Fighter Combat

ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT 173pitch-back technique, however, because of the bogey's missile threat. Thegreatest elements of risk in this option involve the possibility of a missedgun shot and the almost inevitable low-TCA, close-range overshoot,which may allow the bogey to reverse for a missile shot. The more conservativeapproach is to use RQ missile tactics, firing high-angle shotsdown at the bogey from above, and concentrating on causing the opponentto lose sight. This approach offers better escape opportunities. A note ofcaution is in order here, however. Although the second option may be saferin the sterile environment, it may take more time, thereby exposing theenergy fighter pilot to greater risk in a hazardous combat arena. Furthermore,the added time may not be available if combat endurance islimited.When both aircraft are equipped with guns and all-aspect missiles, thepilot of a low-wing-loaded fighter is faced with a similar choice. Here thequick and dirty solution is the nose-to-tail turn and forward-quarter missiletactic depicted in Figure 3-11. The risk here again is that of a missedshot, possibly because of sun position, weapons-system malfunction, ormissile misfire, since this tactic leaves the angles fighter open to a retaliatoryshot from the bogey. The more conservative option in this case is toemploy guns tactics, attempting to stay close to the bogey (by nose-to-noseturns, etc.), trapping its missile inside min-range limits. The angles fighterpilot should exercise caution, however, not to expend so much energy inattempting a gun shot that he cannot get his nose up for a missile shot if thebogey zooms. In this scenario the gun should be used more as a threat thanas a primary weapon. Its function is to cause the high-T/W bogey to bleedenergy and then to attempt an escape, either by zooming or diving, both ofwhich should be fatal. The angles fighter pilot should employ guns tacticsconservatively, taking any shot that is offered, but the all-aspect AAM inmost cases still will be the lethal weapon. The greatest disadvantage ofguns tactics is the increased time involved. In the case of a small bogey,however, this factor may be outweighed by the reduced separation distances,which facilitate maintaining visual contact.Unfortunately for the energy fighter, the dismal prospects just describedare about as good as they get in this scenario. The combination of thedogfight-capable all-aspect missile and the turn-performance superiorityof the low-wing-loaded bogey is extremely dangerous. As discussed in theall-aspect-missile-energy-fight section of this chapter, nose-to-nose turnscan be used to bleed the energy of an overly aggressive opponent; but theaddition of the gun in this scenario makes this tactic even more hazardousand difficult. An extension and pitch-back into a high sun may be workablein the case of heat-seeking AAMs; lots of luck is required against a radarmissile. One possibility, especially against a larger bogey, is a diving,nose-to-tail extension after the first head-on pass. This tactic may causethe bogey pilot to lose sight, allowing the energy fighter to come back for ashot. Even if the opponent maintains visual contact, the extension mayexceed his maximum firing range until the energy fighter begins its comeback.A level or nose-low turn by the energy fighter to reengage can placethe bogey in a look-down situation, possibly reducing the effectiveness of