Aerial combat is seen as one of the most exciting aspects of the military world, but few know the specifics of the aircraft maneuvers that it involves. These are high speed, dangerous, and skillfully executed moves which can determine life or death in the air. The art of dogfighting requires a killer instinct and an intimate understanding of aircraft handling. Here are a few basic aerial combat tactics that can save a pilot’s skin when the skies heat up. For the purpose of explanation, an attacking aircraft is one that is at a position of advantage (at higher altitude, behind an enemy aircraft, or otherwise in a position to fire), and a defending aircraft is one that, because of positioning, is in danger of being fired upon.
1. Barrel Roll Attack
This is a move designed to deal with an excess of energy when an attacking plane is flying on the tail of a target. If the attacking plane is moving too quickly, it might be in danger of overshooting. To deal with this, the attacker initiates a roll and a climb simultaneously, then finishes the roll while descending, essentially tracing a circle with the nose of the aircraft. This accomplishes not only a deceleration, but also a change in the angle of attack in such a way that the plane on the offense can continue to target its opponent. This video displays the move well.
(Photo: flightsimbooks.com)
2. Combat Spread
This refers to the arrangement of two friendly aircraft prior to an engagement. In a combat spread, one fighter will take up a lower position, while the other will have more altitude. The two wingmen are also abreast of each other, which allows them to provide each other with “mutual support.” This way they can watch out for one another with relative ease. Sometimes the higher aircraft is in a position to attack, while the lower one will attempt to lure enemies to attack it. This allows the fighter with more altitude to engage hostiles more easily when they are preoccupied with the lower of the two wingmen. Additionally, it forces enemies to choose between targets or split their attention.
(Photo: Integrated Publishing)
3. High Yo-Yo
This maneuver, made by an attacking aircraft, is designed to cut off an enemy during a turn. As the defending fighter makes the turn, the pursuing attacker pulls up and increases altitude. This results in a loss of speed, which allows the attacker to make a sharper turn than the defender, after which it pitches back down, gaining speed as altitude decreases. Because of the sharper turn, the attacking aircraft is now in a position to cut off the defending fighter during its turn and take a shot.
(Photo: U.S. Navy)
4. Flat Scissors
This simple defensive maneuver serves as an evasion tactic. When an attacker approaches a position to take a shot, the defender makes a turn to get away. As the attacker follows, the defender changes direction to evade again and continues to switch directions in a series of sweeping turns, hoping that the attacker will lose the offensive position. This move can last as long as needed for the defender to escape.
(Photo: U.S. Navy)
5. Immelmann Turn
A fighter in a neutral or defensive position would use this move. It begins when the pilot initiates an upward loop. At the halfway point of the loop, when the fighter is completely inverted, it rolls to an upright position. This allows for a smooth 180 degree bearing change.
6. Guns Defense
Another defensive move, guns defense is used as a last resort when a defender has no other recourse. This maneuver consists of a series of random turns and movements designed to throw off the attacker in any way possible. Because of its random nature, this move is only used when the defender has no other option.
7. Unloaded Extension
This move allows a pilot fight another day, rather than salvage a poor or neutral position. It typically occurs when two aircraft are locked in a stalemate or when one is at a disadvantage. The fighter that wishes to exit the neutral positioning or escape its disadvantage begins by making every move to increase its energy. The pilot enters into a negative G dive and opens up the throttle. This puts as much space in between the two fighters as possible before the opposing aircraft reorients itself. By the time the enemy takes a position from which it could attack, the unloading dogfighter is already too far away.
(Photo: Gizmodo.com)
Are there any dogfighting moves that we missed? Let us know in the comments. Many thanks to Ward Carroll, who served as a Naval Flight officer in the F-14 Tomcat, for his guidance on this piece.
