Engaging multiple targets simultaneously

[Sharkster64]

This may be a horribly stupid question, but I thought I'd just check if there is a real procedure similar to it.

 

Back in the days I played the old Microprose (I think it was) Werewolf vs Comanche games like a complete nutter, and in there I developed a tactic where I would launch on a distant target, and while the missile is in flight launch a second missile. When the first hits the target I would quickly slew the seeker over to a second, nearby target, and thereby guide that second missile mid-flight towards the new target.

 

That series of games were obviously pretty much 100% arcade (the Ka-50 had RWR and Igla in it tho! :D ) so I definitely realize that it might very well be just sheer stupidity in a real setting. None-the-less I have tried it a few times, usually when I've launched on a target only to have my wingman land a kill on it two seconds later. I've not successfully steered it to a new target though.

 

Is there a procedure (with manual overrides or not) that would allow attacks like that, even if they're not something that real pilots would be doing? I reckon it should be similar to when people launch Vikhrs slightly offset against enemy helos to reduce their warning, and then slew the laser over the target mid-flight.

 

Or am I just way too nostalgic about an old arcade title? :P

 

You CAN do it and I just figured out how. First off you have to switch the {Manual/Auto Weapon control switch} to Manual. Default button is [A]. This allows you to fire the vikhr whenever you feel like it with no cool down period. If you leave it in auto, the vikhr will only fire after the other missile has reached its target.

 

I was fiddling with it for quite some time to get the perfect parameters. When you Lock a target, lock the closest one first, (It is easier to adjust to the further target after hit). Always make sure the targets are close together. A convoy is an ideal target group because they travel close together. I found that if the targets were too far apart, the missile would lose sight of the laser and just fall to the ground. I fired the second Vikhr when the first one was about half way to the target. This gives you ample time to adjust the laser to the second target. Just hold the lock button down again and slew the laser slowly to the second target. Don't move the laser too fast and too far away from the first target or the second Vikhr will lose the laser and fall way short. It actually works. I also noticed that you could lock a target and fire a missile at a further distance in manual.

 

Have fun with this one, I know I will.

 

Thanks for bringing this thread up which gave me the inspiration to try this out. :thumbup:

Edited April 2, 2009 by Sharkster64

[Mugatu]

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/mfc/hellfire-tiger/HF_Tiger.htm see page 9, for the intervals etc.

[Sharkster64]

I don't get this either , a lot of times I set it to fire 2 vikhr's at once when I'm going up against Abrams tanks.. they both fire at the same time and both hit...I've also noticed that if you are locked on a target and for instance if your wingmans missile impacts and kills the target before yours you can redirect the missile onto another target by pressing and holding the lock button and slewing the shkval onto a different target.

 

I also do this when I target manpads and support vehicles with the gun. Lock, fire a burst, press and hold the lock and slew to the next target, release the lock and it grabs the new target. Fire another burst before the first burst hits the first target, instead of waiting for the lock to automatically break when you get a target kill.

 

Normally when it's locked you can't do this once its locked you can't slew until the target is dead.

 

So am I improperly using this or does it actually work this way in the real thing?

Yeah you are doing it right.

[nemises]

the only "danger" of this method is that you are re-starting the laser (fires for 30 seconds) everytime you hit the "lock" button even when just slewing off...which means you are potentially firing the laser a lot more than you want to be, and could come accross the dreaded dead laser issue sooner than expected.

 

Still, when fluidly changing targets like that , I guess you want constant ranging updates

 

Normally if I am switching targets now, I'll turn othe laser to standby, hit "lock" and slew off , turn the laser off standby and lock new target.