Quote:
Originally Posted by NFunky
No, the intersection I'm talking about is when a target changes from a lead to lag or vice versa his speed across the LOS is temporarily 0 so the next bearing line I get after the maneuver will cross the last one at close to the range of the target .......... Everyone knows you should track and fire from a lag LOS, but the moment I switch, I'll be giving my range away.
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Okay, that makes a lot more sense. I've actually never considered this before, so this is very interesting!
My take on what's going on is still a little different. It's not always the
last bearing line before the switch that creates an intersection, when you've switched from lag to lead. Suppose during that time interval you stayed stationary in the LOS in the lead condition, producing parallel lines--no intersection. But if you go a few lines back to a position on your previous course, your net movement across the LOS will approach 0 or go negative for that interval and an intersection will be created somewhere beyond ownship. That's an overlead intersection--a maximum range.
So, I still see this in terms of the LOS switch creating a minimum and maximum possible range, it's just that the switch is being caused by a manuever in the other ship, but with the same result. The manuevering ship is putting itself at a bit of a disadvantage because it has less speed across the LOS over some interval, which tightens up the adversary's solution range.
I can think of two ways to try to mitigate this. First, if it's tactically feasible, approach the target from in front of or behind its course. This minimizes its speed across the LOS, so when yours drops off he doesn't have the speed to capitalize on it. The other way is to game the intervals. The closer you are in any interval to having no speed across the LOS, the tighter the solution range gets. So, try to be as far away from 0 during any 2-minute interval. That's not as complicated as it sounds, because it basically means driving your boat so that it's between your bearing lines on the even-numbered minutes.
Thanks for bringing this question up. TMA tactics just got a bit deeper and more interesting for me.