Overhead Attack with AIM-9B -- Six-O’clock Attack with AIM-9B
High-side Attack
In a High-side Attack, IR tone contrast will not be adequate at longer missile ranges because of background reflections: however, when compared to an overhead attack, IR range is somewhat better. G presents no significant limitation, as illustrated by figure 12.
For fighter and target at 35 - 80,000’,
Vf = .9 Mach = 873’ / second
Vt = .9 Mach = 873’ / second
Gt = 2 Gr = 1.73
Gt = 1.6Gr = 1.25
S = Vf x Vt x Sinθ / 32.2Gr = 23,700 x Sinθ / Gr
| S = 13,700 Sinθ | 10° = 2380 |
| Gr = 1.73 | 20° = 4680 |
| 30° = 6840 | |
| S = 19,000 Sinθ | 10° = 3300 |
| Gr = 1.25 | 20° = 6490 |
| 30° = 9480 | |
| Figure 12 | |
|---|---|
This figure discloses that when below 40,000 feet and pulling 2G, we will be generating 1.73 radial G. Applying this figure to our cone of max performance (our angular velocity cone) we find that at 30° angle off, we can close to a range of 6,840 feet and at 10° angle-off, 2,380 feet, but the important thing to remember is that we cannot get inside the ranges specified at 30°, 20° and 10° angle-off without exceeding the 2-G limitation. At 40,000 feet, when we are pulling 1.6 total G, we will be generating 1.25 radial G. In terms of distance, we will be at the range specified in the figure above. Once again, if we attempt to get inside the specified range at a given angle-off, we will exceed our 1.6-G limitation.
We can see, by comparing the high-side attack with the overhead attack, that the high-side is better, because of less limitations in IR and G. In other words, we have greater freedom of maneuver to successfully launch Sidewinder.
Overhead Attack with AIM-9B -- Six-O’clock Attack with AIM-9B