Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

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UNLIMITED-AIRCRAFT TACTICS 293 attacking from a diving turn or a wide curve of pursuit he would have to throttle back so that his flankers would have sufficient power in hand to keep abreast. This meant that a team attack would take far more time than the flat-out, stooping dive of a single scout. More time usually meant less surprise. . . . The bigger the [German] formation, the better as far as he was concerned. Such tactics would concentrate the [enemy] into large, unwieldy, conspicuous gaggles, and they would be so busy watching each other that a man could be in and away before they knew what had hit them! 1 With these factors, as well as the advantages of mutual support, in mind it is not difficult to develop scenarios for which single-ship, autonomous fighter operations might be optimum. One of the most obvious of these operations takes place at night or under poor visibility conditions, when it may be impossible to maintain an effective formation or to provide useful visual mutual support. The tactics applicable to such operations are highly aircraft and weapons-system dependent and do not lend themselves readily to generalization; therefore, they are beyond the scope of this text. Another factor that reduces the importance of mutual support and makes autonomous operation more practical is a highly effective and dependable system of internal or external surveillance and control. This capability might be provided internally by sophisticated electronic means such as radar, IR sensors, and/or RWR systems, which can be depended on to give adequate warning of attack from any direction. Such internal systems may be supplemented or replaced by external sensors and control networks like ground-controlled-intercept (GCI) stations or airborneintercept-control (AIC) aircraft, which can provide defensive warning to the single fighter while assisting in locating and identifying the enemy for attack purposes. In effect, the visual mutual support function of a wingman can be replaced electronically. Factors to be considered here include the reliability and effectiveness of such systems under the expected environmental and EW conditions, possible enemy countertactics, and the relative capabilities of friendly and enemy surveillance and control systems. The strong man is mightiest alone. German Proverb Weapons capabilities also have significant bearing on the practicality of single-fighter operations. Friendly all-aspect weapons capability, and the absence of it in enemy fighters, greatly enhances the prospects of success for a single. The reduced maneuvering required to satisfy all-aspectmissile-firing parameters limits the single's exposure to detection and its vulnerability to threat weapons. Conversely, the lack of all-aspect missile capability by the enemy makes surprise attack on the single fighter more difficult and increases the single's attack and escape options. Particularly when both sides are all-aspect capable, missile maximum range and guidance type can be critical. If the single is able to fire at the enemy while remaining outside his firing range, obviously the single's survivability is enhanced. Active or passive guidance, which enable the single to "launch and leave" or to fire and then defend against an enemy weapon, may offset
294 UN LIMITED-AIRCRAFT TACTICS the longer range that may be provided by weapons that have more restrictive semi-active guidance. A means of identifying a target as hostile at long range, either optically or electronically, is another valuable aid in providing first-shot capability. Long-range target identification is essential when a pilot is facing an all-aspect-capable threat, or it must be replaced by very permissive rules of engagement (ROE) which allow the fighter to fire on targets beyond visual range (BVR). Such ROE are often easier to implement when the single fighter is known to be the only friendly aircraft in the combat arena, but they may not be possible when several fighters are operating autonomously in the same area. In aerial warfare the factor of quality is relatively more decisive than the factor of quantity. Major Alexander P. de Seversky, USAAF 13 Victories with Russian Imperial Naval Air Service, WW-I A significant performance advantage by the single fighter over enemy aircraft is another factor that favors autonomous operations. A substantial speed advantage and the ability to use this speed when it is required and still complete the mission (combat endurance) are probably the most valuable qualities for the single fighter. This speed improves the chance of surprise by reducing attack time, greatly decreases the likelihood of being caught from behind by the enemy, shrinks the enemy's rear-hemisphere missile-firing envelope, and greatly facilitates the friendly fighter's escape from disadvantageous situations. A significant speed advantage can allow the pilot of a single fighter to establish a sanctuary from which he can attack and withdraw at will without fear of attack from the rear. Obviously, the greater the range of enemy rear-hemisphere weapons the greater the friendly's speed advantage must be to provide this sanctuary. Enemy all-aspect missiles, off-boresight capability, and very high turn rate may also offset the defensive value of a single fighter's speed advantage. Speed is the cushion of sloppiness. Commander William P. "Willie" Driscoll, USNR 5 Victories as Radar Intercept Officer, Vietnam Conflict A maximum-altitude advantage can also be valuable to a single, especially against an enemy equipped only with guns or short-range missiles. This altitude sanctuary may allow the single fighter to choose his attack opportunities carefully and then fire at the enemy with long-range lookdown, shoot-down weapons, or dive down for a surprise high-speed attack followed by a zoom climb to a safe altitude. The altitude margin provides the single with adequate defense and allows the pilot to concentrate on offensive matters. Important considerations here include weapons-system capabilities (Can the target be detected and attacked from above?), environmental conditions (Will the attack be highlighted by a higher cloud layer or contrails?), and possible threats other than enemy aircraft (e.g., SAMs). Take up an attitude with the sun behind you. . . . You must look down on the enemy, and take up your attitude on slightly higher places. Miyamoto Musashi
