AGM-45 Shrike Quick Guide by Klarsnow - updated June 5th 2024

[stinger07]

8 hours ago, Q3ark said:

Does anyone know if ED fixed the issue mentioned in the quote from KlarSnow? I couldn't see anything in the last few change logs.

 

I did not see anything in the patch regarding the correction of the AGM-45.
However, near the time of this patch, there is a correction to the description of the AGM45 in the manual.

There is a thing added at the end of the description of the WRCS mode in this one.

WRCS AGM-45 Employment
“The WRCS mode is currently WIP and will the employment be described once it is ready”

Isn't this something that should have been written in the initial manual?
AGM-45 Shrike I spent quite a bit of time testing the WRCS mode...

[Q3ark]

I’ve spent the last two days trying to get them to track and had no joy. I thought it was a skill issue but then I saw the comment made be KlarSnow, now I have no idea if it’s me or the Shrike, they always land somewhere near but don’t seem to track, I’m putting the correct seeker heads on. 

I’ll edit my training mission so the F4 spawns with them on rather than having to set up an empty aircraft in game, see if they’ll track.

Edited August 21, 2024 by Q3ark

[Northstar98]

12 hours ago, stinger07 said:

There is a thing added at the end of the description of the WRCS mode in this one.

WRCS AGM-45 Employment
“The WRCS mode is currently WIP and will the employment be described once it is ready”

Isn't this something that should have been written in the initial manual?
AGM-45 Shrike I spent quite a bit of time testing the WRCS mode...

Probably, but at least it's in there now.

So far, from extremely limited testing, I have had success using the WRCS mode, but it's extremely sensitive to whatever dive angle you set. Set the dive angle too shallow and the WRCS will calculate a distance that's too far, too steep and the WRCS will calculate a distance that's too short. I ended up using the gunsight and a bit of foreknowledge of where the radar was for best accuracy, though sometimes that's not always possible.

4 hours ago, Q3ark said:

I’ve spent the last two days trying to get them to track and had no joy. I thought it was a skill issue but then I saw the comment made be KlarSnow, now I have no idea if it’s me or the Shrike, they always land somewhere near but don’t seem to track, I’m putting the correct seeker heads on. 

I’ll edit my training mission so the F4 spawns with them on rather than having to set up an empty aircraft in game, see if they’ll track.

What radar are you targeting and which seeker heads are you using? Are you getting a tone from the radar?

Just note that some guidance sections are able to track radars despite the operating frequency of the radar not being within that of the guidance section. Some radars can't be targeted by some guidance sections, even though the frequency ranges overlap etc.

AGM-45A_P-19_Mk37_player_WRCS_loft.trk

[stinger07]

On 2024/8/21 at 午後9時51分, Northstar98 said:

おそらくそうだが、少なくとも今はそこに入っている。

これまでのところ、非常に限られたテストでは、WRCS モードの使用に成功していますが、設定したダイブ角度に非常に敏感です。ダイブ角度を浅くしすぎると、WRCS は距離を遠すぎると計算し、急すぎると、WRCS は距離を短すぎると計算します。最高の精度を得るために、照準器とレーダーの位置に関する事前知識を使用しましたが、それが常に可能であるとは限りません。

In my case, the success or failure seems to be due to target elevation, not dive angle.
I have a very high probability of hitting targets near 0 feet above sea level, and have never had success with targets 2400 feet above sea level, regardless of the WRCS altitude parameter settings.

Hopefully this will be improved in the next patch!

[Q3ark]

On 8/21/2024 at 1:51 PM, Northstar98 said:

What radar are you targeting and which seeker heads are you using? Are you getting a tone from the radar?

Just note that some guidance sections are able to track radars despite the operating frequency of the radar not being within that of the guidance section. Some radars can't be targeted by some guidance sections, even though the frequency ranges overlap etc.

I have set up an SA3 site, Got a P19 Flat Face search radar and an S-125 Low Blow tracking radar.

