Quote:
Originally Posted by kato13
Doctrinaly was there any way to create duplicate launch signatures. I remember in "Cardinal and the Kremlin", Clancy mentioned that there were dummy stinger missiles that would be used to confuse those looking for the real launcher.
It seems to me that simulating a launch (just the smoke not an actually dummy missile) 30-50 meters away from the IFV would be a perfect job for the dismounted infantry during a long range, hull down engagement.
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there isn't a huge launch signature - there is some of course, but it's not huge by any stretch - unless you're looking at the area where it's launched from, you probably won't notice it, or the missile coming at you. You might notice it if you're really alert, but you might not - if the area the launch is from is dirty or dusty, the signature will be bigger, but it its off the ground like a Bradley/M901 launcher, its harder to detect with the naked eye.
Source: Bradley gunner, M901 ITV commander and dismont TOW user.
Here's one in the desert - most of the signature is the dust behind the HUMVEE
https://youtu.be/2FBrTq_CaOs?t=39
Here is a Bradley
https://youtu.be/WEaTxrds6rM?t=72
notice how quickly the smoke dissipates, just a few seconds. If you're on an active battlefield, it'd be covered with smoke/dust etc and finding a missile launch signature would be very tough. In an ambush situation, you'd have to be looking at or near the launch to see it.
If you factor in the ATGMs that launch with compressed air, they'll have less signature.
EDIT: having said all that, in a T2k scenario, missiles will be ridiculously valuable and used only in specific situations I'd imagine.