超级军网短文翻译：战斗机的导弹
来源：百度文库 编辑：超级军网 时间：2024/04/28 07:17:06
老文了，里面的众多例子还是值得一看的。
作者：Bill Sweetman
新一代战斗机如欧洲三贱客和F-22等都已经投入服役，大家更多的把眼光放到战斗机的性能中，如隐身、超音速机动性等，却比较少关注一些能引起空战革命性变化的细节与导弹装备战机以来最重要的变化。
这10年里，不少在役战机都装备了更新更致命的导弹，新的雷达与电子系统使战机更容易在目视范围之外发现和判别敌机。一些战机还装有数据链使他们能做到其他战机所做不到的分享战术信息，空战中以编队各自为战的局面正在被打破，但还是没什么人能意识到这一切是怎么发生的。
空空导弹技术决定了空战的范围与广度，拥有最长接战记录的兰德公司战斗机分析师Ben Lambeth 回想起96年在佛罗里达Eglin空军基地的一次4 VS 4模拟对抗，4架带着AIM-120的F-15对4架另外的F-15，模拟带着R-27与R-73的MIG-29。“我没确认敌人，很少见到自己的僚机，我们很少做3G以上的机动，也没倒飞，只有漫天乱飞的导弹与击坠”。
这个模拟空战反应了现今的技术水平，视距外空战（BVR）与视距内空战（WVR）是分开的。英国航宇系统公司（BAE）一份影响了英国政府决定采购流星的报告称：在40公里外的目标可以毫无顾虑的机动而不必担心空空导弹的威胁。这份报告得到了前美国海军飞行员、《Fighter Combat Tactics》作者Robert Shaw的支持，他说：“没有在最大射程处闪不开的导弹”。
BAE的报告对当今（西方）导弹进行了评估，认为15-40公里是大多数中距弹的发射距离，而格斗弹不单缺乏能量，而且缺乏速度让他们无法对8公里外目标产生威胁。这也就是说，存在一个8-15公里的区间，在这个区间敌人依然可以在觉得格斗没胜算时先开火，避免进入格斗（估计是指R-73之于西方的射程优势）。
下一代中距弹如流星之类的关键是射程，关键的关键是末动能，这能让导弹的不可逃逸区大大增加，在这个区域中飞机将无法摆脱导弹的攻击。流星在0-80公里处的杀伤概率几乎是一个常数。有一种观点认为由于在远距离上很难确认目标，特别是在复杂环境下，所以流星装上了双向数据链。
美国波音公司加入了流星导弹计划尝试扩展美国市场，但F-22对流星的需求并没有其他战机那么迫切。美国F-22首席测试飞行员Paul Metz 证实F-22的速度实际上等于让导弹多一个助推器，在1.5M速度、高度比目标高的情况下，导弹比同样高度但亚音速下发射提升了50%的射程。
新一代格斗弹比响尾蛇导弹更快，有着新的不会因为高速摩擦而致盲的红外导引头原料。在使用红外成像技术后，他们对没开加力的战机的有效距离和以前导引头对加力战机的距离一样。在某些环境下，这些新格斗弹也能当中距弹用，借助战机的各种传感器，能让这些格斗弹在12-20公里处锁定目标。从而，目标将从80公里处陷入流星导弹的不可逃逸区，而BAE报告里那个8-15公里的区间也会被新格斗弹所覆盖。假如进入格斗，首先退出的一方将会把屁股完全暴露给另外一方，新一代的格斗弹发射时不再需要将鸡头正对敌人，导弹导引头视场范围内的目标都能通过头瞄锁定。
根据某消息来源，巴尔干半岛的美国海军陆战队F-18战机用响尾蛇导弹与以色列空军战机+怪蛇3 4导弹进行模拟格斗，其结果不堪入目。IDR的消息来源称以色列空军（锁定F-18的次数）领先对手220到240次。（以色列人真是变态）
在这次模拟战还有其他模拟中可以得到相似的结论：头瞄和高性能格斗弹都是不可或缺的；第二个结论就是格斗战只会变得越来越危险。Shaw说：当我们能向90度扇面内的目标开火的时候，格斗战就会变得越来越少。最近的接战历史也说明了the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky（这句怎么翻才贴切）,已经变得越来越少。一位防务专家说：我们很少见到象以前那样随便拉高G的战例了，这种高G格斗值得锻炼，但不值得提倡。第三个结论则是：视距内空战是平等的。一位前海军飞行员说装有头瞄与新格斗弹的MIG-21 F-5与F-22在1对1格斗中毫不逊色。兰德公司的Lambeth则说，视距内空战时重型战机会更笨重一些，就如F-14多次被F-5打下，如果F-22要进入格斗战，其超音速机动性将无法发挥。但无论如何，IDR的专家都认为战机应该具有格斗能力，包括保留机炮。老文了，里面的众多例子还是值得一看的。
作者：Bill Sweetman
新一代战斗机如欧洲三贱客和F-22等都已经投入服役，大家更多的把眼光放到战斗机的性能中，如隐身、超音速机动性等，却比较少关注一些能引起空战革命性变化的细节与导弹装备战机以来最重要的变化。
这10年里，不少在役战机都装备了更新更致命的导弹，新的雷达与电子系统使战机更容易在目视范围之外发现和判别敌机。一些战机还装有数据链使他们能做到其他战机所做不到的分享战术信息，空战中以编队各自为战的局面正在被打破，但还是没什么人能意识到这一切是怎么发生的。
空空导弹技术决定了空战的范围与广度，拥有最长接战记录的兰德公司战斗机分析师Ben Lambeth 回想起96年在佛罗里达Eglin空军基地的一次4 VS 4模拟对抗，4架带着AIM-120的F-15对4架另外的F-15，模拟带着R-27与R-73的MIG-29。“我没确认敌人，很少见到自己的僚机，我们很少做3G以上的机动，也没倒飞，只有漫天乱飞的导弹与击坠”。
这个模拟空战反应了现今的技术水平，视距外空战（BVR）与视距内空战（WVR）是分开的。英国航宇系统公司（BAE）一份影响了英国政府决定采购流星的报告称：在40公里外的目标可以毫无顾虑的机动而不必担心空空导弹的威胁。这份报告得到了前美国海军飞行员、《Fighter Combat Tactics》作者Robert Shaw的支持，他说：“没有在最大射程处闪不开的导弹”。
BAE的报告对当今（西方）导弹进行了评估，认为15-40公里是大多数中距弹的发射距离，而格斗弹不单缺乏能量，而且缺乏速度让他们无法对8公里外目标产生威胁。这也就是说，存在一个8-15公里的区间，在这个区间敌人依然可以在觉得格斗没胜算时先开火，避免进入格斗（估计是指R-73之于西方的射程优势）。
下一代中距弹如流星之类的关键是射程，关键的关键是末动能，这能让导弹的不可逃逸区大大增加，在这个区域中飞机将无法摆脱导弹的攻击。流星在0-80公里处的杀伤概率几乎是一个常数。有一种观点认为由于在远距离上很难确认目标，特别是在复杂环境下，所以流星装上了双向数据链。
美国波音公司加入了流星导弹计划尝试扩展美国市场，但F-22对流星的需求并没有其他战机那么迫切。美国F-22首席测试飞行员Paul Metz 证实F-22的速度实际上等于让导弹多一个助推器，在1.5M速度、高度比目标高的情况下，导弹比同样高度但亚音速下发射提升了50%的射程。