With the Shrikes I'm using the Mk 36 (band I) - SNR-125 (Low Blow) and the Mk 37 (band C) - P15 (Flat Face) seeker heads.

[Northstar98]

19 minutes ago, Q3ark said:

I have set up an SA3 site, Got a P19 Flat Face search radar and an S-125 Low Blow tracking radar.

With the Shrikes I'm using the Mk 36 (band I) - SNR-125 (Low Blow) and the Mk 37 (band C) - P15 (Flat Face) seeker heads.

Okay, I've definitely had success with the Mk 37 and the P-19. The Low Blow though might be having from issues highlighted in this thread, where it seems Shrikes will only guide against fire-control radars (so far highlighted with the AN/MPQ-46 and SNR-75V, though the SNR-125M likely has the same issue). If you post a track, we should be able to determine what's going wrong.

Edited August 23, 2024 by Northstar98
Actually linking the thread

[Q3ark]

@Northstar98 sounds like a skill issue on my end then , thanks dude I’ll have another crack at it this weekend and upload a track file.

[DSplayer]

On 8/23/2024 at 10:19 AM, Q3ark said:

@Northstar98 sounds like a skill issue on my end then , thanks dude I’ll have another crack at it this weekend and upload a track file.

Against an SA-3 site that is set up with a Flat Face SR and the SA-3 Low Blow TR, I would personally take the Mk 37 to take out the Flat Face (since it has a pretty unique low RF relative to the rest of the Soviet SAM radars), and a Mk 49 of any Mod for the TR since it covers what the Mk 36 does and more. I personally haven't had issues with the Shrike not tracking the Low Blow at certain angles however like what I had with the Hawk TR. 

I would refer to the new tables included in the F-4's manual for more details but like what I said in the bug report thread that Northstar linked, sometimes Shrikes track even though they don't give tone.

[CaptPickguard]

WRCS seems to work decently in some conditions. Still need to test more. The small warhead really highlights the inadequacy of the current vehicle damage models though...

I recall a change to ships that disabled their radars when hit with a HARM. Maybe ground vehicles can get this change too, permenantly disabling their radar when hit with an ARM.

 

Edited August 29, 2024 by CaptPickguard

[Hobel]

vor 4 Minuten schrieb CaptPickguard:

WRCS seems to work decently in some conditions. Still need to test more. The small warhead really highlights the inadequacy of the current vehicle damage models though...

I recall a change to ships that disabled their radars when hit with a HARM. Maybe ground vehicles can get this change too, permenantly disabling their radar when hit with an ARM.

 

 

where an SA-8 should be destroyed or have heavy damage on a direct hit

[=475FG= Dawger]

50 minutes ago, Hobel said:

where an SA-8 should be destroyed or have heavy damage on a direct hit

I don't think so. Not much of a warhead. Not meant to penetrate. Hitting the transmitter. Probably not going to kill the vehicle.

[Hobel]

vor 53 Minuten schrieb =475FG= Dawger:

I don't think so. Not much of a warhead. Not meant to penetrate. Hitting the transmitter. Probably not going to kill the vehicle.

maybe,but the Shrike-45 has ~65kg warhead.
 and the SA-8.   5-8mm top armour?
would like to see how mobile the thing is after a direct hit

 

[=475FG= Dawger]

2 hours ago, Hobel said:

maybe,but the Shrike-45 has ~65kg warhead.
 and the SA-8.   5-8mm top armour?
would like to see how mobile the thing is after a direct hit

 

The Shrike is a blast-fragmentation warhead. It might punch some holes and kill some crew but it isn’t going to stop a motor or break an axle. 

[Mainstay]

On 6/22/2024 at 5:43 PM, Mainstay said:

Was wondering the same. Seems like a missile thats actually useful ingame.

