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Basic Aircraft Combat Maneuvering (ACM) and Wingman Tactics

An overview of information provided by Rolex and WideWing in the wingman training session for the 332nd Flying Mongrels

With additional information from “Fighter Combat tactics and Maneuvering” by Robert L. Shaw

I’d also like to thank Morfiend, Ghosth, and Bison for their help in preparing this presentation.

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Index

Index 2

Introduction 3

List of Acronyms 4

Basic ACM 5

Wingman Tactics 27

Sources 46

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IntroductionThis presentation is intended to give you a brief overview of basic ACM maneuvers as well as basic wingman tactics from a visual

perspective. It is not intended to be a sole source of information as to how best to perform each maneuver or to give specific

recommendations on speeds or other performance data.

Each maneuver will be broken down into individual numbered steps. You will see the numbers in the upper right corner of each

illustration. The text to the right will explain the important points for that step. Additional information about variations and alternative

uses may also be present.

The information contained in this presentation came from several documented sources as well as lessons learned from the Aces High

Training Corps. Without their tireless efforts and patience these lessons could not have been passed on.

Any open gap was filled with images from the 332nd Fighter Group. The first several are from an aircraft nose art book I’ve had for

several years.

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AcronymsAC Aerodynamic Center

ACM Air Combat Maneuvering

AOA Angle Of Attack

AON Angle Off the Nose

AOT Angle Off the Tail

BFM Basic Flight Maneuver

CAP Combat Air Patrol

CG Center of Gravity

FQ Forward Quarter

G acceleration in gravity units

GBL Gun-Bore Line

H Altitude

LOS Line Of Sight

RQ Rear Quarter

TOF Time Of Flight

TR Turn Rate

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Section 1 -Basic ACM

Lead Pursuit Curve 6

Pure Pursuit Curve 8

Lag Pursuit Curve 10

Immelmann 12

Split S 14

Flat Scissors 16

High Yo-Yo 18

Low Yo-Yo 21

Defensive Barrel Roll 24

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Lead Pursuit CurveThe lead pursuit curve is when you place your aircraft’s

nose in front of the target

Provides the best closure rate

Ideally your aircrafts nose is pointed at the “collision point”

Can be used in the vertical plane as well as a horizontal

turn

This can be determined by looking at the target in relation

to a fixed point on your aircraft, such as a canopy frame,

and setting up for a constant bearing and decreasing

range

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Lead Pursuit CurveOne of the main drawbacks to a lead pursuit curve is that

the target may “disappear” under the nose of your aircraft

Make sure to set the best possible head views to maintain

sight of the target or you can wind up like the attacker in

this shot

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Pure Pursuit CurvePure pursuit is when you maintain your aircraft’s nose

directly on the target

It allows for better closure than a lag pursuit curve

Better than Lead Pursuit when closure rate is very high

Presents the smallest visual target to the enemy

Reduced chance of an overshoot compared to Lead

Pursuit

Provides for a more gradual change in angle to targets tail

(AOT) than a lead pursuit curve

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Pure Pursuit CurveAs you can see this allows for a much better intercept shot

than a lag pursuit curve

Also good when trying to equalize energy state with the

target

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Lag Pursuit CurveA lag pursuit curve is one where your aircraft’s nose is at

an angle behind your target

It allows for good visibility of target

Good for letting the target “wear” himself out

In a true Lag Pursuit curve you fly to where the target turns

then begin your turn

“Fly to the elbow, fly all the way home.”

