FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE CHAPTER EIGHT
from the 30-degree (planned) dive angle. This is called a Good Initial Sight Picture. Finally, the
figure on the right displays the target lying closer to the 35 degree pitch ladder or more than 3
degrees depressed from the planned dive angle. This is called a Steep Initial Sight Picture.
Note that in all of these cases, the sight pictures can be determined by simply placing the
Velocity Vector 3 degrees above the target and the resultant flight path angle determines if you
are shallow, good, or steep referenced to the planned dive angle.
Initial Sight Picture – The Goal
As previously stated, the GOAL of your roll-in is to get to a GOOD Initial Sight Picture.
If the Initial Sight Picture (ISP) is other than GOOD, you need to understand what caused a
Steep or Shallow ISP and make adjustments on subsequent runs.
By keeping your pattern altitude and roll-in technique consistent, moving the ACD (Roll-In
Point) in or out will get you to that GOOD Initial Sight Picture. Now let’s take a look at the
causes of Steep or Shallow ISP.
Causes of a Steep or Shallow ISP
As previously discussed, there are 3 variables in the roll-in: Altitude, Roll-in Technique, and the
Attack Cone Distance (Roll-in Point). As shown here, if we rolled in at our planned roll-in
altitude, committed our nose down to the target (rolled IN on the target) by over-banking,
placing the lift vector on the target, pulling 15 to 17 units AOA, and rolled in at the planned
distance from the target (ACD / RIP), we should be on our planned Flight Path Angle. This is
also referred to as being “on the bombing triangle” or “on the wire”.
DELIVERY PROCEDURES AND TRACKING TECHNIQUES 8-7