AGM-45A

Engagement envelope

Propulsion

Single stage solid fuel rocket motor

Engine model

Rocketdyne Mk 38

Speed

Mach 2

Range

12 km

Up to 16 km from high altitude

AGM-45B

Engagement envelope

Propulsion

Single stage solid fuel rocket motor

Engine model

Hercules Mk 58 dual-thrust rocket motor

Speed

Mach 2

Range

40 km

 

The difference between 12 km and 40 is huge besides the ugraded warheads

Any word or thoughts on the B from HB?

[=475FG= Dawger]

4 hours ago, Mainstay said:

Any word or thoughts on the B from HB?

null

[Northstar98]

4 hours ago, Mainstay said:

Any word or thoughts on the B from HB?

HB have spoken about implementing it, but it's up to ED to do the missile. This shouldn't be too difficult, provided specifications on the rocket motor (Aerojet Mk 78) are available.

It's also the same rocket motor that the AGM-123 Skipper II has (which will be relevant to the A-6E).

33 minutes ago, =475FG= Dawger said:

null

It's identical to the A, but with a superior rocket motor and a modified warhead. The real -1 for USAF series F-4Es (both 1979 and 1984 revised 1990) manuals list both versions in the stores limitation diagram.

From ben_der:

Quote

afaik we haven't found anything that would limit the AGM-45B to the DMAS only. At the time of writing the Manual Section for that, only the A Variant was available.

source

Quote

That sentence is there because at the time of writing, only the A Shrike was available.

source

Quote

Could't find anything that would prohibit the use of the AGM-45B. The docs I looked at didn't make any difference between A and B Version. Since the B from my understanding is just a Motor Upgrade and the rest is the same I see no reason to not implement it. Someone just have to have the time and do it.

source

Edited August 30, 2024 by Northstar98

[Mainstay]

3 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

HB have spoken about implementing it, but it's up to ED to do the missile. This shouldn't be too difficult, provided specifications on the rocket motor (Aerojet Mk 78) are available.

It's also the same rocket motor that the AGM-123 Skipper II has (which will be relevant to the A-6E).

It's identical to the A, but with a superior rocket motor and a modified warhead. The real -1 for USAF series F-4Es (both 1979 and 1984 revised 1990) manuals list both versions in the stores limitation diagram.

From ben_der:

source

source

source

 

Thnx for the info

@Eagle Dynamics are you guys planning on doing the B version specifications changes?

Edited August 30, 2024 by Mainstay

[Oscar1984]

В 25.05.2024 в 13:46, HB_Painter сказал:

So you would like to shoot the AGM-45 Shrike off of your shiny new Phantom and LARP that you are an F-4G or a Wild Weasel of yore. The first thing thats probably on your mind after playing around with it is probably “this missile is broken” and “how the hell does it work even”.

Hopefully this guide can help clear up some of the confusion about the original Wild Weasel anti-radiation weapon and help you figure out how to use it in DCS.

How the AGM-45 guides

Everybody is probably wondering about the new seekerheads you can select with the arming and rearming menu, but first lets start with the basics. How does the AGM-45 actually fly to its target. “Its just an ARM” you say, “if it sees the emission of its target it should guide on it.” Yes and no. There are several things that have to occur for the shrike to guide. Lets start with an overview of the Shrike itself.

 

The seeker

The seeker is a passive Radio Frequency seeker that has a 45 degree field of view in DCS and a 150 second operating time, the seeker is on once the shrike is armed and will give you a high pitched tone, similar to a sidewinder, that indicates when it is tracking something inside its field of view. This tone may stutter or change as the emitter that the seeker is tracking rotates or changes modes.

Once launched the seeker is always tracking or attempting to track something that it can see within its field of view.

 

Guidance control

The guidance control section is the “autopilot” that gives the commands from the seeker to the fins to steer the missile. This section is not enabled until after launch and certain conditions are met. You can choose the conditions that will enable the guidance control by selecting LOFT ATTACK or DIRECT ATTACK on the rearm fuze selection menu, or in the mission editor.

