Iron_physik

yes, I ported it over from the WT forums after their continuing disrespect towards the forum community.

Hello all! The AIM-7 Sparrow (Airbourne Interception Missile) is a radar guided air to air missile, it used alongside the famous AIM-9 sidewinder and also infuenced aerial combat quite alot. it was the forefront of todays BVR combat. In the begining and a brief explaination of how the AIM-7 works unlike the AIM-9 sidewinder, the AIM-7 uses radiowaves to guide to its target, im going to explain how its done: The Sparrow Evolution and Performance Thanks to MacedonianSukhoi for the image. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7A - Sparrow I The history of the Sparrow missile dates back to 1947, when the U.S. Navy contracted Sperry to develop a beam-riding guidance system for a standard 12.7 cm (5 in) HVAR (High Velocity Aerial Rocket). The original designation for this missile project was KAS-1, but this was changed to AAM-2 in September 1947 and to AAM-N-2 in early 1948. The 5" diameter soon proved to be too small, so Douglas developed a new airframe of 20.3 cm (8 in) diameter. The first unpowered flight tests of XAAM-N-2 prototypes occurred in 1948. Development was difficult, however, and the first successful air-to-air interception was only done in December 1952. The AAM-N-2 Sparrow I entered service in 1956 with F3H-2M Demon and F7U-3M Cutlass fighters. Because of the inherent disadvantages of beam-riding guidance, like poor low-level performance, only 2000 Sparrow I missiles were produced, and it was withdrawn from service after only a few years. Another drawback of the AAM-N-2 was that the guidance beam was slaved to an optical sight in the aircraft, which necessitated visual identification of the target, making the Sparrow I a short-range VFR missile only. Performance AIM-7A Length: 3.74 m (147.3 in) Finspan: 0.94 m (37 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 143 kg (315 lb) Speed: Mach 2.5 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 7100lbs (3220kg) for 2.04sec Guidance duration: N/A Warhead: 20 kg (45 lb) EX25 Mod.0 warhead with 4.2kg (9.25lbs) of H.6 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Beam Riding Maneuvering capability: N/A Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7B - Sparrow II Because of the above noted principal problems of the AAM-N-2, new guidance methods were searched almost from the beginning. As early as 1950, Douglas studied the possibility of equipping the Sparrow with a active radar-homing seeker. By 1955 Douglas proposed going ahead with development, intending it to be the primary weapon for the F5D Skylancer interceptor. It was later selected, with some controversy, to be the primary weapon for the Canadian Avro Arrow supersonic interceptor, along with the new Astra fire-control system. For Canadian use and as a second source for US missiles, Canadair was selected to build the missiles in Quebec. The small size of the missile forebody and the K-band AN/APQ-64-radar limited performance, and it was never able to work in testing. After considerable development and test firings in the U.S. and Canada, Douglas abandoned development in 1956. Canadair continued development until the Arrow was cancelled in 1959. Performance AIM-7B Length: 3.65 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 190 kg (420 lb) Speed: Mach 2,67 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 8000lbs (3628kg) for 1.84sec Guidance duration: N/A Warhead: 20 kg (45 lb) Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Active Radar Homing (ARH) (active) Seeker range: 12km (6NM) Aerodynamic Range (50kft alt): 28km Maneuvering capability: 20g Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7C - Sparrow III After the failure of the Sparrow II program other ways of guidance where considered. The development of the modern sparrow started in 1955 by raytheon. The Sparrow III and all subsequent versions of Sparrow used semi-active radar homing. After tests with YAAM-N-6 R&D missiles, production of the tactical AAM-N-6 began in January 1958, and it entered service in August 1958. The missile had an Aerojet solid-fueled rocket motor, and a 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous-rod warhead. Performance AIM-7C Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 172 kg (380 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 7100lbs (3220kg) for 2.04sec Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 12 km (6.5 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 18 km (10 NM) Maneuvering capability: 16g Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7D Sparrow III The AAM-N-6a (AIM-7D) was similar to the -6, but used a new Thiokol liquid-fuel rocket engine for improved performance. It also included changes to the guidance electronics to make it effective at higher closing speeds. The -6a was also selected to arm the Air Force's F-110A Spectre (F-4 Phantom) fighters in 1962, known to them as the AIM-101. It entered production in 1959, with 7500 being built. Performance AIM-7D Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3 cm (8 in) Weight: 197 kg (435 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Thiokol MK 6 MOD 3 (LR44-RM-2) liquid-propellant rocket motor Thrust: N/A Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 15 km (8.3 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 44 km (24 NM) Maneuvering capability: 15g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7E Sparrow III In 1963, production switched to the AIM-7E version. It used a new propulsion system, a solid-fueled rocket by Rocketdyne (either a MK 38 or later a MK 52). The new motor again significantly increased range and performance of the missile. Effective range of course depended greatly on firing parameters like launch speed and relative velocity of the target. In head-on attacks under optimal conditions, it could be as high as 35 km (20 nm), while in stern attacks, maximum effective range was more around 5.5 km (3 nm). About 7500 AIM-7D and 25000 AIM-7E missiles were built, and the Sparrow was used heavily in Vietnam by the USAF and the U.S. Navy. The first combat kill was scored on 7 June 1965, when USN F-4B Phantoms shot down 2 MiG-17s. However, the initial combat results were very disappointing. The potentially long range of the AIM-7 could not be used, because unreliable IFF capabilities