It is also because of this theory that John Boyd, who has died nearly twenty years ago, has become a great man in the field of human aviation, striving for the top and influencing the development of the human aviation industry.
How influential is this theory?
Every third-generation fighter jet designed by various countries around the world has energy mobility as its core, and cannot avoid this theory at all. It rubs the winning theory of the booming bombing mechanism on the ground and kneads it back and forth.
Whether it is the American magic weapon F-5'Eagle', F-'Falcon', or the aerial dream team composed of the F-8'Hornet' family, or the noble and elegant Su-27 family, the domestic J-0 series and J-series, as well as a large number of mainstream fighter jets in Europe and the United States.
The category of third-generation fighter jets is completely based on energy maneuver theory.
The entire theory took a back seat until beyond-visual-range air combat and missile technology matured, and the first fourth-generation stealth fighter F-22 Raptor appeared. The importance and influence of energy maneuver theory diminished, and people focused their attention on it. To achieve stealth performance and beyond visual range air combat.
But even so, the theory of energy mobility still occupies an important influence in today's aviation field, and even the design of fourth-generation stealth fighters cannot avoid it.
No one can guarantee that there will not be close-range air combat in future wars. This is why the three fourth-generation stealth fighter jets currently in service in the world place special emphasis on mobility and incorporate energy mobility theory into them.
This theory is the key knowledge that needs to be learned during the flight training stage of junior year.
Zhou Hai clearly remembers every word and punctuation mark about this theory, and has his own understanding of it.
Close combat air combat, this type of battle, still belongs to the restricted area of energy maneuver theory, inviolable territory - whichever side has the fighter unit with the highest remaining power will win.
energy!
The most important energy!
The entire theory is based on the physical laws of thermodynamics, which cannot be exceeded or violated.
"Well, yes, it is true. In close combat, the most important thing is to maintain energy when flying. You must not be rigid. You must adapt to changes and use various techniques flexibly. You must predict how the enemy will fly next and see further. Plan slowly, rather than rush for quick success."
Hearing Zhou Hai's answer, Li Fude held the control stick skillfully, nodded, and while controlling Chu Jiao Sixi to climb up and roll, he explained: "Look, let's assume that there is an enemy aircraft with the same performance behind us. When it bites our tail, remember, never panic, we can use high-speed tactics, pull the stick to climb, exchange speed for a height advantage, and at the same time roll with the cockpit down to observe the enemy aircraft's flight attitude and trajectory."
Real-machine lectures, accompanied by tumbling experience, this feeling is definitely not something that normal people can enjoy.
Inside the narrow cockpit, looking out to the outside world was almost spinning. In an instant, Zhou Hai was in an inverted state again, with his head facing the ground and his butt facing the sky.
If you are an ordinary person with a poor sense of space, you will be dizzy at this moment, and there is a high probability of misjudging your own position and direction.
Moreover, this is only the simplest initial training aircraft, not a modern fighter in the true sense.
There seemed to be an invisible enemy plane below No. 6. It was caught off guard and flew past our previous position, losing its target and favorable attack position.
The roles of hunter and prey suddenly changed.
"After observation, we must react immediately without hesitation. Assume that the target is in a short-term level flight state and look for our traces. We fly out of a large-angle arc trajectory, and then use altitude to gain a speed advantage, and gain attack position and bite. Stay at the enemy's rear."
Li Fu looked calm, and controlled the No. 6 to enter the dive acceleration stage. The nose of the aircraft was pointed forward, and then it leveled out and flew out:
"Of course, in actual operation, you can turn sharply to the left + climb and roll at a high elevation angle, you can also perform roller maneuvers, dive and perform low-yo-yo maneuvers, etc. Don't be rigid. But I want to remind you that low-yoyo maneuvers will cause The energy is exhausted and only a short-term attack takes up space. Unless you have the intention of killing with one strike, you should never use Low Youyou."
Between the two air combat maneuvers of high yoyo and low yoyo, 99% of fighter pilots will choose the former, because the energy budget of the former is basically balanced, and if it is a fighter equipped with a vector engine, it can even make a surplus.
As for the low-and-low air combat maneuver, altitude is exchanged for speed, then speed is exchanged for altitude, and finally the shooting window is less than a few seconds.
The entire maneuver will greatly consume the energy accumulated by the fighter aircraft.
Unless you are in a desperate situation, unless you have the belief that you will kill with one strike, making slow maneuvers under normal circumstances is completely seeking death.
"I see."
After hearing the air combat concepts and experience taught by Li Fu, Zhou Hai's face showed a serious look. He was shocked, took a deep breath, and kept in mind all the knowledge that had never been recorded in these books.
experience!
These all belong to Li Fu's flying experience and are close to actual combat, rather than theoretical knowledge given in books.
"We are air force pilots, and we are fighter jets. We are definitely not those guys in civil aviation who only know how to look at instruments and take off and land. Do you understand? Fight! Our duty is to fight, our mission is to fight, and everything we pursue is to fight. We must be in Fighting in the sky, not rigid and stereotyped flight.”
Li Fu's face showed a hint of coldness, his eyes were solemn, and the elegance all over his body disappeared and was replaced by a chilling aura. He slowly transmitted his accumulated experience to Zhou Hai: "Zhou Hai, what is the core of air combat? I just want to do everything. By all means, use all your abilities and skills to destroy the enemy and win."
fighting!
This is the true responsibility and mission of Air Force fighter pilots, and it is also the core factor why the danger of this profession remains high.
What is a civil aviation pilot?
During the entire flight, you only need to take care of takeoff and landing. The rest of the time, you only need to look at the instruments and leave everything to the autopilot.
Hearing Li Fu's words, Zhou Hai's eyelids twitched and he secretly smacked his tongue inwardly. He didn't expect that his master still had such a side. ..
Stiff and rigid?
For this metaphor, Zhou Hai could only remain silent and did not dare to say a word.
After all, the civil aviation industry is also a serious pilot, so what do we think?
I have always heard that air force pilots look down on civilian aviation, but now I see it is true.
However, Zhou Hai benefited from the experience taught by Li Fu.
fighting!
Indeed, the mission and responsibility of air force pilots, especially fighter pilots, is to fight and use the skills and knowledge they have learned to guard this blue sky - their own sky.
"Do you remember everything I said?" Li Fu controlled Chujiao Liu to maintain a level and stable flight, looking through the window at the sesame-like buildings on the ground, and asked Zhou Hai.