You cannot change these via switchology in the jet (there is an exception but it is not implemented yet. If this changes I will update this to represent this)

 

LOFT ATTACK: This is the most complex set of conditions to enable the guidance control section. The conditions are:

1. Missiles barometric altimeter detects a pressure increase of 1 PSI (~1-3000 feet depending on altitude and temperature)
2. Missiles barometric altimeter sense that the missile is below 18,000ft MSL

ONCE BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE MET THE GUIDANCE CONTROL SECTION WILL UNLOCK and the signals from the seeker will be sent to the control section and the fins. 

Until these conditions are met the missile will be flying completely ballistic and unguided, even though the seeker may see and be tracking the emitter the entire time.

 

DIRECT ATTACK: With this selected the altitude sensor for the loft attack is bypassed and the guidance control unlocks approximately 3 seconds after launch. This is your “shoot it straight down the throat” guidance control selection.

The AGM-45 will naturally roll at approximately 55-60 degrees per second, and the guidance control system does not attempt to stop this once it enables. Additionally the fins only actuate with BANG-BANG control inputs, which you can watch if you observe the missile via F6 after launch.

All of this is to say that once the guidance enables the AGM-45 will be corkscrewing and its fins will be BANG-BANGing constantly, which results in a very high potential energy loss once guidance begins.

 

What all this means for employment and range

DIRECT ATTACK guidance missiles will have VERY short range, and the depression angle is very important, the more the missile has to glide to the target, the more likely it will just run out of energy and fall extremely short. Recommend trying to fire by getting 20 degrees or more nose down pointed straight at the target, or being right on top of it if firing at low altitude. Both of these will result in very short ranges.

LOFT ATTACK guidance however can get quite good range if lofted accurately. The fins remaining locked and the missile flying ballistic until guidance enable allow it to retain much of its energy and usually results in a fairly steep (30-45 degree) descent angle when it enables guidance. However remember that the seeker only has a 45 degree field of view, and the target must be inside that field of view when the guidance section activates (below 18,000 feet and missiles altimeter detects a 1 PSI pressure increase). This means you have to actually get that missile quite accurately to a window above the target when the seeker activates where it can detect it and guide.

You can employ a LOFT ATTACK shrike directly pointed at a target or level (not in a loft) as well, and it will get more range due to the fins staying locked for longer, however the missile will not start guiding till much later, so for short range immediate guidance scenarios it may not be the best.

 

With all of that How do you shoot the Shrike in the F-4E

Ok so you understand what the DIRECT and LOFT ATTACK modes do, and what the up and downsides of each mode are and what effect they have on the missiles guidance and energy. Now we get to how do you actually Use them in the F-4E.

There are 3 modes you can use to employ Shrikes in the F-4E:

1. LABS Loft
2. WRCS Direct
3. WRCS AGM-45

We will cover these three after going through the basic cockpit setup.

 

Basic cockpit switch setup

For all these modes you must:

1. Select the station for the shrike(s) you wish to employ
2. Select ARM on the weapon select knob
3. Select one of the 3 modes on the LABS/WRCS knob (LOFT, DIRECT, or AGM-45)
4. (optional) Turn the Flight Director on (if you want the needles on the ADI indicating shrike seeker look angle)
5. (optional) select A/G on the Sight
6. Turn Master ARM on

 

LABS Loft

Selecting LOFT on the LABS/WRCS knob will allow the LABS LOFT circuits to fire the shrike automatically. However this works Exactly Like it does for bombs, it simply applies the launch signal to the shrike launchers, instead of a release signal to bombs. So it is setup and used the exact same way. You will need to plan out an IP, a run in time to your loft point, and pick a loft angle, enter them in the LABS computer and timer in the backseat.

Once these are entered, you then overfly the IP, hold the pickle button down, point at the target, and follow the ADI needles, as you rotate through the preset loft angle with the pickle button held down, after the expiration of the run in timer, the missile will depart the jet.

This mode obviously requires preplanning, and the ability to know ballistically what angle you want to release the shrike at, and at what range to start the loft, and then use this to enter in the run in timer, select an IP and pick a loft angle. None of this is calculated for you, so only via trial and error and practice will you be able to figure out what settings will work for you.