of the time effectively required visual identification of all targets. Coupled with the high minimum range of the missile of 1500 m (5000 ft) and poor performance against manoeuvering and/or low-flying targets, this led to a kill probability of less than 10%. Therefore, the improved AIM-7E-2 was introduced in 1969 as a "dogfight missile". It had a shorter minimum range, clipped wings for higher manoeuverability, and improved autopilot and fuzing. The AIM-7E-3 had further improved fuzing and higher reliability, and the AIM-7E-4 was specially adapted for use with high-power fighter radars (like the F-14's AN/AWG-9). Despite all problems, more than 50 aircraft were shot down by Sparrow missiles during the Vietnam air war. Performance AIM-7E Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 197 kg (435 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Rocketdyne MK 38/MK 52 solid rocket Thrust: 7600lbs (3447kg) for 2.9 seconds Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 9.1m (30ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 25 km (13.5 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 50 km (27 NM) Maneuvering capability: 25g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7F Sparrow In January 1972, Raytheon began development of the vastly improved AIM-7F. It featured a new dual-thrust (boost/sustain) rocket motor (usually a Hercules MK 58, but sometimes an Aerojet MK 65), which greatly increased the missile's range. The AIM-7F also had a completely new solid-state electronic guidance and control system (GCS), designated AN/DSQ-35, which was also compatible with modern pulse-doppler radars. Continued improvement of the GCS resulted in versions from AN/DSQ-35A through -35H (used in the AIM-7F-11). The smaller GCS permitted the use of a larger 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 warhead in the new WAU-10/B warhead section. Production began in 1975, and continued through 1981. With the AIM-7F, the official name of the missile was changed from Sparrow III to plain Sparrow. Performance AIM-7F Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 231 kg (510 lb) Speed: Mach 2.9 Propulsion: Hercules MK 58 dual-thrust solid rocket Thrust: Boost 5750lbs (2608kg) for 4,5 seconds Sustain 1018lbs (461kg) for 11 seconds Guidance duration: 75sec Warhead: 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 continuous rod Detonation distance: 12.2m (40ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 40 km (22 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 98km (53 NM) Maneuvering capability: 25g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7G Sparrow The AIM-7G was a version with a new seeker, developed for the USAF around 1970 for use by the F-111D aircraft. A few YAIM-7G prototype missiles were built, but this version did not enter production. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7M / P / R Sparrow The next version of the AIM-7 was the AIM-7M, whose main new feature was the new inverse monopulse seeker for look-down/shoot-down capability in a new WGU-6/B (later WGU-23/B) guidance section. There is no evidence of any Sparrow variants officially designated -7J/K/L (although the designation AIM-7J is sometimes associated with the AIM-7E license-built in Japan). Source [2] says that the suffix "M" was deliberately chosen to mean "monopulse", suggesting that suffixes J/K/L were indeed skipped. The monopulse seeker improves missile performance in low-altitude and ECM environments. Other new features of the AIM-7M are a digital computer (with software in EEPROM modules reprogrammable on the ground), an autopilot, and an active fuze. The autopilot enables the AIM-7M to fly optimized trajectories, with target illumination necessary only for mid-course and terminal guidance. The AIM-7M also has a new WDU-27/B blast-fragmentation warhead in a WAU-17/B warhead section. The first firing of a YAIM-7M occured in 1980, and the AIM-7M entered production in 1982. The AIM-7P is similar in most ways to the M versions, and was primarily an upgrade program for existing M-series missiles. The main changes were to the software, improving low-level performance. A follow-on Block II upgrade added a new rear receiver allowing the missile to receive mid-course correction from the launching aircraft. Plans initially called for all M versions to be upgraded, but currently P's are being issued as required to replace M's lost or removed from the inventory. The final version of the missile was to have been the AIM-7R, which added an infrared homing seeker to an otherwise unchanged AIM-7P Block II. A general wind-down of the budget led to it being cancelled in 1997. Performance AIM-7M / P Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 231 kg (510 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Hercules MK 58 dual-thrust solid rocket Thrust: Boost 5750lbs (2608kg) for 4,5 seconds Sustain 1018lbs (461kg) for 11 seconds Guidance duration: 75sec Warhead: 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 continuous rod Detonation distance: 12.2m (40ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 40 km (22 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 98km (53 NM) Maneuvering capability: 30g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.5 Sources: Text based (and some performance): http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-7.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-7_Sparrow#Sparrow_III Performance sources: http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AAM-N-6_Sparrow_III_SAC_-_30_July_1960.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AIM-7F_Sparrow_III_SMC_-_January_1977.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AIM-7F_Sparrow_CS_-_January_1976.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/323370.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/335620.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA142508.pdf https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1098 https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=600 Report on the Air to Air missile system capability review july November 1968 http://www.astronautix.com/s/sparrowaim-7e.html http://alternatewars.com/SAC/F4D-1_Skyray_-_XAAM-N-3_Sparrow_II_MSC_-_1_July_1957.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/F4D-1_Skyray_and_YAAM-N-6_Sparrow_MSC_-_1_July_1957.pdf

