공격기 A-10C, 필리핀해 상공에서 MALD 운용 시험

[위종민]

미공군 74비행대대 소속 A-10C들이 지난 11월 실시된 아이언 선더 훈련에서 B-1B와 함께 스트라이크 패키지의 일부로 ADM-160 MALD 디코이를 발사하는 훈련을 실시했다고 합니다. 

하드포인트가 11개라서 다양한 유형의 MALD를 탑재할 수 있다고 하네요. 

74비행대대장 맷 셸리 중령은 "A-10은 30mm 개틀링건과 막대한 무장탑재량으로 유명하지만, 앞으론 A-10을 유명하게 만든 중동의 저강도분쟁 임무 세트를 넘어 포스 멀티플라이어가 될 수 있도록 더 빠르게 변화할 필요가 있다."고 인터뷰했습니다. 

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/usaf-a10c-mald-employment/

USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots practise MALD employment mission

USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots practise MALD employment mission

The simulated mission, which also involved B1-B Lancer aircraft, was carried out above the Philippine Sea.

USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot flies near a formation of B1-B Lancer and A-10 aircraft above the Philippine Sea. Credit: US Air Force, photo by Capt. Coleen Berryhill.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) pilots have conducted an integrated strike mission to showcase the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft’s capability to employ Air Decoy Missile (ADM)-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoys (MALD).

Participating A-10C pilots were from the 74th Fighter Squadron (FS) based at Moody Air Force Base (AFB).

The simulated mission, which also involved B1-B Lancer aircraft, was carried out above the Philippine Sea, in conjunction with Operation Iron Thunder.

Iron Thunder is a force employment operation conducted to boost the Pacific Air Forces’ ability to remain ‘strategically predictable and operationally unpredictable.’

During the mission, the A-10 aircraft employed MALD at stand-off locations to neutralise the enemy’s air defence system by creating decoys and cluttering radar detection systems.

The process allows various fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets, as well as bomber aircraft, to increase survivability and use greater amounts of munitions.

The A-10C Thunderbolt II has 11 weapon stations that allow aircraft to carry various MALDs for strike missions.

74th FS commander lieutenant colonel Matt Shelly said: “The A-10 is famous for its 30mm Gatling gun and ability to carry large weapons loads, but we must move beyond weapons and mission sets that made A-10 famous in low-intensity conflicts of the Middle East and accelerate change in this way to be a force multiplier for combatant commanders.”

The exercise allowed pilots to practise the decoy employment concepts in a simulated environment and prepare for future combat strike missions. 

It also trained them to work in coordination with other aircraft within a particular strike package.

74th FS A-10 pilot captain Coleen Berryhill said: “This mission was a fantastic way to demonstrate how the A-10 is capable of shifting from a close air support team mindset to a strike team.”

https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/3237833/a-10-b-1b-integrate-in-indopacom/

A-10, B-1B Integrate in INDOPACOM

A-10, B-1B Integrate in INDOPACOM

• Published Dec. 6, 2022
• By 1st Lt. Christian Little
• Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM -- A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots assigned to Moody Air Force Base’s 74th Fighter Squadron simulated their ability to employ Air Decoy Missile-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoys (MALD) in an integrated strike mission simulation with B1-B Lancers above the Philippine Sea during Operation Iron Thunder, Nov. 9, 2022.

A-10s can employ MALD at stand-off distances to create decoys that neutralize enemy counter-air defenses by cluttering radar detection systems which allows bombers, as well as 4th and 5th generation fighters to employ greater amounts of munitions with increased survivability.

“To remain combat effective for the next conflict, the A-10 community must accelerate change or lose,” said Lt. Col. Matt Shelly, 74th FS commander. “The A-10 is famous for its 30-millimeter gatling gun and ability to carry large weapons loads, but we must move beyond the weapons and mission sets that made the A-10 famous in the low-intensity conflicts of the Middle East and accelerate change in this way to be a force multiplier for combatant commanders.”

The A-10 has 11 weapons stations which allow it to carry numerous MALD while equipped with munitions to fulfill multiple roles at once.

“Once the A-10s have completed a MALD employment mission, those A-10s have the ability to maximize their long loiter times to be available for additional taskings such as air operations in support of maritime surface warfare,” Shelly said. “The A-10 also brings unique flexibility to the combatant commander with its ability to operate in austere locations with minimal support requirements.

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Joint force strike packages contain diverse aircraft with many different capabilities that can take advantage of the A-10’s flexibility.

“It is important for us to remember the support capabilities of every asset within a strike package throughout our mission-planning processes,” said Maj. Daniel Winningham, 37th Bomb Squadron B-1B instructor pilot. “Having a combat-proven platform like the A-10 provide support through their MALD decoys increases the probability that our aircraft and weapons successfully strike their targets.”

Before these concepts can be used in combat, aircrews must exercise and simulate combat employment of MALD capabilities within strike packages.

“The training opportunities provided by sorties like this are invaluable,” Winningham said. “The lessons learned through planning and operating together will help us all continue training with a more complete understanding of the roles we each play in a real-world strike scenario.”

This training enables aircrews to practice integrating with other aircraft and crews within a strike package and gain skills needed for potential future conflicts.

“The A-10 community has always prided itself on its ability to execute detailed integration,” said Capt. Coleen Berryhill, 74th FS A-10 pilot. “This mission was a fantastic way to demonstrate how the A-10 is capable of shifting from a close air support team mindset to a strike team. We are building on our old principles to transform into the A-10 community the joint force needs.”

MALD-equipped A-10s reduce the task loading of newer-generation air assets to enable those assets to succeed where they are needed most.

A-10 aircrews and maintainers will eventually transition to other platforms as the Air Force divests the aircraft. Until that time, it is critically important to invest in the Airmen and maximize the survivability and functionality of the A-10.

“Like all aircraft in the United States inventory, the A-10 is getting older every day and will eventually be replaced by newer aircraft,” said Col. Russell Cook, 23rd Wing commander. “Until that day comes, it is our duty to ensure the defense of our nation and allies by training to be lethal anytime, anywhere, against any adversary. By integrating A-10s and B-1s in a realistic training scenario in the Pacific, the Flying Tigers are ensuring that the Air Force is ready to fight tonight – Thunder!”

[백선호]

2010년 자료에는 MALD에 탄두 달아 미사일처럼 쓰는 것도 있었습니다.

[김용우]

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