Procedures/78th/A2A/ACM

INTRODUCTION TO ACM

Air Combat Maneuvering or ACM describes the szenario that comes in place after a flight merges with an enemy or hostile flight or after an BVR engagement failed. It comes, that it refers to close combat engagements, so called Dogfights. ACM knows two roles to be assigned to the participating aircrafts. The engaged fighter and the supporting fighter. Each role comes with either standard or specific prebriefed tasks. The focus lays on all friendly fighter to survive the situation. At this point all involved enemy aircrafts are declared hostile as shooting in that case is an act of self defense. ACM also requires special rules for IFF and communications. With that come Mutual Support.

Mutual Support

In an ACM environment Support is not only an act of airmenship other than vital. All members of a flight should support the others with vital informations at all time. Therefore its crucial, that the Flight establishes a tactical formation (usally already in place through past BFM environement). So all members can have a good look on each others 12 and 6 following the usual scanning flow.

Mutual Sensor Support

Mutual Snesor Support includes all informations that can be collected via the onboard sensors such as RWR, Radar or IFF contacts. They should be called out as soon as they appear. Following abraviations are to be used:

• Nails: An enemy fighters radar in search mode appears on RWR
• Spiked: An enemy fighter radar locks you
• Red Dorito: A red datalink contact appeared

Mutual Visual Support

Mutual Visual Support means all informations to be collected visually. Following abraviations are to be used:

• Tally: An enemy fighter is in sight
• No Joy: An enemy fighter is not in sight
• Smoke in the air: Enemy ordnance has been fired and is visual usually follewed by a brake direction for the involved member

Mutual Weapons support

Is all about knowing your own ordnance, WEZ and flying accordingly to gain shots of oppurtunity. Following abraviations are to be used:

• FOX 1: When launching a semi active radar homing missile
• FOX 2: When launching an infra red homing missile
• FOX 3: When launching an active radar homing missile

Roles and their tasks

The ACM knows two different roles crucial to survive the situation. If they are not prebriefed, FL will assign but they can change dynamically, depending on the enemy´s actions. Depending on the assigned role, the wigmen follows different standard, contract or assigned rules and orders.

Engaged Fighter Role

Is the Flightmemember which the enemy decided to attack.

Tasks:

• Maneuver to kill the hostile or negate the hostile´s attack in the minimum time. Fly your best defensive/offensive BFM
• Maintain situational awareness on the hostile
• Keep the supporting fighters informed of intention capabilities and future tactical plans.