Untrained Libyan rebels are facing Gadaffi’s air force. Some pointers on AA strategy follow.
Cordon Bleu AA strategy.
Ingredients:
Intelligence (information)
Knowledge of aircraft specs.
Observation posts
Gun sights
Aim-off know how
Method:
Deploy forward observation posts along the expected enemy aircraft route in radio contact with base. When they sight enemy aircraft they should try and identify them (and warn of expected imminent attack). By identification and with knowledge of aircraft specifications they can deduce the likely airfield origin, fuel range, number of likely attack runs, attack speed, attack profile and tactics. These last are determined by the profile of the airfield commander worked-up by analysts and gained by intelligence. AA guns are oriented to meet the attack, sights are preset and preparations are made (enticing ‘bait’ could also be set-up and guns zeroed around it).
Aim-off.
Fighter jet aircraft travel fast, AA bullets take a perceptible time to reach them. If you aim at the fighter, by the time the bullets get there the fighter is no longer there and the bullets pass behind. The idea is to get aircraft and bullets to meet at the same place. You have to fire ahead of the aircraft (depending on distance) to zap him. Learn and know your gun sights. In a side-on profile, fire ahead. In a head-on (or tail-on) profile, fire directly at the aircraft. If the rounds are not all tracer, make sure at least every 5th round is (so you can see where you are shooting and correct).
Ad hoc strategy:
I have noted from TV images that AA guns are mounted on the backs of bakkies. This will create an unstable gun platform; the recoil from the gun will cause the bakkie springs to rock. You will always miss. When the bakkie (gun) is in place, all the bakkie’s wheels must be raised about 2cm above the ground (carjacks or something). This will bypass the suspension springs and give a rock solid gun platform (your accuracy will improve).
Use it, don’t use it.
Cordon Bleu AA strategy.
Ingredients:
Intelligence (information)
Knowledge of aircraft specs.
Observation posts
Gun sights
Aim-off know how
Method:
Deploy forward observation posts along the expected enemy aircraft route in radio contact with base. When they sight enemy aircraft they should try and identify them (and warn of expected imminent attack). By identification and with knowledge of aircraft specifications they can deduce the likely airfield origin, fuel range, number of likely attack runs, attack speed, attack profile and tactics. These last are determined by the profile of the airfield commander worked-up by analysts and gained by intelligence. AA guns are oriented to meet the attack, sights are preset and preparations are made (enticing ‘bait’ could also be set-up and guns zeroed around it).
Aim-off.
Fighter jet aircraft travel fast, AA bullets take a perceptible time to reach them. If you aim at the fighter, by the time the bullets get there the fighter is no longer there and the bullets pass behind. The idea is to get aircraft and bullets to meet at the same place. You have to fire ahead of the aircraft (depending on distance) to zap him. Learn and know your gun sights. In a side-on profile, fire ahead. In a head-on (or tail-on) profile, fire directly at the aircraft. If the rounds are not all tracer, make sure at least every 5th round is (so you can see where you are shooting and correct).
Ad hoc strategy:
I have noted from TV images that AA guns are mounted on the backs of bakkies. This will create an unstable gun platform; the recoil from the gun will cause the bakkie springs to rock. You will always miss. When the bakkie (gun) is in place, all the bakkie’s wheels must be raised about 2cm above the ground (carjacks or something). This will bypass the suspension springs and give a rock solid gun platform (your accuracy will improve).
Use it, don’t use it.
