Query on using the Aim54 in BVR

[Mr_sukebe]

Question for you chaps.

 

When I use an AIM120c in BVR, I’d normally fly towards a target, then after firing the missile and whilst waiting for it to go pitbull, put myself at say a 30 degree angle to the target, such that my radar could guide it until it hits pitbull.

 

My assumption is that this is an appropriate tactic when using Aim54s in the Cat. What is the max sensible angle that the radar of the Cat is capable of guiding the 54, when compared to where the CAT is flying?

[104th_Maverick]

Yes! :)

 

Moving left or right after firing as you described is called 'Cranking' and is something you should be doing with more or less every shot you take.

The worst possible thing you can do against a good pilot is fire a weapon at him or her and then continue to fly 'straight' towards them.

 

 

You crank left or right after firing to try and maximise the distance by 'minimising' the closure rate from your aircraft to any potential missile being fired back at you from the person you are engaging.

If you fly straight towards them the 'closure rate' is going to be at its highest value and subsequently your range to the the incoming missile will be at its smallest value right up until impact.

If you crank however you give yourself some extra time to defend and in BVR its all about banking up as many of these small 'time advantages' so you can safely defend against incoming missiles and not end up getting shot in the face.

 

 

Depending on what mode you are in about 60 degrees left or right is the max crank angle you want to take in the Tomcat.

[cercata]

Very interesting this "Cranking" thing ...

 

It would be nice to have a table of the max cracking angles for each plane/radar/mode, not only for the missiles you launch, but for knowing how much can "crank" your target after firing you.

[26-J39]

Very interesting this "Cranking" thing ...

 

It would be nice to have a table of the max cracking angles for each plane/radar/mode, not only for the missiles you launch, but for knowing how much can "crank" your target after firing you.

 

 

There is not much to it, simply put the bandit at the far left or right edge of your radar scope. memorizing tables is not really necessary.

[vadupleix]

;3874931']Yes! :)

 

Moving left or right after firing as you described is called 'Cranking' and is something you should be doing with more or less every shot you take.

The worst possible thing you can do against a good pilot is fire a weapon at him or her and then continue to fly 'straight' towards them.

 

 

You crank left or right after firing to try and maximise the distance by 'minimising' the closure rate from your aircraft to any potential missile being fired back at you from the person you are engaging.

If you fly straight towards them the 'closure rate' is going to be at its highest value and subsequently your range to the the incoming missile will be at its smallest value right up until impact.

If you crank however you give yourself some extra time to defend and in BVR its all about banking up as many of these small 'time advantages' so you can safely defend against incoming missiles and not end up getting shot in the face.

 

 

Depending on what mode you are in about 60 degrees left or right is the max crank angle you want to take in the Tomcat.

What’s this angle if Jester is at the back? Will he adjust the azimuth accordingly as I crank or I’m stuck with whatever coverage area we are at when firing that missile?

[104th_Maverick]

What’s this angle if Jester is at the back?

 

To crank with Jester with a TWS shot you go in to the BVR Menu, then select AZIMUTH, then tell him to put the AZIMUTH all the way to the LEFT or RIGHT, after you have fired the missile.

 

Jester will then slew the radar all the way to the side for you to keep track of the bandit as you do your turn.

[Mr_sukebe]

60 degrees, wow, that’s cool.

 

Have to say that I laughed at a vid I watched yesterday of a group of 4 F14s trying to engage a similar group of Mig29s. The F14s (all human), just flew straight at the Migs. The Migs avoided most of the 54, got amongst the F14s and cut them to ribbons. Classic example of how to NOT play to your own aircraft strengths.

[104th_Maverick]

Classic example of how to NOT play to your own aircraft strengths.

 

 

All the gear and no idea :D

 

I think people will start to get smarter with the aircraft in the coming months, at the moment its a little overwhelming for some people (including myself) and its easy to forget the basics.

I'm sure once we've had the aircraft for about 6 months there will be some serious skills shown from its aircrews!

[VC]

Anything that can fire a 120C shoul also be able to crank to 60 degrees BTW.

 

In the Cat, TWS Auto will handle all this when implemented. In the meantime, just ask Jester to move the scan azimuth. Just be careful with this as it "jumps" and you can lose the target. I would do it in steps e.g. crank left to the edge of scan, ask Jester to move scan left, crank to new edge, ask Jester to move scan far left, finally crank to that edge.

[javelina1]

;3874955']To crank with Jester with a TWS shot you go in to the BVR Menu' date=' then select [b']AZIMUTH[/b], then tell him to put the AZIMUTH all the way to the LEFT or RIGHT, after you have fired the missile.

 

Jester will then slew the radar all the way to the side for you to keep track of the bandit as you do your turn.

 

 

learned something new! thanks Maverick!:thumbup: