Pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force, which are significantly inferior in numbers to the Russian military space forces, use tactics “wild weasel” (SEAD), first developed by the US Air Force for the Vietnam War.
This was reported by Business Insider.
Tactics “wild weasel”
The strategy involves aircraft pilots luring enemy anti-aircraft guns into targeting them with their radars. The radar waves are then tracked and the pilots fire back with, for example, US AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radar Missiles (HARM).
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From mid-2022, the United States will transfer HARM missiles to Ukraine.
SEAD tactics or “wild weasel” first used by the US Air Force in Vietnam to clear the path of attack aircraft.
American aircraft were equipped with radars to detect enemy air defense (air defense) systems. First, the US Air Force hit targets with bombs, and then with special missiles capable of hitting air defense radars.
Strategy “wild weasel” — These are direct attacks to suppress enemy air defenses. This is a reference to a small mustelid mammal that enters the burrow of its prey to kill it.
HARM Missiles
HARM — These are air-to-surface missiles: a projectile weighing about 350 kg pounds and a range of about 144 km. These missiles can detect and engage enemy radar even after the radar systems have been disabled.
HARMs were used in the wars in Libya, Iraq and the former Yugoslavia.
Hague Center for Strategic Studies analyst Frederic Mertens told Business Insider that Ukraine places great emphasis on the “wild weasel” mission.
According to him, these missions can be very dangerous, especially for Ukrainian pilots. But “the game is worth the candle”, since Russian air defense — this is one of the important targets for destruction.
