Mission 16 - Part 2

[FPS_Sage]

What are the best strategies here?  I've tried multiple times, and always get shot down over the fuel dump.  Couple questions that I will spoiler so as not to ruin it for anyone else.
 

Spoiler

On ingress, an SA-6 lights up (must be a "surprise" threat since it's not on the SA page).  I can usually dodge this - once it fires, do the SEAD flights destroy it permanently (they claim they're engaging), or do I have to worry about it again? 

Is the recommended strategy to co-attack the target with Newt?  If I don't do that, I get shot down over the target without fail.  And even then, when ordering Newt to attack, how "close" do I need to arrive at the target compared to him?  I see on the SA page that we're usually pretty close but I often still get shot at by a manpad or something.

Finally, what are the recommended weapons to use?  I've been trying with the Mk-82 in Auto mode (qty 4, int 50 ft, freefall) but they always miss.  Should I be using retarded delivery instead?  It's pretty windy so I was avoiding that.  Maybe the rockeyes would give me more leeway to actually hit something, but I was trying to save those for the targets of opportunity afterwards.

 

[ChillNG]

15 hours ago, FPS_Sage said:

What are the best strategies here?  I've tried multiple times, and always get shot down over the fuel dump.  Couple questions that I will spoiler so as not to ruin it for anyone else.
 

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On ingress, an SA-6 lights up (must be a "surprise" threat since it's not on the SA page).  I can usually dodge this - once it fires, do the SEAD flights destroy it permanently (they claim they're engaging), or do I have to worry about it again? 

Is the recommended strategy to co-attack the target with Newt?  If I don't do that, I get shot down over the target without fail.  And even then, when ordering Newt to attack, how "close" do I need to arrive at the target compared to him?  I see on the SA page that we're usually pretty close but I often still get shot at by a manpad or something.

Finally, what are the recommended weapons to use?  I've been trying with the Mk-82 in Auto mode (qty 4, int 50 ft, freefall) but they always miss.  Should I be using retarded delivery instead?  It's pretty windy so I was avoiding that.  Maybe the rockeyes would give me more leeway to actually hit something, but I was trying to save those for the targets of opportunity afterwards.

 

So the SA-6s will shut down when the SEAD flight attacks, but will randomly reactivate later so you will need to keep an eye out for them popping back up on you.

Recommended attack is to attack with Newt...

Spoiler

There's some stuff going on under the hood here.  If you time the attack correctly and are over the target within 30 secs or so of Newt then you have a small window where the air defenses are already looking at Newt so will not engage you.  However once Newt has gone then additional air defenses will come online so being late can be very dangerous.

I've always used a string of retarded Mk-82s on the FMA with good effect, don't like being too high over this target as it's pretty dangerous.

[FPS_Sage]

Thanks for the background info, ChillNG.  But still after 20+ tries and different tactics I could not survive the attack run, always getting shot down by AA or manpads or something.  Don't know if I fundamentally misunderstand the timing window after Newt says he's in or what.  Anyway, eventually I just 'cheated' and changed the loadout to bring a JDAM and that quickly solved the issue   Was able to do good damage against the secondary objectives with the rest of the default weaponry.  Got through Pt3 no problem and really enjoyed the ending to this great campaign!