[Goose]

Interesting photo of apparent HARM damage on a Russian Tor-M2. This is a pretty modern short/medium range system that should theoretically have capability to shoot down a HARM. Theoretically.

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/156...Rs-UKiVL3A

Great this happened! While the TOR theoretically has the ability to shoot down a HARM, doing so requires a decision by the operators to engage it. Doing so requires them to keep their radar active, which makes them a target for a second HARM. The TOR is also a very short-range weapon. While it may detect the HARM at a significant distance, it has to form a good track very quickly. If the engagement radar doesn't lock on right away, you are out of time. Also if they spend all their assets protecting themselves they can't protect what they are supposed to be protecting.

Not a great endorsement of the so-called Integrated Air Defense if the TOR was left on its own, unless it was covering a Russian unit moving, which is unlikely given that nowhere is Russia significantly advancing. OTOH, normally a TOR would be attacked to protect an inbound air attack on whatever the TOR was protecting. We don't know that story. Going after a TOR by yourself not supporting an inbound attack would not be viewed favorably by the Command structure in a US unit. Ukraine however has so few HARM capable jets the SOP may be different.

[Goose]

Interesting photo of apparent HARM damage on a Russian Tor-M2. This is a pretty modern short/medium range system that should theoretically have capability to shoot down a HARM. Theoretically.

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/156...Rs-UKiVL3A

Great this happened! While the TOR theoretically has the ability to shoot down a HARM, doing so requires a decision by the operators to engage it. Doing so requires them to keep their radar active, which makes them a target for a second HARM. The TOR is also a very short-range weapon. While it may detect the HARM at a significant distance, it has to form a good track very quickly. If the engagement radar doesn't lock on right away, you are out of time. Also if they spend all their assets protecting themselves they can't protect what they are supposed to be protecting.

Not a great endorsement of the so-called Integrated Air Defense if the TOR was left on its own, unless it was covering a Russian unit moving, which is unlikely given that nowhere is Russia significantly advancing. OTOH, normally a TOR would be attacked to protect an inbound air attack on whatever the TOR was protecting. We don't know that story. Going after a TOR by yourself not supporting an inbound attack would not be viewed favorably by the Command structure in a US unit. Ukraine however has so few HARM capable jets the SOP may be different.