 

For more information about Loft you can also take a look at our manual: Lofting & Tossing

 

WRCS DIRECT

Selecting DIRECT on the LABS/WRCS knob makes the selected shrike launch approximately 1 second after you hit the pickle button. That's it. Center up the needles, or dont center up the needles, pickle and the shrike will go on its merry way. There is zero automation, so if you desire to fire the shrike in a loft, you will have to manually pull up based on your own practice and situational awareness. There is also no indication that you are in range or out of range.

 

WRCS AGM-45

Selecting AGM-45 on the LABS/WRCS knob is the “preferred” way of employing the shrike, it will give you ranging indications for the shrike and let you know if you are in range to loft, perform a level release, or a diving release of the shrike. If you want to perform a loft or level release with this mode, you should be using a LOFT ATTACK shrike. The WRCS has no way of knowing which type of seeker guidance you have selected and will always be calculating assuming the LOFT ATTACK logic is occuring. Thus if you fire a DIRECT ATTACK missile following the loft or level release cues, it will probably start guiding immediately, and fall far far short of the target.

WRCS AGM-45 makes use of the “target altitude” setting in the computer panel in the WSO cockpit to trigonometrically calculate a ground range to your INS depression angle as displayed on your ADI. Any time your nose is below the horizon it should be calculating the range to where the ADI depression intersects with the set target altitude, if you would like your reticle to match, you need to have it depressed by 35 mils. For the most accurate ranging you will want that target altitude set to a representative altitude of the theater or target area you are pointing at.

One interesting use of this is even if you have no shrikes on the aircraft you can select this mode, and if you depress the reticle 35 mils, you can use this to get a range to locations on the ground by pointing at them with the reticle (assuming the target altitude setting is relatively accurate.)

This range should be displayed on the range readout on the HSI any time the nose is below the horizon and the calculation is running. The max range this system can calculate out to is 30 miles. This is a limitation of the WRCS, it will not display a range greater than 30 miles.

As soon as it calculates a ground range the WRCS will calculate if you are in range for a shrike and if you are in range for a loft, level, or diving release. Indication that you are in range will be one of your AOA indexer lights lighting up to indicate which of these deliveries are available to you. 

 

The indications you could get are:

• Out of range, no lights light up
• In range with a loft, upward pointing chevron illuminates
• In range for a level launch, donut illuminates
• In range for a diving direct launch, downward pointing chevron illuminates

 

Remember these indications are based on your current nose depression angle, and will be calculated and displayed regardless of whether your shrike sees anything, or even if you have a shrike on the aircraft. Only one of these should turn on at any time until you pickle, once you pickle and hold the donut will eventually illuminate to inform you the launch is about to occur.

Just to visualize this, if you start out of range to a threat, and fly towards it, with the nose pointed at the target (in a dive), first the loft cue (upward chevron) will illuminate as you get into range for a loft, then once you are close enough for a level launch, the upward chevron should go out and the donut should illuminate. Once you are too close for a level launch and approaching minimum range, the donut should go out, and the dive cue (downward chevron) should illuminate. If you get too close for that, then all the indexer lights should go out.

To use the system, select a shrike and point towards a target, once you get a signal and the needles deflect, center up the needles, once you have the needles perfectly centered in your ADI, your ADI should be directly pointed at the targets location and assuming your target altitude in the rear cockpit is somewhat accurate, the calculated ground range and LAR should also be fairly accurate.

You could also do this if you visually see a target SAM site or SAM launch, if you know the type and have the correct type of shrike seeker selected, with your reticle set to 35 mils (matching the ADI boresight) you can put the reticle on the target SAM to get your dip ranging as well.

Once you have an in range indication (one of the AOA indexer lights has illuminated) with the ADI or depressed reticle centered on the target location. Pickle and hold as you maneuver for the release. Pickling will save the range calculated and start the release computation for the shrike. Remember to continue to hold the pickle button down as you fly the launch maneuver and until the missile leaves the jet, this can take several seconds.

