Falcon 3 ACM/BFM Lessons by Jim Knutson A Supplement to Robert Shaw's Book Fighter Combat Tactics and Maneuvering Sortie 3 - Extension (pg. 23) Sorties 1 and 2 described the two types of gun shots that can be made (tracking and snapshot) and the steps to use in making those shots. In sortie 3, we examine the defense against a guns attack. For a guns attack to be effective, all the involved components (gun, ammo, aircraft, sight, and crew) need to work in concert with each other. The gun and ammo will determine the maximum effective range of the weapon. The best defense is to remain outside this range. To do this, you must detect the attacker early enough to allow a maximum-performance turn away from the attacker to place him at your six o'clock. Then, accelerate to maximum speed and fly straight until no longer threatened. It is necessary to put the attacker at your six o'clock otherwise the attacker may continue to close the range even while flying slower due to the geometry of the situation. Arcing during the run-out may allow a slower attacker to close by flying across the circle. To obtain a desired direction during escape, use a series of small hard turns in the desired direction followed by straight flight until the attacker drifts back to near the aft visibility limit. This is called an "extension maneuver." Red Flag Mission - COMBAT2 This mission is a one versus one engagement. Your opponent is a Mirage III loaded only with guns. Turn on your gun camera (VCR). You have just completed a mission and are returning to your base so you don't need to load missles (you used them to get your fifth kill, ace). Follow the waypoints and land your plane without getting shot down (assume you are low or empty of cannon shells as well). Review the VCR to see where you can make improvements.