新一代格斗弹比响尾蛇导弹更快，有着新的不会因为高速摩擦而致盲的红外导引头原料。在使用红外成像技术后，他们对没开加力的战机的有效距离和以前导引头对加力战机的距离一样。在某些环境下，这些新格斗弹也能当中距弹用，借助战机的各种传感器，能让这些格斗弹在12-20公里处锁定目标。从而，目标将从80公里处陷入流星导弹的不可逃逸区，而BAE报告里那个8-15公里的区间也会被新格斗弹所覆盖。假如进入格斗，首先退出的一方将会把屁股完全暴露给另外一方，新一代的格斗弹发射时不再需要将鸡头正对敌人，导弹导引头视场范围内的目标都能通过头瞄锁定。
根据某消息来源，巴尔干半岛的美国海军陆战队F-18战机用响尾蛇导弹与以色列空军战机+怪蛇3 4导弹进行模拟格斗，其结果不堪入目。IDR的消息来源称以色列空军（锁定F-18的次数）领先对手220到240次。（以色列人真是变态）
在这次模拟战还有其他模拟中可以得到相似的结论：头瞄和高性能格斗弹都是不可或缺的；第二个结论就是格斗战只会变得越来越危险。Shaw说：当我们能向90度扇面内的目标开火的时候，格斗战就会变得越来越少。最近的接战历史也说明了the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky（这句怎么翻才贴切）,已经变得越来越少。一位防务专家说：我们很少见到象以前那样随便拉高G的战例了，这种高G格斗值得锻炼，但不值得提倡。第三个结论则是：视距内空战是平等的。一位前海军飞行员说装有头瞄与新格斗弹的MIG-21 F-5与F-22在1对1格斗中毫不逊色。兰德公司的Lambeth则说，视距内空战时重型战机会更笨重一些，就如F-14多次被F-5打下，如果F-22要进入格斗战，其超音速机动性将无法发挥。但无论如何，IDR的专家都认为战机应该具有格斗能力，包括保留机炮。
作者：Bill Sweetman
新一代战斗机如欧洲三贱客和F-22等都已经投入服役，大家更多的把眼光放到战斗机的性能中，如隐身、超音速机动性等，却比较少关注一些能引起空战革命性变化的细节与导弹装备战机以来最重要的变化。
这10年里，不少在役战机都装备了更新更致命的导弹，新的雷达与电子系统使战机更容易在目视范围之外发现和判别敌机。一些战机还装有数据链使他们能做到其他战机所做不到的分享战术信息，空战中以编队各自为战的局面正在被打破，但还是没什么人能意识到这一切是怎么发生的。
空空导弹技术决定了空战的范围与广度，拥有最长接战记录的兰德公司战斗机分析师Ben Lambeth 回想起96年在佛罗里达Eglin空军基地的一次4 VS 4模拟对抗，4架带着AIM-120的F-15对4架另外的F-15，模拟带着R-27与R-73的MIG-29。“我没确认敌人，很少见到自己的僚机，我们很少做3G以上的机动，也没倒飞，只有漫天乱飞的导弹与击坠”。
这个模拟空战反应了现今的技术水平，视距外空战（BVR）与视距内空战（WVR）是分开的。英国航宇系统公司（BAE）一份影响了英国政府决定采购流星的报告称：在40公里外的目标可以毫无顾虑的机动而不必担心空空导弹的威胁。这份报告得到了前美国海军飞行员、《Fighter Combat Tactics》作者Robert Shaw的支持，他说：“没有在最大射程处闪不开的导弹”。
BAE的报告对当今（西方）导弹进行了评估，认为15-40公里是大多数中距弹的发射距离，而格斗弹不单缺乏能量，而且缺乏速度让他们无法对8公里外目标产生威胁。这也就是说，存在一个8-15公里的区间，在这个区间敌人依然可以在觉得格斗没胜算时先开火，避免进入格斗（估计是指R-73之于西方的射程优势）。
下一代中距弹如流星之类的关键是射程，关键的关键是末动能，这能让导弹的不可逃逸区大大增加，在这个区域中飞机将无法摆脱导弹的攻击。流星在0-80公里处的杀伤概率几乎是一个常数。有一种观点认为由于在远距离上很难确认目标，特别是在复杂环境下，所以流星装上了双向数据链。
美国波音公司加入了流星导弹计划尝试扩展美国市场，但F-22对流星的需求并没有其他战机那么迫切。美国F-22首席测试飞行员Paul Metz 证实F-22的速度实际上等于让导弹多一个助推器，在1.5M速度、高度比目标高的情况下，导弹比同样高度但亚音速下发射提升了50%的射程。
新一代格斗弹比响尾蛇导弹更快，有着新的不会因为高速摩擦而致盲的红外导引头原料。在使用红外成像技术后，他们对没开加力的战机的有效距离和以前导引头对加力战机的距离一样。在某些环境下，这些新格斗弹也能当中距弹用，借助战机的各种传感器，能让这些格斗弹在12-20公里处锁定目标。从而，目标将从80公里处陷入流星导弹的不可逃逸区，而BAE报告里那个8-15公里的区间也会被新格斗弹所覆盖。假如进入格斗，首先退出的一方将会把屁股完全暴露给另外一方，新一代的格斗弹发射时不再需要将鸡头正对敌人，导弹导引头视场范围内的目标都能通过头瞄锁定。
根据某消息来源，巴尔干半岛的美国海军陆战队F-18战机用响尾蛇导弹与以色列空军战机+怪蛇3 4导弹进行模拟格斗，其结果不堪入目。IDR的消息来源称以色列空军（锁定F-18的次数）领先对手220到240次。（以色列人真是变态）
在这次模拟战还有其他模拟中可以得到相似的结论：头瞄和高性能格斗弹都是不可或缺的；第二个结论就是格斗战只会变得越来越危险。Shaw说：当我们能向90度扇面内的目标开火的时候，格斗战就会变得越来越少。最近的接战历史也说明了the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky（这句怎么翻才贴切）,已经变得越来越少。一位防务专家说：我们很少见到象以前那样随便拉高G的战例了，这种高G格斗值得锻炼，但不值得提倡。第三个结论则是：视距内空战是平等的。一位前海军飞行员说装有头瞄与新格斗弹的MIG-21 F-5与F-22在1对1格斗中毫不逊色。兰德公司的Lambeth则说，视距内空战时重型战机会更笨重一些，就如F-14多次被F-5打下，如果F-22要进入格斗战，其超音速机动性将无法发挥。但无论如何，IDR的专家都认为战机应该具有格斗能力，包括保留机炮。老文了，里面的众多例子还是值得一看的。
作者：Bill Sweetman
新一代战斗机如欧洲三贱客和F-22等都已经投入服役，大家更多的把眼光放到战斗机的性能中，如隐身、超音速机动性等，却比较少关注一些能引起空战革命性变化的细节与导弹装备战机以来最重要的变化。
这10年里，不少在役战机都装备了更新更致命的导弹，新的雷达与电子系统使战机更容易在目视范围之外发现和判别敌机。一些战机还装有数据链使他们能做到其他战机所做不到的分享战术信息，空战中以编队各自为战的局面正在被打破，但还是没什么人能意识到这一切是怎么发生的。
空空导弹技术决定了空战的范围与广度，拥有最长接战记录的兰德公司战斗机分析师Ben Lambeth 回想起96年在佛罗里达Eglin空军基地的一次4 VS 4模拟对抗，4架带着AIM-120的F-15对4架另外的F-15，模拟带着R-27与R-73的MIG-29。“我没确认敌人，很少见到自己的僚机，我们很少做3G以上的机动，也没倒飞，只有漫天乱飞的导弹与击坠”。
