Missile Range Question

[atsmith6]

Hi All

 

I'm trying to work out the ranges for the missiles used by the Mig-21 but can't find the relevant data in documentation or forums. I accept I'm probably being a noob and not looking in the right place!

 

This is what I've managed to find so far (and I have no idea whether it's correct or not):

 

[TABLE]Missile|Range(km)

R3R|1-7

R3S|1-7

R55|

R60|1-4

R60M|1-4

RS-2|

[/TABLE]

 

I have no idea whether the above numbers reflect the effective values as implemented in DCS or the real world for that matter. Any further information to allow me to make more effective use of the good ol' 21 would be greatly appreciated. For any replies please let me know whether your info is pertinent to the DCS implementation or from another source.

 

Kind Regards

[Andrei]

As with many things in this world the proper answer would be: "it depends". Depends if you are talking about effective range or maximum range, at what altitude and speed, and how the target maneuvers.

 

Below are some numbers taken from a popular Russian source http://www.airwar.ru. Take them with a grain of salt though. For effective range you could take 75% of the max range value assuming speed of carrier around 500km/h and altitude around 5km. But this is a VERY, VERY ballpark figure that I use for my own reference.

 

Missile: Rmin - Rmax, (R effective guestimate) in km

R-60: 0.25 - 7 (~5)

R-60M: 0.2 - 10 (~7.5)

R-3S: 0.9 - 7.6 (~5.5)

R-3R: ? - 8 (~6)

R-13M: 1.2 - 16.6 (~12)

R-55: 1.2 - 10 (~7.5)

RS-2: 2-5 (~3.7)

 

A few other notes:

I find R-3R surprisingly effective on heads on engagements. I'd say it has better hit probability then R-27R :D R-13M is quite fine missile in rear aspect engagements, especially if you think that R-60 is too high tech against your opponent. RS-2 is quite useless against that can maneuver well enough.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Andrei

[Kobymaru]

Here are my notes tfor a non-maneuvering target. Note that (for SARH) sometimes you can launch the missile "out of range" and it hits just fine. For IR missiles, the basic rule is: fire when it locks.

 

R3-S: IR, 6 km max range, only from behind!

 

R-55: IR, 4 km (behind), 5.5 km (side), all aspect

R-13M1: IR, 6 km max (behind), all aspect

 

R2-US: SARH, 4 km (maneuvering), 8 km (straight)

R3-R: SARH, 6km (maneuvering), 11 km (straight)

 

edit: I think i should do some more testing.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Kobymaru

[Hadwell]

I haven't got many kills past 11KM with any missiles.

 

R-55/RS-2US are the same missile, just IR/SAR, I have got kills at 8~ KM with both, I only recommend taking them if you want to try for a kill with basically the worst missiles the mig-21 can carry manoeuvrability wise...

 

R3R and R3S are the same missile, just IR/SAR, the R3R i've managed to pull a kill off head on at 13KM, from the rear or underneath, 10km~, R3S is more limited by its tracker than its range...

 

the R-13M1 has been the most versatile missile for me, I get most of my kills with it, tracker will pick something up at 12KM, I've gotten kills from directly behind at 11KM, on average I fire at 8KM with them, they turn great, basically an R3S with a better tracker, and better turning.

 

the R-60M's are really good missiles, normally I take 4 R-60Ms, If I know I'm in range, I don't waste my R-13M1s (can only be carried on inner pylons), R-60Ms have really good manoeuvrability, and pretty much always hit in close, yeah, just a good missile. 4KM~ max 8, if you get a really nice shot on someone.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Hadwell

[Andrei]

edit: I think i should do some more testing.

 

Yup, it would actually be nice to get in-game data on maximum range for all missiles.

For instance, set on rear-aspect F-4 sized non-maneuvering target.

[atsmith6]

Andrei, Kobymaru, & Hadwell

 

Thank you very much for the replies. I'm now in a better place to be able to judge when and how to use the various missiles.

 

Much appreciated.

[Andrei]

@atsmith6: most welcome

 

R-55/RS-2US are the same missile, just IR/SAR

 

Well, to be completely precise, РС-2УС is not exactly SAR(H), but rather a beam rider. Which makes its employment somewhat more tricky. Specs wise there are other differences as well, but overall yes, weakest missiles in traditional dogfight.

[ttaylor0024]

I don't know how you guys get kills with R60Ms past like 2km. I must get ones with dud motors

 

R-3Rs can strike effectively at about 7km head on, 2-3km from behind I've found.

[Hadwell]

you just have to wait till you have nearly 0 AOA on him with no G load, and hope he doesn't pull any high G turns after you launch, that's why, even though I know I can hit out further, I usually wait till I'm well within range...

 

if the guy I'm shooting at has no idea I'm there, or is doing a piss poor job of evasive manoeuvres, then I go for the long range shots

 

they don't always hit... the higher you go (to a point) the longer the range, I might be 100m too low, or he might have too much energy, and they just barely miss, just so many variables...

 

In general, best rule is to ignore your radar and what range it says, and just wait till you're so close there's no doubt in your mind of the missile ever missing...

 

but since it's a sim, and unlike real life, launching a missile costs a whole lot of nothing, if a missile misses just get a bit closer and fire another :P

Edited January 29, 2015 by Hadwell

[JG15_Hans]

On 1/28/2015 at 11:40 AM, Hadwell said:

I haven't got many kills past 11KM with any missiles.

 

R-55/RS-2US are the same missile, just IR/SAR, I have got kills at 8~ KM with both, I only recommend taking them if you want to try for a kill with basically the worst missiles the mig-21 can carry manoeuvrability wise...

 

R3R and R3S are the same missile, just IR/SAR, the R3R i've managed to pull a kill off head on at 13KM, from the rear or underneath, 10km~, R3S is more limited by its tracker than its range...

 

the R-13M1 has been the most versatile missile for me, I get most of my kills with it, tracker will pick something up at 12KM, I've gotten kills from directly behind at 11KM, on average I fire at 8KM with them, they turn great, basically an R3S with a better tracker, and better turning.

 

the R-60M's are really good missiles, normally I take 4 R-60Ms, If I know I'm in range, I don't waste my R-13M1s (can only be carried on inner pylons), R-60Ms have really good manoeuvrability, and pretty much always hit in close, yeah, just a good missile. 4KM~ max 8, if you get a really nice shot on someone.

 

Best explanation