Kneeboards for F-4E Phantom for air-to-air missile, guided/unguided weapon employment

[609_Relentov]

I put together some simple procedural kneeboards for the F-4E Phantom, placed in the User Files section.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3338073/

As stated, these are not official procedures, just what I've put together as a quick reminder on how to employ various weapons on the F-4E (after not flying it for a while, or in this case, while learning a new module).  Kneeboards included so far:

F-4E - AGM-45-1.png
F-4E - AGM-45-2.png
F-4E - AGM-62.png
F-4E - AGM-65.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR ACM AIM-9.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-3.png
F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-2.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png

The F-4E kneeboards need to be placed in the F-4E Kneeboard folder, for example:

C:\Users\<your name>\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\Kneeboard\F-4E-45MC

Enjoy!
AKA_Relent
(ED forums: 609_Relentov)

Edited May 23 by 609_Relentov
Replaced F-4E - AGM-45.png with F-4E - AGM-45-1.png, F-4E - AGM-45-2.png

[Ramstein]

Thank you !

[609_Relentov]

I've added a kneeboard for employing the AGM-62 TV-guided Walleye:

F-4E - AGM-62.png

Similar to employing the TV-guided AGM-65A/B Mavericks, but with some subtle differences.

[609_Relentov]

I've made updates to two existing kneeboards, and added a kneeboard for employing unguided rockets and gun pods:

After spending more time practicing employing the AIM-7 and expanding some of its employment procedures, the following kneeboard:

F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7.png

has been updated/replaced with the following two kneeboards:

F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png

Please delete the first kneeboard listed above, if previously installed, and replace with the two new ones above.

Minor update to the following kneeboard, adding a note at the end stating that employing the GBU-8 is the same as the AGM-62

F-4E - AGM-62.png

Added the following kneeboard for unguided rockets and gun pod employment:

F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png

Enjoy!

AKA_Relent

[609_Relentov]

I've added two new kneeboards - first is a two-page kneeboard for employing unguided bombs:

F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-2.png

I've included a section for direct bomb delivery with abbreviated reticle depression tables, based on practicing/trial and error for LD dive-bombing and HD low level bombing with a string of bombs - YMMV.

Next is a kneeboard for employing the AGM-45 Shrike missile:

F-4E - AGM-45.png

This kneeboard includes a table showing RF guidance unit types that have worked for me against various SAMs, up to the SA-8; I have not had any success with the AGM-45 recognizing the SA-10 or SA-11, although I haven't messed with altering the lower/upper RF limit values on the Mk-50, which is supposed to sense those SAMs.

EDIT:  After posting these updates, I realized that when editing the RF guidance unit for the AGM-45, the lower/upper RF limits are not editable (i.e. seems to be read only).  I'll make an update at some point to the F-4E - AGM-45.png kneeboard removing any reference to the lower/upper RF limits.

Edited June 27, 2024 by 609_Relentov
RF limits not editable

[Kirk66]

These are excellent kneeboards!

Just a suggestion: you use 350 knots for your conventional LD dive bomb deliveries, which is a bit slow - IRL we used 450 or 500 KCAS. See this extract from a conventional bombing guide. This is available in user files at: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3335473/

Note that these are real world numbers, so the MILS/Cb may be a bit off - but probably pretty close.

Cheers!

Edited June 25, 2024 by Kirk66
fix fat finger typos

[clanitho]

On 6/24/2024 at 6:03 AM, 609_Relentov said:

I've added two new kneeboards - first is a two-page kneeboard for employing unguided bombs:

F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-2.png

I've included a section for direct bomb delivery with abbreviated reticle depression tables, based on practicing/trial and error for LD dive-bombing and HD low level bombing with a string of bombs - YMMV.

Next is a kneeboard for employing the AGM-45 Shrike missile:

F-4E - AGM-45.png

This kneeboard includes a table showing RF guidance unit types that have worked for me against various SAMs, up to the SA-8; I have not had any success with the AGM-45 recognizing the SA-10 or SA-11, although I haven't messed with altering the lower/upper RF limit values on the Mk-50, which is supposed to sense those SAMs.