这个模拟空战反应了现今的技术水平，视距外空战（BVR）与视距内空战（WVR）是分开的。英国航宇系统公司（BAE）一份影响了英国政府决定采购流星的报告称：在40公里外的目标可以毫无顾虑的机动而不必担心空空导弹的威胁。这份报告得到了前美国海军飞行员、《Fighter Combat Tactics》作者Robert Shaw的支持，他说：“没有在最大射程处闪不开的导弹”。
BAE的报告对当今（西方）导弹进行了评估，认为15-40公里是大多数中距弹的发射距离，而格斗弹不单缺乏能量，而且缺乏速度让他们无法对8公里外目标产生威胁。这也就是说，存在一个8-15公里的区间，在这个区间敌人依然可以在觉得格斗没胜算时先开火，避免进入格斗（估计是指R-73之于西方的射程优势）。
下一代中距弹如流星之类的关键是射程，关键的关键是末动能，这能让导弹的不可逃逸区大大增加，在这个区域中飞机将无法摆脱导弹的攻击。流星在0-80公里处的杀伤概率几乎是一个常数。有一种观点认为由于在远距离上很难确认目标，特别是在复杂环境下，所以流星装上了双向数据链。
美国波音公司加入了流星导弹计划尝试扩展美国市场，但F-22对流星的需求并没有其他战机那么迫切。美国F-22首席测试飞行员Paul Metz 证实F-22的速度实际上等于让导弹多一个助推器，在1.5M速度、高度比目标高的情况下，导弹比同样高度但亚音速下发射提升了50%的射程。
新一代格斗弹比响尾蛇导弹更快，有着新的不会因为高速摩擦而致盲的红外导引头原料。在使用红外成像技术后，他们对没开加力的战机的有效距离和以前导引头对加力战机的距离一样。在某些环境下，这些新格斗弹也能当中距弹用，借助战机的各种传感器，能让这些格斗弹在12-20公里处锁定目标。从而，目标将从80公里处陷入流星导弹的不可逃逸区，而BAE报告里那个8-15公里的区间也会被新格斗弹所覆盖。假如进入格斗，首先退出的一方将会把屁股完全暴露给另外一方，新一代的格斗弹发射时不再需要将鸡头正对敌人，导弹导引头视场范围内的目标都能通过头瞄锁定。
根据某消息来源，巴尔干半岛的美国海军陆战队F-18战机用响尾蛇导弹与以色列空军战机+怪蛇3 4导弹进行模拟格斗，其结果不堪入目。IDR的消息来源称以色列空军（锁定F-18的次数）领先对手220到240次。（以色列人真是变态）
在这次模拟战还有其他模拟中可以得到相似的结论：头瞄和高性能格斗弹都是不可或缺的；第二个结论就是格斗战只会变得越来越危险。Shaw说：当我们能向90度扇面内的目标开火的时候，格斗战就会变得越来越少。最近的接战历史也说明了the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky（这句怎么翻才贴切）,已经变得越来越少。一位防务专家说：我们很少见到象以前那样随便拉高G的战例了，这种高G格斗值得锻炼，但不值得提倡。第三个结论则是：视距内空战是平等的。一位前海军飞行员说装有头瞄与新格斗弹的MIG-21 F-5与F-22在1对1格斗中毫不逊色。兰德公司的Lambeth则说，视距内空战时重型战机会更笨重一些，就如F-14多次被F-5打下，如果F-22要进入格斗战，其超音速机动性将无法发挥。但无论如何，IDR的专家都认为战机应该具有格斗能力，包括保留机炮。
原文，出处从略。
Fighter Tactics Fighter Tactics
Bill Sweetman Bill Sweetman
New-generation aircraft such as the Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon and F-22 are in service now or under test. Most attention is naturally focused on airframe-related advances - stealth, supersonic maneuverability and so on - but it is smaller, often overlooked details that may bring about a revolution in air combat and bring about some of the most important changes since the advent of the missile-armed supersonic fighter in the 1960s. New-generation aircraft such as the Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon and F-22 are in service now or under test. Most attention is naturally focused on airframe-related advances - stealth, supersonic maneuverability and so on - but it is smaller, often overlooked details that may bring about a revolution in air combat and bring about some of the most important changes since the advent of the missile-armed supersonic fighter in the 1960s.
Within 10 years, many in-service fighters will be armed with new and much more lethal air-to-air missiles (AAMs). They will be carrying more advanced radars and other technologies which make it much less difficult to declare a target as hostile well beyond visual range. They will also be operating with tactical datalinks which allow several aircraft to share tactical information in a manner which is simply impossible for most aircraft today. Individual and formation tactics will change - but the implications of new technology are such that nobody knows exactly how that will happen. Within 10 years, many in-service fighters will