Calling a-10 gurus

[coolts]

Guys

 

Back in mud moving mode. A-10 campaign mission #2. Max cloud ceiling 5,000 so no 'high and dry' diving from 15,000ft tactics to avoid shilkas and strelas. Aforementioned threats and sloping terrain make cold war fulda gap 'down in the weeds' tactics suicidal.

 

So, a compromise. Employing mavericks at maximum standoff, as there is no air threat, I can motor at 5000. The issue is in my attempts at aqquiring using the optical 'k' model maverick. With it's feeble 3x zoom I can get a lock but only at the same time the strela launches. It's like a game of chicken and far too dangerous to be the correct methodology.

 

No problem with the 'd' model with it's IR seeker and 6x zoom. I can pick the threats off at safe standoff.

 

So the question is....... Are optical mavericks just for none AA equiped targets like tanks and apc's. Preserve IR mavericks for the strelas and shilkas?

Edited February 21, 2010 by coolts

[Case]

So the question is....... Are optical mavericks just for none AA equiped targets like tanks and apc's. Preserve IR mavericks for the strelas and shilkas?

I'd say yes to both but if you can get a lock with a K-Mav on anything at stand-off range, use them.

 

Also, check out the CCRP training video's. You might be able to lock on to SHORAD when flying below overcast, and then climb to 15000ft to CCRP a Mk-20 on top of it.

[71st_Mastiff]

What I usually do is turn into the target launch max range and turn 180 to out run the missiles.

You do know you can carry the 6-2 combo right? 6k mav's and 2 mk20's. 2 rockets. you are telling your wing maits to stay back and go after AA threats too right?

[coolts]

max range on the optically guided maverick is the same range at which the strela launches at me. I see the flash if the sam launch in the mfd as I get a contrast lock. Wingman useless at sead. He drops ordnance as soon as he is shot at.

[159th_Viper]

max range on the optically guided maverick is the same range at which the strela launches at me. I see the flash if the sam launch in the mfd as I get a contrast lock. Wingman useless at sead. He drops ordnance as soon as he is shot at.

 

Strela Launch is at RMAX. Draw the first Launch, wait a sec, Launch your Mav, Hit the Deck and extend 180 degrees from Target whilst Haemorrhaging Flares and you're Good to Go :)

 

Herewith Example Track -

 

[ATTACH]36430[/ATTACH]

[coolts]

Or just use ir mavs, get lock earlier, launch furthur and rtb with clean trousers?

I hear what you say viper but that seems a little 'square peg round hole' when an ir mav is so superior.

 

I may however be being a wuss!

 

Once back to my rig I will experiment.

[159th_Viper]

Or just use ir mavs, get lock earlier, launch furthur and rtb with clean trousers?

 

Save those IR Mav's for things that Really Hurt :D

[SUBS17]

IR Mavs are the way to go as far as SAMs/AAA are concerned.:thumbup:

[hitman]

shoot 2 mavs at strela's, they ALWAYS shoot the first one down if they arent engaged by something else. also, dont even use the K mavs...just because you can load more of them doesnt mean that a mk 20 cant do better at that same range. my usual loadout is: 4 D-MAVS, 12xMK20's. if therearent any a2a threats, i pack an extra smoke pod or another mk20 on that hard point

Edited February 21, 2010 by hitman

[159th_Viper]

shoot 2 mavs at strela's, they ALWAYS shoot the first one down if they arent engaged by something else...

 

Not if you Draw the First Launch.

[Moa]

Try and use the terrain. This is where the agility of the A-10 shines, Before I fire I decide how I'm gonna get out of there and where I can hide, well before launch range for either of us. Usually they get first launch so I fire and then turn into the cover I pre-selected (usually only a 90 turn, which is much faster to do than a 180 turn). Often there will be a gully you can go into. You can still be well above the gully floor while the sides of the gully block line-of-sight form the launcher. I usually fly at the gully ridgeline height to drag the missile a bit and then drop 20 feet lower (again, can still be well above the valley floor) when the missile gets close (this helps the Maverick get through).

 

On flat terrain I fly low, climb to engage and then drop low again. Except on the flattest terrain they usually launch at long range and when you pull a 90 turn and drop down very low you'll be below the radar horizon. I don't like turning 180 degrees as I lose visual on the incoming missile, which can be fatal, so it is why I try limiting my turns so that I can still see the launcher and inbound missile.

 

In an A-10 terrain is your friend. For real life A-10 folk it seems 100 feet is cruise altitude in bandit country, above 200 is stratospheric. You need to get comfortable doing a fast dive and pulling out at 20 feet. If you can't do this without looking at your instruments then you still need practice. Once you can fly visually at 50-100 feet over all terrain without ever crashing while still looking for bandits and keeping a constant eye on the RWR you'll be in good shape.

