Modern air operations are as much about protecting what is on the ground as well as in the air.
Aircraft are most vulnerable when operating during take-off, landing, or while parked on the apron. These phases expose them to a wide range of threats that demand careful, data-driven planning.
The Force Protection Planning Tool (FPPT) gives military planners the ability to visualise and mitigate those threats before missions begin. It combines accurate terrain data, weapon modelling, and line-of-sight analysis to identify where attacks could originate and how to reduce exposure. FPPT provides clarity, precision and foresight for every flightpath.
Understanding the threat environment
Airbases, forward operating strips, and temporary landing sites share the same challenge: they are fixed, visible, and predictable. Adversaries exploit that predictability with an expanding arsenal of stand-off weapons and low-cost systems.
The primary threats fall into four key categories:
- MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems): shoulder-launched missiles designed to engage aircraft at low altitude during take-off or landing. Small, mobile, and easy to conceal, MANPADS have changed how air operations are flown, forcing higher altitudes and rapid climb profiles to avoid engagement.
- Direct Fire (DF): attacks using small arms, heavy machine guns, or sniper fire against aircraft and personnel on the ground, as well as against aircraft on approach or departure when they are within range and slow to manoeuvre.
- Indirect Fire (IDF): rockets and mortars fired from stand-off positions outside the perimeter. Even a few inaccurate rounds can halt air operations or damage high-value infrastructure.
- sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems): drones used for reconnaissance, target marking, or direct attack on parked aircraft and facilities. Their low cost and versatility make them increasingly common around airfields.
From Afghanistan to Ukraine, these threats have shaped how air operations are planned and executed. Helicopters, transports, and fast jets alike are being forced to adapt routes, altitudes, and timings to stay ahead of the threat.
Airfield protection with FPPT
FPPT enables security teams to model and visualise all potential MANPADS, DF, and IDF firing positions around an airfield.
By combining digital terrain models with surface data, it identifies locations where an adversary could realistically fire or launch from. Elevation, vegetation, urban cover, and topographic obstacles are all factored in to produce an accurate threat footprint.
The results allow planners to prioritise key terrain, assess observation and firing lines, and design coordinated defensive measures. Patrols, sensors, and counter-fire assets can then be positioned with purpose rather than assumption.
FPPT also supports sensor and sentry placement, helping users test multiple configurations and instantly see coverage improvements or blind spots. This gives commanders confidence that early-warning and surveillance systems are working together across the full perimeter.
Protecting arriving and departing aircraft
Aircraft on approach or departure are among the most attractive targets. FPPT’s MANPADS vulnerability modelling helps planners visualise these high-risk corridors and evaluate how changes in flightpath, altitude, or climb rate can reduce exposure.
The analysis produces clear visual outputs that can be incorporated directly into pilot and ground-crew briefings. This enables the air operations team to anticipate likely engagement areas and adapt tactics accordingly, improving survivability before the first sortie even launches.
Rotary-wing operations and HLS planning
Helicopters present a different challenge. Operating low and slow, they face threats from all directions. Selecting safe Helicopter Landing Sites (HLS) is therefore critical.
FPPT can automatically identify potential HLS options based on:
- Aircraft D-value (Aircraft size) to ensure sufficient clearance for size and type.
- Gradient and slope to confirm safe landing surfaces.
- Day/night parameters to distinguish between visually navigable and instrument-only options.
Once candidate sites are identified, FPPT assesses their vulnerability to direct-fire, MANPADS, and drone threats by analysing terrain, line-of-sight, and masking features. Planners can then select locations that provide both accessibility and protection for troop insertion, CASEVAC, or resupply.
This functionality supports both combat and humanitarian operations, allowing rotary assets to operate confidently from prepared or improvised landing zones.
Countering the sUAS threat
Drones now feature in every modern conflict. They are inexpensive, effective, and available to both state and non-state actors. FPPT assists in countering them by identifying likely launch areas and approach paths based on terrain and altitude data.
By overlaying the coverage of sensors, jammers, and intercept systems, users can design layered, overlapping protection around airfields. The result is a proactive counter-UAS plan that denies freedom of action to hostile operators.
From analysis to action
FPPT’s outputs integrate directly with existing systems, including Esri, MapInfo, Google, and ATAK, allowing seamless data sharing between command posts and operational units. Reports can be exported as Word or PDF documents with map overlays for immediate inclusion in orders and briefings.
This ensures that air operations, security forces, and command staff work from the same visual understanding of risk, improving coordination and decision-making.
In summary
Protecting aircraft and airfields from modern threats demands precision and foresight. FPPT provides both. It enables planners to anticipate MANPADS, direct-fire, and drone threats, optimise sensor coverage, and select safe, compliant HLS locations based on aircraft data and terrain.
By turning complex analysis into clear, actionable plans, FPPT helps keep air operations secure, efficient, and mission-ready.
If you would like to explore this further, we would be happy to arrange a demo. Call us on +44 (0)1794 834750 or email enquiries@cunningrunning.co.uk.
Alternatively, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow the Cunning Running company page, or the LinkedIn pages of Phil Cowell or John Overend.
