Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

60 FIGHTER WEAPONS
barrel-rolling around it) only fast enough to keep it in a beam aspect, until
the threat has ended.
Missile range information, acquired either visually or by other means,
as well as some indication of the type of weapon involved, can allow the
defender a much more reasoned response. For instance, if the missile is
detected near its forward-hemisphere maximum aerodynamic range, the
target pilot may choose a hard turn away to place the threat in his rear
quarter, accompanied by a dive and acceleration simply to outrun the
reduced range capabilities of the weapon. Likewise, a max-range rearhemisphere
missile may be outrun by turning away to place it as close to
dead astern as possible, diving and accelerating away. If any doubt exists as
to the range capabilities of the weapon, the defender should maintain
visual contact so that a last-second break turn can be accomplished as the
missile approaches intercept.
Visual acquisition of the missile and its launch platform provides the
defender with a wealth of valuable information. Since many missiles are of
the boost-glide variety, with engines that produce large quantities of highly
visible smoke or dust at launch, acquisition near the moment of firing
may be critical. Weapons with smokeless engines are particularly difficult
to spot visually, but even these usually produce a vapor contrail at high
altitudes which can be seen for many miles.
Knowledge of the various threat weapons systems and visual sighting of
the missile in flight usually can provide missile identification and an
indication of the most effective defense. Missile smoke characteristics and
the weapons available to a particular launch platform are two indications.
The launch conditions themselves provide another. It can be assumed, for
instance, that a weapon launched in the forward hemisphere has forwardhemisphere
capability. If it does not, it normally will be of little danger
even if the wrong identification is made. The missile's guidance trajectory
offers another clue. A proportional-navigation weapon will attempt to gain
lead and stabilize its position relative to the distant horizon. A beam-rider
will appear to superimpose itself on the LOS to the guidance platform. A
pure-pursuit missile will keep its nose pointed directly at the target and
will appear to drift back along the horizon toward the rear of the defender's
aircraft.
Watching the missile's flight path also can provide the defender with
feedback on how well the weapon is performing. If a radical defensive
maneuver is made and no missile correction is observed, the weapon is
either ballistic or guiding on another aircraft in the flight. Missile trajectory
response may be misleading, however. Once the weapon is at close
range, defensive measures should be continued through the point of
closest approach regardless of missile maneuver, since termination of such
defenses could result in reduced miss distance and possible damage.
Visual acquisition of the missile provides other benefits, including
knowledge of the weapon's plane of attack. The initial break turn against
the missile usually should be made in this plane, since the generation of
aspect and LOS rate is maximized in this manner. Timing is also important,
as the effectiveness of maneuvers designed to produce large LOS rates