Air Combat Maneuvering
Flight Procedures
aircraft to gain a quick advantage. By doing this, you will find it harder to keep the nose above the
horizon, which means you will have to execute reversals with more rudder. Additionally, with your
nose below the horizon, airspeed will increase leading to the tendency to use excessive back stick,
which then leads to an increased AOA beyond the optimum performance level bleeding off energy.
The combination of these errors will increase your down-range travel to a point where you not only
lose some advantage, but you may even end up defensive. Assuming you keep the aircraft close to
these parameters, the possibility exists for a raking-guns shot as the bandit crosses your nose.
During these attempts, do not compromise your offensive advantage.
BARREL ROLL ATTACK
The barrel roll attack (BRA), Figure 16, is used in medium-to-high angle off situations outside
4,000 ft. It utilizes all maneuvering planes to reduce the aircraft’s closure and horizontal turn radius
while maneuvering to an optimum weapons envelope with minimum energy loss. The BRA, like the
displacement roll, reduces angle off by displacing the aircraft to a different maneuvering plane.
Because of the high angle-off situation and the limited zoom capability of the T-45A, the BRA is a
marginal tactic against a counter-maneuvering bandit. Therefore, it would be best utilized against a
bandit unaware of your presence.
2
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
Defender
3
1
3
Attacker
Figure 16: BARREL ROLL ATTACK
You will set up for the BRA using a medium-angle perch of 70-80 degrees angle off at 1/2 to 3/4
nautical mile, and a 1,000-ft step up above the bandit. When cleared in off the perch, pull approxi-
mately 30 degrees nose-up while pulling into the bandit and aft toward his 6 o’clock. This will be
similar to the barrel roll you performed in the FAM stage, but at higher (i.e., more aggressive) angle
of attack. Attempting the BRA inside the 4,000-ft criterion will almost guarantee an overshoot.
(10-98) Original
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