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Post by BSS_CUDA on Apr 5, 2004 22:07:29 GMT -5
Introduction to Merge Tactics
It is a flying truism that most one-on-one engagements are won and lost within 5 seconds of first merge. For this reason it is obvious that any flyer wishing to survive must learn the methods and tactics involved in mastering those first critical moments during a head to head merge.
The first 5 seconds might not see one side or the other being shot down, but it almost always sees one side irretrievably lose angle. Once angle is lost it is most difficult to regain the advantage. The pilot with an angle (position) advantage has a huge edge. He has much improved visibility of his opponent, and can therefore anticipate defensive maneuvers and therefore maintain position. For this reason (and as most pilots are painfully aware), once an veteran opponent "saddles up" on your six, its almost impossible to shake him.
The key of course is not to lose that first critical fight for angle on the merge. This text is here to help the beginning and intermediate pilot to understand the tactics involved, and hopefully survive more than 5 seconds after the merge!
I will cover the material in two stages. The in the first stage I will present a short and sweet version (what might be termed an "Executive Summary" in the government).
In the intermediate stage I will cover the merge in more technical terms, explaining how and why the tactics discussed in the first stage actually work.
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Post by BSS_CUDA on Apr 5, 2004 22:07:57 GMT -5
First Stage There are two major types of advantage in Air Combat: angle and energy. We will deal with angle first.
Both fighters usually attempt to reverse course immediately. So what is the most efficient turn in a nose-on merge? Most pilots choose the Immelmann Turn (1/2 loop up followed by a 1/2 roll) or variations thereof, for the reason that it is one of the most efficient ways to reverse course. It both gains altitude and reverses course to begin the attempt to gain position on the oppositions six.
The greatest merge error of new pilots make is to attempt to reverse using other Basic Fighter Maneuvers, such as the "flat" aileron turn or Split-S. It is not difficult to fathom why they are already well on their way to defeat. Visualize a scenario where on pilot performs a Split-S, while his opponent does an Immelmann. It is not difficult to see the result. The flyer who performed the energy conserving Immelmann will be two 1/2 turn radii above the flyer who chose the Split-S. The Split-S in this type of merge situation therefore provides the opponent with a large altitude and energy advantage on a silver platter. Defeat is all but assured. The "flat" turn reverse is also weak for the same reason, although it doesn't surrender as much altitude as the Split-S.
The Lead Turn: A very important merge tactic is the "Lead Turn". It is a very simple stratagem on the surface. Instead of waiting for the actual moment of the merge to begin the reverse, the pilot performing the lead turn anticipates the merge and begins to reverse before the actual merge takes place. This means while his opponent is still flying straight, he is already starting to turn - beginning the fight for an angle advantage early in the combat.
The Lead Turn can be tailored as to how aggressively it is executed. The earlier the pilot begins to turn, the more aggressive the lead turn. While it would seem that it is wise to fly as aggressively as possible, a lead turn begun too early can lead to quick defeat. If the opponent reads the move, and sees the lead turn developing in front of him, he can simply follow the lead turn up for an immediate kill! For this reason lead turns at 1/4 turn radius and beyond are very risky, and perhaps even foolhardy. This especially true on in a level merge with no vertical separation. (i.e. one plane has slight altitude advantages and the planes are "separated" vertically).
Stacking the Deck - Making the Lead Turn even more effective: To make a lead turn even more effective the pilot can attempt to establish some vertical separation before the merge. (The exact reasons why this "works" will be explained in the next section.) When a new pilot begins a head on merge with a veteran pilot he may notice that the veteran pilot is always trying to get underneath him! That is, the veteran is trying to establish vertical separation and will try to actually be beneath the other plane as the merge develops. The main reason is that vertical separation enhances the effect of the lead turn and allows the pilot to be more aggressive in the execution of the lead turn. The vertical separation created by the veteran in this scenario acts as sort of springboard for his attempt to gain the angle advantage. Not only can he begin the lead turn earlier, but the vertical separation established also means that as he begins to pull up into his opponent, the vertical separation he has established enhances angle gain.
The Energy Merge: A merge with an substantial energy advantage calls for somewhat different tactics, especially if the plane with the Energy advantage is a high wing-loading (i.e. poor turning) aircraft. Attempting to convert the energy advantage right away may not be wise, because the faster plane with its bigger turning radius may actually be at a disadvantage if he attempts to convert his energy advantage immediately. For instance, if the Energy Advantage plane performs a lead turn, the slower turning bogie could very well turn inside his turn because of its better turn performance at intermediate speeds. Also, pulling an extremely high G load Immelmann, might bleed off the excess energy and cut turn radius, but the risk of blacking out in such a maneuver is quite large. In addition the energy bleeding high G turn may put the energy advantaged plane on a fairly level playing field with the bogy in comparative energy state, and not even gain the angle advantage that the pilot was looking for.
