A new concept in fire-control computation has been devised for fixed-gun air-superiority-type aircraft called the 'Snap-Shoot Gunsight.' The concept attempts to circumbent the limitations and deficiencies of the fixed-depression (or 'iron') sight and the lead-computing optical sight, both in common use today. (The iron sight appears to be range limited; the lead-computing sight is often defeated by an aggressively-maneuvering target). As part of this research, several simulations were developed to demonstrate and evaluate the new gunsight concept. This report describes one of the first of them, a hybrid-computer man-in-the-loop simulation of an aerial engagement between two independently-controllable aircraft, one equipped with a snap-shoot gunsight. Results of this simulation indicate that, although the pilot's steering task might be somewhat more difficult with the snap-shoot gunsight than with the lead-computing optical sight, the snap-shoot gunsight gives the pursuit pilot accurate and positive indications of firing opportunities, even against aggressively-maneuvering targets. (Author).

Project 7904. Also available as AD723649.