Lock on with Shkval/Mercury

[chris2802]

Hi,

I've been playing flaming cliffs for a couple of days now. In the quickstart 35t mission i can use the shkval just fine, get locks etc. But now I'm playing the campaign (the one that begins with protecting the oil rigs), I couldn't lock the ship up, or on the next mission. Now I'm on the base attack in the valley and I've tried to lock up the vehicles with shkval and mercury pod, but even with the targeting box on the unit adjusting the target size from minimum to maximum, I can't get a lock. This is such a pain in the ass, but its probably somthing I'm doing wrong. Please help!

 

Many thanks

Chris

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

ok, I presume you pushed tab key to lock the ground and stabilize the tv, then put your laser on with shift+o then drag the crosshairs over the target, if the size is correct then it should autolock...

 

thats all there is to it..

 

with the mercury pod, you need to push ctrl+o to open it first, then the tv will change from normal mode to a sort of infra red. which is hot stuff shows up as white and cool stuff = black.

 

so it would go like this, push number 7, then o for the tv, if you use the ir pod, then at this point you would push ctrl+o, then tab to lock ground, then shift+O for laser, then drag cursor to desired target, if size is correct then target will autolock, if not then change the size of the target box...

 

remember the laser heats up and switches off, you can override it and switch it back on by pushing shift+o 6 times, but if you do it too often you will kill the laser and get a failure...

 

also, i find that its best to zoom right into the specific target, as it will lock better and quicker than if you havent zoomed in all the way...

 

 

EDIT:

 

KonKussion is right, the mercury pod isnt a IR pod, it is just a LLLTV pod, Low light level TV. In lockon when using the pod, the tv screen does infact look like an IR tv screen, as it has shades of white and black/grey, similar to the hog's IR mav TV screen...

 

The pod cannot differentiate between hot and cold targets even tho it may look like it can.

 

I should of maybe posted more clearly as I just said that turning on the pod turns the tv into a sort of IR mode tv, which it does look like that but in reality the pod has no IR capabilities...

 

I should of been more clearer when posting.

[dynamocl]

You don't require laser on to get a lock, only for firing weapons. It sounds like you have the wrong target size, or are simple not yet in range to achieve a lock. (where the display shows AC).

 

Just to add, you said you had problems locking on the ship, well ships are pretty big, so make sure you have max target size set (using Ctrl and +), you also can't be too far away as I stated. For vehicles target size of 5 or 10 normally does the trick.

 

Make sure you are ground stabalised first (as scots said earlier), then keep the box over the target, when in range it should lock it up. Now continue with weapon release (i.e. if TV fire when in range, or if laser turn that on and then continue).

[chris2802]

Ok, after a bit of trial and error I managed to lock on to the things I was trying to. Next question, can anyone give me any tips on attacking targets surrounded by Iglas. They allways blow me out of the sky!

 

Thanks

Chris

[S77th-konkussion]

I was under the impression that the Mercury is a low light TV- NOT an IRTV. It certainly behaves as such- I was unable to lock anything- even targets right in front of me- in a night map just a little while ago. I added flare bombs- no difference. Put the cross right over the top of the thing- nothing.

[titanium]

I was under the impression that the Mercury is a low light TV- NOT an IRTV. It certainly behaves as such- I was unable to lock anything- even targets right in front of me- in a night map just a little while ago. I added flare bombs- no difference. Put the cross right over the top of the thing- nothing.

 

The murcury is infrared TV, it will only lock on targets that have a heat signature.

[Ironhand]

I was under the impression that the Mercury is a low light TV- NOT an IRTV. It certainly behaves as such- I was unable to lock anything- even targets right in front of me- in a night map just a little while ago. I added flare bombs- no difference. Put the cross right over the top of the thing- nothing.

Yes, it's an electronically enhanced low light TV camera. Although the TVM image looks IR, you do not need a heat source. Buildings are certainly lockable. If you are having difficulty locking, I suspect one of two things are possible. Either you haven't increased the target (box) size or you are expecting a lock too soon.

 

Here are two FC 1.12a tracks you might want to take a look at. In the first two hangars are targeted. In the second, a large building: Mercury_LLTV_Pod.zip

 

 

...can anyone give me any tips on attacking targets surrounded by Iglas. They allways blow me out of the sky!

Stay above 10,000 feet.

 

Rich

[Weta43]

Weave & lots of flares

[dynamocl]

Either (or both of the above) you could always shoot them first :)

[S77th-konkussion]

Ok to confirm, then:

 

Ground mode

 

activate mercury (or do I need to activate shkval first, THEN mercury?)

 

Targets seen in the display should be lockable, but I'll need to be closer.

[dynamocl]

Don't think it matters, if you turn mercury on, you get the display anyway.

