Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

SECTION TACTICS, TWO-VERSUS-TWO 265
countering and attacking each bogey in turn until one succumbs to an
unseen attack. Defensive mutual support is generally by presence only,
unless one fighter becomes defensive, at which time the wingman
attempts to relieve the threat as quickly as possible. This method is
potentially superior to double attack offensively, since both fighters are
allowed to assume the offense at the same time. In addition, since it does
not rely totally on the ability to outmaneuver the enemy aircraft, loose
deuce can be successfully employed against superior enemy fighters and
weapons.
The relative defensive merits of loose deuce and double attack are more
open to question. The fact that the double attack free-fighter pilot is tasked
only with defensive responsibility seems to argue for the superiority of this
doctrine over the less structured mutual support "by presence" available
during loose deuce maneuvering. The double attack free fighter, however,
can effectively counter only one free bogey at a time, and even this ability
is questionable when the friendlies are opposing superior fighters or allaspect
missiles. Once the free fighter is neutralized, double attack offers
essentially no mutual support at all.
Loose deuce, on the other hand, because of its greater offensive efficiency,
provides quicker kills and therefore subjects the section to less
chance of interference by additional bogeys in a hostile environment.
There is also less tendency for loose deuce fighters to become separated
one-versus-one. These advantages, however, do not come cheaply. Loose
deuce imposes an increased task loading on the aircrew which must be
overcome by extensive training and the maintenance of high proficiency.
Although pilot proficiency is of vital importance to any tactical doctrine,
loose deuce is generally more sensitive to an incremental improvement in
pilot performance than to a similar gain in aircraft performance. In addition,
fighter design features such as aircraft size and pilot field of view may
have greater impact than thrust-to-weight ratio or wing loading.
In conclusion, loose deuce appears to be the superior tactical doctrine in
the two-versus-two scenario, provided aircrew proficiency is high. A notable
exception to this generalization might be found when the friendly
fighters have a significant performance or weapons advantage in a sterile
environment against an enemy that is not equipped with all-aspect missiles.
Caution, however, is necessary, because loose deuce is a relatively
new tactical doctrine and has not been subjected to the test of time under
actual combat conditions. Until they have been proven in many theaters of
action under widely varying combat scenarios (and probably long afterward),
the merits of this doctrine will remain hotly disputed.