be armed with new and much more lethal air-to-air missiles (AAMs). They will be carrying more advanced radars and other technologies which make it much less difficult to declare a target as hostile well beyond visual range. They will also be operating with tactical datalinks which allow several aircraft to share tactical information in a manner which is simply impossible for most aircraft today. Individual and formation tactics will change - but the implications of new technology are such that nobody knows exactly how that will happen.
AAM technology defines the depth of the air battle. Whoever has the longest reach controls the engagement, comments fighter analyst Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation. Lambeth recalls flying on a mock engagement in 1996, a four-versus-four out of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. F-15s armed with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM) took on four F-15s simulating MiG-29s armed with R-27 Alamo MRAAMs and R-73 Archer SRAAMs. I never had a tally on any of the bad guys. I rarely saw our wingman. We never put more than 3g on the airplane and we never got inverted. There were missiles and people dying everywhere. AAM technology defines the depth of the air battle. Whoever has the longest reach controls the engagement, comments fighter analyst Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation. Lambeth recalls flying on a mock engagement in 1996, a four-versus-four out of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. F-15s armed with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM) took on four F-15s simulating MiG-29s armed with R-27 Alamo MRAAMs and R-73 Archer SRAAMs. I never had a tally on any of the bad guys. I rarely saw our wingman. We never put more than 3g on the airplane and we never got inverted. There were missiles and people dying everywhere.
This result reflects todays level of technology, in which the within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) envelopes are separate. A BAE Systems paper from 1996 - reflecting the UK thinking that led to the adoption of the BAE Systems Meteor AAM for the Typhoon - points out that a target beyond 40km range can feel free to maneuver without fear of engagement. This is echoed by Robert Shaw, former US Navy fighter pilot and author of Fighter Combat Tactics. There is virtually no missile that you cant outmaneuver at maximum range. This result reflects todays level of technology, in which the within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) envelopes are separate. A BAE Systems paper from 1996 - reflecting the UK thinking that led to the adoption of the BAE Systems Meteor AAM for the Typhoon - points out that a target beyond 40km range can feel free to maneuver without fear of engagement. This is echoed by Robert Shaw, former US Navy fighter pilot and author of Fighter Combat Tactics. There is virtually no missile that you cant outmaneuver at maximum range.
