Attack Helicopter Operations - Revision history

Gadget: /* Combat Cruise Right/Left */

2021-05-21T23:49:19Z

‎Combat Cruise Right/Left

Gadget: /* Combat Cruise Right/Left */

2021-05-21T23:48:56Z

‎Combat Cruise Right/Left

Gadget: /* Team Manoeuvring */

2021-05-21T23:48:08Z

‎Team Manoeuvring

Gadget: /* Team Manoeuvring */

2021-05-21T23:47:50Z

‎Team Manoeuvring

Gadget: /* High attack */

2021-05-21T09:37:16Z

‎High attack

Gadget: /* Low-level attack */

2021-05-21T09:30:25Z

‎Low-level attack

Gadget: /* Reconnaissance Techniques */

2021-05-21T09:28:16Z

‎Reconnaissance Techniques

Gadget: /* Actions on Contact */

2021-05-21T09:27:48Z

‎Actions on Contact

Gadget: /* Actions on Contact */

2021-05-21T09:27:14Z

‎Actions on Contact

Gadget: /* Bump or pop-up attack */

2021-05-21T09:22:45Z

‎Bump or pop-up attack

@@ Line 97: / Line 97: @@
 Combat cruise right/left formation:
-*Is preferable at very low altitudes for long flights breaking up predictability of formation and
+*Is preferable at very low altitudes for long flights breaking up predictability of formation and permitting optimal terrain flight using masking terrain.
-*Is preferable to combat cruise when weather and night vision systems are marginal, but
+*Is preferable to combat cruise when weather and night vision systems are marginal, but threat is still high.
 *Can be used at night for larger formations as an alternative to echelon when NVG are used.

@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 Observation sectors are divided between lead and wing providing overlapping observation and fire.
-Combat cruise right/left formation—
+Combat cruise right/left formation:
-• Is preferable at very low altitudes for long flights breaking up predictability of formation and
 permitting optimal terrain flight using masking terrain.
-• Is preferable to combat cruise when weather and night vision systems are marginal, but
 threat is still high.
-• Can be used at night for larger formations as an alternative to echelon when NVG are used.
 [[File:guns_02.png]]

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 *Formation spacing becomes tighter in rough terrain or reduced illumination/visibility.
-*It is important to avoid flying over the same spot on the ground; variations in flight path between aircraft
+*It is important to avoid flying over the same spot on the ground; variations in flight path between aircraft should be the norm.
 *The mission dictates aircraft separation and team separation.

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 The following formations allow lead to maintain formation integrity, yet manoeuvre with few
-restrictions. Wingmen must maintain a position that will not hamper lead’s ability to manoeuvre while
+restrictions.
 providing their own horizontal and vertical clearance.
-Variations in altitude may be advantageous based on METT-TC. The high-low concept in
+*Variations in altitude may be advantageous based on METT-TC.
 conjunction with the movement technique may provide more flexibility to the team, especially in the
-urban environment. Wing may increase his altitude commensurate with the threat to utilise the
+*The high-low concept in conjunction with the movement technique may provide more flexibility to the team, especially in the urban environment.
 potential energy of altitude to build airspeed during a diving attack. This provides a more stable gun
-platform and greater manoeuvrability for egress off the target.
+*Wing may increase his altitude commensurate with the threat to utilise the potential energy of altitude to build airspeed during a diving attack.
-Over open terrain or during high illumination, greater spacing is used to increase survivability and
+The basic Gunship formations are:
-Aircraft and team separation may range from 3-5 rotor disks to 1 kilometre or more. Primary concern
+*combat cruise,
-when establishing separation is METT-TC and the ability to provide mutual support.
+*combat cruise left and right, &
 ===Combat Cruise (sometimes referred to as ‘Free Cruise’)===
 Combat cruise is used when teams wish to move quickly and maximize use of terrain for masking.
 Combat cruise allows the wingman flexibility in manoeuvring the aircraft left or right of the lead
 aircraft’s centreline.
 The wingman should never track in straight trail as it limits forward observation and the ability
-to provide suppressive fires for lead. It also increases the possibility that the lead’s presence has
+to provide suppressive fires for lead.
 alerted the enemy to the wingman’s flight path.
 Separation should be 150 meters or more depending on terrain and threat.

@@ Line 228: / Line 228: @@
 ===High attack===
 High attack is used during diving fire when aircraft are required to maintain higher altitudes, normally
-greater than 1,000 feet.
+greater than 1,000 feet. Useful for following targets through urban areas.
-Other advantages include aircraft remain above accurate small arms fire while retaining energy for
+Other advantages include:
-manoeuvre, allows for greater target identification within urban areas or restrictive terrain, and
+*aircraft remain above accurate small arms fire
-minimises weapon’s effects dispersion.
+*retaining energy for manoeuvre,
 A disadvantage is the higher altitudes enable greater effectiveness of some threats such as missiles.
 ===Low-level attack===

@@ Line 247: / Line 247: @@
 a target; normally used during hover or running fire.
-An advantage of this technique is the aircrew’s ability to maintain a lower profile that is masked by
+An advantage of this technique is:
-background terrain or vegetation making it difficult for the enemy to judge closure.
+*the aircrew’s ability to maintain a lower profile that is masked by background terrain or vegetation making it difficult for the enemy to judge closure.
-A disadvantage is the aircrew cannot engage the target at maximum range of the weapons system
+A disadvantage is the aircrew cannot engage the target at maximum range of the weapons system due to targeting hindered by a level viewing angle.
 due to targeting hindered by a level viewing angle. Additional disadvantages include limited LOS,
-decreased accuracy (both initial and subsequent rounds), and wider dispersion resulting in
+Additional disadvantages include:
-decreased weapons effect and increased chances for fratricide and collateral damage.
+*limited LOS,
 ===Bump or pop-up attack===

@@ Line 208: / Line 208: @@
 minimum.
 ===Avoid mid-air collision===
@@ Line 220: / Line 219: @@
 [[File:guns_05.png]]
 ==Attack Methods==

@@ Line 210: / Line 210: @@
 ==Reconnaissance Techniques==
-===Actions on Contact===
+===Avoid mid-air collision===
 Once all significant air threats are eliminated, an orbital pattern can be undertaken to observe

@@ Line 212: / Line 212: @@
 ===Actions on Contact===
-Actions on contact relate to encountering a threat force or situation that warrants or demands action.
+Once all significant air threats are eliminated, an orbital pattern can be undertaken to observe
-At team level, actions on enemy contact consist of the following three steps:
+When flying as a pair, maintaining seperation can be achieved by the following:
+*flying in opposite directions,
-*Deploy to cover and report.
+*flying at different altitudes,
-*Maintain contact and develop the situation.
+*flying in different radii orbits.
 [[File:guns_05.png]]

@@ Line 306: / Line 306: @@
 *look-down angle is increased making target identification easier, &
 *aircraft momentum is maintained for manoeuvre.
 Disadvantages include: