Actually, A-6Bs on SAM suppression flights idled their engines and dived for the deck to avoid SAMs fired at them over Vietnam. There have been cases of MiG-21

Actually, A-6Bs on SAM suppression flights idled their engines and dived for the deck to avoid SAMs fired at them over Vietnam. There have been cases of MiG-21s and Mirage F1s releasing flares and successfully avoiding an AIM-9 missile fired at them from less than 10NM. The engaging fighter usually speeds towards the target and fires a second missile at closer range and shoots it down.