Guide to Aerial Warfare

Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare. In comprises of a number of different roles and tasks, which certain aircraft are designed for. These roles are not interchangable, and you should be aware of the limitations of the aircraft you are using.

Air Power operates within the air space. Control of the airspace is essential for almost every successful application of air power.

Firstly, lets look at some strengths and weaknesses of airpower. To be able to use airpower properly within NS, you need to be aware of these strengths and of these weaknesses.

Advantages

• Aerospace power can concentrate force in time and space, where and when required.

• Aerospace missions can occur concurrently. Concurrent operations are a range of military actions that are undertaken simultaneously to achieve maximum effect.

• Aerospace power does not need to occupy terrain or remain constantly near to areas of operation to bring force to bear on them.

• Physical barriers do not limit the operational employment of an aircraft.

• Aerospace power’s perspective (what they can see) greatly complicates the enemy’s defensive strategy and tactics.

• Aerospace power can accurately attack targets while minimising collateral damage.

• Aerospace power can reach any point in the battlespace.

• Aerospace power can respond to an event in the battlespace, deploy rapidly and undertake operations almost immediately.

• Aircraft are generally fast. Speed reduces the time that an aircraft is exposed to hostile fire and facilitates surprise.

• Aircraft can be switched rapidly between targets

Disadvantages

• Modern air vehicles are inherently fragile and hence susceptible to damage.

• Aircraft cannot stay airborne indefinitely nor can they hold ground.

• Aerospace power is dependent upon operating bases and the supporting elements they
  contain.

• The limited payload of an aircraft can be offset by speed, reach and number of targets.

What not to do
Before we start, here are some basic things that you should never do.

Use a lot of aircraft in a single sortie: Ok, so you have decided in order to screw his defences that you will send 1000 fighter jets to attack the enemy. Wrong. Here are some flaws with your plan. The first is that it will take about three hours for that many jets to take off from one airfield. Secondly, why do you have that many jets in such a small area anyway? Thirdly, why are you sending so many jets? Don't use huge numbers of aircraft on one mission. Why? You will lose a fair portion of them.

Keep a lot of your jets in a small area: By doing this, you are only inviting somebody to dispose of them. Spread them across several airfields, and spread your airfields out.

Overstock and overuse your carriers: Like the above. An aircraft carrier may be able to hold 100 jets, but it will only be able to use about 4-8 per mission. Don't RP that your naval strike force has just launched 1000 fighter jets, this is just pure bulls**t.

Assume that countermeasures always work: They don't.

Never forget logistics

Logistics is one area of warfare which cannot be overlooked, no matter the situation. In reality, logistics is the area of aviation which provides the most restraints to the use of air power in combat.

First and foremost is the time and practicality of getting aircraft and their crews into the air. To fuel and arm a single fighter would take around twenty personnel roughly twenty minutes and an airfield might have fifty or more of these aircraft on station. Because there isn't around a thousand spare groundies running around to load and arm all aircraft at once, it would most likely take the better part of a day to get all aircraft on the airfield ready in preparation. Then you have to consider how you are going to get them all airborne, safely, without having the aircraft which took off first loiter around for too long while waiting for the remainder to take off. Consider the amount of runways you have as well, some could be factored out by range, damage by enemy, runway length constraints etc.

Also remember the ordnance and fuel itself which is needed to go into an aircraft. Thousands of gallons of fuel is needed for a single F-16 to complete an average mission (even though we measure aviation fuel in weight), hundreds of thousands of gallons for a large bomber aircraft. Once this fuel goes into the aircraft, you can't get it out or get it back so each gallon of aviation gas you pump into your F-16 means it's one less gallon that you can pump into your AWAC/s aircraft or your strategic bomber. Even though many nations may claim to be have an enourmous oil production industry, this doesn't make the distillation to Av Gas any easier. And you have to transport it to and store it at each airfield.

Ordnance poses a similar problem. Because of vibrations in the wings and airframe, missiles and bombs can only perform a set number of flight hours before they must be discarded, so you put a strain on your resources whether you use the ordnance or not. Plus, transport and storage to and at the airfield can be more problematic than the production of bombs itself. However with ordnance, the more missiles you make for aircraft, the less you can make for other areas of your military. Think about other areas of your military which need supplies also.

So now, lets take a look at some of the roles which aircraft can fulfill, and are generally categorised under.

Tactical Air Power The battle for the skies. The role of tactical air power is to control the airspace, which then opens doors for other roles to take their place. This role is fulfilled by fighter aircraft, and the many types of aircraft that operate under them. This role can apply to threats on the ground which may threaten air power, which can also call for ground attack aircraft to be employed.

Strategic Air Power We have all seen the World War II movies where the massed convoys of bombers go to bring the war to Germany. This is called strategic air power and refers to the specific targeting of an enemies resourses, such as factories or even bridges. Anything which will effect the war effort can be targeted by this role. This can include naval operations.

