• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

CHAPTER 1

Mission and Organization

This chapter discusses the mission and organization of the ADA sensor platoon. The mission of the ADA sensor platoon is to provide alerting and early warning data on aircraft to users throughout the battlefield. The sensor platoon replaces the forward area alerting radar (FAAR) platoon in ADA battalions.

The ADA sensor platoon accomplishes its mission by acquiring and identifying aircraft and alerting FAAD weapons systems to hostile targets in their area of responsibility. In addition, ADA sensor platoon early warning reports help protect friendly aircraft from fratricide. The ADA sensor sections are deployed in support of the reconnaissance and surveillance (R∧S) plan to observe critical named areas of interest (NAIs). The sections are primarily deployed where they can best protect the division's area of operations (AO). ADA sensor sections position themselves where they can best cover designated NAIs while maintaining their security. Positioning the ADA sensor sections across the FLOT is risky and must be METT-T driven. Crossing the FLOT exposes the sensor sections to dangers they are not currently equipped for and requires extensive coordination for passages of line, resupply, and return. However, mission requirements will dictate their actual position. The sensor sections' purpose is surveillance; therefore, they will engage ground or aerial forces only in self-defense or when ordered. ADA sensor sections rely on stealth and experience to infiltrate, escape, evade, and survive. The information gathered by the sections and passed to the ADA commander helps the commander mass ADA fires at the right place and time.

ADA SENSOR PLATOON ORGANIZATION

The ADA sensor platoon is organic to both divisional and nondivisional AD units. The sensor platoon supports the missions as dictated by the AD battalion commander through the S2 and S3. The organization of the sensor platoon is structured to support those missions. The following diagram shows the elements of a sensor platoon and its organization.

Each division has one platoon of ADA sensors in the headquarters and headquarters battery (HHB) of the ADA battalion. The platoon has six sensor sections. Each ADA sensor section has three members: a section chief, a sensor operator, and a driver/operator. The section is transported by an M1038, high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV).

Figure 1-1.