AIM-54 Lofting - Potential Netcode Issue?

[Billy]

Hello, 

Recently I have experienced lots of AIM-54 not lofting properly. IronMike from HB suggested it's a netcode issue. Could you guys help have a look? Thanks!

Billy

[Billy]

This behavior is kind of consistent at low altitudes and > 20nm, the missile really wants to get to that high altitude...

[RallyNH]

I’ve seen something similar, playing online on a 4YA lobby I launched 2 Aim-54C MK60 at 15,000 on a hot Su-33 at 7,000 with a range of 30 miles.  Those missiles did not loft but by the time they where 8 miles ahead of me they had slowed to under 650 knots, and I ended up making the kill with an Aim-7p.  So I set up a test in single player, F-14B at 15,000 70 miles from an il-76 at 8,000 set to no reaction.  The first Aim-54C MK60 (tested all variants) is launched at 65 miles, the missile flys level for a few seconds and then climbs at a 90 degree angle, if you watch the missile view the F-14 almost passes the missile.  That climb continues to 103,000 and the missile in down to about 400 knots.  The second shot is at 35 miles, also with a steep loft, this missile tops at 45,000 and again its slow but better than the first.  Just for giggles a sparrow is launched at 17 miles and it almost catches the second phoenix (the first fell out of the sky).  I’ve attached my track file from testing after I removed all mods and ran a repair just to double check.   I’m not saying anything is wrong, but it seems weird.

aim54 space launch.trk

[RallyNH]

I checked a bit more today, I swapped the F-14B for the F-14A and re-flew the mission.  The results where exactly the same, I was also able to look at the F10 map and my suspicion was correct the climb is so steep the missile ends up behind the plane.   This time I fired the second shot with the ACM cover up, the missile did not loft which is believe to be correct.

[The_Tau]

I guess it shouldnt go backwards but you are asking impossible from AIM54 in those launch and target parameters you set... its not "better" aim120, Phoenix have very specific launch parameters and there was a reason why f14 could carry aim7s as well..