Engaging SU-25's with Mig-21bis

[tflash]

I'm doing some dogfights with the Mig-21 against AI SU-25's attacking an airfield. All armed with R-60M. That proves very very difficult! Not only do the AI SU-25's manoevre like the very best aces, they seem to be able to outclimb me in the vertical, and their flares are incredibly effective against my R-60M's.

 

In fact, I managed to down one with the gun, but with the missiles it never succeeds, since even when they are hit, they are so rugged they just continue the fight.

 

I myself have great troubles avoiding their R-60's however, since my flares do not seem to be effective at all: I have to manoevre like hell to get these missiles of my tail. My AI wingman is a to total failure that gets shot down every time.

 

I must confess I'm an A2G guy, I really such at A2A. It's great fun however!

FT War for airfield Mig-21bis.miz

[TheSnark]

Have you tried using the R-3R SAR missiles instead of IR missiles? I've had a much greater succes against targets that arent very hot(Hercules, SU-25, etc) with SAR then IR.

 

Besides, the SU-25 is quite agile in the vertical without a armament load, especially if flying abeam on you. I would recommend not going into a turn and burn fight with them, but firing the selected missile type to consequently after burn away from the target before they get a chance to engage defensive against you.

 

EDIT: Will give your mission a go and see how I fare against the honourable frogfoot.

Edited June 28, 2015 by TheSnark

[tflash]

Yes, the SAR missiles seam to have a better hit rate! Thanks for tip!

[Exorcet]

The R-60 has a tiny warhead. Fire two on the Su-25 if they are all you have.

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

Do you think Su-25's are hard with the R60's? Try a B-52! :D

 

Really, the gun on the MiG-21 is very effective. Two R-60's don't do anything at all. But a few cannon rounds is far more effectively.

[SUBS17]

Cannon pod is way better it does a very good job.

[tflash]

One obvious error I made is that when I did dogfight with only heater missiles on the Mig, I left my radar on. This unnecessarily alerts the AI aircraft so they start spitting out flares.

[j.sabo12]

Try to minimize the use of the R-60's as people have mentioned previously. Although I'm not too sure about the historical accuracy, I always achieve a very high hit rate with the R-3 missile, even against maneuvering modern fighters.

 

Having the radar in standby until just before the anticipated launch doesn't unnecessarily alert them too early, which gives you the element of surprise.

[TheSnark]

It's the lock tone that probably alerts them, besides the AI loves flaring. I've seen it flare through turns where I never ever had a firing solution on the target.