With todays weapons, the BAE paper notes, most MRAAM engagements will take place between 15km and 40km-range. Older short-range AAMs lack not only total energy but also missile speed and are most lethal at ranges under 8km, according to BAE. Between 8km and 15km, therefore, there is a commit zone where the target can still avoid a merge into close combat if the odds are unfavorable. With todays weapons, the BAE paper notes, most MRAAM engagements will take place between 15km and 40km-range. Older short-range AAMs lack not only total energy but also missile speed and are most lethal at ranges under 8km, according to BAE. Between 8km and 15km, therefore, there is a commit zone where the target can still avoid a merge into close combat if the odds are unfavorable.
The key to the next generation of MRAAMs, such as Meteor, is greater range and (more importantly) greater energy at range. The result is a much larger no-escape zone. This zone surrounds a target and defines the maximum range at which the target cannot out-maneuver a missile shot. The missiles kill probability may be almost constant from its minimum range out to 80km. (One issue here, observes Shaw, is that it may be difficult to confirm that the missile has found its target, particularly in poor visibility: this may be one reason why Meteor has a two-way datalink.) The key to the next generation of MRAAMs, such as Meteor, is greater range and (more importantly) greater energy at range. The result is a much larger no-escape zone. This zone surrounds a target and defines the maximum range at which the target cannot out-maneuver a missile shot. The missiles kill probability may be almost constant from its minimum range out to 80km. (One issue here, observes Shaw, is that it may be difficult to confirm that the missile has found its target, particularly in poor visibility: this may be one reason why Meteor has a two-way datalink.)
Boeing has joined the Meteor program with the intention of marketing the missile in the US. The situation is complicated by the fact that the F-22 needs it less than other fighters. Earlier this year, F-22 chief test pilot Paul Metz confirmed that the F-22s speed and altitude capability acts as a booster stage for the common-or-garden AMRAAM. At M1.5 and at greater altitude than the target (the F-22 has a very fast climb rate and a service ceiling well above 50,000ft), AMRAAMs range is 50% greater than is the case in a subsonic, same-altitude launch. Boeing has joined the Meteor program with the intention of marketing the missile in the US. The situation is complicated by the fact that the F-22 needs it less than other fighters. Earlier this year, F-22 chief test pilot Paul Metz confirmed that the F-22s speed and altitude capability acts as a booster stage for the common-or-garden AMRAAM. At M1.5 and at greater altitude than the target (the F-22 has a very fast climb rate and a service ceiling well above 50000ft), AMRAAMs range is 50% greater than is the case in a subsonic, same-altitude launch.
New SRAAMs are faster than the AIM-9 (due to larger motors or smaller wings) and have new infrared (IR) dome materials which do not blind the seeker when they are heated by air friction. With imaging infrared (IIR) seekers, they are just as effective against a non-afterburning target as against a full-reheat target. Under some circumstances, a modern SRAAM is a BVR missile, capable of being cued on to the target by aircraft sensors and locking on to it at an extreme range of 12-20km. You can expect to be engaged from about 80km inbound and enter a [MRAAM] no-escape zone shortly thereafter, notes the BAE paper. The commit decision must be made sooner and, if the target pilot commits, the target will enter an SRAAM no-escape zone. New SRAAMs are faster than the AIM-9 (due to larger motors or smaller wings) and have new infrared (IR) dome materials which do not blind the seeker when they are heated by air friction. With imaging infrared (IIR) seekers, they are just as effective against a non-afterburning target as against a full-reheat target. Under some circumstances, a modern SRAAM is a BVR missile, capable of being cued on to the target by aircraft sensors and locking on to it at an extreme range of 12-20km. You can expect to be engaged from about 80km inbound and enter a [MRAAM] no-escape zone shortly thereafter, notes the BAE paper. The commit decision must be made sooner and, if the target pilot commits, the target will enter an SRAAM no-escape zone.
Once the fighters merge - that is, their momentum takes them within SRAAM range of each other, so that the first fighter to attempt to escape will offer his opponent an open tail-on shot - improved SRAAMs and helmet-mounted display (HMD) technology multiply the opportunities for WVR shots. It is no longer necessary to point the aircraft towards the adversary; any target within the field of regard of the missile seeker can be engaged instantly. Once the fighters merge - that is, their momentum takes them within SRAAM range of each other, so that the first fighter to attempt to escape will offer his opponent an open tail-on shot - improved SRAAMs and helmet-mounted display (HMD) technology multiply the opportunities for WVR shots. It is no longer necessary to point the aircraft towards the adversary; any target within the field of regard of the missile seeker can be engaged instantly.
According to one source, US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets from the Balkans theater recently engaged in mock combat with Israeli Air Force fighters. The Hornets were armed with AIM-9s, and the Israeli fighters carried Python 3 and Python 4 missiles and Elbit DASH helmet sights. IDRs source describes the results as more than ugly, the Israelis prevailing in 220 out of 240 engagements. According to one source, US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets from the Balkans theater recently engaged in mock combat with Israeli Air Force fighters. The Hornets were armed with AIM-9s, and the Israeli fighters carried Python 3 and Python 4 missiles and Elbit DASH helmet sights. IDRs source describes the results as more than ugly, the Israelis prevailing in 220 out of 240 engagements.
