Harpoon Fixed Point and Modes

[bonesvf103]

Hi,

What is the point of the Fixed Point when setting up the Harpoon?  If it's meant to fly out to some point then start searching, why not just aim the Hornet at the target, set the mode to BOL, and set the search range and bearing, and then fire?  then it would just fly out and start searching when it got to the point you inputted, why bother with a fixed point?

Also, shouldn't R/BL mode only be available if you have a designated target like in FLIR?  I've noticed that if I don't choose any targets, just have them painted on the SEA radar but not locked, thatn it still lets me hit choose R/BL mode.  Is that correct?

v6,

boNes

[Tholozor]

R/BL only requires a TGT point, it doesn't care where it comes from (FLIR, RDR, WPDSG, etc).

Fixed point can be used as a way of deconfliction, or attacking from a specified direction without having to place the aircraft on the reciprocal.

Remember to take target geometry into account and how far away you might need to be when firing Harpoons, in addition to the speed of the target and its aspect to you. The target may also present a specific threat to you or other assets that closing the distance with your own aircraft isn't possible, which could result in a miss if utilizing BOL.

Geography can also play a factor. You could use a Fixed Point to fire Harpoons from behind a mountain or ridge and have the missiles fly out where you want then without having to expose yourself to direct line-of-sight.

Edited October 28 by Tholozor

[bonesvf103]

17 hours ago, Tholozor said:

R/BL only requires a TGT point, it doesn't care where it comes from (FLIR, RDR, WPDSG, etc).

 

Yes, that's why I was wondering how come R/BL is available as a mode when I didn't even have a target designated and wondered if that was a bug.

 

17 hours ago, Tholozor said:

Fixed point can be used as a way of deconfliction, or attacking from a specified direction without having to place the aircraft on the reciprocal.

Makes sense, but then what is the difference between a fixed point and a Harpoon turn point?  Why not just use the fix point and forget about the HPTP or vice versa?  Is it because the HPTP requires a waypoint, whereas the fixed point does not?

 

17 hours ago, Tholozor said:

Remember to take target geometry into account and how far away you might need to be when firing Harpoons, in addition to the speed of the target and its aspect to you. The target may also present a specific threat to you or other assets that closing the distance with your own aircraft isn't possible, which could result in a miss if utilizing BOL.

Geography can also play a factor. You could use a Fixed Point to fire Harpoons from behind a mountain or ridge and have the missiles fly out where you want then without having to expose yourself to direct line-of-sight.

Good idea, I never considered firing them from behind cover like that.

Thanks!

v6,

boNes