Hunter killer

Hunter-Killer ( "recognizer fighters" or literally "Hunter Killer") referred to in military parlance generally a tactic, a team or a system in which the target reconnaissance or detection is separate from the actual target engagement. In addition, the term is also used for other military tactics or systems.

The Hunter-Killer System offers several advantages over integration in one system. In principle, the respective system can be optimized and specialized for the respective task, which is also a disadvantage, since the systems are usually very dependent on one another. If one “system part” fails, the other cannot be used or can only be used to a limited extent.

In general, the overall risk is lower if both systems can move independently of one another. In some procedures, the Hunter element deliberately draws the target's attention to allow the killer element to fight undisturbed. Since the Hunter element does not attack, it has the capacity to evade the target's attacks. So is Hunter to seek able another goal or the killer to protect, while the Killer fought the goal.

Hunter killer guys

The division of a sniper team is usually referred to as a "spotter-shooter", whereby it corresponds to the classic hunter-killer division. The spotter takes on target reconnaissance, measuring the target (distance, wind, etc.) and target assignment, which is now usually done with powerful binoculars with laser rangefinders. The sniper takes over the fight with a sniper rifle .
In the suppression of enemy air defenses ( "SEAD") a as is sometimes wild weasel method known applied, act at the two to four aircraft as hunter-killer team. While the first part of the team provokes the radar activation or the fire of the air defense so that the facilities can be located and marked, the second part of the team attacks the targets with anti-radar guided missiles or conventional, guided or unguided air-to-ground ammunition . Cluster munitions were also often used.
A system comparable to the wild weasel tactic was also used in submarine hunting: During the Second World War, convoys were escorted by convoy aid groups that hunted attacking submarines. Escort aircraft carriers , frigates and destroyers were used for this purpose .
A more modern variant in submarine hunting is based on tracking down the submerged submarine by means of an aircraft or helicopter with a magnetic anomaly detector and combating it with other aircraft, surface ships or other submarines.
Forward air controllers , artillery observers and their association to form Joint Fire Support Teams represent an extreme case of the Hunter-Killer principle due to the spatial separation . The artillery or close air support as a killer element can thus fight targets that they could not identify on their own.

Hunting submarines are also often referred to as hunter killers in the English-speaking world. These include, for example, US Los Angeles class submarines or the Russian Akula class .

Example of a hunter-killer system

The armored personnel carrier Puma has a corresponding division of the fire control . Here the commander (hunter) marks the target with his own periscope and hands the target to the gunner (killer), who initiates the fight.