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Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

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ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, SIMILAR AIRCRAFT 115<br />

conventional aircraft generate turn-performance capability by maintaining<br />

speed within certain limits <strong>and</strong> by sacrificing altitude to gain a gravity<br />

assist, total energy (speed <strong>and</strong> altitude) must be considered in achieving a<br />

turn-performance advantage. Unless one fighter is able to generate a significant<br />

energy advantage, the usual loss of energy during the engagement<br />

often results in something resembling a slow-speed flat scissors or a stalemated<br />

nose-to-tail turn at tree-top level.<br />

I never went into the air thinking I would lose.<br />

Comm<strong>and</strong>er R<strong>and</strong>y "Duke" Cunningham, USN<br />

The Angles Fight<br />

The angles tactics outlined for the guns-only scenario are not as well suited<br />

for the RQ missiles case, but they maybe successful with minor modifications.<br />

Referring to Figure 3 -1, the angles fighter no longer has the threat of a<br />

gun snapshot at time "4" to force the bogey up, out-of-plane, in a nose-high<br />

move. This gives the bogey pilot freedom to continue a level or nose-low<br />

turn, leaving the angles fighter temporarily in an offensive, rearhemisphere<br />

position; but with an energy deficit, <strong>and</strong> probably a turnperformance<br />

disadvantage, the pilot of the angles fighter may have a<br />

difficult time improving on or maintaining his position. In such a case, the<br />

angles tactician might perform a low yo-yo after the overshoot to continue<br />

pressure on the bogey.<br />

Faced with an overshooting situation at time "4," it is likely that the<br />

bogey will attempt to capitalize by reversing nose-high, as shown in Figure<br />

3-7. If so, the angles fighter pilot should pull sharply up to point at the<br />

^C*jjg'<br />

R „<br />

^^<br />

Figure 3-7. Angles Fight (RQ Missiles): Mid-Game

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