If you elect to do a loft with the upward chevron illuminated, pull up keeping the vertical needle centered while holding the pickle button, the donut will eventually illuminate to let you know that the missile will launch in 5 seconds assuming no parameters change. If you continue to pull up after the donut illuminates, it is possible for it to launch sooner than 5 seconds as the parameters are changing after the donut illuminates.

If you elect to wait until the donut illuminates and perform a level release, simply hold the pickle button and pull to level, the donut should remain illuminated and within 5 seconds the missile should launch.

If you wait until the dive cue is illuminated, keep the target centered in the ADI needles, pickle and hold, the donut should illuminate and the missile should launch within 5 seconds.

The DF REJ switch on the center pedestal should remain in DF REJ (down), this uses the very accurate INS depression angle (requiring you to dip your nose to align the needles on the ADI) to calculate the range. 

 

NOT IMPLEMENTED CURRENTLY-DF REJ is always used regardless of switch position

You can also move the switch to NORM (center position) This will then just use the raw shrike seeker depression angle in the same calculation, not requiring you to dip the aircraft's nose. However, the shrikes seeker depression angle is very inaccurate, and this will more than likely result in gross ranging errors which can result in your missile going too far or too short and never finding the target.

NOT IMPLEMENTED CURRENTLY-DF REJ is always used regardless of switch position

 

The recommendation from the real world manuals and how heatblur have modeled the shrike seeker indications in the cockpit is to leave the switch in DF REJ and perform the dip ranging maneuver before launch.

 

Gotchas

The LABS/WRCS knob has ZERO effect on whether the AGM-45 performs the LOFT ATTACK guidance enable logic or the DIRECT ATTACK guidance enable logic. This can be the source of much confusion.

You could choose LOFT on the LABS/WRCS knob, and fire a DIRECT ATTACK shrike, it will then enable guidance 3 seconds after launch, and pull down out of its loft to track the target it sees.

You could choose DIRECT on the LABS/WRCS knob and fire a LOFT ATTACK shrike, it will then follow the LOFT ATTACK guidance enable logic detailed above, enabling below 18,000 feet and after detecting enough of a descent. 

The other thing is there is very little actual automation or computation with either LABS LOFT, or WRCS DIRECT, you are essentially doing all of the planning or in range assessment yourself in these modes. Practice will be necessary and some trial and error to determine what altitudes, loft angles, and ranges will work.

The AGM-45 Shrike guide by Klarsnow is definitely a great resource for getting started with this missile in DCS. It’s straightforward, especially for beginners learning the SEAD role. However, for those looking to expand their knowledge or skills beyond just the manual, I found that applying structured approaches, like those used in writing detailed analyses or research, can really help. If you're interested, you can check the dissertation literature review writing help service. It helps break down complex information, which is also useful when you're dissecting combat missions in DCS.

Seekers

The following table will help you understand which seeker can sense which radar.

The above table is confirmed guidance for various seekers. Thank you to Jusik for testing which seekers work. MK 37 for SA-3 is not confirmed by testing.

Sources

F-4E-34-1-1 1986/1995

F-4G-34-1-1 1985

AGM-45-7A SHRIKE. FINAL TEST REPORT McMaster; 1977 ( https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/th83m2998 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqxfNAEkQo8

IRON HAND: Smashing the enemies air defenses, Thornborough; 2001

DCS weapons lua

 

 

Thanks!

Edited September 5, 2024 by Oscar1984

[tavarish palkovnik]

On 8/30/2024 at 1:10 PM, Northstar98 said:

....provided specifications on the rocket motor (Aerojet Mk 78) are available.

 

 

Do you have this specifications for Mk 78, I can't find it in some readable format. It would be appreciated if possible to share it here.