I updated the thread due to drama on the WT forums where they deleted custom avatars and signatures I no longer can use that place anymore, because I severly struggle with using it now... anyway, luckily the DCS forum exists

this picture gives us some insight of what A-7E model we could see the furthest up most panel came after Airframe Change 390, (Note the X, Y, Z vs the Off, PWR, STBY switch in the low left corner) the only panel that I find more interesting would be the panel above it, that I sadly have yet to see screenshots off if we have the HARM panel (after AFC 421) there I would be VERY happy. EDIT: We do have the right model and even go up to AFC 429:

the SLAMs where not launched by A-7, but by A-6 the role of the A-7 was to carry the datalink pod and guide the SLAM in their terminal phase after it was launched by A-6E.

yes, with the WCSI upgrade the A-6 got 1 digital panel to control Harpoons the ability of that panel was enhanced with the SWIP here a photo of a A-6E SWIPs missile panel where 1 HARPOON is loaded: after selecting that harpoon the symbology change: as you see its not a MFD like on modern jets, its a really basic computer interface with the screen being literally just 5 lines from a digital clock XD here the description of that panel from the flight manual: the panel is needed to deliver weapons like the maverick, walleye, harpoon, SLAM or HARM specially note that this panel enables the A-6E SWIP to make use of the HARM SP pullback (shoot at radar emiters behind the plane)

I agree, this would make finding the weapon you like alot easier

yes pls, make a A-6A XD All the A-6 had the DIANE, just the A model used this analogue drum to do calculations while the E got a digital computer DIANE is just the acronym of the DIgital Attack + Navigation Equiptment that the A-6 uses. that makes sense. considering that the A-6 and the F-14 are very similar in Avionics I am sure you can handle its systems development! the only part that would be more out of the ordinary and more complex would be the digital missile panel that the A-6E had after WCSI to make use of Harpoons and other more modern weapons, here you do kind of need acces to the tacmans of the WCSI and SWIP for proper explaination.

so it all depends on documentation, gotcha! lets hope the FOIA's then result in a positive outcome for tactical manuals. also, you all are welcome in our community: https://discord.gg/qfWkQ8mjym

Some people said the EA-6 seems to slow, so I decided to check manuals for its proper top speed: Source: Empty its top speed is about 530kn, while loaded it goes down to just above 500kn in DCS its max possible empty speed is 451kn according to the mission editor and 378kn when its in a test flight thats 80 - 150kn to slow.

oh dang, you are right 75 then was the year of the first TRAM and 79 was ther TRAM/DRS CAINS came 71

Base A-6E first flew in 1975 1970 (some where even in SEA, but flew no combat missions out of fear that the ostblock gets acces to the Solid state computers of it) CAINS then came later in about late 1970-71 TRAM first flight was about 1974 TRAM/DRS came in 1979 WCSI came about in 1985-86 SWIP came about late 1988

last time I asked (about 3-4 months ago) they said no model was decided. the BuNo of the screenshots is from a SWIP, the 3D model of it also fits a early SWIP model with metal wings. so it can be either TRAM, WCSI or SWIP differences are following WCSI (Weapon Computer System Integration) where TRAMs with a digital weapon panel added, this panel allowed the WCSI to fire Harpoons and SLAMs SWIP (System Weapons Improvement Program) where WCSI birds that got a software update and different pylons, they could now also AGM-65, AGM-88 and AGM-62. On top of that they could use the AAW-13 Datalink pod to self guide SLAMs and Walleyes without having to rely on a A-7E with a DL pod. Heatblur so far has not stated what exact model they planned, they just said "A-6E" but not what submodel it will be.

@IronMike earlier this year you said that you guys are not sure about what A-6E submodel you want to create. where you able to narrow down choices (so TRAM, WCSI or SWIP)? also, are you aware of the awesome work in the A-6 intruder community discord? Such as custom kneeboards for the game later, the FOI requests for Tacmans or the research on actual combat loads?

he props means the A-7 and F-8 modules