There is a problem with F-4E - AGM-65.png , it refers to AIM-9.

[609_Relentov]

On 6/25/2024 at 8:52 AM, Kirk66 said:

These are excellent kneeboards!

Just a suggestion: you use 350 knots for your conventional LD dive bomb deliveries, which is a bit slow - IRL we used 450 or 500 KCAS. See this extract from a conventional bombing guide. This is available in user files at: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3335473/

Note that these are real world numbers, so the MILS/Cb may be a bit off - but probably pretty close.

Cheers!

<image removed>

 

Thanks for the kind words Kirk66, appreciated.  Regarding the diving speed, 350 knots may be slightly low, as by the time I'm dropping the bombs I'm focused more on keeping the reticle on target and watching the altimeter, rather than the speed.  I was using estimated IAS via the airspeed/mach indicator, so it's not very accurate (the TAS gauge is too difficult to see when focused and, in a dive, thus my use of IAS).  I'll do some more test dives and see if my table should be adjusted (probably closer to 400 knots). Keep in mind that for 30 and 40 degree dives I'm sometimes using the air brakes to keep my speed down, so I can more accurately place the reticle on target with the desired dive angle.

16 hours ago, clanitho said:

There is a problem with F-4E - AGM-65.png , it refers to AIM-9.

Thanks for the feedback, clanitho.  I re-downloaded the kneeboards from the ED site, and below is the F-4E - AGM-65.png kneeboard;  I don't see any reference to the AIM-9, can you be more specific (or maybe it was another kneeboard)?  Thanks

 

[clanitho]

@609_Relentov Sorry, it was a problem on my side.

[609_Relentov]

14 minutes ago, clanitho said:

@609_Relentov Sorry, it was a problem on my side.

No worries

[609_Relentov]

I made some updates to my F-4E kneeboards, but I'm having difficulty with the User Files page.  The updates didn't persist, and now when I click on Download, I'm getting a 404 Not Found page/error;  I've sent messages to Nineline and BigNewy for assistance.

404 Not Found

---

nginx Edited June 27, 2024 by 609_Relentov

[Kirk66]

 

15 hours ago, 609_Relentov said:

Thanks for the kind words Kirk66, appreciated.  Regarding the diving speed, 350 knots may be slightly low, as by the time I'm dropping the bombs I'm focused more on keeping the reticle on target and watching the altimeter, rather than the speed.  I was using estimated IAS via the airspeed/mach indicator, so it's not very accurate (the TAS gauge is too difficult to see when focused and, in a dive, thus my use of IAS).  I'll do some more test dives and see if my table should be adjusted (probably closer to 400 knots). Keep in mind that for 30 and 40 degree dives I'm sometimes using the air brakes to keep my speed down, so I can more accurately place the reticle on target with the desired dive angle.

May I suggest increasing roll in and release altitudes instead of using a lower speed? You can achieve the same amount of time to put the pipper on the target that way, and be much more survivable. Note that all diving deliveries were figured for KCAS - not KTAS, because you will be looking at the ASI not the tiny TAS indicator. TAS is only used for level and loft deliveries where you can set a steady run-in speed (helped by the WSO calling the adjustments for speed) before you release or pull.

A technique for hitting your release speed is to try different throttle settings and roll in speeds; after a few tries you can pretty much just set the throttle when you roll in and by the time you get to your release altitude you will be close to your desired speed. Then you can correct for any speed error just before release (fast: release a bit early/high; slow: release a bit late/low). Trying to hold it to 350 will be tough - 450 is easier, and 500 even better! Using speed brakes was a no-no because you want all the speed you can get coming off the target after pissing off a buch of guys with machine guns...

We were trained to shoot for no more than 5 seconds tracking time during a dive bomb pass, and altitudes set accordingly. Any longer and you stood a good chance to get shot down, any less and you may not have time to get the pipper on the target so the pass would be wasted.

