AIM-7 Question

[Crashdown2]

I have been practicing with the sparrow lately, and have been noticing in tacview that they rarely reach anywhere above mach 2, however looking around, the AIM-7 C/E/F/M-P and RIM-7 M-P have a speed of mach 4. The F and above variants have a range of 38 miles, but you rarely get the NIRD circle to display max range unless within 27 or 28 miles. MiGs with the P77 will out-range at 50miles and have a speed of mach 4, and this coincides with the tacview data. Anyone else notice this? Is this due to the loft?

 

 

[Hobo 1-1]

I think the confusion may be on max range during testing, versus real life employment. I believe missile max range figures are given on ideal shots - 40k altitude (or above) against a non-maneuvering targets. When you drop down to 20K altitude you’re looking at a max range *significantly* less than max, ideal conditions. Maybe 15 miles and that’s if you’re really lucky. 10k feet will yield something inside of 10 miles.
 

None of what I offered is officially sourced, just a good faith recall of (general) memory. I have no idea what the typical sparrow shot was in training, or RL, while actually employed in real life. I know that in-game 10-12 miles is absolutely max for reliable hits with a big nose lead on the target to get in that sweet spot for the seeker. At least for me and there’s a good chance I’m doing it wrong =)

[GGTharos]

4 hours ago, Crashdown2 said:

I have been practicing with the sparrow lately, and have been noticing in tacview that they rarely reach anywhere above mach 2, however looking around, the AIM-7 C/E/F/M-P and RIM-7 M-P have a speed of mach 4. The F and above variants have a range of 38 miles, but you rarely get the NIRD circle to display max range unless within 27 or 28 miles. MiGs with the P77 will out-range at 50miles and have a speed of mach 4, and this coincides with the tacview data. Anyone else notice this? Is this due to the loft?

 

There may be things that are off with the AIM-7 motor in DCS, but it's not going to be too far off.  We'll see, this is a matter of a lot of research.

 

Regarding max range, for the 7F it is 53nm when launched at 50000' mach 2, vs a non-maneuvering, head-on target at same altitude and speed.

At lower altitudes and speeds the ranges are shorter and, again, against non-maneuvering targets.

 

As well, saying that the missile has speed x means next to nothing simply because the missile's top speed varies considerably based on launch conditions, and of course it varies considerably during flight as well.

Edited September 22, 2021 by GGTharos

[Svend_Dellepude]

Being supersonic when launching helps on top speed as well so the missile doesn't have to waste energy breaking the sound barrier. 

[CBStu]

I gave up on 7s at least a year ago. I have no idea on the tech info provided by the OP, I just know they don't seem to do any good for me. In any flight where I can, I swap them for 120s.