Instead, of course, it may be better to simply attempt to put aside the attempt to gain immediate angle, and work on maintaining an energy advantage first, and then maneuvering for angle after the merge. There are several ways to do this. The safest way is to disdain the nose to nose merge (and the resultant potential of allowing the bogy to go for a head-on shot), and begin to climb over the bogie before the merge. The bogie will probably attempt to match this move, and thus lose speed, making the bogie less of a immediate threat. If the bogie can be enticed to cut his speed to the point where he can no longer efficiently go into a vertical maneuver, the attacker can then merge with impunity despite his higher wing loading and perform the standard Immelmann turn.
When the attacker has a substantial edge in energy he can simply perform a low-G extremely high loop on a standard merge. The defender with his slow speed will be unable to match this maneuver, and the attacker will (hopefully) find himself with a dominant altitude advantage over the bogie right on top of the target. Even better the target may have also tried to go vertical and thus be a nice slow target when the attacker begins his gun pass upon reversing down. The attacker still has to show some care however in going vertical. If he times his moves badly the bogie might be able to fashion a gun shot before the attackers zoom climb eludes his guns range. For this reason the attacker should time his climb to defeat this. If the bogie is performing a lead turn the attacker may want to fly past the merge and only then start to zoom after the bogie has bleed away his last energy reserve performing the Immelmann lead turn.
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Post by BSS_CUDA on Apr 5, 2004 22:08:32 GMT -5
Intermediate Stage I have covered some basic merge ideas. In this section I will be cover the critical evaluation function before the merge, and tactical considerations of merge factors.
1. Evaluation When flying into a situation that might involve a merge situation the first function that the pilot needs to address is the correct evaluation of the factors involved in the merge. These are:
a. Energy State b. nose-on angle c. vertical separation d. horizontal separation e. aircraft capabilities
a. Energy State Evaluating the Energy State of the bogie is always holds a very high priority regardless of the combat situation. This holds true for the merge as well. As a very general rule the attacker with a equal or slightly superior energy state can opt for an angle fight immediately provided he has confidence in himself and the relative turn performance of his aircraft. The attacker who has an inferior energy state has to make a quick judgment whether it is wiser to escape and extend, rather than risk a combat where the bogy begins with a manifest advantage in energy. Again, generally is unwise to continue a combat with a marked energy disadvantage. It is a judgment call on the part of the attacker. The attacker with a substantial energy advantage has the luxury of engaging in several different ways, some of which were mentioned above. He may eschew an angle fight type merge if he wishes, and simply reduce the combat into a pure energy type. In general, as stated before, this is the wise course with a substantial energy advantage regardless of the types of planes involved.
b. Nose-angle: The nose to nose angle on the merge is a clue for the attacker as to who has the potential for immediately angle advantage. In general when merging it is best to "turn into" the attack to reduce the bogie angle on nose in any dimension. This is because the angle on nose can be turned be used as a leg-up in the fight for angle going into the merge and the subsequent maneuvers. If the bogie has nose angle on you from below or to the side of your flight vector it is more dangerous than if he has top hemisphere nose angle. Top hemisphere nose angle is less dangerous because the attacker has a more efficient attitude for an angle turn relative to the bogie. It is important to note that if the bogie has nose angle from below or to the side he most likely has the more efficient turn capability! This is part of the principle involved in lead turns.
Comment: In order not to confuse let me interject a short note. When I am speaking of "efficient turn" here it means that a particular angle on nose one plane or the other may have better turn capability for angle at that instance because of the simple realities of flight. e.g. a plane "under" the opponents flight path only has to pull on the stick to induce the planes elevator to pull the plane into a positive G turn in order to gain angle. The bogie "over" the attacker would have to either pull a negative G turn (not efficient as the number of G's that can be endured during this move is very limited) or first roll then turn. It isn't too hard to see who is going to have the advantage in this fight.
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Post by BSS_CUDA on Apr 5, 2004 22:09:22 GMT -5
c. Vertical Separation: Vertical separation, as stated earlier is important on the merge because using it wisely on a merge will enhance angle gain significantly. In the earlier discussion of the Lead Turn I mentioned that the Veteran would always try to "get under" the bogie before the merge to establish vertical separation. This separation sets him up into a position where he has the more efficient turn to gain angle (as just discussed above).
d. Horizontal separation: Horizontal separation can be used in a subtle way in merge tactics as well. Horizontal separation can be used to favorably increase the nose on angle before the merge. This of course may be used for a snapshot opportunity. The attacker can try to use this nose on angle gained in the pre-merge positively. In essence he can try to make it into a kind of lead turn in the horizontal plane. The bogie will most likely immediately convert the fight into the standard vertical type. However with the horizontal separation an addition variable enters into the fight. The attacker should attempt to press the angle gained in the horizontal as much as possible in subsequent maneuvers. Also of course the bogie will "forget" about the horizontal angle lost, and try to convert the fight into a standard vertical "dueling Immelmann's" type. However the attacker can often convert his horizontal angle favorably by the astute use of a quick roll or angled Immelmann.
e. Airplane Capabilities: Assessing the relative turn performance of your plane vis-a-vis the bogies is also important. Knowing the capabilities of all the planes is vital. Based on that knowledge the risk factor of entering a strict angle fight can be judged. e.g. you may be willing to enter a angle fight Vs a P38j with a Spitfire, but not with a P47!
Scenario 1# - Equal turning Aircraft With aircraft of equal or nearly equal turning capability the decision to enter an angle fight up merge is relatively simple. Do you have the confidence that you can take out your opponent with an acceptable level of risk? The only mitigating factor here would be relative energy state of the combatants. While it is generally poor tactics to enter any combat with an energy disadvantage, the decision to run or fight evolves down to a judgment call. With an energy advantage the attacker can chose to flee at will for most part if he wants to avoid combat. Or he can use his energy advantage to establish a energy combat situation by obtaining an altitude advantage. He may also try to use in energy advantage in an angle combat as well.
Scenario #2- Turn advantage In this Scenario I will cover tactics in the merge when you are flying the better turning aircraft. . In an equal or slightly superior Energy State the attacker in an equal or better turning plane the attacker can immediately concentrate on angle tactics vis a vis energy tactics. He can do this with confidence as he is holding almost all the Aces in this combat. If he is fighting a high-wing loaded bogie with a manifest overall speed advantage he has to be mindful of the expected escape/evasive tactics of his disadvantages opponent. In this situation the attacker has not time to dilly-dally around. He should try to get into gun position as soon as possible before the bogie and build up speed and dive or accelerate away. This is particularly true if the combat is a any type of reasonable altitude, where the faster plane has some diving room. On the deck the defending bogie is in a very poor position as he can only count on his level acceleration and evasive maneuvers to try to elude the better turning plane. In this case the attacker can often be a little more deliberate and set up a high-percentage shot before going for the pay-off
Scenario #3 Turn Disadvantage In a turn disadvantaged merge, the attacker had better have an energy advantage going into the combat! If not he should almost certainly the best tactic to attempt to extend. Even though unpalatable accepting angle combat with a plane with a large turn advantage is generally very unwise. Unfortunately many newer pilots feel honor bound to accept combat in such a situation. This will usually lead to an early demise however. So as a general rule the turn disadvantaged plane should extend with an energy disadvantage or equality, and turn the fight into an energy combat with that energy advantage.
2. Decision Deciding on if to fight or flee on a merge and how to prosecute the fight if it is joined is a snap judgment often involving mere seconds. The advantage of experience is vital as the veteran can simply "react". There is no time to think in such situations. The ability to "react" of course is not magic. It is a judgment based on the results of previous analogous fights and firm understanding of tactics. The newer pilot can build this judgment over time provided he understand the principles of ACM involved. The merge has no magic either. It is most often just a stage of an angle based combat. The wise pilot set the stage for the merge before it happens and sets up his "edge" before the fight ever begins. I have found that among experienced pilots the margin of victory can be a trivial advantage in angle or slight mistake. In such situations every "edge" successfully prosecuted after the merge can be magnified to the margin of victory. Against weaker pilots that initial "edge" usually balloons into a huge advantage allowing the more experienced pilot to very quickly shut the door on his opponent.
For the newer pilots I can offer a last parting piece of advice: The first way out of getting shot down again and again within 20 seconds of the merge is to find out what you are doing wrong! Most of the major mistakes made by new pilots on the merge are simple glaring errors in the understanding of ACM principles. Chances are you are being beaten by a simple lead turn and don't even know it. Learn how to defend against it and to use it yourself, and you will be on the road to understanding the tactics of the merge.
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