What's the fastest way to lock mavericks on target?

[dubik]

I use HUD to create SPI because I can find a place where enemy much more easy. Then I slave TGP to that point, then I use TGP to create refined SPI which points to tank or something, then I switch to maverick and slave it again, so it points to the target, then I press TMS forward short few times to finally acquire a lock.

Is there any faster algorithm to lock a AGM on a target?

[Aginor]

If you have a waypoint near the targets you can slave the SPI to the WP to start there.

 

You can also use the TAD if you got Bullseye coordinates or something like that. I usually place a markpoint at the Bullseye coordinates and use it as the WP to slave the TGP to, then start looking from there.

 

Once you have an SPI somewhere near the target you can search with the TGP and slave the Mav to it, basically you are doing it right already.

 

The HUD is a nice option as well if you can already see the targets. In fact you probably don't need your TGP at all then. Just center the Mav, fly towards the target, and put the Mav's seeker cross over the target. You can then ground stabilize the Mav, lock and fire.

[Wizard1393]

If you have LAT/LON or MGRS Coords I usually just create a MarkPoint or WayPoint on those coords with the CDU and then choose that Mark/Waypoint and slave all sensors to SPI (If no SPI is chosen, active steerpoint is SPI.

[whaaw]

I use HUD to create SPI because I can find a place where enemy much more easy. Then I slave TGP to that point, then I use TGP to create refined SPI which points to tank or something, then I switch to maverick and slave it again, so it points to the target, then I press TMS forward short few times to finally acquire a lock.

Is there any faster algorithm to lock a AGM on a target?

 

 

I still do this after long time in the A10c on the left mfd TGP right mfd MAV search target with tgp slave mav to tgp boat switch middle position tms forward short and riffle.

 

my team mates always report that the AGM doesnt hit the target. I cant confirm this with this method i hit all the time

[dubik]

Thanks guys. That's bad. I have to say that Shkval does a better job in this, seriously surprised. Mavericks could be better integrated into tgp, but may be in real life that's not needed.

[311Gryphon]

I use HUD and/or TGP to get as close as I can. Usually with the TGP I can get right on the target. Then I slave the MAV over to the point. If needed I just try to slew the MAV from there so I'm not switching SOI. It's hard for me to slave the MAV sometimes though because of a combination of the controls and me not being very good at it (more of the later I'm sure). I don't like how my HOTAS slew control cuts out every time I try to change directions and I have to center it then move it again.

[Xavven]

For me, the fastest way to get a maverick downrange if you first spot a target out the cockpit window with your Mk-1 Eyeball is the following:

 

Select your hud and switch to a maverick profile

Set right MFCD to MAV

Make right MFCD SOI

Aim your aircraft at the target. See the wagon wheel on the hud? That's your maverick. Use a combination of slewing and flying to place the wagon wheel on the target and it will lock on. You can double-check that it's got your target by glancing at the right MFCD, but I've gotten to the point that I can tell just by HUD symbology alone.

 

Using this methodology, I can get a maverick on target just about as fast as I could shoot it with the gun.

[StrongHarm]

From 8nm?

 

For me, the fastest way to get a maverick downrange if you first spot a target out the cockpit window with your Mk-1 Eyeball is the following:

 

Select your hud and switch to a maverick profile

Set right MFCD to MAV

Make right MFCD SOI

Aim your aircraft at the target. See the wagon wheel on the hud? That's your maverick. Use a combination of slewing and flying to place the wagon wheel on the target and it will lock on. You can double-check that it's got your target by glancing at the right MFCD, but I've gotten to the point that I can tell just by HUD symbology alone.

 

Using this methodology, I can get a maverick on target just about as fast as I could shoot it with the gun.

[Xavven]

From 8nm?

 

Yes. Worked for me just now.

[Aginor]

8nm is pretty awesome actually. In real life you normally wouldn't launch it until you are a bit closer, more like 6nm.

[Xavven]

8nm is pretty awesome actually. In real life you normally wouldn't launch it until you are a bit closer, more like 6nm.

