Short-range air defense (SHORAD) is a group ofanti-aircraftweapons andtactics that have to do with defense against low-altitude air threats, primarilyhelicopters, low-flying aircraft such as theA-10 orSukhoi Su-25, and low-flyingUCAV andloitering munitions. SHORAD and its complements,HIMAD (High to Medium Air Defense) andTHAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), divideair defense of thebattlespace into domes of responsibility based on altitude and defensive weapon ranges.[1]
TheCanadian Forces Land Force Command used theAir Defense Anti-Tank System[2] (ADATS) based on theM113A2 prior to its retirement from service in 2012. ADATS is a completely self-contained system in an unmanned turret with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) and TV sensors, laser rangefinder and designator, a search radar. Composed of eight missiles, the ADATS can find and hit multiple threats in few seconds.After the withdrawal of the ADATS,Rheinmetall Canada made the AMADS (Advanced Man-portable Air Defense System) which comprises a command post Battle Management Software (BMS) and MANPADS cueing system. AMADS however, was not procured by the Canadian Armed Forces.[citation needed]
Several branches of thePeople's Liberation Army use theHQ-7 andHQ-17 SHORAD air defense systems.
Rheinmetall Air Defence has developed two types of SHORAD systems calledSkyranger 30 andSkyranger 35.[3]
Denmark has like Germany, also ordered the Skyranger 30 mounted onMowag Piranha Vs on 16 May 2023.[4]
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India has started testing of an indigenousVSHORAD system. Multiple tests were conducted successfully. The missile uses dual thrust motors and is meant to take out low flying targets.[5][6]
The Norwegian Army ordered "Mobile Ground Based Air Defence System" based onNASAMS 3, which includes air-mobile Humvee launchers capable of firingAIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and tracked launchers forIRIS-T SLS missiles.[citation needed]
TheSwedish Army ordered LVRBS 98 systems based on aBvS10 All Terrain Armoured Vehicle equipped with fourIRIS-T SLS missiles.[7]
Aselsan developed various SHORAD systems such asATILGAN PMSS,HİSAR andSungur.
In theUnited States Army, Avenger air defense artillery battalions will be assigned to a theater orcorps, and may attachair defense platoons to abrigade combat team or maneuverbattalion. SHORAD units are based upon a mounted platform, theAN/TWQ-1 Avenger, which utilizes eightFIM-92 Stinger missiles coupled with aFLIR, laser range finder, and a M3P 12.7 mm (.50) caliber machine gun for close-in defense.
The Army also orderedStryker SHORAD platform, equipped with four Stinger and twoAGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles, 30 mmM230 chain gun, 7.62M240 machine gun, and a 360-degree search radar system. First vehicles were delivered in 2021, and a total of 144 vehicles will be deployed by 2025.
In theUnited States Marine Corps, there are only two existing Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalions :2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and3d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.
The followingMilitary Occupational Specialties (MOS's) are related to SHORAD: