Counterturn Considerations

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

Counterturn Considerations

Successful drift control in the counterturn begins with accurate analysis of TA and is aided

by aggressive application of previously learned CT procedures. Still, abnormal drift in the

counterturn may occur. It can be caused by several factors, including misanalysis of TA or poor

drift control. Abnormal drift includes:

(1)

Immediate inward drift with a standard rate turn or less. The bogey is closer to CB

and the TA is less than previously estimated. The fighter must ease or reverse to cool

the bogey off, then allow controlled inward drift to begin.

(2)

Immediate outward drift after the DT. The bogey is farther from CB and more TA

exists than previously estimated. Use a harder turn to bring the bogey back to the

fighter's nose.

In addition to the drift curve, rate of closure (ROC) is very useful in recognition of hot/cold

CTs. For co-speed intercepts flown at 300 KTAS, certain range/ROC gates are helpful. An

actual ROC significantly higher than an ROC gate indicates a hot situation. An actual ROC

significantly less than an ROC gate indicates a cold situation. ROC range gates for VT-86 CTs

are:

Range (nm)

ROC (KTAS)

500___

450___

400___

300___

"Heating up" or "Cooling off" a Counterturn

To correct for a hot counterturn, the fighter can ease the turn or reverse the turn and force

outward (cold) drift. This procedure is called "cooling him off." This is the same as lagging the

bogey more than the ideal drift pattern.

To correct for a cold counterturn, fighter can harden the turn to bring the bogey inside the

ideal drift pattern. It may be necessary to bring the bogey across the nose to the "hot" side of the

scope. This is the same as pulling lead on the bogey. A speed advantage may sometimes be

required. If so, the weapons officer will command a "buster" to ensure rolling out within

Sidewinder range.

Three things to keep in mind:

(1)

Once the fighter has less than 90 DTG, heating of the bogey becomes less effective.

However, cooling is always effective.

(2)

There are no set numbers for how much to heat up or cool off a counterturn; the longer

a bogey is hot, the more it has to be cooled off and vice versa.

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