Of what I've found about all these Shrike's motors, I only got total confusion. Mk 78 Mod.0 Mk53 Mod.4 and Mk39 Mod.7 are what I'm interested for. For first two there are some sectional views (which are kind of same actually based on source) while Mk39 Mod.7 is total mess. Some says it is single thrust model while other says dual thrust, and two totally different concepts (sectional view pictures) are signed same  

[Northstar98]

4 hours ago, tavarish palkovnik said:

Do you have this specifications for Mk 78, I can't find it in some readable format. It would be appreciated if possible to share it here.

Of what I've found about all these Shrike's motors, I only got total confusion. Mk 78 Mod.0 Mk53 Mod.4 and Mk39 Mod.7 are what I'm interested for. For first two there are some sectional views (which are kind of same actually based on source) while Mk39 Mod.7 is total mess. Some says it is single thrust model while other says dual thrust, and two totally different concepts (sectional view pictures) are signed same  

Unfortunately not I'm afraid - I did attempt to find something online but was completely unsuccessful.

[tavarish palkovnik]

27 minutes ago, Northstar98 said:

Unfortunately not I'm afraid - I did attempt to find something online but was completely unsuccessful.

Thanks anyway!

Yes, seems there is no online info what would be values of these two thrusts in dual thrust configuration (or configurations)

There are few sectional views of motors (cross sections), mostly longitudinal, sometimes with radial sections also, there are also some info about propellants…but everything is so messed. The most relevant longitudinal cross section which is certainly dual thrust concept, unfortunately is without radial section cuts and beside that, signed as motor which is based on several sources…single thrust motor 

[Biggus]

Has anyone noticed whether Shrikes work properly in an MP environment?  Or whether they work after rearming?

[Hobel]

vor 14 Minuten schrieb Biggus:

Has anyone noticed whether Shrikes work properly in an MP environment?  Or whether they work after rearming?

Which server.

Which system did you want to attack and which frq did you use?

[Biggus]

44 minutes ago, Hobel said:

Which server.

Which system did you want to attack and which frq did you use?

Any MP server, and any of the SAM systems.  When the Phantom released, I spent a few hours testing them on Grayflag without much to show for it.  It was stated in this thread that they weren't working online (or weren't working if you didn't spawn with them loaded), so I shelved them.  I'm asking now because I'm not particularly keen on potentially wasting several hours testing if that issue hasn't been resolved.

[Sunnny]

Hi guys,
I'm trying to understand Loft deliveries with the Shrike in the F4.

I got 2 questions:

1)
On top of page 1 of this thread "AGM-45 Shrike Quick Guide by Klarsnow - updated June 5th 2024" it says:
>>>
 However remember that the seeker only has a 45 degree field of view, and the target must be inside that field of view when the guidance section activates (below 18,000 feet and missiles altimeter detects a 1 PSI pressure increase).
<<<

In the manual https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/stores/air_to_ground/missiles/shrike.html it says under "LABS Loft Employment":
>>>
Note that in this mode the Loft seeker of the AGM-45 Shrike needs to sense a differential pressure of 1 Bar and needs to sense a barometric height of over 18,000ft to arm itself and start searching.
<<<

So does the Shrike activate its seeker above or below 18,000 feet ?

2)
In the manual https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/stores/air_to_ground/missiles/shrike.html it also says under "LABS Loft Employment":
>>>
This mode works exactly the same as it would for bombs so pre-planning is necessary. Select an IP calculate the timers and fly the same attack profile as for Loft bombing. 
<<<

The Shrike is not mentioned in the "Bombing Calculator". Therefore I don't know the ballistic profile of the Shrike.
How to calculate timer and attack profile ? Distance to target ?

By trial and error and use of Tacview I figured some parameters like e.g.:

At 15,000 feet above target altitude and 400kts and 14NM distance to target I pitch up 30 degrees and pickle the Shrike with a 0.5 sec interval.
This brings them sometimes "pretty close" to target and I even scored 1 hit. I did not calculate wind in this example.

So I'm wondering: 
Are there some more reliable data available ?
Has someone already undertaken this labourious task of figuring out these parameters for different altitudes and speeds ?

Thanx
Sunnny