Short range air defense

Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) is a group of anti-aircraft weapons and tactics that have to do with defense against low-altitude air threats, primarily helicopters and low-flying close air support aircraft such as the A-10 or MiG-27. SHORAD and its complements, HIMAD (High to Medium Air Defense) and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) divide air defense of the battlespace into domes of responsibility based on altitude and defensive weapon ranges.

Canada
The Canadian Forces Land Force Command use the Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS) based on the M113A2. The ADATS is considered to be the most successful SHORAD system in the world with 85% or better engagement success rate . ADATS is a completely self-contained system in an unmanned turret with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) and TV sensors, laser rangefinder and designator, a search radar. Composed of eight missiles Air Defense Anti-Tank System, the ADATS can find and hit multiple threats in few second.

United States
In the United States Army, SHORAD teams are attached as organic air defense assets at the battalion or brigade level. US SHORAD teams are based around the FIM-92 Stinger missile and its mounted platforms, the M1097 Avenger and M6 Linebacker. Airborne and Air Assault units primarily employ MANPADS teams for SHORAD; armored units rely on the Linebacker and Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle.

In the United States Marine Corps, SHORAD teams are employed via the two Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalions. LAAD teams are employed in A-MANPADS (Advanced Man Portable Air Defense System) Increment 1 vehicles.

Related Military Occupational Specialties
The following Military Occupational Specialties (MOS's) are related to SHORAD:
 * 14G: Air Defense Tactical Operations Center Operator (formerly 14J)
 * 14S: Avenger Crew Member / MANPADS Fire Unit
 * 14R: Bradley Linebacker Crew Member (phased out in 2004)
 * 7212: Low Altitude Air Defense Gunner (USMC)