Remote firing the Hellfire (help needed)

[El Pilotto]

Got a problem. 

So, I am setting the target point for my remote engagement, setting it as a ACQ on Hellfire wepon page, flying to target.

From pilot seat I set Hellfire to fire in Hi trajectory, and when in range (abot 6 km) launch it from aroun 1000 feet AGL. But for some reason it almost never tracks laser.( The code is set properly. It just fly over the target. 

What am I doing wrong? 

Edited December 17, 2022 by El Pilotto

[admiki]

29 minutes ago, El Pilotto said:

Got a problem. 

So, I am setting the target point for my remote engagement, setting it as a ACQ on Hellfire wepon page, flying to target.

From pilot seat I set Hellfire to fire in Hi trajectory, and when in range (abot 6 km) launch it from aroun 1000 feet AGL. But for some reason it almost never tracks laser.( The code is set properly. It just fly over the target. 

What am I doing wrong? 

 

How are you setting laser? Usually you will need to work through radio menu to tell designator to start lasing

[El Pilotto]

30 minutes ago, admiki said:

How are you setting laser? Usually you will need to work through radio menu to tell designator to start lasing

I've got a friend, who is lasing from A-10. Also Used a JTAC in mission, who is lasing permanently.We've tryed different laser codes. Still hellfire not findnig laser spot. 

[Sandman1330]

I’ve found that hi trajectory tends to loft it too high, so the laser spot is below the seeker field of view. Try lo or direct and see if it works.

If this is the problem, maybe there is an issue with hi trajectory? I’m not sure but if you have a point selected as acquisition source, is the hellfire supposed to inertially guide to that general area or not? If so, it should point down and see the laser. If not, that would explain why it sails over.

TL;DR - I’ve seen this a lot with hi trajectory. Especially when as close at 6km, try lo or direct.

[Floyd1212]

The Acquisition Source does not guide the Hellfire in any way, it simply helps the pilot get the aircraft pointing in the right direction prior to launch.

Launching at 1000 ft AGL using HI trajectory, you are likely lofting the missile too high over the target.

 

[admiki]

And don't use direct if you are behind any obstacle.

I am going to test it now.

[admiki]

I tried it. Trajectory HIGH, I was at 1150 ft AGL (and terrain itself is higher  250 ft than target area) and it tracked. Distance to target 6973.

Did another run at 5,45 km. You need laser within 2-3 seconds of launch or it will not track. And my missiles saw laser before launching (I know they will switch to DIR, so I made sure laser is off before launching). 

Only thing that comes to mind is that angle between you and designator is too large for missile to pick return.

[NeedzWD40]

LO mode seems to work better in most circumstances. The other thing to keep in mind is that if the missile can't see the laser due to obscurement like trees or buildings, it will either see the laser too late or not catch it at all. You can test this by lasing a target in an urban area versus an open area.

[admiki]

14 minutes ago, NeedzWD40 said:

LO mode seems to work better in most circumstances. The other thing to keep in mind is that if the missile can't see the laser due to obscurement like trees or buildings, it will either see the laser too late or not catch it at all. You can test this by lasing a target in an urban area versus an open area.

That's why I think HI is better option if you have distance for it

[El Pilotto]

Thnks for your suggestions. 

For some reason, I thought that if you have an ACQ point for Hellfire it will fly in the general direction of that waypoint. 

I will try your advises and report back tomorrow. 

Edited December 17, 2022 by El Pilotto

[admiki]

You are technically correct.

[Raptor9]

Hellfires only fly straight ahead based on their selected LOAL trajectory, or to a detected laser designation. They don't fly to specific locations.

[El Pilotto]

Ok, I tested remote firing from several distances in both LOAL modes. 

Seems that the issue with buddy-lasing was the obscurement of the laser by the trees or buildings. Also what is the FOW of the hellfire seeker? 

P.S. ED, please, I beg you, make trees destructable! They work like ERA right now... With the exeption of exploding...