Updated: 01Nov2021 # Purpose This presentation contains rules and examples of interflight sorting. At the each flight should be able to: - Identify enemy flight composition - Use the 5 Second Sort Method - Precise Radio communications for the first engage The benefits of “5 Second Sorting” are quick prosecution of targets, increase kill probability, and guaranteed sorting with at least one missile on each target. # MOTIVATION ![[Pasted image 20230905192906.png]] Sorting and firing under 30 seconds ALL phoenixes go active at the same time with high kill probability # Enemy Flight composition Enemy Flight composition Each enemy flight we will sort into three types of hostiles. LEAD- the closest ( if a tie left most) hostile TRAIL - the farthest ( if a tie right most) hostile WINGMAN - all enemies NOT LEAD, NOT TRAIL ![[Pasted image 20230905193248.png]] # Rules of Thumb for Phoenix Launch At 35,000 ft, 300 knots the Phoenix has an effective flight range of 50 miles. **Altitude Rule**: For every 10,000 ft change Range changes by 10 miles. **Closing Rule**: For every 100 knots of target airspeed, the launch window changes 5 NM. **Speed Rule**: For every 50 knots change Range changes by 1 mile. # The usage of 5 Second Sorting is when the ratio is 1 tomcat to 1.5 enemies Using these rules the first engagement will end in a wall of phoenixes fired at the enemy, each phoenix going **active** at the **same time**, and each enemy having at least one phoenix missile to defend from. 5 Second Sorting ![[Pasted image 20230905183600.png]] # 5 Second Sorting Rules 1. ==SHOOT== your position (tgt size `SMALL`) 2. ==SHOOT== a wingman (tgt size `NORMAL`) _**All done within 5 seconds**_ Before we go over these rules, first we will start a BVR engagement by labeling the enemy flight composition correctly. # Enemy flight composition 1-1 is always LEAD, 1-2 is always WINGMAN, 1-3 is always TRAIL, 1-4 is the jet that BANZAI first, if lead calls banzai ![[Pasted image 20230905193654.png]] --- ![[Pasted image 20230905193808.png]] ## 1. SHOOT your position (tgt size SMALL) LEAD (1-1) shoots LEAD, WINGMAN (1-2) shoots WINGMAN, TRAIL (1-3) shoots TRAIL. RIOs-Use MANDATORY ATTACK button on message panel and NEXT LAUNCH button. ![[Pasted image 20230905194515.png]] ## 2. SHOOT a wingman (tgt size NORMAL) Second shot should be fired at a WINGMAN. If unable fire at TRAIL. ![[Pasted image 20230905194612.png]] --- Second shot is target size NORMAL and is within 5 seconds of the first shot. ![[Pasted image 20230905194730.png]] ## LEAD decided “SORT” Not known to us, LEAD gave a sort command so the last person in the flight, Vic 1-3, fired a PD-STT shot. ![[Pasted image 20230905194851.png]] --- All phoenixes active at same time Gives no time for enemy to react ![[Pasted image 20230905195146.png]] --- If a enemy is not defeated with the first SMALL shot, then they will be low energy for the second still active NORMAL shot. (see WINGMAN) ![[Pasted image 20230905195243.png]] --- If not defeated, the enemy will be in a low energy state ready for follow up shots or banzai if appropriate for the second engage. ![[Pasted image 20230905195620.png]] ![[5 Second Sort#5 Second Sorting Rules]] Now how do we synchronize our shots? And how to do it in 5 seconds? Also some tips on launch parameters. >[!warning] Incomplete Import Beyond This Point # Radio Communication This is the magic First communication by Lead should have the enemy size, direction, and distance. Lead also gives the SORT command to sort the targets and launch priorities at that time. Below are 4 main sort orders- “SORT TWIZ x2” all in the flight will fire TWS x2. Gives Best kill