Why do I lose missile lock in F15?

[Victorious1]

For some reason I lose missile lock, the square red box, after a few rounds of missiles in the F15. Then I must switch to another mode, shoot other missiles and then sometimes I can get missile lock back again. Any idea what's happening and how to fix it?

[golfsierra2]

What kind of missiles are you firing ? There is a difference between ARH/SARH and IR, concerning their range and the modes that you can use to launch them

[RedTiger]

There's a lot reasons why that might happen. Without knowing more details about a particular instance, it will be very hard to figure out what happen. Maybe you could give us more details? What are you doing? What is the bandit doing? Where are you in relation to him?

[Victorious1]

That would be in f15c scramble mission using the AIM-120C missile, I press key 2 to engage it. I am abeam of the bandit, shoot off a few missiles then I lose lock, (red square) and I can't shoot missiles until I switch to AIM-9M then later I can get lock with the red square again and fire AIM-120C. Is that the way it's supposed to happen or am I doing something wrong?

Edited February 1, 2009 by Victorious1

[pauldy]

Are you in simplified radar mode or realistic radar mode?

 

I think the bandit has "notched" which could break your radar lock.. Anyway, i'm not so knowledgable yet in this matter.

 

Maybe the F-15 experts can drop by and give better explanation/s :)

[104th_Crunch]

An example Track would be helpful to see what is going on.

[golfsierra2]

That would be in f15c scramble mission using the AIM-120C missile, I press key 2 to engage it. I am abeam of the bandit, shoot off a few missiles then I lose lock, (red square) and I can't shoot missiles until I switch to AIM-9M then later I can get lock with the red square again and fire AIM-120C. Is that the way it's supposed to happen or am I doing something wrong?

 

Not sure how the AI pilot functions, but this might be the case:

 

You lock the bandit and then get your Launch Authorization for the AIM-120 because the bandit is in range for the missile. You fire, but the AI pilot turns cold, notching, breaking your lock. Because of the broken lock, he turns hot (into you) again, then you are in range for the IR missile (which does not indicate a lock at the AI pilot's RWR) and you can lock him again, firing another missile. By these maneuvers, the AI pilot comes closer and closer. Then you switch back to radar mode and the AI pilot already is so close that you can maintain your radar lock and fire AIM-120s.

 

This is what I think has happened.

[S77th-konkussion]

Red box is definitely "easy radar" mode..