Traditionally, the saying advises that “artillery is king of the battlefield”. After all, artillery has undisputedly dominated the battlefield for centuries with its ability to deliver devastating firepower from long distances, shaping the outcome of conflicts and often determining the success of ground operations.
However, in the modern context, one could argue that anti-aircraft – the tactics and technologies designed to neutralize enemy artillery – deserves the crown. As we consider the evolving dynamics of land warfare, it becomes clear that anti-aircraft capabilities are becoming increasingly critical.
The traditional dominance of artillery
Artillery has long been praised for its role in shaping the outcome of battle. Historical battles, from the trenches of World War I to the deserts of the Gulf War, have proven the decisive effect of artillery firepower. The ability to deliver sustained and concentrated barrages against enemy positions, disrupt supply lines, and support advancing infantry has earned artillery its respected status.
Modern artillery systems, such as the M777 Howitzer and the PzH2000, can deliver accurate, highly destructive munitions at distances averaging over 30 kilometers, further enhancing their battlefield dominance.
The rise of anti-artillery
Despite the undeniable power of artillery, anti-aircraft systems have emerged as a formidable opponent. Anti-artillery involves a combination of detecting, tracking and neutralizing enemy artillery units. This includes technologies such as missile launch detection radars (mortars, missiles), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare, and precision munitions to destroy enemy artillery.
The objective is to locate enemy artillery quickly and accurately and then neutralize it before it can cause significant damage to friendly forces.
Technological developments
Advances in radar and sensor technologies have greatly enhanced anti-aircraft capabilities. Modern anti-artillery radars such as the AN/TPQ-53, ARTHUR (Artillery Hunting Radar – highly mobile weapon locating system (WLS)) and COBRA (COunter Battery RAdar) system can detect and track incoming artillery shells, mortars and rockets, providing exact coordinates of the launch site. This allows friendly forces to launch quick and accurate counterattacks, often within minutes of detecting enemy fire.
In addition, UAVs equipped with advanced imaging and reconnaissance capabilities offer real-time tracking of enemy artillery positions. This persistent aerial presence not only aids in objective acquisition, but also disrupts enemy operations, forcing them to hide and frequently relocate their artillery units.
Electronic warfare and precision strikes
Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) have revolutionized artillery strikes. Systems such as the GPS-guided Excalibur artillery missile and the GMLRS missile can deliver pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that enemy artillery is destroyed with minimal collateral damage. This accuracy reduces the enemy’s ability to move and re-engage, thereby maintaining constant pressure on their artillery assets.
As a countermeasure, electronic warfare (EW) plays a critical role in anti-aircraft operations. EW systems can jam enemy communications, disrupt targeting systems, and interfere with the operation of artillery units. For example, Russia’s Krasukha-4 system and the US military’s multifunction electronic warfare (MFEW) system are designed to disable enemy sensors and telecommunications networks, blinding and silencing enemy artillery units.
Strategic and tactical implications
The integration of anti-aircraft capabilities has profound strategic and tactical implications. Strategically, it allows commanders to neutralize one of the enemy’s most powerful elements, thereby reducing their overall combat effectiveness. Tactically, it allows greater flexibility and protection for friendly forces, as the enemy artillery threat is greatly reduced.
In asymmetric warfare and counterinsurgency operations, anti-aircraft capabilities are critical to protecting forward operating bases and civilian areas from insurgent rocket and mortar attacks. The ability to quickly detect and neutralize these threats can prevent losses and keep business dynamics intact.
Reduction of losses of Friendly Forces
One of the major benefits of anti-aircraft systems is their ability to reduce casualties among friendly forces. By rapidly detecting and neutralizing enemy artillery threats, anti-artillery systems protect troops from incoming fire, thereby minimizing battlefield casualties. This enhanced protection allows for safer force maneuvers and reduces the risk of devastating artillery strikes on critical positions, supply lines and civilian areas. Ultimately, effective use of anti-aircraft systems not only saves lives, but also maintains the morale and operational effectiveness of friendly units.
While artillery has historically been the king of battle, the rise of anti-aircraft capabilities at least challenges that notion. The ability to detect, track and neutralize enemy artillery with precision and speed is transforming modern warfare. As technology continues to evolve, anti-aircraft systems will likely play an even more critical role on the battlefield. Thus, it is worth considering that the real king of ground fire may not be artillery itself, but the sophisticated systems and tactics designed to counter it.
