Layered air defense comprises which range of systems?

• A. Only fighter jets
• B. Naval ships
• C. MANPADS to long-range SAMs
• D. Sea-based missiles

Answer: (C)

Layered air defense means protecting a area by using different types of air defense systems that cover different distances and altitudes, creating overlapping layers so threats are intercepted at multiple points in their approach. Short-range assets like MANPADS provide a first line of defense against low-flying aircraft or missiles that come close, especially where larger systems can’t easily reach or where troops are dispersed. As threats advance, additional short- and mid-range systems extend the shield to higher and farther targets, increasing the chances of interception before they reach critical assets. Outermost, long-range surface-to-air missiles can engage threats far away, shaping the battlespace and reducing the load on closer defenses. Taken together, from MANPADS through long-range SAMs, the full spectrum ensures redundancy and better protection against a variety of attack profiles. The other options describe individual platforms or sea-based capabilities but don’t capture the complete, range-spanning structure that a true layered defense employs.