Forum: F-16 Procedures

I have a question of the term, "merge." A merge is when the opponents pass each others "3-9" line, correct.

If two elements of good guys about two miles apart "A" & "B" approach four bad guys. The bad guys are arrayed in one element in the ten o'clock position trying to move to the nine oclock position of the element A. One bad guy is head on (twelve o'clock) with element B and the the fourth bad guy is is positioned in "B's" two o'clock position. If element "A" turns left to face the element the opposing element. When "A" turns left and one of the other two passes "A's" 3-9 line.... under these conditions is that considered a merge?

Adrian

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I had a really cool airforce manual (in PDF) that covered all this kind of thing. It had a load of great stuff and covered all the basics of ACM, all the real good stuff you want to know about circle fights etc etc, f-pole, a-pole and all that kind of thing...

The only problem is i've lost it and I have no idea what its called!! Somebody here is bound to know.

From our <a href="http://www.f-16.net/glossary.html">aviation glossary</a> (Operational Brevity Words):

MERGE(D) - Informative that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena. Call indicating radar returns have come together.

kneecaps wrote:

I had a really cool airforce manual (in PDF) that covered all this kind of thing. It had a load of great stuff and covered all the basics of ACM, all the real good stuff you want to know about circle fights etc etc, f-pole, a-pole and all that kind of thing...

The only problem is i've lost it and I have no idea what its called!! Somebody here is bound to know.

Hi kneecaps, I'm betting the one you are thinking of may be posted on http://www.fas.org/ in the F-16 section?

Fisk

I guess you bot refer to the "<A href="http://www.f-16.net/index.php?name=Downloads&req=viewdownload&cid=3&min=10&orderby=dateD&show=10">Multi-Command Handbook - F-16</a>"?

You can download it from our <a href="http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index">downloads section</a>.

avon1944 wrote:

I have a question of the term, "merge." A merge is when the opponents pass each others "3-9" line, correct.

If two elements of good guys about two miles apart "A" & "B" approach four bad guys. The bad guys are arrayed in one element in the ten o'clock position trying to move to the nine oclock position of the element A. One bad guy is head on (twelve o'clock) with element B and the the fourth bad guy is is positioned in "B's" two o'clock position. If element "A" turns left to face the element the opposing element. When "A" turns left and one of the other two passes "A's" 3-9 line.... under these conditions is that considered a merge?

Adrian

No i dont think that this is considered a merge.

If it was this way, at a BFM sorties, the one would turn 90-100 degrees and then return, pretending that he is on the merge...no way!!!

Probably not the technical answer you are looking for, but if I maneuver in relation to an adversary in the visual arena, I call it a merge.

3 ways merge is used
HIGH aspect bfm and ACM -3/9 passage
or
in a visual fight = merged
or
from AWACs/GCI/ or even fighter radars when you can no longer distinguish between 2 radar tracks (inside single group vs 2 grp criterea)

merge generally is when the distance betwwen the jets is about 3 nm

its also when you go from driving in one lane to another

Generally speaking ,because of the almost infinite possiblities.

The Merge. Capitol T capitol M is the point in the fight when the crew takes control of the intercept. They have visual and no longer require AWACS guidance or advice. The classic Merge is head to head but there are other variations.

You all have way too much time on your hands to be giving these huge definitions of what a "merge" is. Seriously, if you take 'Lieven's' definition - which is the official statement from the USAF, that's it. No senarios, or stupid comments required. Keep it simple and stop being rediculous.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

We call engaged at five miles and "Merged" is used when a VID can be made. I've called merged at anywhere between 1.5 to 4 miles depending on environmental conditions. It doesn't matter what the distance is, the sooner you can VID the bogey the sooner you can kill him if he is hostile. As a side note, when the engaged call is made GCI puts a five mile "bubble" around the engagement based off the bullseye call from the engaged fighter. This prevents other fighters from shooting you BVR, hopefully.

Forum: F-16 Procedures

ACM/BFM Question - Is it considered a "Merge"?