Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

TACTICAL INTERCEPTS 357
shoot before penetrating his min-range limit. The shooter must be certain
that his weapon is indeed locked on and guiding on a target, and not on his
leader!
Once he gains sight of the bogeys, the leader should usually attempt to
make a visual attack, forcing them into a defensive maneuver. The enemy
may not have sight of the trailer, and such maneuvering will often present
the trailing wingman with easy shot opportunities. Another, generally less
desirable, option is to bait the bogeys by allowing considerable lateral
separation at the pass. The enemy may be tempted into turning for an
attack on the leader, again turning in front of the trailer. The trailing
wingman should maintain considerable vertical separation with the leader
to reduce the chances of being detected. A low trailer is often the most
difficult to detect because of radar clutter and visual masking against
the ground. The resulting look-up angle should also optimize all-aspect
weapons performance.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The trail intercept, or actually an intercept in the trail formation, can be
very effective offensively. The VID/forward-hemisphere advantage has
already been mentioned. In addition, a bogey engaging the lead fighter is a
grape for the trailing wingman, while a bogey not turning on the leader is
likely to be attacked by him. In short, the bogey is caught between a rock
and a hard place.
Although the trail arrangement is good offensively, it is rather poor on
the defensive side, particularly for the trailer. His position and distance
from the leader make it impossible for the leader to cover the trailer
visually, and it would be very difficult for him even to lend support if the
trailer was attacked. For these reasons trail tactics are extremely hazardous
in an uncontrolled, hostile environment, and very high speeds
should be maintained to help guard the trailer's rear hemisphere. This
danger can be reduced significantly with the addition of more fighters,
however. For example, placing two sections, each in combat spread, one
behind the other, offers the advantages of the trail formation while retaining
mutual support within each section. This is commonly called a "box"
formation. A single with a trailing pair (vie) is another option.
Should the trail formation be employed in an uncontrolled environ-
Figure 10-6. Trail Intercept