known Possible reason for (some) Hellfire problems with LOAL

frostycab · March 25, 2022

TLDR: You might be using the wrong launch profile for the range. LOAL-HI misses if under 4000m. LOAL-LO struggles beyond 8000m.

I did some testing this afternoon on a large target range I set up. Eventually had a game crash so I couldn't save the track, but I think I now understand what could be causing issue for a few people.

I focussed specifically on LOAL Hellfire shots, and tried at ranges from 3km to 10km in both Hi and LO profiles.

With the aircraft at 500ft AGL LO shots were 100% reliable from 2500m to just under 8000m, which is where you get a ballistic limit warning. Beyond this range I didn't observe the missile hitting anywhere, so I assume it went wide. Increasing altitude to 1000ft AGL did extend the range beyond 8000m, and I managed a hit at 8700m before the sim crashed on me, despite still getting BAL LIMIT warnings beyond the 8000m mark.

HI shots from 500ft AGL were also 100% reliable during the test between 4000 and 10000m. Below 4000m the missiles again went wide and I didn't observe them hitting anywhere in my field of view.

This may be why so many people are reporting issue with their Hellfire getting lost or missing, and why George sometimes refuses to fire. I'll try and do some more testing tomorrow and hopefully include a track file if I can get one.

EDIT: Just for clarity, I performed all of these tests from the CPG seat, NOT using George. I plan to run the same tests with George next time out. This test was conducted on the PG map in open desert terrain with no obstacles and no wind set.

Edited March 26, 2022 by frostycab