Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

ONE-VERSUS-ONE MANEUVERING, DISSIMILAR AIRCRAFT 173
pitch-back technique, however, because of the bogey's missile threat. The
greatest elements of risk in this option involve the possibility of a missed
gun shot and the almost inevitable low-TCA, close-range overshoot,
which may allow the bogey to reverse for a missile shot. The more conservative
approach is to use RQ missile tactics, firing high-angle shots
down at the bogey from above, and concentrating on causing the opponent
to lose sight. This approach offers better escape opportunities. A note of
caution is in order here, however. Although the second option may be safer
in the sterile environment, it may take more time, thereby exposing the
energy fighter pilot to greater risk in a hazardous combat arena. Furthermore,
the added time may not be available if combat endurance is
limited.
When both aircraft are equipped with guns and all-aspect missiles, the
pilot of a low-wing-loaded fighter is faced with a similar choice. Here the
quick and dirty solution is the nose-to-tail turn and forward-quarter missile
tactic depicted in Figure 3-11. The risk here again is that of a missed
shot, possibly because of sun position, weapons-system malfunction, or
missile misfire, since this tactic leaves the angles fighter open to a retaliatory
shot from the bogey. The more conservative option in this case is to
employ guns tactics, attempting to stay close to the bogey (by nose-to-nose
turns, etc.), trapping its missile inside min-range limits. The angles fighter
pilot should exercise caution, however, not to expend so much energy in
attempting a gun shot that he cannot get his nose up for a missile shot if the
bogey zooms. In this scenario the gun should be used more as a threat than
as a primary weapon. Its function is to cause the high-T/W bogey to bleed
energy and then to attempt an escape, either by zooming or diving, both of
which should be fatal. The angles fighter pilot should employ guns tactics
conservatively, taking any shot that is offered, but the all-aspect AAM in
most cases still will be the lethal weapon. The greatest disadvantage of
guns tactics is the increased time involved. In the case of a small bogey,
however, this factor may be outweighed by the reduced separation distances,
which facilitate maintaining visual contact.
Unfortunately for the energy fighter, the dismal prospects just described
are about as good as they get in this scenario. The combination of the
dogfight-capable all-aspect missile and the turn-performance superiority
of the low-wing-loaded bogey is extremely dangerous. As discussed in the
all-aspect-missile-energy-fight section of this chapter, nose-to-nose turns
can be used to bleed the energy of an overly aggressive opponent; but the
addition of the gun in this scenario makes this tactic even more hazardous
and difficult. An extension and pitch-back into a high sun may be workable
in the case of heat-seeking AAMs; lots of luck is required against a radar
missile. One possibility, especially against a larger bogey, is a diving,
nose-to-tail extension after the first head-on pass. This tactic may cause
the bogey pilot to lose sight, allowing the energy fighter to come back for a
shot. Even if the opponent maintains visual contact, the extension may
exceed his maximum firing range until the energy fighter begins its comeback.
A level or nose-low turn by the energy fighter to reengage can place
the bogey in a look-down situation, possibly reducing the effectiveness of