"FOX 2" or Sidewinder Criteria

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

As the fighter enters the bogey's rear quarter, drift becomes progressively more a function of

the fighter's actions. The turn rate required to keep the bogey on the nose will lessen.

Appropriate directive commentary to ease the turn must be given to keep the bogey as close

to the nose as possible. At this point in a pursuit intercept, the fighter should be trying to achieve

a radar lock, ideally before rolling out in the rear quarter. Criteria for locking up the bogey in a

pursuit (Pulse Search/PLS only) intercept are as follows:

(1)

Through the 90 DTG position

(2)

Hard turn or less

(3)

Drift stabilized

(4)

Good spotlight

When the fighter has closure of 100 kts or less, control of the intercept may be passed to the

pilot. Criteria for "passing the dot" are as follows:

"FOX 2" or Sidewinder Criteria

(1)

Bogey locked up (STT).

(2)

In range (.5 to 1.5 nm).

(3)

Pitch + 8 (dot inside the ASE circle).

(4)

Azimuth + 8

(dot inside the ASE circle).

(5)

Closure 0 - 100 kts (no opening).

(6)

Drift stabilized (slight inward drift OK).

(7)

Hard turn or less.

When the fighter is in the bogey's rear quarter, the flight path is very predictable. A timely

shot by the fighter will minimize exposure to the enemy in this position.

Intercept Sequence

The preceding procedures are applicable to all reattack/pursuit intercepts. Basically, the

weapons officer must manage the dual tasks of stabilizing and controlling a very dynamic

situation while physically manipulating the radar. These tasks are delineated below. The left-

hand column represents the actions required to control the geometry while the right hand column

lists the tasks associated with operating the radar and making the necessary commentary. It

should be re-emphasized that a logical, disciplined approach is the only way to satisfactorily

control the numerous variables of the airborne intercept.