Beyond Visual Range Combat

The Basic concepts of Beyond Visual Range Combat 

Now to preface this, most of the strategies and concepts I will be discussing are only associated with Digital Combat Simulator, nothing to do with real life strategies as that is entirely classified in every was imaginable. 

What is it?

Beyond Visual Range combat is air-to-air combat done between aircraft in a range of which from roughly 20 miles or further hence it being beyond visual range. 

Energy

Similar to WVR or BFM as talked about last week, energy, or speed, is crucial to success. If a missile is fired when the pilot is going very slow, inevitably the missile will also be slow. This will reduce it's range significantly. Faster = better in BVR. 

Altitude

Altitude is another crucial key to success in BVR combat. Higher altitude results in thinner air. Thinner air provides less drag on the aircraft and less drag on missiles, this also helps the missile go further. In a sense, the pilot who can extend the range of their missiles farthest will fire first. The pilot who fires first will always be in an advantage in any engagement. 

The Two Basic Methods of Evasion

The Crank

The crank is a maneuver which pressures the offensive pilot's radar to the edge of it's "gimbal." This essentially means the pilot will turn roughly 30 degrees away from the direct flight path to the bandit while simultaneously diving down to thicker air. It provides the first major benefit because it keeps the offensive pilot's lock on the defensive pilot's aircraft while creating space between the two. The other major benefit is the drag of air and turning. If a missile is fired at an aircraft which is cranking, it will have to fight through thicker air as it dives following the aircraft as well as deal with the energy dying as it turns hard to follow. 

The Notch or Beam

Notching (often called Beaming) is an evasive maneuver which essentially tricks any missiles fired at the defensive pilot. Due to the fact that most missiles fired in BVR are radar guided, they need a doppler affect to sense the aircraft. Doppler is the effect of something moving towards or away the source of the radar. The Notch attempts to follow perfectly perpendicular to the radar and the missile, meaning it will completely negate it's doppler affect. Great for last ditch evasion methods. 

Anyways that is it everyone,

Tyler