Step 1: Starting Point: Unknowns

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

(3) If a bogey is not on collision bearing, it will always drift away from collision bearing at

a predictable rate, based on range and degrees off collision bearing.

(4) As the range decreases, the degrees a bogey is off collision bearing increases, and the

rate at which the bogey will drift increases.

Step 1: Starting Point: Unknowns

The first step is to determine an initial fighter heading. Steady on a heading with the bogey

bearing on the nose based on GCI information given at the start of the fight. The starting point

for drift analysis places the bogey on the fighter's nose, estimating a zero cut. It is no longer

necessary to steady up on a heading ending in zero. If the bogey bears 337, then the fighter

should steady on a heading of 337. If GCI indicates drift while in the turn, update the steady

heading accordingly. If GCI is giving Bullseye calls, the fighter must correlate roughly where

the bogey is, search for and gain a radar contact, and then steady up with the contact on the

fighter's nose. Once steadied up with the bogey on the nose, there will be no further heading

changes until the completion of step 2.

Step 2: Drift Analysis

The single most important piece of information required to successfully intercept a target

with an unknown heading is DOP! Of course, accurate TA determination is ideal and required

for a forward quarter shot opportunity. However, a successful reattack can be accomplished

merely with correct knowledge of DOP. Even if TAA is way off, with a displacement turn made

on the correct side of flight path, the counterturn may be adjusted for hot or cold situations

enough to arrive in the rear quarter in LAR for a F-2.

Once the fighter is wings level, the scope can be used for drift analysis. The weapons officer

will first mentally correlate the radar contact with GCI information. Then, to be sure that the

analysis is accurate, analyze the drift for a sufficient amount of time (usually 2-4nm) before

making a correction. If the bogey drifts to the right, there is right TA and the DOP is left-to-

right. If the bogey drifts to the left, there is left TA and the DOP is right-to-left. If the bogey

does not drift at all, TA is zero or close to it, and the fighter should remain on the present

heading.

Drift Analysis from GCI, Determining DOP

If radar contact is not established by 25nm, the operator may tell the controller to "Go

tactical" or "Go BRA for ______(own callsign)," at which time GCI should provide tactical BRA

calls for the fighter. Your controller will call drift according to the picture on his own radar

scope. Use this GCI information to determine DOP. If radar contact is established after going

tactical, continue to analyze the DOP using the GCI information and the scope. If the target

appears to be drifting in a direction contrary to GCI (while wings level), then make the

correction according to the observed drift on the radar scope.

122