i was thinking the same but then what does an army guy know abt counter-air-ops!
You know A LOT FM sahib! We are always learning from you.
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i was thinking the same but then what does an army guy know abt counter-air-ops!
Aren't these F-16Bs from the 14 EDA ones that we received during 2006-08 and are Block-15OCUs? These fighters have upgraded engines, radar & better avionics as compared to the Block-15s from our original 40. As per F-16.Net (http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article3.html) these are already AMRAAM enabled.
So simulating AMRAAMs shouldn't be an issue I should think.
If this is the case, then it is a good deal... software-enabling is vastly different from simply calling a shot, because when the jet is set up for a missile, a number of parameters are monitored during the time of flight. You have signal quality for semi-active shots, f-pole and break-X cues, and other cues required by the actual AIM-120, that validate the shot. This is vastly different from locking up some target at a max range, pushing a button, and calling him "dead", which is often how such missiles are simulated without correct software integration.
Further, I don't know the state of ACMI these days. It has probably come a long ways, and I am guessing that the onboard software integrates with the ACMI pods, so that shots, time-of-flight, etc are properly displayed for debrief purposes.
Without that, you have some guy piping up in the debrief "Well, that aircraft was dead, even though it doesn't show it. I shot him at max range with my missile, but since it isn't correctly integrated with ACMI, we don't see it. Trust me, he's dead." And it utterly skews the results of the mission.
Thanks. IMO this exposure to Red Flag and Green Flag will reinforce & improve PAF's own training methods in the coming years. A dream would be to see the mainstay of PAF go through Red Flag level of intensity through quarterly (4 per year) exercises of this nature held at home - perhaps an evolved version of Indus Viper. For example, conduct 2-3 strictly local exercises and 1-2 multinational program with NATO (U.S & Turkey) as well as regional partners (KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, etc).Mark,
With some difference in the graphics, most ACMI collected information is represented in a similar manner and the CCS (which actually conducts debriefs) is no exception.
Our own ACMI range has been completed with considerable indigenous development and also collaboration with the Turks (Aselsan I believe was contracted to do this work).
Thanks. IMO this exposure to Red Flag and Green Flag will reinforce & improve PAF's own training methods in the coming years. A dream would be to see the mainstay of PAF go through Red Flag level of intensity through quarterly (4 per year) exercises of this nature held at home - perhaps an evolved version of Indus Viper. For example, conduct 2-3 strictly local exercises and 1-2 multinational program with NATO (U.S & Turkey) as well as regional partners (KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, etc).
Saffron Bandit is designed on the building block concept. It progressively increases in complexity, and various elements are added with every mission to provide a complete threat scenario towards the final stages of the programme. The assets are employed in offence versus defence set up with the respective weapons system taking up their prescribed role. Some of the missions are planned to culminate with actual weapon deliveries against tactical targets at the live firing range.
The exercise is chalked out in an area around the PAF's tactical training range. All targets are selected within a specified area. A bomb line is demarcated as a boundary between the offensive and the defensive areas of employment.
The threats employed against attacking targets vary with every mission. In the initial phase of interdiction attack, the AAA and SAM are simulated so as to enable the crew to cope with simpler employment considerations. In the subsequent missions the defences are in the form of low level radar, with only a limited track length and a pair of interceptors. The subsequent missions entail an integrated defence system involving AAA, Mistral, Crotale, Low Level Radars with progressively increased track length and pair of interceptors increasing. ECM/ESM support is provided by Falcon DA-20 aircraft and the types of missions include both offensive as well as defensive counter air operations.
PAF has been using BVR tactics for years, since the F-16s arrived in 80s, they have been learning how to use the AIM-7 Sparrow. The AIM-210 was added later to the CCS course.
I think the concept of Ex. Saffron Bandit is similar. CCS puts various squadrons through their paces during the exercise and this exercise is run on a fairly regular basis which ensures all combat sqns are rotated through this program and remain current with the concepts and doctrine as envisaged.
In my opinion, PAF's version of Red Flag is Ex. Saffron Bandit. X-man can probably add to this as he has some very interesting insights into the matter.
HiMark and Saffron Bandit are totally different exercises in terms of setup , duration, deployment of forces and training value.
SB is only conducted at Sargodha by the CCS staff who acts as coordinator, monitors and judges. Only two squadrons (one Air superiority and the other Surface attack) deploy at Sargodha for a month or so and mostly fly as per the curriculum of CCS. The flying is intense and the debriefs very long and sometime get very HOT. When it comes to claims and awards of the SHOTS, people are ready to grab each other by necks....Its all part of the game. Whatever happens in the debrief rooms: stays in the debrief rooms.
After a month or so, the two squadrons head back home. The CCS staff compile the results and finalise their reports regarding the performances’ of the previous two squadrons and then gear up to take another fresh two squadrons for another cycle. Hence it takes almost 6 to 7 months until all the PAF squadrons go thru the SB. When last two squadrons depart, the SB culminates and the CCS instructors and staff are once again ready to run the usual CCS course at the school.
Exercise Hi Mark is huge in terms of deployment and works on totally different concept. Almost every flying and air defence element is deployed at the same time on their war time FOBs and MOBs. Hi Mark is simulation of war and planned in the same way in three phases. The preparatory phase, deployment phase and the final show down phase. The concept of operation revolves around Blue Land ( friendly forces) and the Fox Land ( enemy forces).
Assets are accordingly distributed, borders are marked between BL and FLand , and missions are flown across each other borders from dawn to well into the night. HiMark is more intense and the blue/ foxland treat each other like real enemies for one month or so. HiMark also serves as a joint exercise with other sister arms.