Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering

Description

This book provides a detailed discussion of one-on-one dog-fights and multi-fighter team work tactics. Full discussions of fighter aircraft and weapons systems performance are provided along with an explanation of radar intercept tactics and an analysis of the elements involved in the performance of fighter missions. Robert L. Shaw holds a masters degree in aeronautical engineering and is a veteran of fourteen years in U.S. Navy fighter aviation. An avid aviation enthusiast, Shaw is a civilian fight instructor, airline pilot, and consulting engineer specializing in fighter aircraft and weapons systems performance evaluation. He is the founder and president of Fighter Command International. Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Fighter Combat Tactics and Maneuvering 1. Fighter Weapons Air-to-Air Guns Guided Missiles 2. Fighter Combat Tactics and Maneuvering Pursuit Curves Lag Displacement Rolls High Yo-Yo Low Yo-Yo Flat Scissors Vertical and Oblique Turns Rolling Scissors Defensive Spiral Notes 3. One-versus-One Maneuvering,Similar Aircraft Guns Only Rear-Quarter Missiles Only All-Aspect Missiles Only Multiple-Weapons Scenarios Dissimilar Weapons Defensive Maneuvering Notes 4. One-versus-One Maneuvering, Dissimilar Aircraft Low Wing Loading versus High Thrust-to-Weight Single-Dissimilarity Engagements Double-Superior and Double-Inferior Conditions V/STOL and Helicopter Tactical Considerations Notes 5. Section Tactics, Two-versus-One Background Fighting Wing Double Attack Loose Deuce One-versus-Two Maneuvering Notes 6. Section Tactics, Two-versus-Two Human Limitations and Task Loading Two-versus-Two Tactical Doctrine 7. Division Tactics Background Pre-Engaged Division Maneuvering Other Division Formations Engaged Division Maneuvering Dissimilar-Aircraft Divisions Notes 8. Unlimited-Aircraft Tactics One-versus-Many Few-versus-Many Many-versus-Many Notes 9. Fighter Missions The Fighter Sweep Point/Area Defense Strike Escort Notes 10. Tactical Intercepts Intercept Terminology Forward Quarter Stern Conversion Single-Side Offset Trail Sweep Pincer Drag Lead-Around Hook Option Break-Away Cross-Block Division Intercepts Visual Considerations in Ait Combat Summary Appendix: Fighter Performance Instantaneous Turn Performance Energy Maneuverability Climb Performance Acceleration Performance Sustained Turn Performance Gravity Effects on Turn Performance Roll Performance Pitch Performance Note BibliographyNote Index