Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

354 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS
Figure 10-4. Single-Side Offset
on the other side in a good defensive-spread position. This maneuver
enables the wingman to "look through" the leader's aircraft toward the
bogeys, increasing the wingman's confidence that the threat sector is to
the left of his nose. This limits the wingman's primary visual and radarsearch
sector and improves his safety later in the intercept.
At time "2" the fighter leader determines that he has sufficient displacement
for his desired attack, and he continues with either a FQ intercept
(point "3") or a stern conversion (point "3' "). The preferable tactic depends
on the availability of reliable forward-hemisphere weapons, the amount of
offset which can be generated, the time available for the intercept, the
degree of certainty as to the enemy numbers and formation, etc. Most of
the advantages and disadvantages of these two options have been discussed,
but there are a few more. The FQ option is more appropriate for
hit-and-run attacks against fighters, particularly in an unknown, hostile
environment. It may also be useful against bombers that are heavily
defended in the rear. The stern conversion facilitates repeated attacks on
numerous targets and places the fighters in a more advantageous position
to begin an engagement with enemy fighters. The stern conversion can be
fatal, however, if there is an undetected trailing enemy element.
If the stern conversion is selected, or if a significant turn is required for a
FQ attack, the wingman normally crosses beneath the lead once more
between times "2" and "3." This allows the wingman to keep the leader
and the threat sector on the same side of his nose and positions the
wingman abeam the leader in a more defensible combat spread. The
wingman should be very alert during this turn for bogeys appearing from
the section's belly-side.
Advantages and Disadvantages
When the bogeys are deployed in a significant trail formation, there is often
some difference of opinion as to which element should be attacked first.
The initial choice is usually the trail element, of course, since it is more
vulnerable. This may not be the best choice, however, particularly when