F-15C WVR

[GGTharos]

It's not what altitude. You can win at any altitude, it just all depends on entry parameters (speed/altitude/weight, angles/separation advantage), available armaments, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

 

For the merge you mentioned above, might feel better if I can enter it at 450kts, since that'll let me use my corner speed.

 

At 20000' you can defeat a Su-27 in sustained turning, but the turn radii are huge so it's not all that nice.

 

In general like I said, defeating a flanker is difficult, if it is well-flown (and I always assume that it is). Your margin for error is very thin. We're talking about knowing your maneuver entry parameters really well, not messing up any of your speed, nose position, turn circle entry etc. Mess up one thing and will just sit inside your TC forever. He might not be able to take a shot, but you can't leave.

 

 

Let me put it another way. In a 'fair' BFM fight, the guy flying his plane in its desired parameters usually wins, so do yourself a favor and generate some unfairness :)

[Ultra]

In general like I said, defeating a flanker is difficult, if it is well-flown (and I always assume that it is). Your margin for error is very thin. We're talking about knowing your maneuver entry parameters really well, not messing up any of your speed, nose position, turn circle entry etc. Mess up one thing and will just sit inside your TC forever. He might not be able to take a shot, but you can't leave.

 

 

Let me put it another way. In a 'fair' BFM fight, the guy flying his plane in its desired parameters usually wins, so do yourself a favor and generate some unfairness :)

 

Right, I just try to keep myself from ever having to merge with a Flanker. :D

BVR FTW lol.

[Svend_Dellepude]

I would like to add that that drag and weight from stores and internal fuel have a pretty big impact on your chances of survival in WVR.

If you setup a mission in ME against an AI SU-27, start with 2 heaters and 50-60% fuel. After gaining a little confidence you can add more fuel and missiles to compare handling.

If you fly online (104th f.ex.) don't bring more fuel than needed, one centerline tank will mostly do, sometimes two, but certainly never three like we see a lot online.

[Darkwolf]

As a sukkhoi driver, I fear more the P-51 than the Eagle. Just run and re-engage mid-range with 120. That's where the Su-27 is at disavantage.

[DarkFire]

Most of the people who have posted here have vastly more experience than me at BFM, but as a primarily Flanker driver, I'll offer some observations:

 

1. The Flanker has an internal fuel capacity that the F-15 can only dream of (nearly exactly +50%). This does however mean that as an Eagle driver if you catch the Flanker soon after take off or with close-to-maximum internal fuel, the Flanker is quite a heavy bird, which will effect his T/W and turning ability.

 

2. Below ~6Km altitude and below ~650Km/h the turning ability of the Flanker, or perhaps more accurately the nose authority / instantaneous turn rate of the Flanker, is frankly astonishing. If you as an Eagle driver enter the area where my Flanker performs best then I have an advantage. My HMS and off-boresight R-73 capability increases this potential advantage.

 

3. Above ~7,000m altitude and above ~0.8M the Flanker should not be 'turning and burning' rather the Flanker performs better using vertical manoeuvres in that sort of regime. If a Flanker driver tries to engage you in a turning fight under those conditions then you (it seems in my limited experience) have a significant advantage in manoeuvrability, acceleration and climb rate.

 

4. If you decide to extend and zoom away from a fight, beware of a possible R-27ET chasing you. Those missiles move FAST but don't seem to have that much turning ability and bleed energy awfully quickly near maximum effective range.

 

5. Bear in mind that the Flankers' SPO-15 only works if his bank angle is within 30 degrees of the plain of the emitter. Conversely, also bear in mind that you might not get an RWR warning as he has you locked with his EOS. It's absolutely vital in WVR to keep sight of the enemy aircraft. Situational awareness will win over equipment every time.

 

Hope these tips help, and I'm sure that the older hands will correct me if I'm wrong about any of the above :)

[will-]

Let me put it another way. In a 'fair' BFM fight, the guy flying his plane in its desired parameters usually wins, so do yourself a favor and generate some unfairness :)

 

 

Yes, this is a game, so turning till you black out pulling sustained unrealistic G's to get the win within any range really is the key to this game! Or in other words, there are many tactics you can use to win, do not get singled out on aim120 vs w/e. It doesn't matter... what matters is how do you play? do you know the difference in the game on how aim120b vs c reacts within WVR? Those factors will let you win. Do not discredit BFM tatics or speed, weight and maneuvering, just remember this is a game.

 

On key on some of this might help you out is, play single player and watch other views, time when shooting, travel speed. Hope some of this helps.