During the war with Iraq, reportedly more than 160 Iraqi jets fell prey to the F-14 and its deadly arsenal of Hughes AIM-54A Phoenix long-range air-to-air missiles.

In my new book Air Combat Memoirs of the Iranian Air Force Pilots, I compile first-hand accounts of some of these engagements. We’ve reprinted one story here — that of F-14 radar intercept officer Capt. Parviz Moradi.

Most of the time our combat air patrols were done within the distinct shapes of parallel triangles. The base of the triangle was towards our own soil, while the two other arms of the triangle faced the enemy territory. This tactic would give us a better radar sweep and plenty of time to detect incoming enemy aircraft.

Since we knew Iraqi SIGINT/ELINT posts were listening in on our conversation with ground radar controllers, I decided to hatch a plot to deceive the next Iraqi fighter. Through the intercom, I told Maj. Aslani of my plan. “Sir, I have a plan. We are going to ignore our radar controllers’ warnings and we are going to delay our eventual turn toward the enemy fighter as long as possible in order to draw them further inland. Also, I request to be doing all the talking with radar controllers from now on.”

The radar controller’s warnings were also helpful. His continuous warnings gave us the possible location of this specific intruder that by now had come far inland in the hopes of hunting us. Moments later while maintaining our radio silence, I mic’d to Maj. Aslani. “Now!” And he immediately went to afterburner, turned towards the enemy jet and started an aerial duel. Even though, I now could see the Iraqi jet, I declared on radio so all sides could hear it. “I can’t see the bandit. Where is it?”

My plan worked. Apparently the Iraqi side thinking we really couldn’t see him came closer and was now in our trap. He must have thought we had a radar malfunction or were complete idiots. But it was too late. I had been able to run [track while scan radar mode] on him. He had no chance. I did a quick radar lock and my pilot Maj. Aslani launched it. At the same time, ground radar was screaming at us to disengage and run back.

Our missile hit the Iraqi fighter head on as I shouted in the radio. “Enemy target destroyed. Long live Iran!” There was dead silence on the radio for a minute then we could hear the ground radar controllers breaking in cheers and clapping, which meant they were confirming our kill as well. It was crazy.

For the first time in CNN/ORC polling, a majority of Americans (53%) say the U.S. should send ground troops to Iraq or Syria to fight ISIS. At the same time, 6-in-10 disapprove of the President's handling of terrorism and 68% say America's military response to the terrorist group thus far has not been aggressive enough.

CNN/ORC Poll conducted says 53% of Americans say the U.S. should send ground troops to Iraq or Syria to fight ISIS, Dec. 6 2015

CNN/ORC Poll conducted says 53% of Americans say the U.S. should send ground troops to Iraq or Syria to fight ISIS, Dec. 6 2015

Overall, 60% say the U.S. military action against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria is going badly, that's actually an

Once launched, the AGM-160A's wings would pop out and its turbojet engine would ignite. It would then autonomously fly a pre-planned route and mimic a specific radar signature via is Signature Augmentation System (SAS). The SAS could accurately replicate radar signatures ranging from a lumbering B-52 Stratofortress to a stealthy F-117 nighthawk.

Another way the basic MALD concept could be used is by having a B-52 or even a C-17 load of MALDs fly low, towards an enemy's strategic stronghold, to the north of a threatening cluster of enemy SAM sites, mimicking low-flying F-15Es radar signature. This distraction would allow for a formation of stealthy, high-flying, super-cruising F-22s to streak by to the south of said SAM site unmolested, on their way to targets deep inside enemy territory.

A swarm of MALD-Js, even paired with standard MALDs, could overwhelm, confuse and blind a whole series of air defense installations along a certain route and during a certain period of time, thus allowing for attack assets to safely traverse the threat area on the way to their targets. Additionally, MALD and MALD-J are seen as key capabilities that will keep non-stealthy strike aircraft, like the F-15E and Super Hornet, effective well into the future, even against an advanced enemy.

This capability to dynamically control MALD-J in real-time from the cockpit of a combat aircraft will impact the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions more than any other. Now, a F-16CJ can direct a MALD-J to toy with a enemy SAM site as they sling Small Diameter Bombs and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers at said SAM site from a different vector.

A ghost formation of A-10s here, jamming a tracking radar there, the MALD-J is a Wild Weasel's dream.

A networked MALD-J also brings America's air combat forces into the realm of unmanned aircraft 'tethering.' This is where an unmanned aircraft works as a facilitator for a manned aircraft while under direct control from that manned aircraft. Whether it be flying more weapons into the fight and acting as an 'arsenal ship,' dynamically attacking targets as directed or even by providing remote sensor information from a different location, this concept will bridge the gap between unmanned combat aircraft autonomy and the 'man in the loop' dominated unmanned systems we use today. This concept is currently being integrated into the AH-64E Apache fleet and was one of the main arguments for retiring the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopter force.

Essentially they can go where tanks can go. Although it looks bulky, Paladin SPH are far lighter than most MBTs, at around 25 tons (PT-91 weigh in at 45 tons) and have lower ground pressure.

As a rule of thumb tracked vehicles fare better in offroad situations than wheeled ones and make better all-round combat vehicles.

PT-91 is 45 tons? Thats not awe-inspiring, looking at the 65+ of M1A2...

PT-91 is 45 tons? Thats not awe-inspiring, looking at the 65+ of M1A2...

Essentially they can go where tanks can go. Although it looks bulky, Paladin SPH are far lighter than most MBTs, at around 25 tons (PT-91 weigh in at 45 tons) and have lower ground pressure.

As a rule of thumb tracked vehicles fare better in offroad situations than wheeled ones and make better all-round combat vehicles.

azrielNice pics. I think we should get Caesar rather than those Paladins, I know its not under armour but how capable is the Paladin of crossing our roads, fields and plantations?

the tracked is preference for the formation of our armoured brigade

our army is still very much conventional, tank for support, sph will be back support and must be able to keep up with the tank regardless of the ground terrain. the personal carrier is wheeled because they need to fast to deploy upon successful assault

We are missing attack heli to support our armoured brigade.

We are missing attack heli to support our armoured brigade.

Pantsir hiding there.

that the issues.. all come in one but all we have is the bits and pieces

MRSS suppose to enable fast deployment of force but also tak ada

SPH suppose to support tank but 10years until now tak ada

MRCA suppose to enable better ground attack and the mkm will solely focus in air to air combat but also tak ada

Medium air defense to support advancing force.. but until now still with manpads. Starstreak is still a point defence system

attack helo.. aiyo... kesian also tak ada

Hope that procurement of attack heli like Tiger will be finalized in the next 5 years..

Reply
The AH programme is now dead in the water with the Little Bird contract

Malaysia just signed contract for 6 MD-530G Little Bird.

Malaysia just signed contract for 6 MD-530G Little Bird.

that the issues.. all come in one but all we have is the bits and pieces

MRSS suppose to enable fast deployment of force but also tak ada

SPH suppose to support tank but 10years until now tak ada

MRCA suppose to enable better ground attack and the mkm will solely focus in air to air combat but also tak ada

Medium air defense to support advancing force.. but until now still with manpads. Starstreak is still a point defence system

attack helo.. aiyo... kesian also tak ada

Malaysia just signed contract for 6 MD-530G Little Bird.

A reply from Marhalim regarding the Malaysia AH programme from his article.

Can be consider as attack heli meh?

At best light attack heli, but should just be light scout heli right?

Dun expect much from pussy politician lack of political will.
Worse another camp wanna cut military budget.
I guess when shot hit their backyard cause them to wet their pants only they understand we need to beef up of military and security
Not considered as an attack heli in my dictionary.