>How important are top-gun style "dogfights" in modern warfare? Modern medium-range air-to air missile (AMRAAM AIM-120D) has optimal launch distance (best prob

>How important are top-gun style "dogfights" in modern warfare? Modern medium-range air-to air missile (AMRAAM AIM-120D) has optimal launch distance (best probability of kill) roughly 100 km. (max range 160+ km). Short range IR-guided missiles have range 20-30 km. Optimal range closer to 20 km. While modern missiles can be launched from almost any position, good Pk (probability of kill) from long range is not realistic unless the fighter is flying high speed, at high altitude towards the target. Medium and long range missiles spend energy accelerating to maximum speed and climbing up to thinner atmosphere for their mid-course flight. Flying fast and high towards the enemy increases the range of the missile. After launching medium-range air-to air missile (AMRAAM) within 100 km it takes only 20 seconds before fighter meet at the close range where IR-quided missiles are used. F-35 have sustained rate of turn between 5-20 degrees per second (depending on altitude, speed, loading). Flying high speed at maximum altitude leaves little or no room to turn and keep standoff distance. If the enemies keeps coming there will be almost certain dogfight. The advantage of stealthy F-35 against conventional 4 generation fighter is that it can get radar lock from long range, and the missile can maintain that lock from longer distance. Being first in position to launch is huge advantage and it forces enemy to start evasive maneuvers. Enemy will adapt it's strategy against F-35 of course. IR-sensors help to negate some of the radar stealth advantage and the technology is advancing fast. Carrying more decoys, chaff helps also. Using drones in air combat will change many things. --- >If everyone has stealth aircraft, how do they even find eachother to fight? How do missiles work? IR-sensors are added into medium and long range missiles. This has not happened yet, but it's almost certain development.