Some real talk on "Stillness in Time"

[Stretch]

OK, my life's goal these days is to work through all the included campaigns in every module, one mission at a time, with a 100% success rate. (I'm relying missions if I die.) I'm currently stuck on the Stillness in Time mission "Mountain Ghosts" (the one where you have to intercept the two groups of 4xKa-50s and help the armor take up positions around Beslan).

 

So brass tacks: Is this mission friggin' impossible or am I a noob? (You can tell me learn2play if that's the case; just be honest.) On the blue side we've got you and your wingman in MiG-21s, and a pair of Mirage 2000s for escort (plus the armor and Apaches). On the red side they've got a pair of F-16s, a pair of MiG-29s, and a pair of MiG-21s (plus the Ka-50s). Mission success requires that both groups of Ka-50s be attrited at least 75%, and all three fighter groups be destroyed. Bonus points for keeping the blue helicopter and armor groups alive.

 

Let's just start with the basics: How do you FIND the helicopters? It's night, they're way too low to be seen by radar (even with low altitude filtering on), and AWACS won't guide you to them.

 

I had to turn on labels (and swallow a huge shame pill) just to be able to intercept the helicopters at night. I changed out the default load out for 8x R-60s instead, which gave me enough missiles to pick of three helicopters from each group, leaving me with two missiles remaining if everything went perfectly. (And the R-60s are weak tea, so more than one missile is sometimes required.)

 

But now you're left with three groups of enemy fighters. I'm just not seeing how the math works out here. 2xMiG-21s 2xM2000Cs vs. 2xMiG-21s 2xMiG-29s 2xF-16As (and I'm already down to at most two missiles).

 

Has anyone beat this mission? Did they do it with labels off?? What's the secret? I feel like I'm using all the capability of my aircraft that I can think of -- am I missing anything?

[Frederf]

Mission is called MiG21_EN_C-5U. I'll share a track or two soon.

[Bogey Jammer]

You can fly low and still detect them easily with radar if you fly inverted :megalol:

:tomato:

[Frederf]

Mission is basically an exercise in fuel management. The AH-64s absolutely murderize the Ka-50s. You're welcome to keep an eye out the window for any visible signs but seeing is unlikely and even if you do it'll all be over before you try. There's no expectation that a day interceptor is going to shoot down helicopters in the dark with no radar support. The only real threat is a pair of MiG-21s that pester the Apaches early on but their probability of success is very low.

 

Best economy climb to 7km, probably best to offset slightly right of course to keep clear of any action. I go 060 until I can home in on 040 Beslan RSBN half way there. Any threat is countered by extending east-away. When on station orbit at the valley mouth. Threaten any intruders that may threaten the Apaches. You don't have to shoot anything down just don't give them a calm shot.

 

At no point do you want to draw attention that wouldn't otherwise be directed at the Apaches.

 

~450 IAS is best endurance and ~510 IAS is best range once at altitude. At 1000 L or when Apaches are departed (it will be the former) best economy back home. Jett anything but two missiles or the empty tank and land ~400L remaining. The mission is basically fly around for 50 minutes and then go home.

 

Due to the, ahem unique, way the AI FM is coded he will not last due to fuel. At first opportunity use wingman to engage bandits and then immediately send him home. "Bingo fuel" call resulted in his ejection about 50m from landing despite an immediate RTB command (from that side of the fence). The anchor command uses more fuel than a good formation position but less than following you in an engagement.