The Sidewinder Reattack

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

The Sidewinder Reattack

Following the Fox-1 call, the fighter may displace immediately, but in no case should the DT

be delayed beyond the minimum ranges listed on the lead AO chart. This allows the fighter 4

nm to place the bogey at the proper lead AO, acquire a lock, and achieve the shot before DT

minimums are reached. If a shot cannot be taken, the Sidewinder reattack becomes the priority.

The reattack is conducted no differently than what the fighter has been doing up to this point.

The DT and CT are still conducted in the same manner as before. However, the new concept of

minimum displacement is introduced. If the fighter is behind the time line, or waiting for the dot

to drift into the ASE circle, the DT may be delayed until minimum displacement range. The

fighter must compensate for the "hot situation" that will develop if the displacement turn is

delayed past minimum displacement. As a general rule of thumb, 5 of over-displacement for

every 1nm the DT is delayed is sufficient to cool the intercept back to a controllable counterturn.

The criteria for shooting a Fox-2 is no different either, although the criteria for locking the bogey

only exists if there has been no lock acquired for the Fox-1 shot.

When the fighter is through the 90 DTG position, command the pilot to "select Sidewinder."

This simulates the necessary weapons system switch from Sparrow to Sidewinder on the pilot's

control stick. Here at VT-86, the student must select the proper missile using the softkeys on the

radar display. Ensure A9 is displayed, and pass the Dot whenever the target is within the

established parameters.

"Courage atrophies from lack of use."

Author unknown

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