SBIRS - or the Space Based Infra Red System - is a highly secretive US unit that pinpoints the locations of ballistic missile sites across the globe. Normally its intelligence is reserved for the Five Eyes intelligence community but since Russia's launch of their near-hypersonic Oreshnik missile against Ukraine, it has been sharing relevant intelligence of probable launch locations. Your mission will be to destroy a mobile missile site deep behind enemy lines. This is best played as 2-player co-op but can also be enjoyed single-player.

You will fly as a F16 or Mig29, self-escorting package. By the time you spawn into the mission, you are approaching the Russian coastline and Russian Interceptors are already airborne. You will turn your radar off and fly below 5,000ft to avoid being detected and use the natural valleys of the mountains to mask your whereabouts from Early Warning Radars and SAM sites. If you break 5,000ft, Interceptors will converge on your location and SAMs will engage

## Background ##
Since Russia commenced its use of IRBMs - specifically the near-hypersonic Oreshnik missile - Ukrainian forces have been eager to land a blow against Russia's missile capabilities which is thought will be a propaganda victory and a tokenistic gesture ahead of peace talks that Ukraine is able to strike at the heart of Russia's nuclear posturing.

Up to now, Ukraine has gathered very little intelligence on the whereabouts of mobile launch sites, many of which are being moved repeatedly to avoid detection.

A few hours ago, SBIRS - the USA's Space Based Infra-Red System, based near Denver, Colarado - detected the IR signature of a SS-X-31 launch within striking distance of Ukraine. The missile's trajectory was thought to be benign, and the warhead re-entered over the Black Sea - possibly to demonstrate Russia's IRBM  capability against NATO countries such as Romania. Using a constellation of IR satellites, SBIRS provides 24/7 overwatch of missile launches [amongst other IR events] across the globe. They are able to pinpoint launch locations, as well as use IR signatures to identify missiles and their likely target. Normally its intelligence is  reserved for "Five Eyes" but today they have shared their intelligence with Ukraine.

This intelligence is time-sensitive, and the launch location will likely move within the next few hours. SBIRS reports that the launch location was near Krasnodar and satellite imagery received in the last hour shows three  mobile launchers, with what looks like SA-11 and mobile infantry support.


## Your Mission ##
Utilising Ukraine's new, F16 capability - you will destroy all three mobile launchers. The target area is indicated by Steer Point 10.

The target is deep within Russian territory, and is well covered by both air bases and SAM sites. To be successful, you will need to maintain an altitude of below 5'000ft, with radars off, to avoid detection for as long as you can, using the mountains to mask your presence. Russia's Early Warning Radars - most of which are on the coastline - will be unable to detect you once you reach these mountains.

If you are detected, the launch site can be mobile and on-the-move within 30 minutes. If this happens, you'll need to find it yourself

A US tanker will take you as far as it can. When you spawn, it'll RTB. By this time, we anticipate that Russia will have launched Interceptors who will be actively trying to locate you.

This mission is self-escorting.
F16-1 is equipped with HARM + A2A
F16-2 is equipped with HARM + A2A
F16-3 is equipped with JSOW + A2A
F16-4 is equipped with LGB + A2A

A NATO E3 Sentry, C/S Magic, is on station north of Turkey. There are no other friendly assets.

## Intelligence ##
Russia has been launching Su-27 Flankers from Krymsk against NATO and Ukrainian missions.

Satellite imagery of the IRBM launch site are attached in the mission briefing.

This mission is playable as single or multiplayer in Ukrainian F16 or Mig29. A F16 Ukraine livery is advised for realism purposes.