Analysis of the enemy's electronic warfare and air defense capabilities regarding their impact on the effectiveness of strikes on targets by M142 “HIMARS” and M270 “MLRS” missile systems

The article analyzes the capabilities of the electronic warfare and air defense systems of the Armed Forces of the russian federation, which conducted fire strikes and electronic suppression of precision-guided missiles of the “GMLRS” and “ATACMS“ families, affecting the effectiveness of strikes on targets by missile units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, equipped with M142 “HIMARS” and M270 “MLRS” missile systems. The experience gained by leading countries in local conflicts has demonstrated the crucial importance of this type of weaponry. However, in most cases, the opposing forces in these local conflicts were not equal, meaning fire strikes were conducted in conditions of either the absence or limited presence of electronic warfare and air defense systems. For the first time, during combat operations in Ukraine, there was active opposition from modern air defense and electronic warfare systems against these mentioned weapons, resulting in some missile strikes being intercepted and a decrease in their accuracy. To enhance the effectiveness of missile units under the influence of active defense systems, and to overcome layered air defense and electronic suppression zones, a set of technical and tactical measures is proposed to increase the likelihood of successfully striking enemy targets.