Procedures and Operations: Air-to-Air

TOPICS

► Air Combat: Bite-sized!
► BVR Timeline video series
► Simplified BVR Timeline
► Transition to Within Visual Range
► Tactics 101: Building Forma Mentis
► An Intercept Geometry Study

Air-to-Air Procedures

Air Combat: Bite-sized

A series of short, no-nonsense, and straight-to-the-point videos covering the very basics of air combat techniques and tactics. The emphasys is heavily laid on the visual component, using animations and sketches, rather than plain text/descriptions. Note: Most of these topics have been covered already from the F-14 Tomcat’s perspective. These new videos include the b-scope / Point-of-view of the F-4E Phantom II.

Drift and Hot/Cold side of the radar scope • YouTube [04:12]
Aspect Angle • YouTube [03:21]
Closure Rate (V_C) • YouTube [01:03]
Antenna Train Angle • YouTube [01:38]
HCA, Cut and Lateral Separation • YouTube [01:42]
Direction of Passage • YouTube [01:26]

BVR Timeline 2023: Video Series

This series updates and integrates the various articles you can find below, into a brief video series.

Chapter 1: Introduction and Disclaimer • YouTube [05:31]
This introductory part of the new BVR Timeline series presents the chapters that compose it and clarifies the sources used.
Chapter 2.1: Intercept Geometry: Basics • YouTube [14:57]
This Chapter is divided into two parts. This first part introduces the theory, and the concepts always involved in Air-to-Air combat.
Chapter 2.2: Geometry Applications and Examples • YouTube [10:55]
Chapter 2.2 concludes the brief overview of elementary geometry showing a number of practical applications, starting from the basic understanding of the displays, to how the geometry can be manipulated to achieve the objective. Most importantly, it should show how easily this is done: eventually, all it will take is a glance at the display to predict how the engagement will evolve.
Chapter 3: Controllers: Eyes of the Sky • YouTube [32:09]
This brief video broadly introduces the figure of the Controller, basic comms and lexicon, also using recordings from real life engagements (Gulf of Sidra 1981 and 1989, and a modern exercise).
Chapter 4.1: Timeline Overview & Radars • YouTube [09:05]
This Chapter proposes a first glance and what a Timeline is, and what it does. Part I also includes a brief mention of radars, how they are used, the appropriate modes and differences.
Chapter 4.2: Crew Comms, Contract, Definitions • YouTube [10:38]
A last round of concepts before diving into the details of the Timeline: cranking, notching, crew comms and more.
Chapter 5: From Departure to FOX-3 • YouTube [25:04]
After a lengthy introduction, we finally get to shoot something!
This Chapter covers the details of the engagement flow, starting from the ground post startup, to taxi and departure. Then, every step of the Timeline is discussed, detailing comms, using real recordings as well, and the reasoning behind the process.

Simplified BVR Timeline

One of the first discussions about procedures, this simplified overview of the BVR Timeline extrapolates the concept from the Geometry, making it a semi stand-alone construct (or at least that was the idea), more flexible and suitable for different types of players.

Transition to Within Visual Range

A series paused at the moment, in order to complete the work on the BVR Engagements started with the Timeline.

WVR Part I – From Beyond to Within

“The Bandit’s Alive at the Merge” – US AF 1985 Article. Brilliant article to understand the basics of the transition from BVR to WVR and the options available to the fighter.

Tactics 101: Building Forma Mentis

These articles discuss issues and misconceptions and provide tips and suggestions to tackle air-to-air combat situations. Although aimed at ab initio players, these articles can be helpful to everyone.

F-4E: Stop struggling in Air-to-Air. The F-4E can be a rude awakening for players not familiar with the limitations and the technology of Gen 3 fighters. Tactics, radar operations, section coordination must change to thrive in this iconic aeroplane.
Improve FOX-1 Air-to-Air Combat. This article covers a multitude of topics and addresses a few common misconceptions. For instance, the importance of employment range, the characteristics of different Semi-Active Radar-Homing (SARH) missiles, timelines and tactics.

Intercept Geometry

The Intercept Geometry is a huge topic and completing the study of the basic declassified documentation has always been a priority. Due to the size of the discussion, a lot of time and effort has gone into the understanding of the principles governing the geometry itself, not to mention how those concepts are presented by the avionics.

Geometry: Related Articles

These are part of the articles related to the Geometry (I did not include in this list the articles strictly related to the F-14):

Intercept Geometry: A Study

NOTE: additional 60s/70s intercepts are covered as part of the F-4E Phantom II in this page.

Notable articles

SYNC-Z-TURN: a no-lockon intercept technique resulting in a stern conversion.
Assess CATA & Bandit Heading: Collision Antenna Train Angle and Bandit Heading determination without radar lockon.
“40° Cold of CATA” Intercept Technique: A 1970s brilliant intercept technique, not affected by speed ratio constraints.
Variable Lag Pursuit Stern Conversion Intercept: A less intuitive but accurate method to conduct an intercept with limited information.

“Casual” Intercept

Originated by a sort of “challenge” to find a simple way to apply basic geometry to improve the experience of new or less simulative players, this article and video cover the usage of Collision to improve closure and the missile performance compared to the ubiquitous Pure Pursuit too often used, especially by new players.
The Simplified Stern Conversion completes the series, going slightly deeper but without requiring extensive knowledge of the Intercept Geometry.