Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

362 TACTICAL INTERCEPTS
Figure 10-10. The Drag
bogeys serves three major purposes. It increases the enemy's chances of
seeing, and therefore the likelihood of them pursuing, the lead fighter. It
delays the bogeys' all-aspect-missile-firing opportunities by decreasing
their maximum firing range, while simultaneously placing the lead fighter
in a good position to defend against such a shot if it is forthcoming. Finally,
it tempts the enemy to chase the leader and thereby turn in front of the
trailer and provide an easy shot.
The trailer's task is to maintain visual contact with his leader while
gaining radar contact with the bogeys. He is usually in the best position to
detect whether the enemy is taking the bait, and he should pass this info to
the leader. If the enemy continues for the trailer, the leader should turn
back in for a FQ attack or a stern conversion with good advantage. This
scenario transforms the drag into a lead-around tactic, which is discussed
next.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The drag can be a devastating tactic, but, like any complex procedure, it
requires much practice and many things can go wrong. As with other trail
tactics, it is long on offense and rather short on defense, making it more
appropriate for permissive situations. When undetected hostile fighters
could be around, extremely high speeds should be used. Even so, the
considerable maneuvering required by the lead fighter leaves it vulnerable
to surprise attack.
The drag can be performed with only one operable radar in the section or
with close control only for the leader, since the trailer can maintain
position visually, but two radars are preferable. This tactic is normally not
advisable in an all-aspect missile environment, since the enemy is usually
afforded the first shot opportunity.
Drag tactics can be very effective against bogeys in trail. When the lead
bogey takes the bait, it can usually be picked off by the trailing fighter
before the second bogey becomes a factor. The threat of the second bogey
must be kept in mind, however, and the pilot of the trailing fighter should
be careful not to expose himself to this threat while he attacks the lead