It’s useful when you are trying to slow the closure rate with

your target

It has several drawback’s relating to target speed and

maneuverability so it should only be used as a temporary

measure

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Lag Pursuit CurveAs you can see the target was able to increase it’s flight

path separation and increase it distance away from the

attack

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ImmelmannPrior to initiating maneuver ensure proper airspeed

Minimum airspeed will vary from plane to plane

Minimum airspeed will vary dependant to aircraft load out

Begin maneuver by smoothly and firmly pulling back on

the stick

If the plane has a G meter look for between 3-4 G’s

Look for horizon to appear in your “UP” view

Look at your wing tips to the horizon to ensure that you are

not rolling off to one side or the other

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ImmelmannContinue to pull back on stick to complete the vertical

component of the maneuver

You may reduce the pull to increase your altitude gain

BUT make sure to have sufficient airspeed to complete the

maneuver

When you see the horizon in your “FRONT” view push the

stick forward to maintain level flight

Once established in level inverted flight roll the plane over

to complete the maneuver

Roll left or right depending on the particular aircraft

Rolling with the engine (propeller) rotation is generally

faster than roll against it

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Split SThe split S is similar to an Immelmann but in reverse

It is very useful as a defensive maneuver to escape from

an attacker

Make sure you have sufficient altitude to complete the

maneuver

Generally, for a given aircraft, you will need 4 times as

much altitude if you are going twice as fast

For example if your plane is going 100mph and requires

200 feet of altitude to complete the maneuver, than at

200mph you’d need 800 feet of altitude to complete the

same move

Roll inverted to start the maneuver

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Split SPull firmly back on the stick to begin the decent

If you are using this as a defensive maneuver it’s best to

make this a maximum effort pull

This portion of the maneuver can also be used to vertically

dive bomb a ground target

As this example illustrates you can also roll to add a

downward vertical turn to aid in your evasion from the

enemy threat

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Flat ScissorsThis maneuver is used when you have an enemy

approaching from behind

You want to initiate this maneuver before the enemy has a

chance to get directly behind you

Begin by making a maximum effort turn into the enemy

This turn should be from 45 to 90 degrees

Be sure to keep visual contact with the enemy

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Flat ScissorsAs the enemy begins to turn towards you, initiate another

maximum effort turn back into the enemy

Be sure to use all the capability of your aircraft to

maximize each turn

This can include; flaps, dive breaks, throttle or even your

landing gear

Continue with these turns until you can either get an

advantage and take a shot or extend away and reestablish

the fight

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High Yo-YoThe High Yo-Yo is used when approaching a target that

has a turn advantage. It can also be used anytime to

create an “out of plane” separation with your target

When you see the target begin a turn pull up towards the

vertical and roll to maintain visual contact with the target

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High Yo-YoAs the target continues the turn, you can continue to roll

and pull your nose toward the target

This will eventually bring you around to dive for a RQ shot

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High Yo-YoUse your energy advantage to position yourself for the

shot

If the target continues to turn you can perform the

maneuver again or follow with a Low Yo-Yo

Don’t allow the target to use your dive against you

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Low Yo-YoAgain you are attacking a target with a potential turn

advantage you can try a Low Yo-Yo

This time roll and dive under the target

Make sure to keep visual track of the enemy

During this step you will be gaining speed and developing

an energy advantage

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Low Yo-YoBegin to pull up towards the target

Buy this point you should just about have your nose on the

target

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Low Yo-YoGet the proper lead angle and take your shot

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Defensive Barrel RollThe defensive barrel roll is a “last ditch” defensive

maneuver when a enemy is quickly approaching with an

energy advantage.

Begin by gently turning into the enemy

When the target is about 1K to 800 yards away, increase

to a maximum effort turn into the target

As the target crosses your tail quickly roll the opposite way

from your turn and pull up into a barrel roll

During this step there is a potential for the enemy to get a

hi deflection shot at you

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Defensive Barrel RollThis should provide for a significant separation from the

target and potentially give you an altitude advantage

At this point the target may pull into a barrel roll and then

you would be performing the “rolling scissors” maneuver

As this image illustrates the enemy has continued on with

his energy advantage

This would allow you to continue to pull your aircrafts

nose thru the roll and position for your shot

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Defensive Barrel RollBy this step you can engage or disengage as needed

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Section 2 - Basic Wingman Tactics

Wingman Tactics 28

Loose Deuce and Combat Spread 29

Tactical Turn (tacturn) 31

Cross Turn (xturn) 33

Bracket Attack 35

Defensive Split 38

The Sandwich 41

The Heart Attack 43

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Wingman TacticsThere are several reasons why you should fly with a wingman.

