Operational Navigation Flight Training Instruction
Two-Plane Road Reconnaissance
THE POP-UP ATTACK
The pop-up maneuver is used to get the aircraft from the recce altitudes up to a roll-in position on the
30-degree attack cone. The reason for the climb is to aid in the acquisition of the target and increase the
accuracy of weapons delivery. The pop-up attack altitudes are the basis for deconfliction during the
simultaneous attack and must be adhered to. However, the pull down altitude may flex based upon the
interception of the 30-degree dive cone. The pull down and apex altitude will be lower if the cone is
reached early due to the late pop execution. In no case should the apex exceed the top of the route
structure. The cruise altitudes flown may differ on different routes. The following example is for the lead's
cruise altitude of 3,000 ft MSL:
LEAD (low):
WING (high):
Combat spread cruise altitude
3,000' MSL
4,000' MSL
Pulldown altitude
5,500' MSL
6,500' MSL
Apex altitude
6,000' MSL
7,000' MSL
Weapon release or recovery initiation altitude
4,000' MSL
5,000' MSL
Recovery altitude
3,000' MSL
No lower than 4,000' MSL
THE POP
The pop-up and cut should be executed at four miles from the target. This 4-mile distance can be
estimated by using the HUD. From the working altitude, as lead, the target will appear to be 10 to 12
degrees below the waterline. If flying level, the -10 degree pitch bar will not be visible in the HUD field of
view but can be easily estimated by doubling the distance of the -5 degree pitch bar. The lead should wait
until the target is located at this -10 to -12 degree depression to execute the pop. An early pop will result
in reaching the pull down and apex altitude prior to reaching the attack cone. If you reach the apex altitude
early, level off and drive toward the target until you meet the attack cone. A late pop will result in reaching
the attack cone prior to the planned pull down and apex altitude. If you are the lead (low profile), and
reach the cone early, execute your roll-in when you reach the attack cone and anticipate that your tracking
time will be reduced due to the lower apex altitude. Large targets will give the perception of being closer
than actual and small targets will give the perception of being farther away.
When either aircraft reaches the pull-up point at four miles, he will call "[call sign] popping" and his lead/
wingman will make his own estimation for his pull-up point and call "[call sign] popping." If the lead has
called "get your nose up," the wingman will pop as directed. The first three of the following procedures will
be executed simultaneously:
1.
Throttle - MRT
2.
Roll approximately 30 degrees angle of bank (AOB and turn determined by relative target position)
3.
17 unit pull in the oblique to 30 degrees nose up (hold nose up attitude until roll in or level off)
4.
Once 30 degrees nose up roll wings level, reacquire the target and place it at 10 o'clock or
2 o'clock. The target will appear to be just aft of the canopy bow. Once in the pop, analyze the
target position and distance continuing to adjust as required to intercept the attack cone near the
apex altitude.
5.
Begin to scan from the target over to the wingman and then your altitude and repeat this scan until
you reach the attack cone or apex altitude. (Figure 15)
(7-99) Original
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