by elements within a force, or sequentially by the force as a whole. In order to move from one operation to another and to ensure the continuity of operations they are linked by transitional phases in which the force is disengaging or seeking to re-establish contact. 20. Land forces will rarely operate in total isolation from the other elements, in particular air forces. Commanders need to achieve true land and air integration. Air power is fundamental to the success of all land operations, and formation commanders and their staffs must know how to incorporate and co-ordinate it during all phases of operations. Ground tactical plans must conform to the reality of the air situation. In most cases, gaining air superiority is a fundamental precondition for land operations. OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS 21. The Offence is the decisive operation of war. The purpose of offensive operations is to defeat the enemy through the application of focused violence throughout his depth. Manoeuvre in depth poses an enduring and substantial threat to which the enemy must respond. He is forced to react, rather than being able to take the initiative. 22. Physical damage of the enemy is merely a means to success and not an end in itself. The requirement is to create paralysis and confusion thereby destroying the coherence of the defence by fragmenting and isolating the enemy's combat power. The use of surprise and the concentration of forces to achieve momentum, which must then be maintained in order to retain the initiative, can accomplish this. By so doing, the enemy's capability to resist is destroyed. 23. During offensive operations, helicopters can provide the land force commander with highly effective firepower and manoeuvre together with the capability for a rapid response to any unexpected situation. The flexibility, mobility, and firepower of tactical aviation assist the momentum of all offensive operations; aviation is a major force multiplier. 24. The attack helicopter with its highly accurate direct firepower provides an effective means of attacking the enemy defences, follow-on forces, and withdrawing elements. It can also provide direct fire support to attacking forces. Utility helicopters may conduct airmobility and aeromedical evacuation tasks, and can rapidly deploy weapons and troops to seize and hold key terrain. Reconnaissance helicopters provide reconnaissance and surveillance, direct groundattack aircraft and adjust artillery, designate targets for other armed helicopters, and may assist in all aspects of airmobile operations. Transport helicopters complement the sustainment effort and will be key elements during airmobile operations. Operations

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c. Flexibility. Tactical helicopter units execute tasks in accordance with the priorities of the supported commander and are capable of responding rapidly to changing situations. Sound battle procedure, reliable communications, rapid passage of all types of information and orders, combined with their mobility, give tactical helicopter forces great flexibility. d. Mobility. Tactical helicopters operate in the third dimension of the ground commander's area of operations, thus reducing the limiting effects which terrain and other obstacles have on ground based movement; this enables them to project firepower and move troops and equipment throughout the area of operations. Introduction B-GA-440-000/AF-000 7 However, tactical helicopters achieve this freedom of manoeuvre only by forfeiting some of the terrain’s protective advantages. The exploitation of this characteristic is dependent upon numerous other factors including a flexible command and control system, effective logistics and maintenance support, and the provision of sound and timely advice at all levels of command. e. Speed of Execution. Helicopters are normally deployed close to supported forces to allow for the rapid execution of tasks. Speed of execution is enhanced through sound battle procedure and concurrent activity. Maintaining aircraft at high readiness states can further reduce reaction times. It must be realised that in some cases the time required to prepare for and load helicopters can remove its speed advantage over ground transport. The advantage will, return to the helicopter over longer distances or difficult terrain. Accurate staff checks are essential during all stages of the planning process. f. Surprise. Because of the helicopter's speed, freedom of movement, ability to operate at very low altitudes both day and night, and use of terrain masking techniques, it can often achieve the element of surprise or escape detection altogether. Where noise levels are low, surprise may be reduced due to the noise produced by the aircraft. g. Versatility. Most helicopters can carry out a wide range of tasks. Although each doctrinal type of helicopter is likely to be more suited to some specific tasks, each will normally be capable of performing other tasks to some extent. The degree to which each helicopter can successfully execute the more specialized tasks is more dependent on the equipment that is carried than on the airframe to which it is attached. Utility helicopters, by definition, are inherently versatile. 