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Fighter Pilot Gunnery: The U.S. Fighter Pilot Manual

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Fighter pilot gunnery is the art of using aircraft-mounted guns to engage and destroy enemy aircraft. It is a highly specialized skill that requires years of training and practice to master.

The U.S. Fighter Pilot Manual is the official training manual for fighter pilots in the United States Air Force. It provides a comprehensive overview of fighter pilot gunnery, from basic principles to advanced techniques.

Fighter Pilot Gunnery: The US Fighter Pilot Manual

by Shirley B Nichols

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9342 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	76 pages

Basic Principles of Fighter Pilot Gunnery

The basic principles of fighter pilot gunnery are:

Lead and Deflection: A fighter pilot must lead the target in order to hit it, because the bullet will travel in a straight line while the target is moving.
Range and Angle: The range and angle of the target must be estimated in order to determine the proper lead and deflection.
Trigger Squeeze: The trigger must be squeezed smoothly and gradually in order to avoid disturbing the aim.
Follow-Through: The fighter pilot must follow through with the trigger squeeze until the target is destroyed.

Advanced Techniques of Fighter Pilot Gunnery

In addition to the basic principles, fighter pilots also use a variety of advanced techniques to increase their accuracy and efficiency. These techniques include:

Lag Pursuit: A technique used to track a moving target and lead it by the correct amount.
Bursting Fire: A technique used to fire a series of short bursts of fire, rather than a continuous stream of bullets.
Tracers: A type of ammunition that contains a small amount of tracer material, which allows the fighter pilot to see where his bullets are going.
Aiming Computation Sights: A type of aiming device that helps the fighter pilot to lead and deflect the target.

Training for Fighter Pilot Gunnery

Fighter pilots undergo extensive training in gunnery before they are allowed to fly in combat. This training includes:

Classroom instruction: Fighter pilots learn the basic principles of gunnery in the classroom.
Simulator training: Fighter pilots practice gunnery in a simulator before flying in a real aircraft.
Live-fire training: Fighter pilots fire live ammunition at targets on the ground and in the air.

Fighter pilot gunnery is a complex and challenging skill that requires years of training and practice to master. However, it is an essential skill for fighter pilots who wish to be successful in combat.