Dive attack

Dive attacks improve accuracy for rockets, bombs, and cannon fire by tightening the impact pattern and reducing timing errors.

Two primary dive attack profiles are used:

• A high-altitude dive begins with a run-in at altitude, followed by a nose-down dive onto the target.
• A pop-up attack uses a low-altitude terrain-following approach to mask the aircraft, then a sharp pull-up into a steep climb and immediate dive onto the target.

Steeper dives increase accuracy but reduce reaction time. Balance dive angle, speed, and weapon type for safe, effective strikes. Laser-guided bombs benefit from altitude; cannon fire spreads more at longer ranges.