15. Tactical helicopter forces operate with the following specific limitations: LIMITATIONS · Aircrew fatigue · Availability · Logistic support · Night · Payload · Security · Vulnerability · Weather a. Aircrew / Ground crew Fatigue. Fatigue must be considered during operations; fatigue must be continually assessed in light of the pace of operations and the level of acceptable risk. The potential for catastrophic aircraft accidents due to fatigue among aircrew and ground crew cannot be ignored. b. Availability. Helicopters require an extensive amount of servicing and scheduled maintenance to ensure their airworthiness. For planning purposes, approximately 75% of a unit’ aircraft should normally be available for tasking. For specific operations with sufficient lead-time, higher availability may be achieved. All tactical plans must take into account the possibility that one or more of the aircraft involved in an operation may become unsafe to fly during the conduct of the operation; alternate aircraft and priority loads must therefore be identified and incorporated into the plans. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 8 c. Logistic Support. Helicopters utilize relatively large quantities of fuel, and must have access to their fuel, ammunition, and other supplies at forward sites to effectively conduct operations. Logistic requirements must be identified early on in the conduct of battle procedure. d. Night. There are many tactical advantages in operating at night; however darkness also requires more detailed pre-mission planning and imposes some operating limitations. These may require helicopters to operate at slightly higher altitudes, following simpler flight paths and at reduced speeds. Separation between aircraft, and landing site selection require extra attention. Developments in night vision aids, covert illumination, navigation equipment and instrumentation are progressively reducing, the difference between day and night flying operations. e. Payload. In order to be able to take-off and land vertically, helicopters utilize a large percentage of their available power for these regimes of flight. As a result, helicopter payloads are considerably smaller than for fixed wing aircraft having comparable power plants. In addition, helicopter payloads are adversely affected by high ambient temperatures and/or high operating altitudes present during takeoff and landing. f. Security. Helicopter units must be located to maximize their protection. Concealment is made difficult due to the lack of ground mobility, the inability to occupy rugged irregular terrain, and the time required for camouflaging fragile objects. g. Vulnerability. Despite advances in aircraft performance, instrumentation, navigation and self-protection equipment, tactical helicopters remain highly vulnerable to most weapons systems. Small arms remain effective helicopter killers. Aircraft performance, defensive equipment, terrain, and threat air defence capabilities will define the tactics for employing tactical aviation during operations. Serious consideration must also be given to the concealment, location, and protection of aviation assets deployed. h. Weather. Helicopters are capable of operating in conditions of lower visibility and under much lower cloud cover than possible with fixed wing aircraft. Most helicopters have restrictions prohibiting or restricting flight in icing conditions, and to a lesser degree, operations may be restricted in falling snow. Strong surface winds may make the starting and stopping of rotor blades hazardous, and may require flying operations to be delayed until conditions improve. Weather remains the most common cause of delays to planned missions. Introduction B-GA-440-000/AF-000 9 SECTION 8 PRINCIPLES OF TACTICAL HELICOPTER EMPLOYMENT 16. To be successful during military operations, positive characteristics must be exploited, limitations minimized, and accepted principles adhered to. Commanders at all levels must conduct thorough planning by taking all of these factors into account. 17. Experience has shown that certain key principles must be applied for the effective use of air power. These principles, which are more fully detailed in BGA 400, are all directly applicable to the use of tactical helicopters in support of the land forces: a. Centralized Command and Control. Centralized Command and Control promotes an integrated effort and enables air forces to be employed to meet the recognized operational priorities. It also allows air action to be refocused quickly to exploit fleeting opportunities, respond to the changing demands of the operational situation, and to be concentrated at the critical place and time to achieve decisive results. Centralized Command and Control is essential if air power is to be employed in unified action. It helps avoiding air power being divided into 'pennypackets', which inhibit flexibility and concentration of force. Centralized Command and Control also ensures that the air effort is co-ordinated and employed against practical objectives. It must be exercised at the highest practical level; care must be taken not to set this level too high, as this will inhibit flexibility and create other inefficiencies. b. Decentralized Execution. No single commander can personally direct all of the detailed actions of a large number of air units or individuals. Therefore, decentralized execution is essential, and is accomplished by delegating appropriate authority for the execution of missions and tasks. Decentralized execution allows subordinate commanders to use their judgement and initiative within the overall pattern of employment laid down by their superiors. 