G-forces express the magnitude of gravity, with 1G being equivalent to Earth's normal pull of gravity. When maneuvering fiercely during engagements, pilots are subjected to high G-force. They use the radar warning receiver (RWR) to discern the types of signals hitting their aircraft.
Pilots have to be aware of the potential threats and learn to distinguish between the two where possible. Chaff is another option in the case that the aircraft is too high up to use geographical obstructions. Radar homing missiles could sometimes be confused by surface objects or geographical features causing clutter for the guidance system of either the missile or ground station guiding it. Pilots normally drop flares to confuse or decoy these missiles by creating more multiple heat signatures hotter than that of the aircraft for the missile to lock onto and guide away from the defending aircraft.
NAVY FIGHTER PILOT HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS SOFTWARE
Supercooled infrared detectors help the missile find a possible exhaust source, and software assists the missile in flying towards its target. Modern infrared missiles, like the AIM-9 Sidewinder, have a more advanced guidance system. Another tactic was to exploit a missile's limited range by performing evasive maneuvers until the missiles had run out of fuel. These missiles could be avoided by simply turning sharply, which essentially caused the missile to lose sight of the target aircraft. Many early air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles had very simple infrared homing ("heat seeking") guidance systems with a narrow field of view. This is known as the AGSM or the M1 or, sometimes, as the "grunt". Pilots flex their legs and torso to keep blood from draining out of the head.
Pilots need to be in good shape in order to handle the high G-forces caused by aerial combat. Pilots perform stressful maneuvers to gain advantage in the dogfight. ĭogfighting at 1 to 4 miles (1,600 to 6,400 m) is considered "close". Missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM, however, can actively home in on jamming signals. Attacks from missiles are usually countered with electronic countermeasures, Flares and chaff. Pilots are trained to employ specific tactics and maneuvers when they are under attack. Some air combat maneuvers form the basis for the sport of aerobatics: Normally, the facts of an enemy's weapon payload is unknown, and are revealed as the fight progresses. If one pilot had a greater missile range than the other, he would choose to fire his missile first, before being in range of the enemy's missile. A common saying for dogfighting is "lose sight, lose fight". Outperformance of another pilot and that pilot's aircraft is critical to maintain the upper-hand. However, when a pilot is dogfighting at short-range, his position relative to the opponent is decidedly important. Modern medium and long range active radar homing and semi-active radar homing missiles can be fired at targets outside or beyond visual range. Better-than-average visual acuity is also a highly desirable and valuable trait. Fighter pilots also require strong muscle tissue along the extremities and abdomen, for performing an anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM, see below) when performing tight turns and other highly accelerated maneuvers. Some fighter aircraft can accelerate to up to 9 G’s. One "G" is equal to the force of gravity experienced under normal conditions, two "G"s would be twice the force of normal gravity. Excellent heart condition is required, as the increased "G's" a pilot experiences in a turn can cause stress on the cardiovascular system. As such, in nearly all air forces, fighter pilots, as are pilots of most other aircraft, are commissioned officers.įemale USAF fighter pilots heading to their jets before takeoff (2006)įighter pilots must be in optimal health to handle the physical demands of modern aerial warfare. Candidates are also expected to exhibit strong leadership and teamwork abilities. An individual who possesses an exceptional academic record, physical fitness, healthy well-being, and a strong mental drive will have a higher chance of being selected for pilot training. Selection processes only accept the elite out of all the potential candidates. A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.įighter pilots are one of the most highly regarded and desirable positions of any air force. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat). Ī fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft.
Ilmari Juutilainen, a Finnish WWII fighter pilot with Brewster BW-364 "Orange 4" on 26 June 1942 during the Continuation War.
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