There are lessons to be learned from this engagement and other tests which have shown similar results. One is that modern HMDs and SRAAMs are essential. A second lesson is that WVR combat is extremely dangerous and will become more so. Well see less dogfighting once we get the ability to engage targets 90º off the nose, says Shaw. Somebodys going to get a shot, and if the missile is lethal youre going to get hit. Even the recent history of engagements suggests that the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky, is on its way out. We dont see a history of high-g maneuvering in recent engagements, says one industry analyst. Its fun to practice but unwise to pursue. There are lessons to be learned from this engagement and other tests which have shown similar results. One is that modern HMDs and SRAAMs are essential. A second lesson is that WVR combat is extremely dangerous and will become more so. Well see less dogfighting once we get the ability to engage targets 90º off the nose, says Shaw. Somebodys going to get a shot, and if the missile is lethal youre going to get hit. Even the recent history of engagements suggests that the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky, is on its way out. We dont see a history of high-g maneuvering in recent engagements, says one industry analyst. Its fun to practice but unwise to pursue.
A third lesson is that WVR is an equalizer. An F-5 or a MiG-21 with a high-off-boresight missile and HMD is as capable in a 1-v-1 as an F-22, comments a former navy fighter pilot, now a civilian program manager. In visual combat, everybody dies at the same rate, says RANDs Lambeth. Indeed, he says that a larger fighter like the F-22 may be at a disadvantage. In the early 1980s force-on-force exercises at the navys Top Gun fighter school, F-14s were routinely seen and shot down by smaller F-5s flown by the navys Aggressor units. An F-22 which slows down to enter a WVR combat also gives up the advantage of supersonic maneuverability. A third lesson is that WVR is an equalizer. An F-5 or a MiG-21 with a high-off-boresight missile and HMD is as capable in a 1-v-1 as an F-22, comments a former navy fighter pilot, now a civilian program manager. In visual combat, everybody dies at the same rate, says RANDs Lambeth. Indeed, he says that a larger fighter like the F-22 may be at a disadvantage. In the early 1980s force-on- force exercises at the navys Top Gun fighter school, F-14s were routinely seen and shot down by smaller F-5s flown by the navys Aggressor units. An F-22 which slows down to enter a WVR combat also gives up the advantage of supersonic maneuverability.
Close range confrontation Close range confrontation
Nevertheless, the experts consulted by IDR agreed that the fighter still needs to have the ability to fight at close range - including having a gun. The current state of the debate on this highly controversial piece of equipment is that the F-22 has a gun - indeed, its M61A2 installation, complete with a neat power-actuated door over the muzzle, is one of the most complex ever seen - as does the US Air Force (USAF) version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The US Navy (USN) had apparentlyy decided at one point to forgo the gun on the JSF - which is primarily intended as a deep-strike aircraft - but Boeing program managers now say that there is an ongoing debate on the subject. The marines, concerned about vertical landing weight, have settled on a missionized gun, installed in a package that replaces an internal bomb station. Both JSF competitors have selected a Boeing-developed version of the Mauser BK 27mm cannon, fitted with a linkless feed system by Western Design. The UK Royal Air Force has considered eliminating the gun from its second tranche of Typhoons, not so much to save weight as to eliminate training and support costs. Nevertheless, the experts consulted by IDR agreed that the fighter still needs to have the ability to fight at close range - including having a gun. The current state of the debate on this highly controversial piece of equipment is that the F-22 has a gun - indeed, its M61A2 installation, complete with a neat power-actuated door over the muzzle, is one of the most complex ever seen - as does the US Air Force (USAF) version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The US Navy (USN) had apparentlyy decided at one point to forgo the gun on the JSF - which is primarily intended as a deep-strike aircraft - but Boeing program managers now say that there is an ongoing debate on the subject. The marines, concerned about vertical landing weight, have settled on a missionized gun, installed in a package that replaces an internal bomb station. Both JSF competitors have selected a Boeing-developed version of the Mauser BK 27mm cannon, fitted with a linkless feed system by Western Design. The UK Royal Air Force has considered eliminating the gun from its second tranche of Typhoons, not so much to save weight as to eliminate training and support costs.
Fighter Tactics Fighter Tactics
Bill Sweetman Bill Sweetman
New-generation aircraft such as the Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon and F-22 are in service now or under test. Most attention is naturally focused on airframe-related advances - stealth, supersonic maneuverability and so on - but it is smaller, often overlooked details that may bring about a revolution in air combat and bring about some of the most important changes since the advent of the missile-armed supersonic fighter in the 1960s. New-generation aircraft such as the Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon and F-22 are in service now or under test. Most attention is naturally focused on airframe-related advances - stealth, supersonic maneuverability and so on - but it is smaller, often overlooked details that may bring about a revolution in air combat and bring about some of the most important changes since the advent of the missile-armed supersonic fighter in the 1960s.
Within 10 years, many in-service fighters will be armed with new and much more lethal air-to-air missiles (AAMs). They will be carrying more advanced radars and other technologies which make it much less difficult to declare a target as hostile well beyond visual range. They will also be operating with tactical datalinks which allow several aircraft to share tactical information in a manner which is simply impossible for most aircraft today. Individual and formation tactics will change - but the implications of new technology are such that nobody knows exactly how that will happen. Within 10 years, many in-service fighters will be armed with new and much more lethal air-to-air missiles (AAMs). They will be carrying more advanced radars and other technologies which make it much less difficult to declare a target as hostile well beyond visual range. They will also be operating with tactical datalinks which allow several aircraft to share tactical information in a manner which is simply impossible for most aircraft today. Individual and formation tactics will change - but the implications of new technology are such that nobody knows exactly how that will happen.
