Table of Contents [Hide/Show] 1. Definitions 2. BFM principles     2.1. Defensive     2.2. Neutral     2.3. Offensive 3. Basic Techniques     3.1. Split.     3.2. Immelmann turn     3.3. Thach Weave     3.4. Scissors     3.4. Luftberry     3.5. Chandelle 4. Complex Techniques     4.1. Pugachev's Cobra     4.2. Herbst maneuver

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1. Definitions

Basic fighter Maneuvering (BFM) is performed by starfighter craft during space combat maneuvering (SCM). They are generally grouped into two categories:

1. Offensive BFM

2. Defensive BFM

It is easy to fall into the trap of considering BFM to be a series of set maneuvers providing a foolproof recipe for a dominant position. The reality is that BFM is a series of fluid and often improvised proactive and reactive actions, varying infinitely according to range, altitude, speed, aircraft type, weapons system type and any of an enormous range of other factors.

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2. BFM principles

There are three basic situations in space combat maneuvering requiring BFM to convert to a favorable result. The three situations and the primary goals of a pilot in that situation are:

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2.1. Defensive

The starpilot is in a weak position, primarily concerned with denying a shot to the opponent rather than achieving a dominant position. The goal in this situation should be to convert to a neutral situation or extend to escape the unfavorable position.

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2.2. Neutral

Neither the star pilot nor their opponent have a particular advantage, nominally defined as the ability to "point" the nose of his/her craft at the opponent with sufficient range to employ forward firing ordnance (missiles / laser gun) prior to their opponent threatening in a similar manner. Each is focused on converting to an offensive situation whilst forcing their opponent defensive.

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2.3. Offensive

The star pilot is in a dominant position, primarily concerned with prosecuting their advantage for a kill. In order to achieve firing position while not being threatened by the enemy's guns, the best technique was to get behind the enemy craft. This is known as getting on an craft's six o'clock, or on his tail.

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3. Basic Techniques

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3.1. Split.

The Split S (also called a reversed Immelmann turn or spelled with a hyphen as Split-S) is one of the oldest air combat maneuvers, but is still considered useful, mostly to disengage from combat.

To execute a Split S, the pilot rolls his spacecraft inverted and then executes a half-loop, thus ending flying level in the opposite direction.

It is typically used in dog fighting, when the pilot has the opportunity to withdraw from battle.

Contrary to popular belief, this maneuver is almost never used to evade target locked missles. However, it can be an effective tactic to prevent an enemy (between eight o'clock and five o'clock) from gaining a missile lock while disengaging from a fight.

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3.2. Immelmann turn

The Immelmann turn (also spelled as Immelman turn; also known as a roll-off-the-top, or simply an Immelmann) is an aerial maneuver. It is an aerobatic maneuver, of little practical use in aerial combat.

To successfully execute the Immelmann turn, the pilot pulls the craft into a vertical climb, and eventually completes half a loop in the aircraft from this climb, inverting the craft. The star pilot then executes a half-roll to regain normal orientation. As a result, the craft is now at a higher altitude and has changed course 180 degrees.

It has become one of the most popular aerial maneuvers. However, it is of little or no use in actual dog fighting, due to the fact that it involves unacceptable "energy loss" (drop in speed) even if the nose is pressed down sharply as the turn is completed.

After making a diving pass on an enemy, the star pilot zooms up past the enemy craft, and before stalling used full rudder to bring his craft around. This put his craft facing down at the enemy craft, making another pass possible. This is a difficult maneuver to perform properly. Pull up into a climb, as your speed drops, roll your craft and pull back slightly on the stick. With good timing, you will be diving back down in the opposite direction. This form of "Immelmann turn" was called Renversement by pilots. The modern term for this maneuver is 'wingover'.

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3.3. Thach Weave

The "Thach Weave". It was executed either by two fighter aircraft side-by-side or (as illustrated) by two pairs of fighters flying together.

When an enemy aircraft chose one fighter as his target (the "bait" fighter; his wingman being the "hook"), the two wingmen turned in towards each other.

After crossing paths, and once their separation was great enough, they would then repeat the exercise, again turning in towards each other, bringing the enemy plane into the hook's sights.

A correctly-executed Thach Weave (assuming the bait was taken and followed) left little chance of escape to even the most maneuverable opponent.

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3.4. Scissors

The Scissors is an dog fighting maneuver, commonly applied by military starfighter pilots.

It is primarily used to get a defending plane behind an attacking plane on the rear in a dogfight.

The defending craft simply flies in a vertical zigzagging flight path. The pilot pitches the nose up and down during flight to accomplish this.

This decreases the craft’s forward speed during the climb by trading kinetic energy (speed) for gravitational potential energy (height).

The average forward speed also decreases due to the ship flying a much longer distance during the maneuver.

The aggressor, however, may also attempt this maneuver to remain offensive by staying behind the defending plane. The starpilot that best executes this maneuver will end up in the better offensive position by being above and behind the other plane.

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3.4. Luftberry

This tactic was purely defensive in nature, and could only be mounted by flights of multiple crafts working together.

The tactic involved all members of the defending formation forming a horizontal circle in the area when attacked.

This way, each craft would theoretically protect the spaceship in front of him. It was thought that an attacking starfighter would be unable to attack any member of the formation without coming under fire themselves.

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3.5. Chandelle

The chandelle is an maneuver, used to turn as sharply as possible.

It was described as monter en chandelle, "to climb around a candle." After attaining maximum practical speed at full throttle, the craft is rolled into a steep bank.

As the turn begins, the nose is pitched up to well above a power-on stall. Before the stall takes effect, as the turn progresses and airspeed is lost, the ship is leveled and the nose dropped so that when the craft has turned the desired amount, the craft is flying straight and level, just above stall speed.

This is very similar to what a anti-gravity hover boarder does using a halfpipe.

The maneuver is used both aggressively to position the airplane for attack, and defensively to elude an enemy.

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4. Complex Techniques

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4.1. Pugachev's Cobra

The Pugachev Cobra is a fighter craft maneuver. It is a demonstration of the pitch control authority, high angle of attack (AOA) stability and engine/inlet compatibility at high angles of attack of the aircraft.

The maneuvre allows for very quick turns which can make an attack fail or put the pilot in a position to execute an attack. It is an example of air combatt maneuvers (ACM).

The maneuver consists of the star pilot disengaging and pulling the craft to a 90°–120° angle of attack, then back down to zero.

In a properly performed Pugachev's Cobra, the craft maintains a straight and level flight throughout the maneuver.

The vertical form of this maneuver is called a Cobra, named after the snake that behaves in a similar manner. Performing the maneuver on the horizontal craft is known as a 'Hook', and is considered a most effective maneuver.

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4.2. Herbst maneuver

The Herbst maneuver (also known as a J-Turn) is an combat maneuver such as thrust vectoring and advanced flight controls to achieve high angles of attack.

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