text: Chapter 9
  for the AMD fight. The platoon’s presence facilitates long-term protection of assets against low-altitude
  threats.
  9-7. The SHORAD platoon also provides warning of impending air attacks. Its sensors can detect low-
  flying threats, such as RAM and “pop-up” rotary-wing aircraft, which may be below the coverage of other
  AMD sensors, and report their locations. This information can then be furnished via applicable data links for
  situational awareness and broadcast to at-risk forces, facilities, or populations for appropriate passive defense
  actions.
  SUPPORT TO UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS
  9-8. ADA forces, to platoon level, support Army maneuver forces and their subordinate elements in the
  conduct of unified land operations. The SHORAD platoon’s support varies in accordance with the type of
  operation, projected threats, amount of deployed maneuver and ADA forces, and other METT-TC variables.
  9-9. The SHORAD platoon may be employed as part of an ADA task force/task-organized battery, or as an
  independent platoon placed in support of a maneuver unit (most likely no higher than a brigade), for defense
  of assets designated by the supported commander. Support relationships are dependent upon the operational
  environment and METT-TC. Avenger platoons are preferred in offensive operations and those defensive
  operations that require some movement, against UASs and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft threats. C-RAM
  platoons are preferred when there is a preponderance of RAM threats, and defenses are limited to static sites,
  with no movement required.
  9-10. The SHORAD platoon leader, when placed in direct support of a maneuver unit, coordinates with the
  supported unit commander and the resident ADAM cell to select the asset(s) to be defended. Defense of
  maneuvering forces against UASs is particularly critical during movements to contact and other offensive
  operations in the close area. Surveillance by unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platforms may be followed by
  volleys of RAM or air-to-surface munitions, potentially rendering a maneuver force incapable of fulfilling
  mission requirements. Avenger platoons may be positioned along routes of march, pre-positioned at potential
  geographical choke points, or otherwise move with the support elements of maneuver formations.
  9-11. Similar to its role in joint AMD operations, a SHORAD platoon supports unified land operations by
  providing warning of threat actions, most notably RAM attacks and UAS surveillance, to Army elements.
  Detections by Sentinel radars or other sensors are broadcast to affected units or installations. Passive defense
  measures can be executed to mitigate RAM attacks. UAS detections, particularly of small variants (group 2),
  can trigger self-defense actions by non-ADA elements in Army units (combined arms for air defense).
  PLATOON COMPOSITION
  9-12. A platoon is the smallest echelon that can execute an independent operation for a limited period of
  time. It requires sustainment support from its parent organization or the supported unit or asset during
  operations.
  9-13. The SHORAD platoon structure replicates that of a “traditional” Army platoon. It contains some 20-
  30 Soldiers and is equipped, in general, with multiple shooters (launchers or gun platforms), one or more
  sensors, a C2 node, and ancillary mission support equipment.
  9-14. The Avenger platoon has six Avengers and FAAD C2, which is embedded in the platoon headquarters.
  The platoon receives sensor support from the Sentinel radars in the battery headquarters. Each Avenger has
  eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles in two turret-mounted standard vehicle missile launchers, an M3P .50-
  caliber machine gun, a sensor package with forward-looking infrared sensor, a laser range finder, and an
  identification, friend or foe capability. Avenger crews have the additional ability to remove Stinger missiles
  from the Avenger and attach a gripstock to form a man-portable air defense system. (See ATP 3-01.64 for
  additional discussion of Avenger capabilities.) The C-RAM platoon has four Land-Based Phalanx Weapon
  Systems (LPWSs), each with a 20-millimeter, multi-barrel gun and an on-board fire control radar; C-RAM
  C2 in the platoon headquarters; two LCMRs; RAM Warn; and one Sentinel radar. The LPWS automatically
  executes search, detection, threat evaluation, tracking, engagement, and kill assessment functions. (See ATP
  3-01.60 for additional discussion of C-RAM operations.)