Attack Tactics Q:

[dooom]

So I am now getting pretty darn confident in the KA50 in terms of my hunter-killer abilities.... I do however have a tactical question knawing at me.

 

When i attack and approach a mission, I tend to overwhelmingly employ the max standoff tactic of NoE ingress to 10km perimeter of target. Low alt hover with schkval search for targets. Most (if not all) of my kills are vihkr/cannon. When i send in a wingman they tend to fly into the AO with flares dispensing and attack from higher alts. "engaged defensive" is a term i am used to from them.

 

Also when i notice AI gunship attacks in progress during various missions, they too are employing a higher alt, moving attack with countermeasures.

 

Q: Are low alt max standoff attacks the exception rather than the rule?

:huh:

[Shez]

High = dead for me. So I try to stay low. Sounds like you tactic is working. I use wingman to scout and take out bandits. :)

[CAT_101st]

I have a S&D mission that if you fly low you will die. To search for a unknown target in a area you will need to gsain some alt. to search at longer distance. I fly MP only with my groop so I have guys to spot launches wile I or another pilot scouts for targets.

The mission I have has the targets located in a opening in a grove of trees. Due to the ground angel and tree line you wont see the target area untill you are almost over it when at low alt. But If you take a high lvl search you will see it at a much longer range.

[dooom]

^^can you elaborate a bit more? i.e. in MP you use wingment to split duty... sme high watching for SAM/aa threats and others low taking out any datalinked/spotted threats?

[Feuerfalke]

I have a S&D mission that if you fly low you will die. To search for a unknown target in a area you will need to gsain some alt. to search at longer distance. I fly MP only with my groop so I have guys to spot launches wile I or another pilot scouts for targets.

The mission I have has the targets located in a opening in a grove of trees. Due to the ground angel and tree line you wont see the target area untill you are almost over it when at low alt. But If you take a high lvl search you will see it at a much longer range.

 

If that's based on a todays battlefield-scenario, flying high is a valid option. In Georgia, Tchetchnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, this is the best to stay high to evade threat by mostly AAA and MANPAD.

In a scenario like Cold-War-Going-Hot, the one the Ka-50 initially was designed for, you'll most surely die very quickly, as you will face enemy EWR, CAP, High-Altitude/Long-Range SAMs, etc. if you leave the masking of terrain.

 

So the best choice is to read what threats you'll be facing and what the scenario is. Against terrorists, fly high, against USA/NATO, if the missionbuilder didn't just set up a shooting range, fly low.

[sobek]

If that's based on a todays battlefield-scenario, flying high is a valid option. In Georgia, Tchetchnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, this is the best to stay high to evade threat by mostly AAA and MANPAD.

 

But high would in that case mean above the Ka-50 flying envelope. :noexpression:

[Feuerfalke]

But high would in that case mean above the Ka-50 flying envelope. :noexpression:

 

Maximum range for e.g. M-163 is 1,200m, the ZSU-23-4 has 2,000-2,500m, maximum engagement altitude for Stingers is 3,500m under optimum conditions.

You can hover at 4,000m, though, and cruise at 5,500m.

 

No need to exceed flying envelope here.

 

 

Apart from that, you will see at least the AA from much larger distances, so you can take them out from savely. If you drop flares preemtively, you can also be pretty safe from Stingers unless you're really close - or unlucky.

[sobek]

You can hover at 4,000m, though, and cruise at 5,500m.

 

Without combat load, that is, and probably not within the max continuous power setting. Also, bear in mind that much of the terrain itself is elevated, adding to the engagement zones of stingers and AAA. Additionally, if your side does not have air supremacy, you're even more of a sitting duck to enemy cap fighters than low to the ground.

[Feuerfalke]

Additionally, if your side does not have air supremacy, you're even more of a sitting duck to enemy cap fighters than low to the ground.

 

That was actually exactly my initial point ;)

[sobek]

That was actually exactly my initial point ;)

 

My bad :)