Energy Management: Tactical is a paper-based simulation of tactical air-to-air combat using the innovative TRACE-R combat system. The system uses energy-maneuverability theory to faithfully simulate close-range dog-fighting tactics and fighter performance with relatively high accuracy.
The system eliminates the limitations of hex and counter systems by replacing them with geometric construction methods using paper and common drafting tools to allow for quick, accurate, and fluid game-play.
Each game turn represents approximately 10 seconds of flight per aircraft. During its turn, an aircraft may make any number of individual maneuvers (called “segments”). Each segment is tracked on the aircraft’s flight log to calculate changes in the energy state of the aircraft. The key to victory will be in managing an aircraft’s total energy while maneuvering into attack position.
—description from the designer