What is fighter jet lock? Simply put, it refers to the process of continuously tracking and effectively controlling target parameters and movements using fighter fire control systems, and providing accurate data for weapon launch and guidance at any time. This is an action with clear tactical significance. In beyond visual range air combat, locking is of great significance, which means that the pilot has entered the stage of tracking and preparing for attack from discovering the target. After locking onto the target, although it may not necessarily fire, whoever locks onto it will take the initiative, and whoever is locked onto will be passive. Because only when the enemy is locked in first can they attack first. There are many instances of fighter jets being locked in. One of the reasons why the Israeli military achieved significant results in the 1982 Bekaa Valley air battle was that their F-15 and F-16 fighter jets promptly obtained information transmitted by drones, early warning aircraft, and other sources, locking onto their targets. In 1991, the US F-15C fighter jet launched a "Sparrow" missile from 30 kilometers away and destroyed an Iraqi MiG-23 fighter jet. One of the main assistance was its successful locking of the MiG-23 under the guidance of an early warning aircraft. The connotation of 'locking' is quite rich. For example, depending on the sensor and mode used, it can be divided into radar locking, infrared search and tracking locking, electro-optical and data link system locking, joint helmet sight locking, etc. With the development of technology, especially with the influence of complex electromagnetic environment interference, rapid maneuverability of stealth fighter jets, multi aircraft formation coordinated combat, distributed system confrontation and other factors, it is difficult for fighter jets to lock in targets alone. So, fighter jets began to leverage multiple sources such as early warning aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, ground radar, and space-based early warning and monitoring systems. From the perspective of development trends, fighter jet lock-in is gradually showing a composite transformation from single to system, open to hidden, platform to network, technology to tactics, and is also more inclined towards distributed networking, system linkage, and the application of "A exploration B lock C disturbance D shooting" methods. The criteria for determining whether to lock or not are not uniform. Many experts believe that it can continuously track and dynamically measure parameters such as target distance, speed, azimuth angle, pitch angle, etc., and accurately input the data into the fire control system. Hearing the unique continuous "beep" sound of the aircraft indicates that it has been "discovered and locked". At this point, the locked fighter jets typically also simultaneously issue strong tactical threat alerts. Does a fighter jet lock mean that the target will definitely be shot down? The answer is' not necessarily '. Under certain conditions, targets locked by fighter jets may also successfully escape. Firstly, it depends on whether the targeted fighter jet is within the power range of the opponent's air-to-air weapon. Power range generally refers to 30% to 50% of the missile's maximum range, which is a recognized non escape distance. Secondly, it depends on the speed, maneuverability, and guidance accuracy of the air-to-air missile, and may also be affected by complex environments. If it is locked but cannot hit, the locked fighter still has a chance to escape. Thirdly, it depends on the performance of the locked fighter jet. If it can maneuver at high overload, escape at supersonic speed, release strong jamming decoys, or have other force support after being locked, it may also successfully escape, and perhaps even "bite back". (New Society)