Short Range Missile Shots/Kills

Has anyone noticed the short range at which missile shots are being takened?
While advertisements “tout” how long a range the missiles have, they are
commonly being used at only twenty-five percent of their range, or less!
Back 1986 when Libyan SU-22’s fired on US Navy F-14’s, the F-14’s manuevered
out of the way of the Libyan missile then fired two Sidewinders. The first
at one mile and second at one quarter mile in range.
— SOURCE– Aviation Week, Discovery Channel -Wings The F-14.

In 1989 when again Libyan jets challenged US Navy F-14’s. As the four jets
approached each other, locking their radars on the prospective targets. The
F-14’s didn’t setup for a missile shot until twenty miles from the target!
Though one settings was incorrect, the first missile was not fired until
only 12.9 miles from the Mig.s. The second shot also went wide of its target
and it was fired at ten miles.. These were both Sparrow missiles. The first
F-14 kill was by the wingman at a range 7 miles with a Sparrow missile. The
second kill was by the flight leader firing a Sidewinder at 1.5 miles.
— SOURCE– CNN video tape, Time Life Books “Air Combat”

During the Persian Gulf War, the Saudi pilot in a F-15 kill two Mirage F-1’s
carrying Exocet missiles. He killed them at ranges of 7 miles and less with
Sparrow missiles.

The first American kill was Capt. Tate and he fired a Sparrow missile at a
Mirage F-1 at a range of 12 miles and killed the F-1. The F-1 had a chance
to kill an F-15 with a Matra .530 missile at less than 10 miles but, was
trying to get closer to Capt. Tate’s wingman when he was killed Capt. Tate
from a distance of 12 miles.
— SOURCE– “Desert Storm” Discovery Channel Video Tape

Later on during the Persian Gulf War, there were two dogfights between the
33rd TFW (Tactical Fighter Wing) and the Iraqi Air Force that were captured
on video tape! The first dogfight was between four F-15’s on a Migcap and
three Mig.-23’s that came up to challenge them. All three Mig.’s were shot
down at ranges of 8, 6, and, 3.5 miles.

The second dogfight involved two Mig.-25’s against four F-15’s serving as a
Migcap. On the video tape you can hear the computer in the back ground
alerting the lead pilot “Bingo Fuel”, that he was low on fuel! The lead pilot
then ordered the other pilots to get out of afterburners. All while still
approaching the Mig.s! Again, the Mig.’s allowed the F-15’s to take the first
shots at ranges between 5.5 miles. One of the two Mig.-25’s retreated and got
away! In all cases, the F-15’s increased their altitude as they approached the
Mig.-25’s, forcing the Mig.’s to lose speed as they gained altitude. Thus
making them an easier target for the F-15’s.
— SOURCE– Aviation Week Video “Hot Flying” (first edition)

Two Mig.-21’s were running from two F-14’s that were a Migcap for some A-6
and A-7’s. While running away from the F-14’s, they ran headon into two
F/A-18’s on a bombing run, loaded with four two thousand pound bombs. Again,
the American jets got the first shots at about six miles, killing both Mig.’s.
— SOURCE— “Desert Storm” Discovery Channel Video Tape and Aviation Week
Video “Hot Flying”

The first AMRAAM kill was a F-16C firing the AMRAAM down the throat of a
Mig.-25 and only six miles in range! What was the Mig.-25 expecting? It was
many miles south of the “no fly” zone in Iraq, how was he going to fight the
American jet? Was he intending to manuever against the American? If so, when
was he going to start?
— SOURCE— Aviation Week

The conflict in Kosovo between an F-15 and Mig.-29, at night. The F-15
ripple fired two AMRAAM’s at 12 miles. The Mig.-29 escaped the first missile
but the second missile killed the Mig.. The F-15 was in the Mig.’s missile
envelope for several minutes. The F-15 was in the Mig.’s missile’s “no
escape zone” for almost minute, why did the Mig. pilot wait so long? Why did
he give the first shot to the F-15?
— SOURCE— Aviation Week

Other AMRAAM kills in the Kosovo area have been made within 15 miles. My
question is, “WHY ARE THESE AIRCRAFT GETTING SO CLOSE TO THEIR OPPONENT”?
These missiles have ranges greatly exceeding their usage, “WHY AREN’T THE
PILOTS USING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE MISSILES LONGER RANGES?” In all of
these encounters the non-American aircraft fired the first shot only once!!
A Dutch F-16 shot down a Serbian jet at short range. Why are these missile
shots being takened at such close range?

AM I MISSING SOMETHING???