What is the essential function of active air and missile defense?

The essential function of active air and missile defense is to counter and reduce the effectiveness of threats. This involves a range of strategies and technologies specifically designed to detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming aerial threats, such as hostile aircraft and missile systems. The purpose of these defense systems is to protect key assets, military installations, and civilian areas from potential attacks, thereby ensuring the safety and operational integrity of forces involved in combat operations.

By focusing on countering and mitigating threats, active air and missile defense plays a vital role in the overall defense strategy of military operations. It allows forces to maintain situational awareness and effectively respond to hostile actions, thereby preserving the ability to conduct operations with a reduced risk of damage from such attacks.