Aerial Attack Study

Aerial Attack Study 50-10-6C was written by Capt. John R. Boyd of the United States Air Force. The document was largely developed during off-duty hours between 1959 and 1960. Boyd was not designated to develop a training manual and the project received no formal budget. The 1960 version of the Aerial Attack Study contained sensitive material, and was designated a secret by the Air Force. The version of the Study below is based on the 1964 version, declassified by the Air Force with sensitive material removed.

Statement of Review

1. In accordance with AFT 5-5 and in compliance with AFR 5-5/Wing Supplement-1, Nellis Air Force Base, dated 21 March 1960, this publication has been thoroughly reviewed by the undersigned officers, and: a.
   1. Is considered essential for the following reasons:
      1. It satisfies a Tactical Air Command need for GAR-8 employment information.
      2. It provides a complete and authoritative analysis of Aerial Studies for use by all fighter units with TAC.
      3. It will be used as a reference work in support of Course No. 1115053, and by units undergoing training in the Academic Section of the USAF Fighter Weapons School.
   2. It has been determined to be an original work which does not duplicate any similar publication.
   3. It does not contain any matter which might be considered objectionable or subject to ridicule.
   4. No further coordination is deemed necessary

Signed by Norman C Gaddis, Director of Operations and Training. Fighter Weapons School; Billie R Cothern, Director of Maintenance. Fighter Weapons School; Allen S Nelson, Director of TR&D. Fighter Weapons School.

Table of contents

Part I - Fighter vs Bomber

Basic Limitations of the Disturbed Sight and 20 mm Cannon

Basic Limitations of the AIM-9B Missile against a Non-Maneuvering Target

• IR Pattern
• Range
• G
• Lambda

Mechanics of the Pursuit Curve

Limitations of Our Weapons System in a Pursuit Curve Attack

• The AIM-9B Missile

Types of Pursuit Curve Attack

• The High-side Attack
• The Overhead Attack
• Underside Attack
• Nose-quarter Attack

The Best Type of Attack against a Non-Maneuvering Target with AIM-9B

• Overhead Attack
• High side Attack
• Six-O’clock Attack
• Underside Attack

Best Type of Attack against a Non-maneuvering Target with the 20 mm Cannon

Maneuvering for the Attack

Flight Tactics

Summary – Fighter vs Bomber

Part II – Fighter vs Fighter

Introduction

Chapter 2 - Fighter Maneuvers

Defensive Turn

Procedures for the Defensive Turn

Adverse Yaw

The Scissors Maneuver

Procedures for the Scissors Maneuver

Countering the Scissors Maneuver

Procedures for Maneuvering against a Scissors

Counter Procedures for Maneuvering Against a Scissors Counter

The Attack

Procedures for the Initial Attack

High-Speed Yo-Yo

Procedures for the High-Speed Yo-Yo

Procedures for Countering the High-Speed Yo-Yo

Barrel-Roll Attack

Procedures for the Barrel-Roll Attack

Procedures for Countering the Barrel-Roll Maneuver

The Low-Speed Yo-Yo

Procedures for the Low-Speed Yo-Yo

Procedures for Countering the Low-Speed Yo-Yo

Countering the Overhead Attack with a Negative Delta Mach

Procedures for Countering the Overhead Attack with a Negative Delta Mach

Maneuvering from an Overhead Attack with a Negative Delta Mach

Procedures for Maneuvering from an Overhead Attack with a Negative Delta Mach

The Vertical Rolling Scissors

Procedures for the Vertical Rolling Scissors

Procedures for Countering the Vertical Rolling Scissors

The High-G Barrel-Roll

The High-G Barrel-Roll over the Top

The High-G Roll Underneath

Procedures for the High-G Barrel-Roll Over the Top

Procedures for the High-G Roll Underneath Maneuvering from a Nose-Quarter Attack

Procedures for the Nose-Quarter Attack Procedure for Countering the Nose-Quarter Attack

Chapter 3 - Tactical formation

Procedures for Flying Element Formation

• Flying the Position of Wingman in Patrol Formation
• Flying the Fighting Position as a Wingman in Element Formation

Procedures for Flying the Fluid Four Patrol

• Flying Position of Fluid Element Leader
• Flying Position of Wingman in Fluid Four Patrol

Chapter 4 - Flight Tactics

Two Attacking Two

Procedures for Maneuvering Against a Defensive Split

Defending Two when Attacked by Two

Procedures for Employing the Defensive Split

• Performing the Defensive Split
• Executing a Defensive Split when the Attacker Selects the Low Defender
• Executing the Defensive Split when the Attacking Element Selects the High Defender
• Playing the Defensive Split when the Attacking Element Splits
• Executing the Defensive Split when the Attack Switches from Low Defender to High Defender

Attacking Four with Two

Attacking a Flight of Four with Four

Procedures for Attacking Four with Two

Procedures for Attacking Four with Four

Defending Four when Attacked by Two

Defending Four when Attacked by Four

Procedures for Defending Four when Attacked by Two

Procedures for Defending Four when Attacked by Four

Summary – Fighter vs Fighter