18. Several additional principles pertain specifically to the employment of tactical helicopters: a. Grouping based upon a continuous requirement for support. The requirements for continuous or occasional support are used to determine the level at which tactical aviation units are held within land formations. Higher formations will normally "push" helicopter resources held at their level down to the lower levels when the requirements can be anticipated. If not provided automatically, lower formations must request the required support; this principle applies to all specialized support available to the land forces. The helicopter flight is normally the smallest element, which will be routinely regrouped in Canadian operation orders; units having miscellaneous unforecast requirements may be assigned smaller groupings of aircraft to support a specific task. While single aircraft can be tasked in support of non- tactical tasks, the two-aircraft section remains as the smallest tactical grouping. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 10 b. Joint Training and use of SOPs. Joint training and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are essential elements of helicopter operations. To function effectively, helicopter and army units must be thoroughly trained, and confident in each others capabilities and procedures. c. Timely Planning. Tactical helicopter commanders must be involved in the planning process for land force operations. Liaison must be established and maintained with the supported formation/units throughout the period of operations. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 11 CHAPTER 2 OPERATIONS SECTION 1 TACTICAL HELICOPTER TASKS TASKS · Reconnaissance and surveillance · Direction and control of fire · Provision of fire support · Combat airlift/tactical transport · Logistical transport · Communications support 1. The following tasks, in isolation or combined in various ways and in various degrees of complexity, form the basis for all tactical helicopter missions: a. Reconnaissance and Surveillance. Reconnaissance involves actively seeking out information on personnel, installations and equipment, as well as the meteorological, hydrographic, and geographic characteristics of a particular area. Visual, electro-optical, and photographic means are used to detect, identify, track, and report on movements, strengths, and intentions. Surveillance is the systematic and continuous observation of an area. Both tasks may include the denial of information to the enemy; weapons enhance the ability to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 12 b. Direction and Control of Fire. Airborne adjustment of fires, whether originating from artillery, mortars, naval gunfire, attack helicopters, or fighter ground attack aircraft, follows the same fundamentals as adjustment from the ground. Airborne platforms provide increased mobility and a much improved field of view, both of which aid immensely in the satisfactory conduct of this task. c. Provision of Fire Support. Helicopters capable of performing fire support tasks include those that possess effective “button-on” armament packages, known as Anti-Armour or Armed Helicopters -the name depends on the weapon system - and those built specifically to fight, known as Attack Helicopters. Appropriately armed helicopters can apply firepower virtually anywhere it is required on the battlefield. The ability to exploit terrain enables line of sight problems to be largely overcome, thus allowing the tactical helicopter to routinely employ their weapons at their maximum effective ranges, while allowing gaps in the enemy’s defences to become primary entrance and exit corridors for aviation forces. d. Combat Airlift/Tactical Transport. These tasks involve the use of helicopters to provide commanders with the ability to rapidly move their combat forces, supplies, and equipment virtually anywhere within the area of operations. Tactical transport does not in itself imply direct involvement in combat, which is by definition an airmobile operation; tactical transport is one aspect of the larger airmobile combat mission. Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 13 e. Logistical Transport. These operations are aimed at augmenting or temporarily replacing ground transport by providing immediate and responsive aerial transport of combat supplies and other critical commodities either directly where needed or to points short of the final destination, where ground logistic elements can receive them. f. Communications Support. Communications are critical to the effective command and control of all operations. Ground force communications may be restricted for a variety of reasons. Helicopters can assist with communications by providing airborne command posts, conducting radio rebroadcast or relay, as well as physically distributing important operational material. Communications support tasks may also include any activity, which may be executed by signals personnel operating from a helicopter platform. SECTION 2 TACTICAL HELICOPTER MISSIONS 2. The common tasks listed above combine in various ways to form a wide variety of missions across the spectrum of conflict. Combat, Combat Support, and Combat Service Support missions are three convenient groupings for aviation during traditional military operations; a prime determiner of these particular groupings is the level of the threat associated with the conduct of each component mission. The fourth grouping, Operations Other Than War (OOTW), is a catchall for the wide range of missions conducted outside of the traditional warfighting realm; OOTW may include missions from the Combat, Combat Support, and Combat Service Support groupings.

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TACTICAL HELICOPTER TYPES 4. Four distinct types of tactical helicopters have evolved: Attack, Reconnaissance, Utility, and Transport. These four distinct types, in their purest forms, exist only in a few armies. ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE UTILITY TRANSPORT Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 2 5. Few nations can afford this ideal degree of specialization. Instead, the helicopter is most commonly found in a utility configuration, one which can be crewed by personnel, trained in the skills required by a force, and fitted when required with specialized equipment and weapons. The configuration and employment of many utility helicopters in service today illustrates this fact. The Lynx helicopter is a good example of this, with variants performing Anti-armour, reconnaissance, and utility missions. It is also adaptable to the maritime environment, serving with many navy’s in Anti-Submarine and Anti- Shipping missions. SECTION 4 THE SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT AND THE CONTINUUM OF OPERATIONS 6. Canadian Forces strategic doctrine states that a spectrum of conflict exists, and describes the varying states of relations between nations and other groups. The spectrum of conflict encompasses three states in these relationships, Peace, Conflict, and War. The transition between states in relationship is seldom obvious. SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT CONTINUUM OF OPERATIONS Figure 1-1 : The Spectrum of Conflict and the Continuum of Operations Introduction B-GA-440-000/AF-000 3 Sustainment Manoeuvre Command Protection Firepower Info Ops Finding Finding Fixing Striking Main Effort Tempo Synchronization COMBAT POWER 7. The continuum of operations involves the strategic and operational responses to conflict. An understanding of the spectrum of conflict and the continuum of operations is based on the following considerations: a. There is no clear delineation line between the various states in the spectrum of conflict. b. The types of military operations conducted are not necessarily dictated by the state of conflict. While the strategic military response during conditions of peace and conflict other than war may be to conduct "operations other than war", these same operations may include combat operations. 8. Tactical helicopters are employed throughout the spectrum of conflict, conducting both combat and non-combat operations. Given that there are no distinct boundaries in the continuum of operations, forces employed on non-combat operations must be prepared for their situation to quickly change into one involving combat operations. SECTION 5 COMBAT POWER 9. CFP 300 “Canada’s Army” defines combat power as the total means of destructive and/or disruptive force that a military unit or formation can apply against the enemy at a given time. Combat power is achieved through six combat functions: Command, Firepower, Protection, Sustainment, Information Operations, and Manoeuvre. Tactical helicopters can contribute significantly to each of these combat functions. a. Command. Command is the exercise of military authority by a designated commander for the planning, direction, co-ordination and control of military forces. The command function provides the means to unify and integrate the activities of all the other functions. While Command performs this central function, it is not insular, all elements of the six combat functions combine and interact in an infinite number of ways. Tactical helicopter reconnaissance, intelligence, and surveillance platforms assist commanders in this function by providing timely information in nearly all environmental conditions and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The execution of command in all phases of operations is further enhanced when commanders have access to dedicated command and liaison and command and control platforms. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 4 b. Firepower. Firepower is used to destroy, neutralize, suppress, or harass the enemy. Firepower is viewed as a joint concept; it encompasses the collective and coordinated use of target acquisition data from all sources; the use of direct and indirect fire weapons; attacks by armed aircraft of all types; and the use of other lethal and non-lethal means. Tactical helicopter resources may contribute to the firepower function as independent manoeuvre elements, or may add their fires to those of the ground commander. Tactical helicopter units enhance the firepower function by acquiring and designating targets, adjusting indirect fire, and directly engaging targets. c. Protection. Protection encompasses those measures a force takes to remain viable and functional despite enemy action and the effects of the environment. Tactical helicopters may be directly involved in this function through the aerial emplacement of obstacles, sensors, and support to other engineer operations. Guarding, screening, rear area and flank security missions, and the evacuation of casualties are also important aspects of force protection that may be conducted by tactical helicopters. d. Sustainment. Sustainment