Figure 5.
Most important planning considerations
(2) The Soviets have made almost no provisions for land-based,
long-range naval air cover.
However, forward basing of the MiG-23
Flogger and Mig-29 Fulcrum air superiority aircraft allows for
coverage of the United Kingdom. The deployment of new types of US-
style carriers with air superiority aircraft aboard will eventually
compensate for the lack of Soviet land-based air cover.
This
solution, however, is long-term.
(3) The Soviet sea-based naval forces in the North Atlantic
areas, including the northern and Baltic fleets, could include Kiev-
class carriers capable of carrying vertical takeoff and landing
(VTOL) aircraft and helicopters. Aircraft deployment on the new type
of carriers may include Su-25 Frogfoot, Su-27 Flanker, MiG-29
Fulcrum, or the Forger-A (VTOL) aircraft.
(4) Target acquisition systems on Soviet aircraft include
radar ranging and infrared sensors.
However, the aircraft's
elementary avionics would make finding Army helicopters difficult.
Aircraft survivability equipment on deploying Army helicopters makes
it difficult for enemy systems to acquire these aircraft.
(5) The greatest threat to self-deploying helicopters is the
destruction of stopover points by either Soviet long-range naval
aviation, Soviet naval infantry, or Spetsnaz teams.
(a) Soviet
naval
aviation
has
approximately
375
Badger, Blinder, and Backfire bombers armed with air-to-surface
missiles.
These bombers are dedicated to interdiction of US
naval forces and SLOC. To counter this threat, the US maintains
tactical fighter aircraft in Iceland and deploys airborne warning
13
AV1525
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