Lock on distances

[Exorcet]

I've noticed a few odd things when trying to lock on to targets.

 

The first problem is very short duration locks. By this I mean, I bring the target selector over a target, press lock, get a lock, but then it breaks within one second of the lock. At long range I guess I can understand this, but when I'm less than 50 or 40 nm, it seems kind of odd. It seems to be a bigger problem with low flying targets, even if I drop below them to remove ground clutter.

 

My other problem involves boresight. On the F-15, the range is about 10 nm. A lot of the time I can achieve lock at that range, however there are times when I can be staring at something 3-5 nm (or less) away and get no lock. Why would this be happening?

 

Side note: Has anyone had to watch their wingmen crash into each other when given the order to engage? It was quite funny, except I had 4 Flankers converging on me without back up.

[joey45]

what planes???

[Exorcet]

It has happend with the F-15, Su-27, and MiG-29. Since the A-10 and Su-25 have no radars, I guess you could consider it a universal problem lol.

 

I'm thinking it's either a glitch/inaccurate simulation model or a lack of understanding on my part. I just don't know which.

[CHola]

If you correctly anticipated possible engagement, then you should have a formation reorganized into open (wide spread) from which AI has no problem attacking, thus avoiding "auto-goals".

If you get jumped while in closed formation, try to order AI to engage from wingmen No.4 and work towards No.1 (yourself) with 5 seconds between each plane breaking formation.

That way, AI should be able to detach formation correctly...

[104th_Crunch]

...but when I'm less than 50 or 40 nm, it seems kind of odd.

 

Doesn't sound odd to me. Search the forums for 'notching'. Even having a contact breaking left or right just 30 or more degrees from these distances can make the contact fade from radar. Think more like 10NM before radar notching is no longer effective.

[golfsierra2]

It's not only notching. ECM has the same effect at ranges of 25km+. It's called "blinking". At 25 km range you are within the radars 'burn-through' range, that is your own radar signal is strong enough to overcome the opponents ECM and you will be able to maintain your lock unless the opponent does some maneuvers to break your lock again.

[Moa]

However, you can take Home-on-Jam shots at opponents who leave their ECM on. So be careful not to leave your own jammer on.

[Pilotasso]

Doesn't sound odd to me. Search the forums for 'notching'. Even having a contact breaking left or right just 30 or more degrees from these distances can make the contact fade from radar. Think more like 10NM before radar notching is no longer effective.

 

Notching is efective at all ranges but is increasingly difficult to achieve a break the closer the target is to you.

 

This is aplicable to radars of the APG-63 generation and earlier (inluding the ones on Su-27's and Mig-29). Theres a video included in falcon 3 SIM "art of the kill" where you can see the APG-66 onboard of the F-16 loose track of a target at less than 2 miles. There are other instances and issues but I cannot coment on those. :)

[Exorcet]

If ECM is the/a cause, I take it that you don't always intercept the jamming on your radar screen (in the case of the F-15). It has happened without any bars appearing I think. I'll check again though, could just be that an aircraft besides the one I've locked to is jamming me. I'll also try and see if the AI likes to make a lot of changes in direction in the missions where I have the problem to see if it is notching.

 

Thanks.

[104th_Crunch]

ECM 'blinking' is not done by the AI. They either leave it on or off. So if you are against the AI this is not you problem. It is notching instead.

[Udat]

Hmm, I think this can happen if you're using nav mode while locking bandits in the eagle.. Is it the exact same amount of time every time before it breaks lock? Does it happen every time you lock someone? It might be your stick, your setting or keybindings or some hardware conflict..?

[Exorcet]

So I did some flying, when the problem showed up (in this particular mission), it was against a plane that was heading away from me at nearly my own speed. So I'm thinking it is a doppler/notching issue. I'll look it over some more and see if anything else is going on. Thanks for the help.

 

Udat, I am in BVR mode when I try to lock on, it does not happen everytime, the lock lasts about the same time everytime it does happen, and I don't think it's my stick which hasn't given me any problems [that I know of].

[Udat]

the lock lasts about the same time everytime it does happen

 

Hmm, how long is that? Is it vs AI pilots at similar parameters every time?

[Exorcet]

Locks last about .25 seconds, some very short time. I see them on radar continuously and just keep pressing the lock button until the target stays locked. It happens mainly at long range, but occasionally up close, even WVR where radar strength shouldn't be an issue. And yes it is predictable.