How to SEAD in A-10C

[Eddie]

Pretty simple really.

 

SEAD is the suppression of an air defence system and/or network. Suppression is simply preventing the target system(s) from effectively engaging friendly air assets.

 

This is often simply a case of throwing anti-radiation missiles into the airspace above the system(s) to be suppressed, as was done during operation allied force in the former Yugoslavia. The ARMs are fired in the knowledge that they are unlikely to actually hit and kill any threat RADAR systems, but the simple fact the them being in the sky (or even the threat that they might be) is enough to cause the enemy the either keep their RADARs off or use them sparingly. Essentially preventing them from effectively engaging aircraft.

 

SEAD mission may also employ other weapon systems that may destroy elements of an air defence system, but they are simply there to stop them engaging aircraft for a set time window rather than kill the threat system altogether.

 

DEAD mission simply involve totally destroying a threat system or network so that they cannot be used ever again. DEAD is potentially a much more dangerous mission as it often requires the aircraft performing it to get closer to the target and stay for longer than SEAD.

 

Bugger. beaten to it TWICE. I'm getting slow in my old age.

[Steel Jaw]

Bugger. beaten to it TWICE. I'm getting slow in my old age.

 

LOL...I know the feeling, well, thanx for showing up. :thumbup:

[Eight Ball]

It is much clearer for me now.

 

I was completely wrong as I thought SEAD mission were actually destroying the air defense system and DEAD was some sort of new term to describe mission involving electronic warfare and whatnot.

 

But I fully understand the difference now.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to explain it to me with simple words :)

 

Bugger. beaten to it TWICE. I'm getting slow in my old age.

lol, ask EtherealN for his keyboard macro-shortcuts.

That's probably where lies the secret of his effectiveness :P

Edited December 4, 2012 by Eight Ball

[Hamblue]

So does SEAD stand for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses and DEAD stand for Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses? or is it just a coincidence?

[159th_Falcon]

Its not an coincidence. That's what the abbreviations actually mean.

[Cookie]

What's the difference between suppression and destruction ?

Well, since nobody has explained this one yet, let me have a go at it... Naw, just kidding. :D

 

Another thing I found interesting when reading the book was the fact that sometimes they would purposely communicate on open frequencies (unscrambled frequencies the enemy could listen to as well) just so the enemy knew there were Wild Weasels in the air. On top of that they would call out "Magnum" every now and then, even if they didn´t carry HARMs at all. All that just to make sure the enemy kept their heads down.

 

The ultimate game of hide and seek - except for when you lose, it´s rather permanent.

Edited December 5, 2012 by Cookie