It's also really important to use the aim off distance (AOD) and initial pipper placement (IPP) when rolling in, as it give you a starting place for the pass, then you adjust for dive angle and speed (and winds) and pickle on your corrected aimpoint. Yeah, it happens fast, but so does hitting a fastball or shooting a basket - practice is the key!

Or just use Dive Toss 

Funny (and maybe even true) story about a Brit Harrier during the Falklands war. Planned a level delivery of some cluster bombs for 500 knots or so, but during the actual attack went across the target area at over 600 knots. When asked during the debrief "why 600 knots?", his answer was "because the bloody jet wouldn't go any faster!"

Cheers!

[609_Relentov]

@Kirk66 Thanks for all the tips!  I will continue to test and probably refine my  dive profile/mils table.  Of course I’ve also tried using the bombing computer - I only added that Approximations for TOO section  just to have something handy for a quick and dirty reference for ballpark mils settings.  The rest of the kneeboard is related to using the bombing calculator, just some basic tips.

Thank you for your service!

[609_Relentov]

Apparently the User Files issue was resolved, as I can now see my updates from last night.

I've added a kneeboard for employing GBU-12s (or any LGB) with the Pave Spike targeting pod:

F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png

Note that this uses temporary mappings for using WSO controls to slew/zoom the targeting pod and fire the laser, so this may change in the future.

I've updated the following kneeboard, removing reference to the lower/upper RF limits (which are not editable), and correcting a comment about how the missiles are released if all stations are selected/armed (i.e. left to right, not right to left).

F-4E - AGM-45.png

Edited June 27, 2024 by 609_Relentov

[609_Relentov]

I've updated the following kneeboard:

F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR ACM AIM-9.png

I removed the section AIM-9 ACM Mode Employment, as I really never had success with this - it's much more reliable using bore-sight employment. I also added to my notes about which AIM-9's don't uncage the seeker or have no lock tone

I also made a minor update to the following kneeboard:

F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png

Updated the TOO bombing table for low drag bombs, e.g. start/release altitude, speed and mils (after more practice at slightly higher dive speed and higher release altitude).  Thanks @Kirk66 for your tips in this area, as my drops seem to be a little more accurate than before.

[609_Relentov]

I've made a minor addition to one kneeboard:

F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png

I've modified the section "ACM with AIM-7 using CAGE mode (<= 5 NM)" (used to be called "ACM with AIM-7 (<= 5 NM)"):
- In addition to the existing steps for obtaining a CAA lock (i.e. "Option #1"), I've added steps to utilize Jester to lock a target in CAGE mode (i.e. "Option #2")

I found that given enough time is available in a head on pass, or if the target aircraft is cold, this has been more reliable for me in getting a lock than trying to obtain a CAA lock (within 5 NM).

[609_Relentov]

I've made minor updates to two kneeboards:

F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png

I've added a step to engage AFCS/ALT hold to assist with maintaining level flight, which can help with keeping Pave Spike cross-hairs on target

F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png

I've updated the recommended reticle depression mils setting for rocket pods after doing more testing.

[609_Relentov]

I've made updates to two kneeboards:

F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-3.png

With the added Jester commands to enter boresight mode and change the target aspect, I've added a section "Transitioning from BVR to ACM with AIM-7 using Boresight (<= ~15 NM)". This required expanding the kneeboard from 2 to 3 pages.  Please replace the previous two page kneeboard(s) with the new three page kneeboard(s)

F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png

I've updated the TOO bombing table (mils) for low drag bombs after doing more testing.

[609_Relentov]

I've made updates to one kneeboard that has expanded it to two pages:

F-4E - AGM-45-1.png
F-4E - AGM-45-2.png

In addition to some slight procedural updates, I've updated the table showing the SAM/RADAR/RF Guidance Unit types with expanded entries, and fixes.  I only show the SAM/Radar/RF guidance type combinations that the AGM-45 was actively tracking, based on my testing.

Please delete/replace the following kneeboard with the two replacement kneeboards above:

F-4E - AGM-45.png