 

But if you turn on shkval, you get normal view, turning on mercuray will switch it to that mode. (do whatever you need to do to get the IR view).

 

You dont really need the mercury unless its dark.

 

Dont farget target designator size (about 5 or 10 for ground vehicles will do).

 

You will also need to ground stabalise first. Why dont you run through the tutorial flights again - they can show you and explain better than we can in a forum.

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

Ok to confirm, then:

 

Ground mode

 

activate mercury (or do I need to activate shkval first, THEN mercury?)

 

Targets seen in the display should be lockable, but I'll need to be closer.

this is how to do it.

 

1. push 7 for ground mode

2. push O for tv

3. push ctrl+O for mercury pod if you have one.

4. push shift+O for laser ( not needed for all weapons, just the good ones)

5. push tab to ground stabilise the seeker.

6. drag cursor over target

7. push + to zoom right in onto target

8. if target size is correct, it will auto lock, if it isnt correct then tweak the size til you get autolock, then bobs your uncle

9. fire, but keep gimbal limits if your using the laser.

10. If laser overheats and shutsoff when the missile is in flight, push shift+O 6 times fast and the missile will still probably hit the target, if you aint fast enough the missile will blow up.

 

thats all there is to it.

[Ironhand]

Ok to confirm, then:

 

Ground mode

 

activate mercury (or do I need to activate shkval first, THEN mercury?)

 

Targets seen in the display should be lockable, but I'll need to be closer.

1) A2G mode

2) Activate Mercury Pod (CTRL-O)

3) Scroll to target area

4) Ground stabilize

5) Zoom view as necessary

6) Superimpose target box on target.

5) For BUILDINGS, maximize the target box in the TVM (Press and HOLD 'ALT' plus '=' keys until size is maximized.

6) Wait for lock (AC designation).

 

EDIT: I see "Evil" beat me to it. That's the problem with answering from work. Too many innteruptions between the time I start writing and the time I finish. :)

 

Rich

[S77th-konkussion]

heh. Rgr I was not adjusting box size.. or- If I was- I wasn't adjusting it properly.. Will go at it again tonight. Thanks.

[dynamocl]

Evil, you will be able to cut down on laser over heating by turning the laser on only when you need it.

 

The laer is not required to lock on to targets, only needed when weapon is in flight.

 

In your list I would turn laser on after point 8. This saves time = cooler laser = more time with laser on when its required allowing more guidance time.

 

Remember to turn laser off after weapon has hit and you are flying away from target, this will also assist with preventing overheating.

 

Also knokussion, naval targets will require maximum target size (like buildings).

[Weta43]

It's been said before, but if you leave turning the laser on till just before launch & launch while the next targets missile while the previous missile is still in the air you can pick off succesive targets on a single pass (4 is about max for me)

[Ironhand]

heh. Rgr I was not adjusting box size.. or- If I was- I wasn't adjusting it properly.. Will go at it again tonight. Thanks.

Sounds like that's the solution then. If you'd like, though, take a look at those tracks I made. Link is in my first post.

 

Rich

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

Evil, you will be able to cut down on laser over heating by turning the laser on only when you need it.

 

The laer is not required to lock on to targets, only needed when weapon is in flight.

 

In your list I would turn laser on after point 8. This saves time = cooler laser = more time with laser on when its required allowing more guidance time.

 

Remember to turn laser off after weapon has hit and you are flying away from target, this will also assist with preventing overheating.

 

Also knokussion, naval targets will require maximum target size (like buildings).

 

I know the laser isnt needed for locking up targets, thats why i said next to it that it isnt really needed, only for some weapons, as they will blow up right infront of your aircraft if you have not got the laser turned on and fire them.

 

I was just saying thats the way i do it, and i never have any problems, I have my cursor mapped to a hat button on the x52, i have laser to the B button but its pinkie+B and also use top rotary for target size.

 

the way i have it means it is reallly easy to go pwn a few nubs in one pass with no real problems

 

I usually get 4-6 targets with one pass with the laser without overriding it.

 

I use a rotary for target size, real quick and no hassle.

[Weta43]

6 - you're a better man than me. 4's about my lot. I think I get too cautious about how much time to give myself to slew to the next target.

[Guest EVIL-SCOTSMAN]

ah it all depends, sometimes it can be less, depends on how close the targets are to each other, but its mainly cuz of the way i have it setup on my stick, it is so easy n quick to lock fire and select next target.

 

just takes a matter of seconds then am onto the next target, but in order for me to get 6 i have to be close to the targets so the missiles dont spend to much time flying to target and they also have to be close to each other, i.e. convoy or parked group of planes etc.

 

rotary for target size box helps alot, just twist it up n down to get the right size instead of pushing buttons to eventually get the right size, that saves time i must admit.