Is there a way to....

[cobrabase]

Okay... situation: 2 F-16s in the distance. Two Flankers in my group. I have both Semi and active radar missiles.

 

All have jammers.

 

As I approach is there any way to tell which bandit is the one leading and which one is in tail?

[Brit_Radar_Dude]

Short answer - No. I would say the answer is to get the bandits to split up. Way before anyone is in firing range, I tell my wingnut to pincer right and I'll drift left so we seperate out. The bandit pair will split up, one going after me, one after my wingman. I usually turn back in, lock up one of them and tell my wingie to engage. Depending on the situation, I'll go after the other one, but if you get it right you can get a temporary 2v1 in your favour as the trail bandit is out of range to support his buddy.

[cobrabase]

Short answer - No. I would say the answer is to get the bandits to split up. Way before anyone is in firing range, I tell my wingnut to pincer right and I'll drift left so we seperate out. The bandit pair will split up, one going after me, one after my wingman. I usually turn back in, lock up one of them and tell my wingie to engage. Depending on the situation, I'll go after the other one, but if you get it right you can get a temporary 2v1 in your favour as the trail bandit is out of range to support his buddy.

 

Great! I'm doing it right then!:thumbup:

[Ironhand]

The short answer: yes. :) It's usually true, anyway. Once the AI commits to attacking, they usually separate. (This happens at longish range.) By watching the radar returns on your HUD, you can tell which is dropping back and/or changing altitude. I usually assign the lead aircraft to my wingnut and take the #2 aircraft for myself. The lead aircraft is usually locked onto me and this leaves my wingnut free to attack him. Once I hear my attacker's radar lock on me break, I follow through on my attack of the #2 aircraft.

 

Rich