Close Air Support Aircraft can't hold the ground, as we previously discussed, but that does't mean they can't protect the guys that do. Close Air Support involves protecting troops from other troops. An example of this would be an A-10 Thunderbolt destroying a coloumn of tanks that are threatening to break through allied lines. This can include naval operations.

Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is the oldest and original role of air power before some bright spark decided to strap machine guns to the side of an aircraft. This role involves observing enemy formations and collecting intelligence, thus helping to plan offensives or other military action. Do not ignore this role, it is certainly essential for victory.

Airlift The Airlift role involves transporting men and materials from A to B. There are two distinct types. The first is Strategic Airlift, which involves moving supplies or troops to the theatre of war. An example of this would be a C-5 Galaxy delivering ammunition to Afghanistan. The second is tactical airlift, which involves moving supplies and troops within the theatre. An example of this would be a C-130 Hercules inserting a group of troops near a Taliban camp.

Force Multipliers Every other kind of aircraft involved in aerial warfare will come under this category. We will delve into this role later, when we explore some of the aircraft that fulfill it.

You will never see a one make air force, nor should you try to create one. To be succesful, you need to fulfill each of the roles we just discussed, and remember that each role can be divided up into sub-categories. So what do you want in your airforce? Step this way.

Fighters
These fulfill the tactical air power role. There are three different main categories of fighter aircraft, but luckily, you are able to combine some of these roles.
Air Superiority Air Superiority fighters are designed specifically for destroying other enemy fighters, and they are optimised for this role. The most deadly aircraft in the sky for other aircraft are Air Superiority fighters. They are generally larger, faster and much more expensive than other multirole fighters. While they may be able to be used in ground attack missions, it would be unwise as you should have other aircraft which are cheaper and smaller, and also being better optimized for the ground attack role. Instead, you should employ these against other aircraft, in the escort, air patrol and interceptor roles.

Multirole Fighters
You can call these Multirole Fighters, Fighter-Bombers or Strike Fighters. Regardless of the name, they all do the same job, or rather the same jobs. Multirole fighters blend the typical air-to-air role of an air superiority fighter and combine it with that of a ground attack fighter. Be aware, while they are designed for both roles, they are optimized for neither. Air Superiority fighters will out-fight them, Ground Attack Aircraft will do the job better. Don't ignore them however, their versatility is their main advantage. These aircraft are generally less expensive, smaller and slower than their Air Superiority counterparts.

Interceptors
Much like Air Superiority Fighters, but then again different. These are optimized soley for the interceptor roles and they are generally useless at every thing else. An air force may keep a small stock of these to intercept specific enemy aircraft. They are generally very big and very, very fast.

Ground Attack Aircraft
These are employed in the close air support role and are also referred to as tactical bombers. They have a dangerous job and are often well armoured.
Ground Attack Aircraft
Ground-attack aircraft are military aircraft designed to attack targets on the ground and are often deployed as close air support for, and in proximity to, their own ground forces. The proximity to friendly forces require precision strikes from these aircraft that are not possible with typical strategic bomber aircraft, and the often high contentration of enemy fire requires protection.
The definition of ground attack is a little vague. The main difference between it and otherwise similar designs like multirole aircraft is the expectation that they will receive small arms fire and are generally armored to protect the pilot against this threat. In general a ground-attack aircraft will also be smaller and less "fighter like" than designs like strike fighters, attack aircraft or interceptors. They will usually have less speed, range and ordnance than fighters. More often they carry more powerful guns and other weapons than fighters.

Bombers
These fulfill the strategic air power role, although some can fulfrill the close air support role.
Bombers
A bomber is designed to attack ground and sea targets, primarily by dropping bombs on them or engaging them with another form of ordnance. Strategic bombers are primarily designed for long-range strike missions with bombs against strategic targets such as supply bases, bridges, factories, shipyards, and cities themselves, in order to damage an enemy's war effort. These are generally very large with a huge payload and a very long operational range.

Reconnaissance
Recon aircraft fulfill the role which they share their name with. This is a vital role so don't shun it. Here, you will see the biggest variety of aircraft. Some, like the SR-71, are very fast. Some, like the U-2, can fly very high. And some, like the Nimrod MR2, have a powerful arsenal of cameras.

Airlift
Airlift Aircraft obviously fulfill the airlift role. As mentioned, there are two categories.
Strategic Airlifters Strategic Airlift involves moving supplies or troops to the theatre of war. An example of this would be a C-5 Galaxy delivering ammunition to Afghanistan. These aircraft are often the largest owned by a nation with a huge range and cargo space. However, more often than not, they need a long, smooth runway to operate from.

