5 October 2022

The power of diversity

By Emil Holm

5 min read + Video

While each GBAD guidance system has its strengths and shortcomings, combining them can produce truly outstanding results.

在可能需要快速连续部署多枚导弹的情况下，手边有“发射即弃”的解决方案可能会很有用. At the same time, in the likely scenario that jet fighters will form part of the aerial threat, a solution that is effectively unjammable, such as the RBS 70 NG, brings huge advantages not available to missiles with conventional guidance systems. Meanwhile, 在击败无人机和直升机等简单的空中威胁方面，火炮系统可能会发挥作用.

同样的规则——不同的解决方案带来最好的结果——也适用于考虑范围.

Different ranges – and strengths

Ground-based air defence is commonly divided into three main ranges: short range for systems capable of bringing down targets between zero and 10 kilometres away; medium range for solutions effective up to 50 kilometres from the target; and long range for systems capable of covering more than 50 kilometres.

远程系统——例如美国的爱国者系统——是令人生畏的武器. They have large coverage areas and a proven ability to destroy a variety of aerial threats, including jet fighters. But long-range systems also have a number of weaknesses. 发射装置和导弹的相对高成本使得远程系统成为摧毁小型武器的糟糕选择, disposable drones – an increasingly common weapon choice among the West’s enemies. Their reliance on radar guidance creates other issues. For one, 当雷达系统用于扫描数公里外的位置时，地球表面的弯曲特性产生了雷达阴影区. This means that if an aerial threat remains close to the ground, say, less than 1000 metres, it can potentially avoid detection by a distant long-range GBAD system. Meanwhile, 现代战斗机经常携带复杂的对抗措施来管理来自雷达制导导弹的威胁. 由于发射装置和导弹的大尺寸，远程系统部署也非常缓慢.

Medium-range GBAD

中程GBAD系统具有远程系统的许多优点，也有许多缺点. A medium range solution, as exemplified by the Russian BUK M2 system, 可能有45至50公里的扩展射程，对各种空中威胁非常有效. But again, the expense of such systems tends to be high. Again, 地球曲率和雷达阴影是获取远距离目标时的问题. And, once again, radar jamming of missiles and relatively slow deployment times are issues.

Short-range GBAD

Short range GBAD systems have limitations, too. They don’t have the long reach of bigger systems, with some capped at just 3,000 metres. 许多导弹采用红外制导系统，可被军用飞机上的对抗手段所欺骗. 但它们在敏捷性和快速部署方面带来了好处，并且不会像远程系统那样受到雷达阴影效应的影响. 许多短程系统是单兵携带的，这意味着它们可以去远程系统无法去的地方, into wilderness areas, and onto roof tops in highly built-up urban areas. 近程GBAD系统的较小尺寸意味着它们在卫星侦察期间不太可能被发现, providing an element of surprise that can prove lethal to enemy aerial threats.

Additionally, the RBS 70 NG system brings a number of benefits other short-range systems don’t. It is effective to an impressive nine kilometres, creating a deadly threat to any aircraft that dares drop within range. As previously mentioned, it also uses laser guidance, making in impervious to jamming.

Layered air defence

实现真正有效的防空的秘密是使用这些不同的系统在协调和其他技术创建分层防空.

Long-range systems can be used to provide a solid defence backbone, helping to monitor and secure large geographic areas, with a particular focus on high-value assets, particularly in peer-to-peer conflicts. These long-range GBAD systems can, in turn, be supported by medium range solutions, which bring increased mobility and coverage into play. Through the use of quality short-range solutions, 武装部队可以为移动中的资产提供高水平的覆盖，并克服雷达阴影等问题.

我们的RBS 70 NG解决方案汇集了一系列功能，以实现高质量的近距离防空. 该系统发射的导弹能够达到2马赫，该解决方案在高达5000米的高度有效. Reloading time once a missile has destroyed its target is less than five seconds.

The RBS 70 NG comes with a range of features aimed at enhancing the operator experience. Integrated, high-resolution thermal imaging allow for night and day capabilities, while advanced cueing allows for improved reaction times and target acquisition. An auto-tracker assists the operator during engagement and increases hit probability. Meanwhile, built-in video recording allows after-action review.

The overall lesson is clear. 当今有效防空的秘密在于将若干系统的长处结合起来. Armed forces looking for the best results should combine long, medium, and short range GBAD systems, include a wide diversity of guidance technologies, and make sure the RBS 70 NG is part of the mix.