Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT 157
Engaging without an Initial Energy Advantage. All the foregoing tactics
are predicated on the high-T/W fighter having a significant energy advantage
at the first pass. If this cannot be assured, other methods will be
required to gain this energy margin during the engagement. In order to
accomplish this, it is necessary that energy performance (Ps) be optimized
relative to that of the opponent. Higher T/W normally confers a Ps advantage
to the energy fighter during low-G conditions, especially during unloaded
accelerations and climbs. This is not necessarily so for hard-turning
conditions, when the assumed larger wing or greater efficiency of the
angles fighter may actually provide this aircraft with better energy performance
(i.e., higher PS for a given load factor, turn rate, or radius).
Therefore, in order to optimize relative energy performance, the pilot of
the high-T/W fighter needs to minimize turning and maximize low-G
accelerations and climbs. Any necessary turning should be done as
efficiently as possible from an energy standpoint, which usually means
vertical maneuvering. Figure 4-7 illustrates how these generalities can be
put into practice.
In this example the opponents approach head-on at time "I." As in
previous engagements, the pilot of the low-wing-loaded bogey can be
expected to attempt to generate some flight-path separation for a lead turn
before the pass. The energy fighter pilot counters by turning toward the
bogey to reduce lateral separation and in this way reduce the bogey's
potential angular advantage at the pass (time "2").
Figure 4-7. Extension/Pitch-Back Tactics