Mission 5 Questions (Spoilers)

[unlikely_spider]

Great campaign so far. I have some questions about mission 5:

1. When entering coordinates of the main target from the kneeboard, I used precise coords, but they were still off (I later realized that WP4 was right on it). But then later the coords relayed to me of the A-10 were off as well and I just found him via smoke. Do I need to change the format when entering them?
2. What is the best way to avoid manpad missiles when performing a show of force at low altitude, which makes me a great target?
3. At which altitude am I safe from them again? After the main target, I have one GBU left which I assume I can use to take out the troops before safely going guns low on the approaching trucks.
4. I assume these are IR missiles since I didn't get a RWR warning? I did hear my wingman call out the missile. Are manpads always heat seeking?

Thanks for this campaign. You've really gone above and beyond with the immersive elements, including all the comms and the included documentation. I know I'm going to have many hours of fun ahead.

Edited April 10, 2022 by unlikely_spider

[ChillNG]

3 hours ago, unlikely_spider said:

Great campaign so far. I have some questions about mission 5:

1. When entering coordinates of the main target from the kneeboard, I used precise coords, but they were still off (I later realized that WP4 was right on it). But then later the coords relayed to me of the A-10 were off as well and I just found him via smoke. Do I need to change the format when entering them?
2. What is the best way to avoid manpad missiles when performing a show of force at low altitude, which makes me a great target?
3. At which altitude am I safe from them again? After the main target, I have one GBU left which I assume I can use to take out the troops before safely going guns low on the approaching trucks.
4. I assume these are IR missiles since I didn't get a RWR warning? I did hear my wingman call out the missile. Are manpads always heat seeking?

Thanks for this campaign. You've really gone above and beyond with the immersive elements, including all the comms and the included documentation. I know I'm going to have many hours of fun ahead.

 

Thanks buddy.  So to answer your questions:

1.  I think when looking through the TGP the coordinates can look off (I think, going from memory here), I'm not sure why, don't know if it's a bug of if there is a real reason behind it.  But the JDAM will correctly hit the target if using the coords in the knee boards/brief, no need to change the format just use type them in as presented to you.

2.  I would stay as low as possible, and go as fast as possible.  put the MANPAD position (it's the buildings where the assembled crowd starts off) at 90 degrees to your flight path so you are crossing and not giving them a head or tail on shot.  I would also set up a pre empting flare pattern, eg a flare every second as you are passing. 

Spoiler

Note they won't fire at you in the initial show of force phase, only once things go hot.  So if you can, avoid going too low at this point.

3.  MANPADS can reach up to around 12-13 thousand feet (again from memory - the exact figure is in your knee-board threat section.  If you have a JDAM left I would recommend a high altitude delivery to disrupt the enemy advance and then just pick off targets with guns as needed, but trying to position yourself as far away from the MANPAD position as you can.

4.  MANPADS are always heat seeking.  Unlike say the A-10 or Apache, the Hornet doesn't have a missile warning system that can detect IR missile launches.  This is why there is always a call out from your wingman, I built this in to avoid the frustration of an unseen launch wiping you out.  However in some mission there will be a dilemma of having your wingman support your attack, making it easier to kill a target, but this will lose the 'lookout' function as you won't get the warning calls.

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by ChillNG

[unlikely_spider]

Fyi I was able to get past the show of force and manpad by flying as low as possible, like you said, twisting and turning like a madman and releasing (probably) way more flares than needed.

When I was safely out of range I climbed to approx angels 18 and hit them with the remaining gbu, which let me freely strafe the two trucks going towards the downed pilot.

Before strafing the trucks, I did order the wingman to attack, but he missed them by a mile. I know that gps-guided bombs are not the correct application against moving targets - maybe that's why. But I had guns available for them myself fortunately.

Edited April 18, 2022 by unlikely_spider