From: knutson@.mcc.com (Jim Knutson)
Subject: Falcon 3 ACM/BFM lessons - SORTIE4
Originator: knutson@urbino.mcc.com
Organization: MCC, Austin, Texas
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 16:14:39 GMT

SORTIE4.ZIP has been uploaded to onion.rain.com:/pub/falcon3/incoming
and will likely end up in /pub/falcon3/lessons soon.  It contains a
description of the lesson, a Red Flag Mission to fly, and an
illustrated example HI-FI VCR file created using Falcon 3.01.1.  A text
description of the training lesson is included below.

Please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions on the
lessons.

		   Falcon 3 ACM/BFM Lessons
			     by
			Jim Knutson
	      A Supplement to Robert Shaw's Book
	    Fighter Combat Tactics and Maneuvering

Sortie 4 - Break Turn (pg. 25)

Sortie 3 described the extension maneuver, which is the preferred
defense against a guns attack.  However, it is not always possible to
prevent the closure to guns range.  At this point, your best bet is to
not allow a tracking shot.  This can be done by making a break turn
towards the attacker to place him in the forward hemisphere where
closure times should only allow for a snapshot. 

AOT increases fastest by rolling to place the attacker in or near your
vertical plane when making your break turn.  However, this in-plane turn
also makes it easier for the attacker to find a firing solution so a
careful eye must be kept on the situation.  This in-plane turn must not
be used once range and nose position indicate the attacker is about to
achieve a firing solution.  This must be determined visually.  One way
to determine this is to watch for the under belly of the attacker.  If
you see it, he is pulling lead, preparing to fire. 

Continuation of the in-plane turn at this point would be deadly to say
the least.  You must now convert to an out-of-plane turn by quickly
rolling 90 degrees in either direction to place the attacker in your
horizontal plane (hopefully, around one of your wing tips) then
reapplying G.  A slow roll toward the attacker may be needed to keep him
in the horizontal plane.  This out-of-plane turn should be continued
until the attacker is no longer in a threatening position. 

Deciding which direction to roll out-of-plane depends on several
factors.  The first is whether to commit nose-high or nose-low.  The
second factor depends on your intentions after the attack fails. 
Lastly, it should be noted that given the constraints of the first two
factors, it is probably best to turn towards the attacker's belly as
this is probably the hardest to counter. 

The choice of nose-high or nose-low for the out-of-plane maneuver
depends on your speed and altitude.  A nose-low maneuver can result in
significant altitude loss, but it does have the advantage of gravity
assist and is less likely to diminish your speed.  A nose-high maneuver,
on the other hand, can result in significant speed loss which will
possibly increase the closure rate.  Your intentions post maneuver
(engage vs.  disengage) will also affect your choice.  Committing
nose-high increases the chance of reversing after the overshoot thereby
allowing you to take the offensive while nose-low allows you to
disengage using extension after the overshoot. 

It is NOT recommended that you wait until the last possible moment to
begin your break turn (hoping for a large overshoot).  The out-of-plane
turn works much better and is less risky. 

Red Flag Mission - COMBAT3

This mission is a one versus one engagement.  Your attacker is a Mig-19
loaded only with guns.  Turn on your gun camera (VCR).  You have just
completed a mission and are returning to your base so you don't need to
load missiles (you used them to get your fifth kill, ace).  Follow the
waypoints and land your plane without getting shot down (assume you are
low or empty of cannon shells as well).  Use break turns to break away
from the Mig-19 and extension when possible.  Review the VCR to see
where you can make improvements. 

NOTES

You may need to set the enemy skill level to veteran or ace to get them
to aggressively engage you. 

I had a terrible time trying to get this to work in Falcon.  Padlock
view is good for watching the attacker during your in-plane break turn,
but once you start your out-of-plane turn, it is nearly impossible to
keep the proper orientation (i.e.  attacker in your horizontal plane)
during the maneuver.  I've tried using enemy view instead, but the
control reversal that occurs when the attacker is in your rear quarter
makes it difficult to keep the aircraft maneuvering correctly. 

The SORTIE4.VCR file was created using Falcon 3.01.1 using the
Hi-Fidelity flight model. 

GLOSSARY

AOT	Angle Off Tail, with 0 degrees being directly behind the target

-- 
Jim Knutson                                                | |
knutson@mcc.com                                         --=oOo=--
cs.utexas.edu!milano!knutson                               +
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