 

Well, I set the targets on the abandoned airfield north of Batumi, so the contrast was really good. I'll see what I can get on a more practical background.

[StrongHarm]

I acknowledge that MK1 eyeball acquisition of target for mav lock is an option, and may be the best method if your targets are sitting on a tarmac or if they're flashing their lights for you, but I would encourage you to take advantage of all subsystems and sensors available to you. For instance;

- Get a target visual over your wing

- Approximate distance and position on your TAD

- Set markpoint

- Slew your TGP for positive target ID and fine lock

- Terrain mask to get in closer

- Pop up and snap off a mav

- Mask and egress

 

It takes some discipline to learn how to fully utilize all the sensors and subsystems available to you, but once you take full advantage to "cheat the battlefield", it feels pretty good and is well worth the time spent developing/learning TTP.

[Xavven]

Alright, I did some more testing. It's pretty hard to see a target from 8nm out at 10,000' AGL to begin with, but assuming you know where they are already, I can get an AGM-65D to lock on using the HUD to lock at between 7nm and 8nm and fire. This is without a TGP entirely, but at that range I prefer to confirm my target through the Maverick seeker feed on my right MFCD before launch. I ended up with a decent hit ratio (only 4 tests but hit 3 out of 4).

 

StrongHarm is right. At long ranges, there's no hurry and you're better off using the TGP, setting a SPI, and slaving to SPI. This is my primary method of engagement with the Maverick, which is a standoff weapon suited to standoff ranges.

 

The HUD method becomes more useful when you're providing CAS and you don't have time to get your TGP on target. I will never forget a CAS mission I was playing where my convoy came under surprise attack very suddenly by enemy armor and I was 4nm away. Fumbling with the controls, I wasted a pass and came off dry because I was trying to employ a Maverick heads-down on the MFCD. We took heavy losses. This is what prompted me to learn the HUD method to begin with. When I'm heads down, my flying interferes with my slewing. With the HUD, my brain is much better able to handle the combination of flying and slewing to acquire targets.

 

Now I can get 3 missiles off on a good pass from 4.5 nm away. I love a good gun run, but I have never managed to kill 3 or more tanks in one pass with anything else but a CBU-97 (also a great choice in that situation, though).

[gospadin]

For me, the fastest way to get a maverick downrange if you first spot a target out the cockpit window with your Mk-1 Eyeball is the following:

 

Select your hud and switch to a maverick profile

Set right MFCD to MAV

Make right MFCD SOI

Aim your aircraft at the target. See the wagon wheel on the hud? That's your maverick. Use a combination of slewing and flying to place the wagon wheel on the target and it will lock on. You can double-check that it's got your target by glancing at the right MFCD, but I've gotten to the point that I can tell just by HUD symbology alone.

 

Using this methodology, I can get a maverick on target just about as fast as I could shoot it with the gun.

 

this is fastest by far, and maintains situational awareness

[StrongHarm]

Xavven, I totally agree that there can be situations where HUD visual mav lock is superior to other methods. This is dependent on the target profile. If it's visible and not armed, that's a great scenario. For situations where easy acquisition with acceptable risk isn't there, guns can do the job well. Having blufor pinned by multiple tanks is a real sht situation I hope I'm never in.

 

If you're interested in increasing your gun effectiveness, give my Tank Busting 101 tutorial mission a try. It's not just for novices as it goes over some in depth TTP. I try to fly it once a month to stay proficient. I can now take out 16 T90s with a single load of rounds without getting tagged by their HMGs. I was lucky to clear 2 before I started using the mission.

[Kelevra9987]

Xavven's way is my preferred method when it comes to quick locking targets.

But the main method I use for StandOff Attack is following:

 

- Orbit in Autopilot at around 15nm away from the Target.

- Look for High Value Threads with TGP and setup Markpoints

- Complete the last Orbit and head towards marked Targets

- Markpoints as SPI and slewing Mav to SPI

- Rifle

- Next Markpoint = Next SPI

- Rifle

 

and so on...

 

Basicaly the same thing I use for multiple GBU-38 drops in one pass.