Tactical Airlifters Tactical airlift involves moving supplies and troops within the theatre. An example of this would be a C-130 Hercules inserting a group of troops near a Taliban camp. These aircraft are generally smaller with a smaller cargo capacity and can land basically anywhere, if they even need to.

Force Multipliers
Anything else that doesn't fit into the above categories.
Tankers
The flying petrol station. These project an aircraft's range and thus its time in the air, by refuelling it while it is flying. This is an important factor in force projection.

AWAC/S
AWAC/S stands for Airborne Early Warning and Control System. An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft. An AWACs has a far greater radar range than any fighter, and can be used to spot enemy aircraft long before fighters would have. This gives the element of suprise, and vital information on enemy movements. This projects a fighter aircrafts force by informing it of the enemy.

Things that bring you down
Fragility is a limiting factor of air power. Unfortunately, aircraft are very fragile and the enemy will want to take you out the sky sooner rather than later. Lets look at some factors that will bring you down.

Enemy Aircraft Unless you are pitting 200 F-22's against 20 P-51's, you will encounter losses and it is foolish to pretend otherwise. Even the most advanced aircraft is not invincible and you should be aware that you are bound to lose aircraft. Enemy aircraft are your biggest threat, as they will try and prise control of the airspace from you. Be aware of interceptors and fighters. Flares and chaff DO NOT have a 100% success rate.

Surface to Air Missiles Getting shot down by a SAM depends on two things. The competency of the aircraft and the incomptency of the SAM. Even with countermeasures, defeating the SAM is not always probable and you are lucky to shake one off. Flares and chaff DO NOT have a 100% success rate. Be aware of the danger these pose.

Anti Air Guns AA guns and AA artillery are deadly. Some can fire up to 1000 rounds per minute and can reach up to 5000 feet. The shots these things fire are enough to rip open any aircraft and enough sustained hits, or hits in the right places will bring your aircraft crashing down. No countermeasure can dodge bullets, only speed and cunning will allow you to evade. Low and slow flying ground attack aircraft and helicopters are especially vulnerable.

Small Arms Dont ignore the bloke with the AK-47. A few good hits to your engines in an unarmoured aircraft could have a derogatory impact. 90% of all aircraft destroyed in the war in Afghanistan were shot down in the small arms range, not the SAM belt.

Engaging the enemy
Firstly, you need to work out the specifics of the target you are wanting to engage. Is it a troop coloumn, enemy facility, enemy fighter or enemy bomber. After you have worked out which role the mission would come under, select the appropriate aircraft. For example, if you want to shoot down an enemy bomber, I would recommend using an interceptor. If you want to provide on going support, you might consider using a gunship helicopter, like the AH-64.

Calculating Losses
Work out what you are going up against, and remember that you aren't invincible, no matter what you or anybody else says. If you are going up against mass SAM formations, be prepared to lose basically every aircraft you are attacking with. RP your losses properly, it is plain stupid to pretend that you can dodge every missile sent at you. And remember, there will be lots of those.

Appropriate Numbers
Don't be stupid. Gone are the days when we send thousands of aircraft on a single sortie and you can thank guided missiles for that. If you intend to use mass amounts of aircraft, you will lose a large number of them. And those things are expensive. Also be aware of how many aircraft you can deploy. While a carrier might be able to carry 100 aircraft, it might take hours to get them all airborne. Instead, use small flights in hit and run raids.

Cost
Aircraft are expensive. Posessing a ridiculous amount of fighters would cost you trillions, and even more to maintain. Don't get carried away, sometimes less is more. There is no need to have 20,000 fighters.

Operational Limits
A B-52 cannot take off from an aircraft carrier, regardless of the below picture. Nor can a C-5 land in a field. Also, be aware that you will not be able to deploy more than 500 aircraft to the average airfield. Keep your force spread out.

Ordnance

Guided Bombs These can be radar or laser guided onto their target below. These are highly accurate, but also more expensive than un-guided weapons. These can vary in size, from tiny 50kg bombs to bombs in excess of 1000kg.

Unguided Bombs Not as accurate as guided bombs, and not as well used in MT. Drop these from a low altitude. These can vary in size, from tiny 50kg bombs to bombs in excess of 1000kg.

Guided Missiles Either radar guided, laser guided or heat seeking. Radar guided missiles require a radar lock, laser guided requires the target to be in a line of sight, heat seekers require a heat source. The latter can be employed on aircraft, the middle on ground targets and the former on either.

Unguided Rockets See these on helicopters. Aim these on the target, then fire. Can vary in explosive size, but these are very effective against enemy armour and enemy infantry.

Machine Guns/Cannon Usually a backup weapon on aircraft in MT. Simply line the gun up with the target and fire. The MG can usually engage anything, excluding objects with heavy armour.

Remember, you are not invincible. Remember the advantages and limitations, the roles and aircraft, and go and project Air power throughout the NS world