When engaging a helicopter, what flight path mode should you be in?

• A. Follow-me
• B. Direct attack
• C. Top attack
• D. Low altitude run

Answer: (B)

Direct attack is the best choice because engaging a helicopter with a straight, head-on intercept maximizes the missile’s guidance stability and keeps the target within the seeker’s line of sight. A direct path minimizes lead-angle errors as the helicopter maneuvers and reduces the chance of losing track or missing due to rapid changes in altitude or direction. Top-attack profiles are more suited to armored ground targets and can be less effective against a fast, small aerial platform, while low-altitude runs and other modes don’t provide the same reliable intercept geometry for a helicopter.