 

I never use Maverick K anymore. Maverick Ds are for killing IR missile launchers and AAA. Anything else can be beaten by terrain masking, flying below the radar floor, Mk-20s and gun. Taking less Mk-20s will help you. If you are carrying too many your maneuverability will suck and you might as well be flying the brick-like Frogfoot (which is effective if you use different 'slash' tactics instead).

[hitman]

Not if you Draw the First Launch.

 

like i said!:joystick::joystick::joystick::joystick::joystick:

Edited February 21, 2010 by hitman

[159th_Viper]

like i said!

 

No......You said Shoot 2 Mav's :P

 

Run In, Draw the Strela Launch and Shoot ONE Mav and the Job's Done.

 

The K's happy because it got to Kill something, You're Happy because you're Alive and the Taxpayer's Extremely Tickled because you didn't Waste another Mav :D

[hitman]

No......You said Shoot 2 Mav's :P

 

Run In, Draw the Strela Launch and Shoot ONE Mav and the Job's Done.

 

The K's happy because it got to Kill something, You're Happy because you're Alive and the Taxpayer's Extremely Tickled because you didn't Waste another Mav :D

 

which would be considered engaged by something else...i think you peeps are doing something wrong, always launch my mavs at 7.8 miles at at least 8k feet. cloud cover i always use the idiot to launch first then i launch second. my mavs always get shot at before me. i never get shot down unless i get surprised by an unknown strela anymore. zeuses dont even bug me when im low and near...its them damn strela's.

[Brit_Radar_Dude]

shoot 2 mavs at strela's, they ALWAYS shoot the first one down if they arent engaged by something else.

 

But firing one is enough if you are using Lockon v1.02 - I know very few folks are but just wanted to point that out for completeness.

 

In addition I should mention that it is a feature of Lockon:FC that the SAM's will shoot at your Mav first which actually can make you less vulnerable in some situations.

In Lockon v1.02, short range SAM's like Strela's cannot shoot down missiles. Indeed most longer range SAM's will not fire at your missiles, instead they will prioritise shooting at you and your wingnuts.

[coolts]

No......You said Shoot 2 Mav's :P

 

Run In, Draw the Strela Launch and Shoot ONE Mav and the Job's Done.

 

The K's happy because it got to Kill something, You're Happy because you're Alive and the Taxpayer's Extremely Tickled because you didn't Waste another Mav :D

 

 

Viper

 

I played that track you sent of you bearing down on a lone Strela on a runway. You get good optical lock at around 3mn, whereas the Strela doesn’t launch at you till you are at 1.8mn, (at work so can’t remember the exact figures). You therefore can launch first and be extending away spewing flares before he launches.

 

Are you fighting against units from the ‘Stevie Wonder’ regiment? J I get nailed at 3mn when I use optical Mavs. My Strelas are on red bull compared to that guy!

 

I now use IR mavs against AA threats, (to save my sanity). No matter how much red bull they drink they can’t beat a 6mn lock!

[159th_Viper]

Viper

 

I played that track you sent of you bearing down on a lone Strela on a runway. You get good optical lock at around 3mn, whereas the Strela doesn’t launch at you till you are at 1.8mn, (at work so can’t remember the exact figures). You therefore can launch first and be extending away spewing flares before he launches.

 

Are you fighting against units from the ‘Stevie Wonder’ regiment? J I get nailed at 3mn when I use optical Mavs. My Strelas are on red bull compared to that guy!

 

I now use IR mavs against AA threats, (to save my sanity). No matter how much red bull they drink they can’t beat a 6mn lock!

 

AI Skill on that Mission set to 'Excellent'. Reason I let him fire first is that if you get Lock and Fire first, your Mav will get Shot down ;)

[coolts]

I know but the key point is that you 'could' have fired first because you locked at 3mn, whereas he didn’t fire till you were at 1.8mn-ish. That gave you 1.2mn to have a fag /wagon wheel before he was a threat to you.

On A-10 campaign mission 2 when I am ground stabilized to road next to approaching Strelas, I get a lock at the exact same time they fire no matter how much I nudge the designator over the target. At first I thought I was holding the designator near some high contrast shrubbery, but I have tried on the road itself. Same thing. I will try your setup, “A runway, a Strela and me”, later in the week.

[159th_Viper]

Aye - I Hear You :)

 

If you're Feeling Frisky, the GAU-8/A works just as well :D

 

[ATTACH]36482[/ATTACH]

[hitman]

Aye - I Hear You :)

 

If you're Feeling Frisky, the GAU-8/A works just as well :D

 

[ATTACH]36482[/ATTACH]

 

ive had to do that a few times...mostly because the thing launched at me, i was looking in the right direction, and didn't know it was there till frag out. im a lucky guy.

[coolts]

Whoa! Viper, you had the paint burnt off your nose there by that missile. I guess that would be a valid combat procedure, (cannons vs strela), if you were in a michael bay movie.:lol: