Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

74
Figure 2-7. Low Yo-Yo
BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERS
attacker vulnerable to counterrnoves by the defender. Generally, an
attempt to generate large amounts of lead in the low yo-yo results in an
excessively nose-low attitude. With sufficient range, greater AOT, and a
gravity assist, the defender may be able to pull nose-low down toward the
attacker and meet him nearly head-on, neutralizing the attacker's position
advantage. Or, if the defender has sufficient energy, he may choose to pull
up as the attacker commits his nose too low, and by performing a rollingpull
toward the attacker (essentially a barrel-roll attack) actually achieve a
position advantage high in the attacker's rear hemisphere.
The winner (of an air battle) may have been determined by the amount of
time, energy, thought and training an individual has previously accomplished
in an effort to increase his ability as a fighter pilot.
Commander Randy "Duke" Cunningham, USN
Lead Turn
The lead turn was discussed in the gun-employment section of Chapter 1
in connection with preparing for a snapshot. In this section "lead" turn is
defined as an "early" turn that is started by the attacker before he passes
the opponent in a forward-hemisphere approach situation. It does not
necessarily connote lead pursuit, and in fact it may be a lag maneuver.
Figure 2-8 depicts a lead-turn scenario.
At point" 1" the aircraft are converging on opposite headings with offset
flight paths. Before the two fighters pass abeam, one of them begins a lead
turn toward the flight path of the other (solid tracks), while its opponent