DarkDot CAS
Close Air Support
Air action by fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces, requiring detailed integration with the fire and movement of those forces.
CAS is the most demanding form of air-ground integration because the proximity of friendly and enemy forces requires precise coordination to prevent fratricide. Authority to approve CAS attacks rests with the ground force commander (GFC), who delegates execution to the JTAC.
Types of CAS Control
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | JTAC must visually acquire the attacking aircraft and the target for each attack |
| Type 2 | JTAC cannot acquire the aircraft OR target, but must confirm final attack heading and timing |
| Type 3 | JTAC authorizes multiple attacks within a described area; aircraft self-deconflict |
Requesting CAS
CAS requests are passed via the 9-Line format (see the 9-Line CAS guide). The JTAC relays the brief to the aircrew, receives a readback, and issues "CLEARED HOT" to authorize the attack run.
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