Fighter Combat

60 FIGHTER WEAPONSbarrel-rolling around it) only fast enough to keep it in a beam aspect, untilthe threat has ended.Missile range information, acquired either visually or by other means,as well as some indication of the type of weapon involved, can allow thedefender a much more reasoned response. For instance, if the missile isdetected near its forward-hemisphere maximum aerodynamic range, thetarget pilot may choose a hard turn away to place the threat in his rearquarter, accompanied by a dive and acceleration simply to outrun thereduced range capabilities of the weapon. Likewise, a max-range rearhemispheremissile may be outrun by turning away to place it as close todead astern as possible, diving and accelerating away. If any doubt exists asto the range capabilities of the weapon, the defender should maintainvisual contact so that a last-second break turn can be accomplished as themissile approaches intercept.Visual acquisition of the missile and its launch platform provides thedefender with a wealth of valuable information. Since many missiles are ofthe boost-glide variety, with engines that produce large quantities of highlyvisible smoke or dust at launch, acquisition near the moment of firingmay be critical. Weapons with smokeless engines are particularly difficultto spot visually, but even these usually produce a vapor contrail at highaltitudes which can be seen for many miles.Knowledge of the various threat weapons systems and visual sighting ofthe missile in flight usually can provide missile identification and anindication of the most effective defense. Missile smoke characteristics andthe weapons available to a particular launch platform are two indications.The launch conditions themselves provide another. It can be assumed, forinstance, that a weapon launched in the forward hemisphere has forwardhemispherecapability. If it does not, it normally will be of little dangereven if the wrong identification is made. The missile's guidance trajectoryoffers another clue. A proportional-navigation weapon will attempt to gainlead and stabilize its position relative to the distant horizon. A beam-riderwill appear to superimpose itself on the LOS to the guidance platform. Apure-pursuit missile will keep its nose pointed directly at the target andwill appear to drift back along the horizon toward the rear of the defender'saircraft.Watching the missile's flight path also can provide the defender withfeedback on how well the weapon is performing. If a radical defensivemaneuver is made and no missile correction is observed, the weapon iseither ballistic or guiding on another aircraft in the flight. Missile trajectoryresponse may be misleading, however. Once the weapon is at closerange, defensive measures should be continued through the point ofclosest approach regardless of missile maneuver, since termination of suchdefenses could result in reduced miss distance and possible damage.Visual acquisition of the missile provides other benefits, includingknowledge of the weapon's plane of attack. The initial break turn againstthe missile usually should be made in this plane, since the generation ofaspect and LOS rate is maximized in this manner. Timing is also important,as the effectiveness of maneuvers designed to produce large LOS rates