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Fighter Combat TACTICS AND MANEUVER
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Preface ix Acknowledgments xv Abbre
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CONTENTS Vll Single-Side Offset 353
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X PREFACE tactics varied greatly, a
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Xll PREFACE current void of informa
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Acknowledgments Much of the credit
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Abbreviations AAA anti-aircraft art
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Fighter Combat TACTICS AND MANEUVER
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2 FIGHTER WEAPONS although fixed to
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4 FIGHTER WEAPONS some firing range
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Table 1-1. American Aircraft Guns T
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8 FIGHTER WEAPONS angle is also dep
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10 FIGHTER WEAPONS the ballistics o
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12 HGHTER WEAPONS often bars of lig
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14 FIGHTER WEAPONS This system has
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16 FIGHTER WEAPONS required firing
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18 FIGHTER WEAPONS With a disturbed
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20 FIGHTER WEAPONS We were both fly
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22 FIGHTER WEAPONS The predictor LC
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24 FIGHTER WEAPONS The next best th
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26 FIGHTER WEAPONS tracking G, shor
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28 FIGHTER WEAPONS defender's inten
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30 FIGHTER WEAPONS and acrobatic ma
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32 FIGHTER WEAPONS Missile Propulsi
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34 FIGHTER WEAPONS Missile Guidance
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36 FIGHTER WEAPONS straight path. T
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38 FIGHTER WEAPONS target to correc
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40 FIGHTER WEAPONS sensor systems,
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42 FIGHTER WEAPONS Since CW radars
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44 FIGHTER WEAPONS Missile Fuzes Th
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46 FIGHTER WEAPONS prised of many i
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48 FIGHTER WEAPONS The maneuvering
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50 FIGHTER WEAPONS racy being about
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52 FIGHTER WEAPONS then slowing the
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54 FIGHTER WEAPONS Shooter and targ
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56 FIGHTER WEAPONS will exhibit lar
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58 FIGHTER WEAPONS (RWR), that an e
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60 FIGHTER WEAPONS barrel-rolling a
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2 Basic Fighter Maneuvers I fly clo
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64 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS the comb
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66 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS himself
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68 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS speed ad
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70 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS pursuit
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72 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS Figure 2
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74 Figure 2-7. Low Yo-Yo BASIC FIGH
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76 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS The pote
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80 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS In case
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82 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS capitali
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84 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS one (the
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86 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS his exte
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90 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS the boge
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92 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS subseque
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94 Figure 2-22. Defensive Spiral BA
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96 BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS usually
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3 One-versus-One Maneuvering, Simil
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100 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, SIM
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140 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DIS
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1 70 ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DI
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196 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-ONE
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206 SECTION TACTICS. TWOVERSUS-ONE
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210 SECTION TACTICS, TWO-VERSUS-ONE
