Was the 1.02 Su-25's SEAD capability fictional?

[Andrew_McP]

I've just been trying to recreate the mission I used in my recent Su-25 movie. In that I was using Kh-25MP anti-radiation missiles, which had a very simple attack mode that was perfect for low level, close range, pop-up attacks... point nose in general direction of radar threat, TAB, fire, RUN AWAY!!!

 

In 1.1 the Su-25 only has the Kh-25ML, which isn't anti-radar as such, and certainly isn't very useful in a close range pop-up.... well, not unless you have lightning fast reactions, perfect eyesight, and superb flying skills. If I had all of those I'd have been piloting a *real* plane, not a desk. :-)

 

To make matters worse (for me), the 25T's SEAD weaponry uses the Fantasmagonorrhea pod, which requires slewing the cursor directly over the threat for both Kh-25MPU and Kh-58. That's fine if you're hanging around at the edge of detection range with a little time to play with, but if you're belting down a valley at 500Kph and suddenly discover a radar threat up ahead you haven't really got time to be slewing cursors around.

 

That's what made the 1.02 Kh-25MP so much <warning, he's about to use the "F" word> fun to fly with. Of course if it was a totally unrealistic method of deployment, and shouldn't really have been in the Su-25's loadout, then I guess I just have to grin & bear it.

 

Of course if someone would just let me fly a Tornado with ALARMs I'd be perfectly happy. Now *that* is what I call a proper SEAD missile :-)

 

Andrew McP

[Skywall23]

As stated many times before the Su-25 doesnt have any SEAD ability, only its advanced version aka Su-25T.

 

To make matters worse (for me), the 25T's SEAD weaponry uses the Fantasmagonorrhea pod, which requires slewing the cursor directly over the threat for both Kh-25MPU and Kh-58. That's fine if you're hanging around at the edge of detection range with a little time to play with, but if you're belting down a valley at 500Kph and suddenly discover a radar threat up ahead you haven't really got time to be slewing cursors around.

 

Yeah you have to slew the cursor. And theres no problem with it, because you have 2 to identify threats.

 

1. Use the RWR to detect any SAM.

2. Check the briefing map.

 

Simple and effective.

[Andrew_McP]

Ok, thanks for that. I only recently started flying the 25 in anticipation of 1.1's release. I guess I should stick to flying airshow routines in the 27. I never was cut out for all this complicated combat stuff.

 

While I'm on the subject though, Vulcans (M-163 AA) appear to have gone stealth on me in 1.1. They don't show up on the RWR and can't be attacked with SEAD kit. Maybe the rangefinding radar's too weak to be detected now?

 

Andrew McP

[Skywall23]

Ok, thanks for that. I only recently started flying the 25 in anticipation of 1.1's release. I guess I should stick to flying airshow routines in the 27. I never was cut out for all this complicated combat stuff.

 

While I'm on the subject though, Vulcans (M-163 AA) appear to have gone stealth on me in 1.1. They don't show up on the RWR and can't be attacked with SEAD kit. Maybe the rangefinding radar's too weak to be detected now?

 

Andrew McP

 

To my knowledge, the Vulcan is an Anti Aircraft Battery, it doesnt have any radar though. Its not a SAM.

[Andrew_McP]

To my knowledge, the Vulcan is an Anti Aircraft Battery, it doesnt have any radar though. Its not a SAM.

 

Well, in 1.02 it definitely had radar, and the model definitely has a little radar-style dish on it, that's all I know. Maybe it's for satellite TV... you know how the US forces like their home comforts when abroad ;-)

 

The only references I can find mention radar rangefinding and optical targeting.

 

Andrew McP

[Skywall23]

 

I dont see any targeting system...hmmm, at least in Operation Flashpoint there was no radar nor anything like that, but that game didnt model such kind of devices anyway.

[Fellblade]

What I thought was the radar, circled

[Fellblade]

This page provides some more detail - looks like it is a radar, but returns ranging information only. A number of other sites also seem to corroborate this.

[Caretaker]

It's not a bug, it's a feature :)

 

The Kh-25ML and Kh-58 can indeed not lock on to the Vulcan radar. The same is true for some other short-range air defense units (like the Gepard).

[Andrew_McP]

It's not a bug, it's a feature :)

 

The Kh-25ML and Kh-58 can indeed not lock on to the Vulcan radar. The same is true for some other short-range air defense units (like the Gepard).

 

Thanks Caretaker. I guess there's always a period of adjustment with new versions when you realise the sim-world you're used to no longer exists. I now have to find some more soft targets and simple weapons to get my cheap thrills from. :-)

 

Andrew McP