|
 Recent conflicts
demonstrated the decisive role of precision attack in modern
warfare. Precision engagement systems were available in air
forces' arsenals since the mid 1970s, using laser guided bombs and
TV guided missiles. Today's systems differ from Vietnam era
hardware in their sophistication, accuracy, autonomous all-weather
operational capability and - most importantly - by networking with
intelligence, command and control and "effectors"
creating a
tight, self improving sensor-to-shooter loop. Better integration
and communications between the elements in this loop contribute to
improved situational awareness, reflecting on eased operating
restrictions set in the past, to avoid fratricide.
While aircraft, sensors and weapons are still limited in their
networking, all-weather capability and standoff range, further
developments are in place to overcome these limitations and
introduce truly integrated advanced battlespace control and
effects capability. The force of the future will employ
multi-mission aircraft systems, with multi-spectral, fused sensors
and robust, all-weather weapons delivery with increased standoff
capability. Using less over longer distances will require reduced
logistics tails, while covering more targets, with more
diversified means of attack. These assets will be supported by new
generations of satellites which will provide better responsiveness
to ground, naval and airborne forces. The fully integrated force
of manned, unmanned and space assets will be able to communicate
at the speed of light, on the machine-to-machine level, rather
than today's man-to-machine, with a capability to conduct
near-instantaneous global attack against a wide range of threats
and targets.
With better, more immune GPS
and better guidance systems, weapons
are placed precisely where planned, requiring targets to be exactly
identified and located before the attack. Air Forces can rely on
precision for all the parameters of the strike – hitting the
target at the right location, angle and speed, even at a specific aimpoint. The actual physical effect caused by the weapon can be
planned to the last detail, by determining the explosive type,
shape, fusing and weapon's casing. Conventional high explosives
bombs will detonate in a surface blast or, deep inside an
underground bunker, creating a destructive blast wave explosions
or a long overpressure
thermobaric fireball detonated inside a
building, without damaging the structure. Such precision requires
gathering many details about the target prior to the actual
attack. If a certain target cannot be identified, intelligence must
provide other “indicators,” which will enable pilots and targeting
assets to look for the objective in a certain battlespace and rapidly
locate it as it appears. Such indicators cannot rely solely on
satellite imaging. While satellites provide useful pictures, they
do not always tell the whole story and are also susceptible to
deception. |
