The sky darkened…and the ants’ skin peeled off! – From the top of the podium – ✍️ Yasser Al-Fadni
In recent days, the Sudanese army has carried out airdrops on the town of El Fasher, some of which included double batches of supplies and equipment for the divisional forces stationed there, a decision which has direct tactical implications on the line of engagement and the supply of the besieged forces.
Airdrop
Its essence is the art and science of transporting people, munitions, and supplies to a point that does not permit landing or resupply on the ground, and it takes multiple technical forms ranging from slow drop, which slows down heavy loads to protect contents, to high-speed drop, preferred for non-fragile materials, in addition to exceptional technologies like the Low Altitude Extraction System, which extracts portable platforms of the aircraft at altitudes that almost touch each other. Each method has distinct transportation, training, and risk requirements.
The success of any drop operation depends militarily on a set of interdependent factors: the accuracy of reconnaissance and identification of drop points, the control of air power and airspace at the time of the sortie to prevent the interception of aircraft or the shooting down of drones, the preparation of payloads in such a way as to withstand shock and to open parachutes as planned, the timing of sorties and the ground coordination process, and of course the skill of the aircraft crew. and their ability to implement a fixed launch trajectory while respecting speed standards. And at the specified height, the weakness of any element increases the loss of charges or turns them into a trap for the recipient
At the field combat level, projection has a dual effect: it practically increases the survivability of the besieged fighting force by providing ammunition, food, fuel and medical capabilities, and it can thus extend the site’s time of resistance and improve its chances of launching counterattacks or organized movements; Psychologically, this sends a message of continuity and logistical capacity that reshapes the morale of both parties. This boosts the recipient’s morale and undermines the other party’s feeling of siege.
Tactically, improving accuracy and success requires: using advanced positioning systems to calculate drop points and relying on calculated parachute packs or piloted parachutes when available, executing drops from calculated height and velocity slopes to minimize payload dispersion, preparing delivery areas (planting markers, a spectrum ground observation or drone reconnaissance) as well as ongoing training for refueling teams and preparers. For payloads, any technical or extractive improvement increases the cost to the enemy if he wants to prevent resupply, but does not eliminate the susceptibility of the operation to counterattack.
From my platform I watch… where I see… the projections made by the army in El Fasher are not mere media clips, they are an attempt to change the calculations of the force by maintaining the battle line and extending the endurance of the field force. The battle on the ground is not decided by projections alone, but they can be a time-saving factor that can change the outcome of the engagement if accompanied by air control, immediate exploitation of supplies, and field leadership capable of transforming supplies into a pressure force. The most important message sent by the armed forces to the militias is: (Do you think this is a game)?
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