probability. “SORT ”(DEFAULT SORT) the last one in the flight (trail) will fire PD. “SORT TWIZ SINGLE” all in the flight will fire TWS x1. This is recommended for MAX ammunition conservation “SORT ALL PD” all in the flight will shoot PD on target. Only for 1 to 1 ratio Lead “flight, enemy 3 ship bearing 030 for 50 NM, sort ” RIOs-Flight gives MANDATORY ATTACK, NEXT LAUNCH, TGT SIZE SMALL to first target and hooks second target Flight responds “2, 3 ship sorted”, “3, 3 ship sorted” giving who is talking, the enemy size, and the reply SORTED At this point all that is left is the shoot cue from lead (notice since no direct SORT command was given, the last person in the flight (3) should fire PD STT) Radio Communication This is the BIG magic Lead says “Small-shot.. Fire” giving the synchronous fire command. After Lead releases LAUNCH button (3 seconds) (or release when TID TTI shows up) Seconds 1 2 3 4 5 Lead immediately says “Normal-shot 3 2 1 Fire” (5 SECOND LINE) *At the same time the flight pushes NEXT LAUNCH and TGT SIZE NORMAL before Launch cue. This is the key to a synchronous wall of Phoenixes pitbull simultaneously at the enemies doorstep! After all shots are taken Flight calls missile brevity “Fox 3 times 2” “Fox 1” If done correctly TTI difference between targets should be less than 10 seconds MAX *this works because before the first phoenix was fired we had the second target HOOKED and ready to push NEXT LAUNCH Now let’s see this in action! 2v2 first engagement T-10 Targets ordered and ready for first launch. Lead sorts (default) meaning 2 will only fire one phoenix LEAD: flight enemy 2 ship, 090 for 40 sort WINGMAN 2, 2 ship sorted First target NEXT LAUNCH, TGT SIZE SMALL RIOs have second target hooked here 2v2 first engagement T+0 First salvo fired in SMALL, 2 fires PD-STT LEAD: Standby Fox 3 small-shot...launch. 2v2 first engagement T+10 Lead fires second in NORMAL, all missiles fired, so crank time Important note: The next slides are possible outcomes of this scenario LEAD: Normal-shot 3 2 1 launch WINGMAN: Fox 1 RIOs- NEXT LAUNCH, TGT SIZE NORMAL 2v2 first engagement T+40 TRAIL goes defensive against PD-STT 60 crank 2v2 first engagement T+70 Wingman loses track, and both Leads missiles go active at the same time Track lost, so Fox 1 missile went dumb however, enemy now low energy and defensive 2v2 first engagement T+80 After first engage, second engage turns into a 2v1 with enemy at low energy state and one more phoenix still guiding. Quick and dirty 3 v 4 sample engagement LEAD (1-1) TRAIL (1-3) WINGMAN (1-2) LEAD: Hostile 4 ship off the nose 120 for 70 sort LEAD: Hostile 4 ship off the nose 120 for 70 sort tws x2 WINGMAN: 2, 4 ship sorted ELEMENT LEAD: 3, 4 ship sorted First target NEXT LAUNCH, TGT SIZE SMALL RIOs have second target hooked here LEAD: Standby Fox 3 small-shot...Fire. Quick and dirty 3 v 4 sample engagement LEAD: Normal-shot 3 2 1 Fire WINGMAN: Fox 3 times 2 ELEMENT LEAD: Fox 3 times 2 RIOs- NEXT LAUNCH, TGT SIZE NORMAL Quick and dirty 3 v 4 sample engagement ALL phoenixes go active at the same time giving enemy flight no time to react Quick and dirty 3 v 4 sample engagement LEAD and TRAIL Neutralized by SMALL target size phoenix. Both wingman go defensive. Scenario might end in 4v2 for second engage or no second engage. Quick and dirty 3 v 4 sample engagement 5 Second Sorting Rules 1.SHOOT your position (tgt size SMALL) 2.SHOOT a wingman (tgt size NORMAL) L“flight, enemy 3 ship bearing 030 for 40 NM, sort twiz x2” W“2, 3 ship sorted” L“Small-shot.. Fire” SMALL- MANDATORY ATTACK- NEXT LAUNCH L“Normal-shot 3 2 1 Fire” NORMAL NEXT LAUNCH (5 SECOND LINE) W“Fox 3 times 2”