‎ELI5: M and F-pole

[Skyracer]

What are the point from knowing the value of M and F pole?

I understand the value and knowing when the missile is active. But please explain the meaning of M/F value?

[GGTharos]

That's 'time to active' and 'time to impact', not value of M/F Pole, although they are related.

If your clock has run out and the target hasn't exploded, the missile has missed.   That is the value.   These clocks aren't terribly accurate in DCS (typically, the missile will hit after it runs down to zero, especially if the target maneuvers) but it gives you an indication as to when you can expect your target to do something other than defend - because your missile is no longer doing anything useful.

[bukizzzz]

It provides you with the ability to calculate ahead of time, how close you will be to the bandit once he has to start defending, and in relation to the MAR can provide useful info for planning the engagement a few steps ahead of the bandit

[Furiz]

@Skyracer

Its complicated but the way I get it is that there are 3 phases the AIM120 has,

MID phase - from launch to acquisition phase, datalink guidance.

Acquisition Phase - has two phases:

                                                              A-Pole is the range from your aircraft to the target when the missile goes Husky. - HPRF or High Pule Repetition Frequency or Husky.

                                                              M-Pole is same as the A-Pole, is the range from your aircraft to the target when the missile goes Pitbull. - MPRF or Medium Pulse Repetition          Frequency

Final Phase - When the missile is in pitbull mode or husky, MPRF or HPRF, and F pole is the range from your aircraft to the target when the missile hits that target.

 

So basically, you will first see lets say 10M on the left side on your DLZ, before you fire the missile, that means that your Aircraft will be at 10 miles from the target once target goes into MPRF or Pitbull. Below the DLZ youll see A17 for example, thats the time till your missile goes HPRF active.

 

Whe you launch the missile your 10M will move below the DLZ and on the right you will see 8M and thats for next missile on your rail. Below the DLZ there will be 10M which wont change, and A17 that will count down to 0 and that's when the missile goes HUSKY or Pitbull,

When that happens the symbology will change again,

Below the DLZ youll see 8F thats the F-pole and it means that youll be 8 miles from the target when the missile hits, you'll see, below F-Pole, T15 which is the time till impact. at this point you can lose the lock since missile is guiding to the target on its own.

 

That's how I understand it.

Edited November 19, 2022 by Furiz

[Dragon1-1]

F-pole is the distance from you to the bandit at the time of missile impact.
M-pole is the distance from you to the bandit when missile goes pitbull.
A-pole is the distance from you to the bandit when the missile goes husky, that is, HPRF (longer range, but worse clutter rejection). Note that this isn't implemented in DCS.
E-pole is another term for MAR, basically the minimum distance at which you can start defending and not enter bandit's NEZ.

[LowGlow]

Are these letters abbreviations for something?