Flight Planning
Operational Navigation
LOFT
Weapons are released by computer with aircraft in a nose-up attitude so that the weapon is
actually thrown at the target in a ballistic trajectory. Loft maneuvers allow increased distance
between weapon detonation and target area defenses.
POP-UP
The attacker makes a low-level run at the target, pulling up rapidly at a preplanned point to make a
dive delivery. A pop-up may be a roll-ahead or an angle-off. In the roll-ahead, the aircraft remains
on the same heading throughout the attack. In the angle-off, a heading change of 30-60 degrees
at the preplanned point, combined with a hard climb, places the attackers at a roll-in position
similar to what is attained during a practice weapons delivery pattern. This vertical and lateral
displacement further complicates a defender's firing solution.
(4-03) Original
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