Modern approaches to the combat use of combined aircraft units in tactical groups

Аннотация

This article analyzes the views of foreign military experts on the procedure for using helicopter units in modern armed conflicts and the development of tactics for helicopter aviation operations, both independently and in conjunction with other types of aviation. Special attention is given to the nature of helicopter unit actions in both offensive and defensive operations, as well as the tactics for helicopter aviation operations, whether conducted independently or as part of joint operations within mixed UAV-aircraft-helicopter groups. In such groups, the presence of helicopters and unmanned reconnaissance systems with real-time information transmission has become mandatory. Keywords: Unmanned aerial vehicle, helicopter aviation, joint operations, air strike group, effectiveness, battle formation, combat capabilities of helicopter aviation. situations. Introduction: The Experience of Foreign Countries in the Use of Helicopter Aviation in Local Wars and In the context of limited military operations, the use of Armed Conflicts helicopter units would be justified. However, in local or large-scale warfare, the use of helicopter units in all The experience of using helicopter aviation by foreign types of combat operations, both offensive and countries in local wars and armed conflicts allows for defensive, will have specific features depending on the the conclusion that, overall, it has demonstrated high following factors: mobility and combat effectiveness when planning and executing combat tasks in cooperation with other • The tasks of the combined arms unit or branches of the Air Force. formation; However, the actions of helicopter units and • The combat composition, position, and formations were mostly limited in scope. Typically, capabilities of enemy forces regarding air defense (AD) helicopters carried out tasks directly on the front line and aviation cover; and in the tactical depth of the battlefield, as well as in • Meteorological conditions and the nature of hard-to-reach areas within their territory, detecting the terrain in the operational area; and eliminating bandit formations, terrorist groups, • The level of training of the flight crew, and and other threats. Additionally, helicopter units were other considerations. responsible for airlifting troops to eliminate small bandit groups and provide fire support with onboard In this context, the clear organization of joint actions weapons during combat missions. Various special tasks between ground forces and helicopter aviation in were also performed to ensure the logistical and modern conditions becomes especially significant. humanitarian needs of troops and civilians by According to military experts, helicopter aviation is transporting supplies to regions with unstable most effectively employed in difficult-to-access, rugged American Journal of Applied Science and Technology 21 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajast American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745) terrain. Its high mobility allows it to easily traverse standby to be deployed into combat. hard-to-reach areas and water obstacles, launching To inflict the maximum possible losses on the enemy in strikes from any direction on targets located in areas the shortest time, simultaneous strikes by two to three inaccessible to other types of forces. It is believed that tactical groups of attack helicopters can be conducted. the speed and flexibility of helicopter aviation actions If sustained pressure on the enemy is required over a have a psychological impact on the enemy, reducing long period, sequential strikes are carried out according the combat effectiveness of their forces. to the "one-third rule" (one-third attacking, one-third In offensive operations, helicopter units participate in en route to strike, and one-third at the forward supply massed fire strikes and, as they approach the enemy, point for ammunition and fuel). The helicopters can re- are integrated into the covering forces to conduct engage the target after 45-60 minutes, depending on reconnaissance and enhance their anti-tank the number of helicopters involved, to allow for capabilities. During an offensive, reconnaissance UAVs replenishment and combat readiness. (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and attack helicopters Today, with various types of aircraft in service, it is operate across a wide area in front of the line of contact possible to employ a brigade of attack helicopters and on the flanks of the main forces, aiming to uncover against an enemy tank brigade or a squadron against an the enemy's combat composition, weak points in their enemy tank battalion. For strikes on tank defense, and ensure the timely and effective concentrations, mixed aircraft-helicopter-UAV groups employment of attack helicopters within the air can be used, for example, a pair of attack aircraft, a pair echelon. of attack helicopters, and a pair of UAVs such as the Reconnaissance can be carried out by zones, areas, and W