Better chance of a successful attack

Better chance of survival in a defensive situation

Better Situational Awareness

Communications are VITAL to the wingman team’s success. These communications MUST be brief, clear, and to the point. The words

and phrases that are used should be worked out prior to engaging the enemy.

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Loose DeuceLoose Deuce is an “Offensive” minded maneuvering

philosophy

Two roles- Engaged Fighter and Free Fighter

Responsible for visual scan towards your wingman

No more than 1.5k separation

The plane on the right is the lead plane (when viewed from

above)

Each plane will take lead as maneuvering dictates

1 to 1.5k Separation

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Loose DeuceIt’s important to stay out of phase and out of plane with your wingman, to limit blind spots and prevent one attack hitting both planesThe bracket attack is the bread and butter of the Loose Deuce formationWhen engaged the free fighter communicates to the engaged fighter what is required for the next shot as well as overall SAThe free fighter is building “E” while not engagedOnce the free fighter commences his next attack, he may call the engaged fighter “off” and they will swap roles

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The Tactical Turn (tacturn)The Lead calls for a 90 degree turn to the right

The outside pilot immediately performs the turn to the right

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The Tactical Turn (tacturn)The lead continues on his original heading

Once the wingman crosses the leads flight path the lead

then commences his turn

The turn is complete once both aircraft are established on

the new heading

It is important to note that the Lead and Wing have now

changed places

The role of lead and wing are now reversed until the next

maneuver that changes the positions

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The Cross Turn (xturn)The lead calls for a cross turn

Both pilots roll and turn into each other

This can also be performed using a high and low Yo-Yo

When done in this manner it’s referred to as a “reverse

shackle”

Both planes continue to pull thru their respective turns

At this point there is a reduction in visibility

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The Cross Turn (xturn)Continue to turn and roll out on new heading

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The Bracket AttackThis is the “Bead and Butter” attack for the wingman team

This is the preferred attack for 90% of all engagements

Lead calls for bracket

Both Aircraft roll and turn away from each other to get

“outside” the target

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The Bracket AttackThe key is to maintain visibility on the target and quickly

establish which wingman the enemy is engaging

Once the call for engagement is made, both aircraft should

turn into the enemy

At this point there is a possibility that the enemy may be

able to get a deflection shot at the “engaged fighter”

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The Bracket AttackThe “Free Fighter” should continue the turn and position

for a shot

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The Defensive SplitManeuver begins with call for defensive split

Each aircraft rolls and turns away from each other (about

90 degrees)

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The Defensive SplitAgain the key is to maintain visual contact with the enemy

and determine who is under attack

The engaged fighter should continue to pull thru the turn

and avoid any potential shot

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The Defensive SplitThe free fighter MUST immediately reverse his turn and

position for a shot on the enemy

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The SandwichThe sandwich is another defensive maneuver for when the

wingman team can establish who is under attack from a

greater distance

The call is made and both planes roll into a turn in the

same direction

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The SandwichThis should allow the free fighter to setup for a rear quarter

shot on the enemy

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The Heart AttackThis is the “reverse isolation pincer” that WideWing

described

It’s a classic 2 v 2

On the call both aircraft split just like a bracket attack

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The Heart AttackAs the enemy’s commit to each target, continue to bring

your aircrafts nose around

Make sure to keep visual contact with both enemy planes

At this point call for the switch and pick up the other

enemy aircraft ( the one that was turning with your

wingman)

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The Heart AttackYou should now be positioned for a RQ shot on the enemy

If you look at your flight path from above it looks like a

heart, and that’s why it’s more commonly called the heart

attack

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SourcesStill to be completed