During AFJT#3 and #4 pilots will begin to learn the basics of beyond visual range air to air combat. BVR combat could almost be described as ‘procedural’ and it is important to be aware of the flow of a BVR engagement from the beginning through to its termination. The information below is a heavily edited version of an excellent document that can still be found on the internet called; ‘The A-A Handbook’, written by Capt. Chris ‘Dax’ Widick.
Intro
If properly executed, a BVR engagement should remain a BVR engagement through its entirety. The Five Basic Stages (in chronological order) are:
1. Awareness and Detection
2. Sorting
3. Intercept & Engage
4. Defensive Response
5. Kill Confirmation
Awareness & Detection
The difference between Awareness and Detection, must first be explained. Awareness, is the pilot’s ability to know, suspect or be aware of an aircraft that exists somewhere in the relatively near vicinity, though it may not have, as yet, been detected. Detection, for the purposes of this discussion, will be defined as a confirmed radar contact and/or ‘strober’ indication, unknown or thought to be potentially hostile.
Awareness may come from a variety of sources. AWACS is most often your first indication that a potential threat exists. Awareness may also come from other flights, whether they be AI or Human who may broadcast bandit contact information on the tactical UFH frequency. The data link/MIDS data displayed on the HSD is also a tool for awareness (although is also used for detection).
There are four primary methods of detection, Radar, Visual, AWACS declaration and data link/MIDS IIF data sharing.
Flight leads will decide during this phase if a bandit/contact needs to be engaged or not.
Sorting
Once the decision has been made to begin an engagement the next task it to effectively sort the bandits. The primary goal is to ensure that each flight member is aware of and has a positive ID on their bandit and/or area of responsibility within the fight.
During a Sort, the flight lead will (typically) aim to provide each aircraft within their flight with unique targets to engage (to prevent missile wastage/overkill). A sort can be conducted in several ways. The lateral sort provides sorting based on the contact(s) position left and right. Vertical sorts are based on the contact(s) altitude. Distance sorts are based on the contact(s) distance (near/far or lead/behind). More complicated pictures may require a combination of sort types. Sorts can also be directed via the data link.
If a pilot is not clear on their assigned target, they should request further clarification.
Intercept & Engage
Once the Flight Lead determines the contacts are hostile and are either a threat to the flight/package/mission the intercept begins and the flight lead will begin to manoeuvre the flight to achieve tactical advantage. The flight lead will also define how/when the element/flight will release its weapons.
Once each pilot has reached a desirable weapons release point and has met any conditions stated by the flight lead, pilots will release weapons.
Do not call weapons releases on Uniform, and only call weapon releases on Victor where comms traffic is light. Calling missile shots at this stage is not a priority.
Defensive Response
The defensive response phase requires pilots to manoeuvre in such a way as to maximise the probability of kill (P/k) of their missile whilst also seeking to maximise the survivability of their own aircraft. This becomes a balancing act of when to hold a radar lock vs. when to snip the missile and move from a crank to notching or even pumping. Remember, you can’t fight if you have been shot down. Pilots should call their defensive response manoeuvres on Victor where possible.
Always remember, respect and observe the MAR of each threat.
Kill Confirmation
The final basic stage in a BVR engagement is crucial, yet often surprisingly difficult. Just because a hit is expected/desirable this does not necessarily make it so - assumed kills have a nasty habit ‘coming back to life’.
Targets often fade from radar, RWR indications can be lost for a variety of reasons and it is often easy to mistake someone else’s kill for yours. Also, remember that a damaged aircraft is not necessarily a defeated aircraft! Seek to gain more than one form of confirmation of the destruction of your target – if at all possible. Sometimes you are forced to notch or pump and will almost certainly loose the ability to confirm any kills.
Until such time as the kills can be properly confirmed, pilots should assume they are defending against the same threats and prepare for re-engagement, support or separation. Flight leads will make a ‘Grandslam’ call on tactical once all aircraft from a group have been destroyed, or call ‘Leakers’ as appropriate.
- Board index Front Line Squadrons 3(F) Squadron Training Viper School AFJT (Advanced Fast Jet Training)
1: BVR Engagement Flow
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