Integrated Air Defence System
The Integrated Air Defence System is an air defence network built of multiple units operating cohesively to deny enemy air operations inside a designated zone. It frequently is comprised of Surface to Air Missile Systems, Anti Aircraft Artillery, and multiple radar systems, including early warning, acquisition, and target tracking, radar systems.
The key feature of an IADS is that all units work together to defeat a threat. Using superior Communications, Command and Control, a defence system such as artillery can attack a threat before it is detected by the threat, by using the Situational Awareness provided by the network it is part of.
Contents
Design
Components
An IADS can be built up from many different systems, but typically they will include at least one form of SAM, and some form of early warning radar.
Surface to Air Missile Systems
Surface to Air missile systems represent a significant threat to aircraft. They comprise the majority of threats to aircraft also - SAMs require little training to use, are relatively cheap, and can be found almost anywhere. contrast with fighter aircraft, which require significant training to use, are relatively expensive, and require long runways to operate from.
Anti Aircraft Artillery
Anti Aircraft Artillery systems are rarely a significant threat to fast jets, due to their limited firing ceiling. Very few AAA systems are capable of hitting a target above 22,000ft. Due to their long Time of Flight (TOF) at this altitude, a maneuverable aircraft is capable of 'jinking' or making course corrections to prevent their being hit.
Radar
Having a radar system capable of detecting, and then tracking, threats is central to the concept of an IADS.