is the maintenance of forces through logistical and administrative means. The flexibility and mobility of tactical helicopters make them well suited for certain force sustainment missions which generally involve the provision of combat supplies and other stores either directly to the user, or to forward points where army logistics elements can receive them for onward transport. It must be remembered that air movement is a relatively inefficient means of transporting heavy supplies and equipment; it should be reserved for the support of operations in which air movement is essential for success, or where other means are not practical. Introduction B-GA-440-000/AF-000 5 e. Information Operations. Information operations integrate all aspects of intelligence and information to support and enhance the other combat functions, with the goal of positioning forces in the right place, at the right time, and with the right resources. Tactical helicopters augment this function by conducting reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, electronic warfare, and battle damage assessments. All tactical aviation resources will routinely communicate information gained in the execution of their tasks as part of the total information operations effort. f. Manoeuvre. Manoeuvre is the movement of forces, in combination with direct and indirect fire. Tactical helicopters contribute to all aspects of the manoeuvre function; the mobility and firepower of tactical aviation make it a force that can gain and maintain contact, destroy the enemy in depth, and allow the enemy no safe haven in which to reorganize, rearm, or recover. Attack helicopters and airmobile forces can capture or deny critical areas of the battlefield, thus enhancing the capabilities of the ground commander to engage the enemy at the times and places of his choosing. SECTION 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR POWER 10. Air power assets possess specific characteristics that are quite distinct from those of land and sea based power. Aircraft travel much faster than surface vessels, are not constrained by surface features or barriers, and have greater reach than sea or land based weapons systems. The primary strengths of air vehicles are speed, range, elevation, surprise, and precision. These strengths act synergistically to produce flexibility, mobility, responsiveness, and the ability to rapidly concentrate forces. 11. On the negative side, all air power assets are inherently limited by their inability to stay airborne indefinitely, limited payloads, and vulnerability. B-GA 400 expands on each of these strengths and weaknesses, as well as conditional characteristics of cost, dependency on bases, sensitivity to technology, and atmospheric conditions. Tactical Helicopter Operations B-GA-440-000/AF-000 6 SECTION 7 TACTICAL HELICOPTER CHARACTERISTICS AND LIMITATIONS 12. Modern technology has freed tactical helicopter forces from many of the restrictions previously imposed by darkness and marginal weather conditions. Night vision goggles, thermal imaging, and satellite navigation are some of technologies which have dramatically improved it's capabilities in recent years. These advances have effectively allowed helicopter operations to take place 24 hours a day, a capability which in itself poses considerable planning problems for the tactical helicopter community. Historically, aircrew and maintenance personnel could count on periods of bad weather and darkness to rest and conduct maintenance; with the modern ability to conduct 24-hour operations, fatigue and maintenance requirements have a definite impact on long term operations. 13. Despite massive advances in technology, tactical helicopters remain extremely vulnerable to most weapons systems. Planners must allocate appropriate resources for destroying or suppressing enemy weapon systems during operations. Tactical helicopter forces must possess the ability to detect hostile forces at stand-off distances, and should remain outside threat effective weapons ranges when possible. When operations demand they enter these envelopes, they must be equipped with weapons and defensive systems appropriate to deal with the expected threats. 14. Tactical helicopter forces possess the following positive characteristics: CHARACTERISTICS · Communications · Firepower · Flexibility · Mobility · Speed of execution · Surprise · Versatility a. Superior Communications. Tactical helicopters can be equipped with an array of communications equipment which, when combined with their freedom from restrictions imposed by terrain, greatly enhances their capability to command and control other tactical aviation resources, and assist the land forces with their command and control activities. b. Firepower. All tactical helicopters have the potential to be fitted with weapons. Current technologies allow tactical helicopters to provide direct fire support with precision or non-precision weapons; to direct and control fire from other weapon systems; and to directly protect forces by providing armed security. While the Attack helicopter is specifically designed with firepower in mind, it is not the only platform capable of providing it.