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226 SECTION TACTICS/ TWOVERSUS-ONE
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Section Tactics, Two-versus-Two The
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238 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-TWO
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240 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-TWO
Page 261 and 262: 242 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-TWO
Page 275 and 276: 256 SECTION TACTICS, TWC-VERSUS-TWO
Page 285 and 286: 7 Division Tactics The essence of l
Page 287 and 288: 268 DIVISION TACTICS design began t
Page 289 and 290: 270 DIVISION TACTICS so called beca
Page 291 and 292: 272 DIVISION TACTICS "4." At time "
Page 293 and 294: 274 DIVISION TACTICS Figure 7-8. Se
Page 295 and 296: 276 DIVISION TACTICS Lieutenant Eug
Page 297 and 298: 278 DIVISION TACTICS away, the free
Page 299 and 300: 280 DIVISION TACTICS cloud) is now
Page 301 and 302: 282 DIVISION TACTICS Figure 7-13. G
Page 303 and 304: 284 DIVISION TACTICS defensive look
Page 305 and 306: 286 DIVISION TACTICS In a dog-fight
Page 307 and 308: 288 DIVISION TACTICS Americans empl
Page 309 and 310: 8 Unlimited-Aircraft Tactics Of cou
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Page 321 and 322: 302 UNLIMITED-AIRCRAFT TACTICS many
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Page 335 and 336: Fighter Missions To use a fighter a
Page 337 and 338: 318 FIGHTER MISSIONS Scenarios Sinc
Page 339 and 340: 320 FIGHTER MISSIONS altitude, deta
Page 341 and 342: 322 FIGHTER MISSIONS agency and the
Page 343 and 344: 324 FIGHTER MISSIONS As previously
Page 345 and 346: 326 FIGHTER MISSIONS cruise missile
Page 347 and 348: 328 FIGHTER MISSIONS pattern gives
Page 349 and 350: 330 FIGHTER MISSIONS have to coordi
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Page 355 and 356: 336 FIGHTER MISSIONS aircraft, and
Page 357 and 358: 338 FIGHTER MISSIONS point for a di
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Page 361 and 362: 342 Figure 9-3. Fighter-Escort Miss
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344 FIGHTER MISSIONS Figure 9-6. Fi
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10 Tactical Intercepts Confront the
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348 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS Figure 10-1
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350 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS desired alt
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352 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS If the turn
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356 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS range). If
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358 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS ment, and t
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360 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS Advantages
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364 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS leader thro
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366 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS immediate l
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368 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS awareness),
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370 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS and positio
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372 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS low, traili
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376 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS also have t
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378 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS Visual Scan
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380 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS Likely thre
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382 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS be best for
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384 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS target on t
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Appendix Fighter Performance Perfor
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APPENDIX Figure A-l. V-n Diagram di
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APPENDIX 391 Figure A-2. Aircraft T
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APPENDIX 393 Figure A-4. Instantane
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APPENDIX 395 neuverability may be d
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APPENDIX 397 Figure A-7. Engine Thr
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APPENDIX 399 tends to reduce pressu
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APPENDIX 401 Figure A-11. Typical H
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APPENDIX 403 cause the Ps = 0 line
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APPENDIX 405 In theory the energy t
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APPENDIX 407 aircraft surfaces. In
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APPENDIX 409 Outside the zero-Ps li
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APPENDIX 411 factor," which is the
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APPENDIX 413 this condition occurs,
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APPENDIX 415 speed control. Many of
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APPENDIX 417 short or swept wings a
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420 BIBLIOGRAPHY Johnson, Robert S.
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422 INDEX Canard controls, 32, 398
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424 High yo-yo. See Yo-yo, high H-M
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426 INDEX Pursuit: curves and traje
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428 INDEX Turns (continued] 191, 20
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Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

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