Is missile speed affected by the speed of launching aircraft?

[Aliboy]

Hi I know that in Lock-on the speed of missiles is affected by altitude but does the speed of the aircraft also effect it and in reality would the speed of the aircraft have a considerable effect on the range of the missile also would a rail launch or drop launch have any considerable impact on speed. Lastly if this is not currently modeled or simulated in Lock-on is it a feature in DCS.Thanks.

[nomdeplume]

Yes, altitude and aircraft speed directly affect the maximum range of a missile. I don't know if there's any difference between a rail launch or drop launch, though. I would expect a drop launch would slightly reduce the missile's range, but only by a tiny amount that wouldn't be worth thinking about.

 

How much the aircraft's speed impacts the missile range obviously depends on how fast it's going, and more importantly, how fast it's going vs how fast the opponent is going (assuming they both have similar maximum ranges).

 

I think also it's worth being aware of the trajectory your own missiles take. Many will go up first in order to extend their range, so if you fire it while you're pitched up you reduce the amount of maneuvering the missile has to do, which can also give it slightly longer legs.

[GGTharos]

No, the speed of the aircraft does not affect the speed of the missiles in FC1/2.

 

A rail vs. a drop launch would not have an effect on speed that would make any difference in BVR.

 

DCS will have a much better missile physics model (already the Ka-50 Vikhr and Rockets use such a model)

[nomdeplume]

No, the speed of the aircraft does not affect the speed of the missiles in FC1/2.

 

Really? :huh:

 

Surely the initial speed is set to whatever the launching aircraft's speed is, otherwise it would look really odd when launching a missile at different speeds.

[Vecko]

In LOMAC, no...Altitude have effect for missile max range but speed don't.

 

edit: GG,you are one fast typer... :)

Edited July 18, 2010 by Vecko

[GGTharos]

Yes, really, and, you are correct.

However in FC1/2 the missile burns its rocket to a set maximum speed rather than accelerating to as much speed as it can. For this reason the advantage given by a high-speed launch in FC1/2 is negligible .. on the order of a couple km at most.

 

Edit: Vecko, only on some days, hehe :D

 

Really? :huh:

 

Surely the initial speed is set to whatever the launching aircraft's speed is, otherwise it would look really odd when launching a missile at different speeds.

[Aliboy]

Ok thanks that's great news to me I did not know it was already implemented in Blackshark.

[vanir]

Also, I don't know if it's implemented in LOMAC/FC but the main difference afaik between rail launch and ejector launch is the conditions of the launch and clearance for the mounting.

Certain manoeuvres may prohibit ejection launch where a rail launch would be fine.

There is an issue about clearance for the missile in an ejection launch, for that split second delay before it accelerates ahead but I don't think it makes for a significant difference in maximum range or missile speed, say if firing an AIM-120 from a rail or ejector.

I suspect if you're pulling a high-G turn however you might be better off launching from a rail if you've got the choice.

[TucksonSonny]

Yes, really, and, you are correct.

However in FC1/2 the missile burns its rocket to a set maximum speed rather than accelerating to as much speed as it can. For this reason the advantage given by a high-speed launch in FC1/2 is negligible .. on the order of a couple km at most.

 

Edit: Vecko, only on some days, hehe :D

 

 

MiniZap - Missile Launch Zone Calculator

test setup with AIM-120B AMRAAM

 

Intercept controls:

 

Target Aspect: 180 deg

Launch Altitide: 10 000 m

Target Altitide: 10 000 m

Target Speed: 900 km/h

 

Test 1:

Launch speed: 1200 km/h

Result distance to target: 58.5 km

 

Test 2:

Launch speed: 400 km/h

Result distance to target: 46.8 km

 

Conclusion: 11.7 km difference !!!

 

 

 

As you know MiniZap is not 100% waterproof but it is very close with reality, much closer than FC2 anyway!

Anyway it is nice to know that the issue is addressed.

PS. To be honest I have not yet tested this issue because I always try to take advantage of launch speed of my plane as much as possible: it is about using the right tactic, implemented or not in FC2… :D