Figure 9-15 Turn Circle

CHAPTER NINE

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERING (BFM) THEORY

Range - the linear distance from the gun to the target. A valid guns shot needs to be within the

guns envelope range.

Lead - the "pipper" (gun sight) must be ahead of the target to project the bullets ahead of the

target. Like a quarterback leading a receiver, a valid guns shot will require sufficient lead to

compensate for the forward velocity of the target and the bullets' time of flight.

1V1 BFM Concepts

With the basic theory of energy, maneuverability, and pursuit geometry covered, we will next

discuss the fundamental tactics and maneuvers of BFM. This section will introduce the classic

fighter versus fighter maneuvers and discuss their employment in both staged and dynamic

situations. The fundamentals presented in this section will be the basis of the fights you will be

directing during the 1V1 BFM engagements in the syllabus.

The Turn Circle And BFM

With the information already provided, we will discuss maneuvering in terms of the turn circle.

The turn circle is the basis of BFM, and a thorough understanding of the factors affecting key

turn circle parameters is required. In figure 9-15 below, the turn circle of an aircraft and the

corresponding radius is depicted. Any change in the radius will directly affect the size of the

turn circle and the location of the center point of the circle. If an aircraft is performing to its

maximum turn radius capability, or developing its minimum radius turn, it is unable to turn any

tighter. This seems obvious, but it illustrates an important point: An aircraft cannot turn inside

its own turn circle. This means that any aircraft inside the fighter's turn circle is, at least

momentarily, immune from attack from that aircraft. This is important to note both offensively

and defensively.

Figure 9-15 Turn Circle

If we put a point on the aircraft's turn circle and one turn radius behind it, we would be

capitalizing on the point we just made. If an aircraft is incapable of turning inside its own turn

circle, it is equally incapable of turning to engage an aircraft 1 turn radius behind it if that aircraft

is on his turn circle (Point A in figure 9-16).

9-20

BASIC FIGHTER MANEUVERING (BFM) THEORY