AIM-120, AIM-7 procedures

[BlueAngel]

In the last video made by Mr. Wagner, I noticed he had a flashing "SHOOT" prompt, somewhere in the vacinity of 20nm. He fired the missile and described when the missile went pitbull with the propper indications both on the HUD and Radar scope.

 

I cannot, for the life of me, replicate this. Everytime I pick either the C or B versions, I only get a "SHOOT" prompt within 10nm or less, just like a AIM-7 or similar. I do get the TTI indication and the radar scope delta icon.

 

Shouldn't I get a "SHOOT" prompt in the limits of the AIM-120 maximum range? If I fire the missile without the prompt it'll just fly to the interception point but never goes pitbull.

 

ALSO - There's problem with the model shooting from a two missile pylon. The missile goes off, but a copy remains in the pylon (zero units in stores, though).

 

As for the AIM-7, I'm having a hard time understanding the LOFT mode. It places the interception dot above the target and I fire it, but the missile loses thrust and just drop slowly missing the target.

 

I need to know how you guys do it and if you're getting better results with these weapons.

 

Thanks for your input.

[Revelation]

For a "shoot" notification at greater distances you have to be within the right parameters. Your altitude needs to be 15k+ feet and 350 knots+. The target also has to be coming at you, aka "hot." As you adjust your altitude and speed you will start to see different and greater launch distances.

 

When you launch at maximum range, that does not mean you will get a "kill." Only that the missile has enough energy to reach the target if nothing changes. If the target starts to evade, your chances of a kill go way down at max range. There were some issues with track logic of the 120s, I have not looked into whether that was fixed already or if that will be in the "re-visit" ED plans later on.

 

As far as the dual-rack AIM-120s, I have not experienced the issue you mention. You will need to replicate the issue and post a track file for ED to take a look.

 

 

The LOFT mode is simply where the AIM-7 will climb to a higher altitude early in the launch window so it can use its energy more effectively to get to its target. What I have found, so far, is the AIM-7MH uses the LOFT mode the best. You also have to pay attention to your launch parameters when launching in loft mode. If the target is going away, you will miss every time when taking a "long shot."

[BlueAngel]

For a "shoot" notification at greater distances you have to be within the right parameters. Your altitude needs to be 15k+ feet and 350 knots+. The target also has to be coming at you, aka "hot." As you adjust your altitude and speed you will start to see different and greater launch distances.

 

When you launch at maximum range, that does not mean you will get a "kill." Only that the missile has enough energy to reach the target if nothing changes. If the target starts to evade, your chances of a kill go way down at max range. There were some issues with track logic of the 120s, I have not looked into whether that was fixed already or if that will be in the "re-visit" ED plans later on.

 

As far as the dual-rack AIM-120s, I have not experienced the issue you mention. You will need to replicate the issue and post a track file for ED to take a look.

 

 

The LOFT mode is simply where the AIM-7 will climb to a higher altitude early in the launch window so it can use its energy more effectively to get to its target. What I have found, so far, is the AIM-7MH uses the LOFT mode the best. You also have to pay attention to your launch parameters when launching in loft mode. If the target is going away, you will miss every time when taking a "long shot."

 

Thanks for the clarification. From your explanation of the AIM-120 usage, it would appear it's not that "holy grail" missile people talk about. When pursuing a cold target (going away from me) I was only able to get a SHOOT prompt close to 12 nm. That's not a great mark.

 

In order to replicate de pylon bug, pick the INNER pylon double AIM-120Cs and fire them in any order. I found they remain on the pylon, but just the visual model. Stores indicated zero available.

 

As for the AIM-7, I'm gonna try the MH variant. Do I select the LOFT mode on the stores page?

 

I also found that once you enter the AIM-120 visual mode, you can't exit it. Or I need to read the manual again.

[Revelation]

Thanks for the clarification. From your explanation of the AIM-120 usage, it would appear it's not that "holy grail" missile people talk about. When pursuing a cold target (going away from me) I was only able to get a SHOOT prompt close to 12 nm. That's not a great mark.

The AIM-120 is a great missile, especially in real life. You simply cannot expect to hit a target going away from you at a great distance.

 

You have limited life of the batteries on board the missile. You also have limited fuel contained in the missile. The missile does not "burn" its motor all the way to the target, unless it's a short shot. Typically missiles will burn their motor for 5-10 secs and then it uses kinetic energy to reach the target.

 

You simply cannot expect something to chase down a target going away from you if it doesn't have the energy to do so.

 

In order to replicate de pylon bug, pick the INNER pylon double AIM-120Cs and fire them in any order. I found they remain on the pylon, but just the visual model. Stores indicated zero available.

So replicate it and post a track file and open up a new Bug thread. I do not experience what you are describing so I cannot replicate it.

 

As for the AIM-7, I'm gonna try the MH variant. Do I select the LOFT mode on the stores page?

LOFT should be selected by default.

 

I also found that once you enter the AIM-120 visual mode, you can't exit it. Or I need to read the manual again.

You exit VM buy selecting a target on your Radar. VM is there by default. Edited August 15, 2018 by Revelation

[Biggus]

As explained, the rocket motor burns out fairly quickly and the missile relies on energy imparted upon it by the launcher's speed and altitude, and the additional altitude that the missile itself might have attained if it is lofting.

 

 

 

Closure rate is important. Think about throwing a ball. Let's say you can pitch a baseball 30m. A person is standing 40m away from you. If neither of you move, they can't catch the ball.

 

 

If a person is standing 50m away and running towards you, you can probably throw the ball and have them catch it. Their distance was greater than your throwing range when you started, but they're getting closer while the ball is in the air.

 

 

 

Similarly, if the person catching is running away from you at a decent speed, your throw will have to be made well before they get to 30m away.

 

 

This is all greatly simplified, and we haven't added variables like whether you are running, whether you or the catcher has a height advantage, etc, but it is how I try to think about missile range in fairly easy to understand terms.

 

 

Now with all that considered, a 12nm tail-on shot is very, very good and I'd be fairly happy with that. That -120 covered an awful lot of ground to get to the target.

[mahuja]

once you enter the AIM-120 visual mode, you can't exit it. Or I need to read the manual again.

 

You'll be in visual mode if

A) You don't have a target locked

B) The missile is uncaged

 

Caging is a toggle, so press the uncage button again.

[shawnyp420]

Has anyone been able to do better than ~20mi with the AIM-120? That’s about my limit.

[Revelation]

Has anyone been able to do better than ~20mi with the AIM-120? That’s about my limit.

 

Yes, I have hit max range at 45NM and launched at 35NM when SHOOT was flashing. My altitude was 33k ft and speed was around 450 knots. Target was head on and closure was around 600 knots.

[Alphamale]

Has anyone been able to do better than ~20mi with the AIM-120? That’s about my limit.

 

nope, been able to get reliable hit and kills from the 7MH at this distance, but at 23nm and over at angels 25 and up with target zero aspect and Vc of around 1K have not been able to get ANY hit with the 120C

 

....oh, and I had a flashing shoot cue as well

Edited August 22, 2018 by Alphamale