AAM technology defines the depth of the air battle. Whoever has the longest reach controls the engagement, comments fighter analyst Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation. Lambeth recalls flying on a mock engagement in 1996, a four-versus-four out of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. F-15s armed with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM) took on four F-15s simulating MiG-29s armed with R-27 Alamo MRAAMs and R-73 Archer SRAAMs. I never had a tally on any of the bad guys. I rarely saw our wingman. We never put more than 3g on the airplane and we never got inverted. There were missiles and people dying everywhere. AAM technology defines the depth of the air battle. Whoever has the longest reach controls the engagement, comments fighter analyst Ben Lambeth of the Rand Corporation. Lambeth recalls flying on a mock engagement in 1996, a four-versus-four out of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. F-15s armed with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM) took on four F-15s simulating MiG-29s armed with R-27 Alamo MRAAMs and R-73 Archer SRAAMs. I never had a tally on any of the bad guys. I rarely saw our wingman. We never put more than 3g on the airplane and we never got inverted. There were missiles and people dying everywhere.
This result reflects todays level of technology, in which the within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) envelopes are separate. A BAE Systems paper from 1996 - reflecting the UK thinking that led to the adoption of the BAE Systems Meteor AAM for the Typhoon - points out that a target beyond 40km range can feel free to maneuver without fear of engagement. This is echoed by Robert Shaw, former US Navy fighter pilot and author of Fighter Combat Tactics. There is virtually no missile that you cant outmaneuver at maximum range. This result reflects todays level of technology, in which the within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) envelopes are separate. A BAE Systems paper from 1996 - reflecting the UK thinking that led to the adoption of the BAE Systems Meteor AAM for the Typhoon - points out that a target beyond 40km range can feel free to maneuver without fear of engagement. This is echoed by Robert Shaw, former US Navy fighter pilot and author of Fighter Combat Tactics. There is virtually no missile that you cant outmaneuver at maximum range.
With todays weapons, the BAE paper notes, most MRAAM engagements will take place between 15km and 40km-range. Older short-range AAMs lack not only total energy but also missile speed and are most lethal at ranges under 8km, according to BAE. Between 8km and 15km, therefore, there is a commit zone where the target can still avoid a merge into close combat if the odds are unfavorable. With todays weapons, the BAE paper notes, most MRAAM engagements will take place between 15km and 40km-range. Older short-range AAMs lack not only total energy but also missile speed and are most lethal at ranges under 8km, according to BAE. Between 8km and 15km, therefore, there is a commit zone where the target can still avoid a merge into close combat if the odds are unfavorable.
The key to the next generation of MRAAMs, such as Meteor, is greater range and (more importantly) greater energy at range. The result is a much larger no-escape zone. This zone surrounds a target and defines the maximum range at which the target cannot out-maneuver a missile shot. The missiles kill probability may be almost constant from its minimum range out to 80km. (One issue here, observes Shaw, is that it may be difficult to confirm that the missile has found its target, particularly in poor visibility: this may be one reason why Meteor has a two-way datalink.) The key to the next generation of MRAAMs, such as Meteor, is greater range and (more importantly) greater energy at range. The result is a much larger no-escape zone. This zone surrounds a target and defines the maximum range at which the target cannot out-maneuver a missile shot. The missiles kill probability may be almost constant from its minimum range out to 80km. (One issue here, observes Shaw, is that it may be difficult to confirm that the missile has found its target, particularly in poor visibility: this may be one reason why Meteor has a two-way datalink.)
Boeing has joined the Meteor program with the intention of marketing the missile in the US. The situation is complicated by the fact that the F-22 needs it less than other fighters. Earlier this year, F-22 chief test pilot Paul Metz confirmed that the F-22s speed and altitude capability acts as a booster stage for the common-or-garden AMRAAM. At M1.5 and at greater altitude than the target (the F-22 has a very fast climb rate and a service ceiling well above 50,000ft), AMRAAMs range is 50% greater than is the case in a subsonic, same-altitude launch. Boeing has joined the Meteor program with the intention of marketing the missile in the US. The situation is complicated by the fact that the F-22 needs it less than other fighters. Earlier this year, F-22 chief test pilot Paul Metz confirmed that the F-22s speed and altitude capability acts as a booster stage for the common-or-garden AMRAAM. At M1.5 and at greater altitude than the target (the F-22 has a very fast climb rate and a service ceiling well above 50000ft), AMRAAMs range is 50% greater than is the case in a subsonic, same-altitude launch.
New SRAAMs are faster than the AIM-9 (due to larger motors or smaller wings) and have new infrared (IR) dome materials which do not blind the seeker when they are heated by air friction. With imaging infrared (IIR) seekers, they are just as effective against a non-afterburning target as against a full-reheat target. Under some circumstances, a modern SRAAM is a BVR missile, capable of being cued on to the target by aircraft sensors and locking on to it at an extreme range of 12-20km. You can expect to be engaged from about 80km inbound and enter a [MRAAM] no-escape zone shortly thereafter, notes the BAE paper. The commit decision must be made sooner and, if the target pilot commits, the target will enter an SRAAM no-escape zone. New SRAAMs are faster than the AIM-9 (due to larger motors or smaller wings) and have new infrared (IR) dome materials which do not blind the seeker when they are heated by air friction. With imaging infrared (IIR) seekers, they are just as effective against a non-afterburning target as against a full-reheat target. Under some circumstances, a modern SRAAM is a BVR missile, capable of being cued on to the target by aircraft sensors and locking on to it at an extreme range of 12-20km. You can expect to be engaged from about 80km inbound and enter a [MRAAM] no-escape zone shortly thereafter, notes the BAE paper. The commit decision must be made sooner and, if the target pilot commits, the target will enter an SRAAM no-escape zone.
