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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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