>>65558446
Why should they? BVR is king nowadays.

>>65558466
I know but are there texbook formations how to launch radar decoys, when to launch proper weapons, when to disengage etc. Radar user sees formations that's why I asked.

>>65558477
Nah dog they just let them fly around however the fuck

>>65558480
Air operations post WW1 have always had very strict and hard discipline. I refuse to believe that modern air operations are just some random datalink-enabled hunting.

>>65558446
Of course, the formations are just a lot further spread to maximize radar coverage so instead of your wingman being 100ft away he might be 10 miles away.

>>65558489
Pretty sure anon was being sarcastic. Yes, fighters fly in formations unless there's a reason not to (they might split off on contact with the enemy, but even then it's done in precise patterns like pincer maneuvers). When they're just flying to the mission area, you almost always see them in flights of 2-6 flying relatively tight formations (certainly within visual range). Those flights also have predefined positions within a larger mission package when in larger numbers, as well as an altitude range they need to keep. Datalink is nice and all, but there's still nothing like just turning your head to check on your wingman's status for situational awareness.