Once the fighters merge - that is, their momentum takes them within SRAAM range of each other, so that the first fighter to attempt to escape will offer his opponent an open tail-on shot - improved SRAAMs and helmet-mounted display (HMD) technology multiply the opportunities for WVR shots. It is no longer necessary to point the aircraft towards the adversary; any target within the field of regard of the missile seeker can be engaged instantly. Once the fighters merge - that is, their momentum takes them within SRAAM range of each other, so that the first fighter to attempt to escape will offer his opponent an open tail-on shot - improved SRAAMs and helmet-mounted display (HMD) technology multiply the opportunities for WVR shots. It is no longer necessary to point the aircraft towards the adversary; any target within the field of regard of the missile seeker can be engaged instantly.
According to one source, US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets from the Balkans theater recently engaged in mock combat with Israeli Air Force fighters. The Hornets were armed with AIM-9s, and the Israeli fighters carried Python 3 and Python 4 missiles and Elbit DASH helmet sights. IDRs source describes the results as more than ugly, the Israelis prevailing in 220 out of 240 engagements. According to one source, US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets from the Balkans theater recently engaged in mock combat with Israeli Air Force fighters. The Hornets were armed with AIM-9s, and the Israeli fighters carried Python 3 and Python 4 missiles and Elbit DASH helmet sights. IDRs source describes the results as more than ugly, the Israelis prevailing in 220 out of 240 engagements.
There are lessons to be learned from this engagement and other tests which have shown similar results. One is that modern HMDs and SRAAMs are essential. A second lesson is that WVR combat is extremely dangerous and will become more so. Well see less dogfighting once we get the ability to engage targets 90º off the nose, says Shaw. Somebodys going to get a shot, and if the missile is lethal youre going to get hit. Even the recent history of engagements suggests that the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky, is on its way out. We dont see a history of high-g maneuvering in recent engagements, says one industry analyst. Its fun to practice but unwise to pursue. There are lessons to be learned from this engagement and other tests which have shown similar results. One is that modern HMDs and SRAAMs are essential. A second lesson is that WVR combat is extremely dangerous and will become more so. Well see less dogfighting once we get the ability to engage targets 90º off the nose, says Shaw. Somebodys going to get a shot, and if the missile is lethal youre going to get hit. Even the recent history of engagements suggests that the furball of fighter combat, with multiple engagements spread across miles of sky, is on its way out. We dont see a history of high-g maneuvering in recent engagements, says one industry analyst. Its fun to practice but unwise to pursue.
A third lesson is that WVR is an equalizer. An F-5 or a MiG-21 with a high-off-boresight missile and HMD is as capable in a 1-v-1 as an F-22, comments a former navy fighter pilot, now a civilian program manager. In visual combat, everybody dies at the same rate, says RANDs Lambeth. Indeed, he says that a larger fighter like the F-22 may be at a disadvantage. In the early 1980s force-on-force exercises at the navys Top Gun fighter school, F-14s were routinely seen and shot down by smaller F-5s flown by the navys Aggressor units. An F-22 which slows down to enter a WVR combat also gives up the advantage of supersonic maneuverability. A third lesson is that WVR is an equalizer. An F-5 or a MiG-21 with a high-off-boresight missile and HMD is as capable in a 1-v-1 as an F-22, comments a former navy fighter pilot, now a civilian program manager. In visual combat, everybody dies at the same rate, says RANDs Lambeth. Indeed, he says that a larger fighter like the F-22 may be at a disadvantage. In the early 1980s force-on- force exercises at the navys Top Gun fighter school, F-14s were routinely seen and shot down by smaller F-5s flown by the navys Aggressor units. An F-22 which slows down to enter a WVR combat also gives up the advantage of supersonic maneuverability.
Close range confrontation Close range confrontation
Nevertheless, the experts consulted by IDR agreed that the fighter still needs to have the ability to fight at close range - including having a gun. The current state of the debate on this highly controversial piece of equipment is that the F-22 has a gun - indeed, its M61A2 installation, complete with a neat power-actuated door over the muzzle, is one of the most complex ever seen - as does the US Air Force (USAF) version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The US Navy (USN) had apparentlyy decided at one point to forgo the gun on the JSF - which is primarily intended as a deep-strike aircraft - but Boeing program managers now say that there is an ongoing debate on the subject. The marines, concerned about vertical landing weight, have settled on a missionized gun, installed in a package that replaces an internal bomb station. Both JSF competitors have selected a Boeing-developed version of the Mauser BK 27mm cannon, fitted with a linkless feed system by Western Design. The UK Royal Air Force has considered eliminating the gun from its second tranche of Typhoons, not so much to save weight as to eliminate training and support costs. Nevertheless, the experts consulted by IDR agreed that the fighter still needs to have the ability to fight at close range - including having a gun. The current state of the debate on this highly controversial piece of equipment is that the F-22 has a gun - indeed, its M61A2 installation, complete with a neat power-actuated door over the muzzle, is one of the most complex ever seen - as does the US Air Force (USAF) version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The US Navy (USN) had apparentlyy decided at one point to forgo the gun on the JSF - which is primarily intended as a deep-strike aircraft - but Boeing program managers now say that there is an ongoing debate on the subject. The marines, concerned about vertical landing weight, have settled on a missionized gun, installed in a package that replaces an internal bomb station. Both JSF competitors have selected a Boeing-developed version of the Mauser BK 27mm cannon, fitted with a linkless feed system by Western Design. The UK Royal Air Force has considered eliminating the gun from its second tranche of Typhoons, not so much to save weight as to eliminate training and support costs.
也即是说中远距是决定胜负的关键，狗斗在头瞄和新格斗弹下。无论多先进的战机都和改装了旧战机差距不大