Is there a quicker way to fire Mavericks?

[-Ice]

I like to use my TGP for target ID before firing off a Maverick, the reason being these missiles are quite deadly and accurate and give me a good stand off range --- no reason to waste it on a truck.

 

So anyway, my way of doing this is to search for targets via TGP, when I have a valid target, I TMS Up Short to lock/track, TMS Up Long to make SPI, switch over to Maverick (coolie hat right short or press the Mav OSB on my TM MFD), China Hat Forward Long to slave the Mav head to my SPI, TMS Up Short to try to get the Maverick to lock, then Rifle once locked.

 

While this is fine for one or two targets, I find that engaging 3 or more targets would need multiple passes. For instance, after the first Maverick launch, I need to get back to TGP to find another target, then the whole process starts over again. I can be quick with this, and can maybe launch 2-4 missiles, but this all depends on how far I am from the targets... 8nm out and I can maybe do 4, but from 4nm, I barely have enough time for 2.

 

Is there a quicker way to launch Mavericks than this? Again, I do not want to track and lock targets via the Mav page if I can help it, not unless I know all the targets in view are high-priority targets.

 

Thanks!

[S77th-konkussion]

Won't say impossible- but tough to do with the H's for sure. Depending on a few factors- you have a little more range (time) to get off another shot using D's..

 

Maybe pick up an addional target with the MAV directly after a couple of TGP-based shots? You're getting closer at this stage- thus the target's improved contrast will make that cursed centroid acquisition a bit more reliable..

Edited March 6, 2011 by S77th-konkussion

[bengo]

Maybe there's a solution in this thread :

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=68779

[S D]

I would say the easiest way are using the markpoints. Do your recce of the area mark up all the targets you wish to prosecute with the mav's. Then on your attack run just simply switch between each markpoint.

 

Aslong as they are all in the seeker range... firing each mav is then as quick as you can cycle the markpoints and get a lock.

Edited March 6, 2011 by Shadow.D.

[S77th-konkussion]

^^ Yup. You have to do the setup in advance, but true.

[104th_Crunch]

You can use just the Wagon Wheel in the HUD. Once you get a visual, slew it over the target in the HUD. Check with the Mav display you have a good lock, fire.

[=Panther=]

I think it will come with time. When I first started with the warthog, I was barely getting one off before getting too close. I have now managed to get 4 off before turning back for another extension. I just wish the Mavs were easier to slew and didn't go all crazy after a slight touch of the microstick.

[636_Castle]

I just wish the Mavs were easier to slew and didn't go all crazy after a slight touch of the microstick.

 

That's what TMS down short is for. :music_whistling:

Edited March 7, 2011 by 636_Castle

[SmokeyTheLung]

I just wish the Mavs were easier to slew and didn't go all crazy after a slight touch of the microstick.

Use the ground stabilize command (TMS down short) like it was your job. It will save you a ton of headaches with the mavs

[104th_Crunch]

Don't forget to set the maverick slew rate in the MFCD.

[StrongHarm]

Here's your solution... but first the problem. Your traversal velocity is too high. In other words, as the nose of your aircraft (and the mavs) moves in a line across the line of the target, your camera is unstable. The Mav doesn't have the stabilization abilities of the TGP. Try this, it works extremely well for me, and take note: you only have to manually track on the first Mav, because this one is coming off TGP slave. The next mavs just slew, autolock, rifle:

 

*13-15k ft, 10nm separation from target area

*TGP lock and SPI target, slave all SOI to SPI

*Line up with target

*neg 8-10 on the pitch and path autopilot

*throttles all the way back

*Let the aircraft stabilize

*Switch to Mav camera and TMS FWD Short for track (first target only)

*Fire, acquire, fire, acquire... etc.

 

The mav camera is much more stable. You'll still be more than 5nm away at 10k or higher and you'll have up to 6 mavs in the air.

[=Panther=]

That's what TMS down short is for. :music_whistling:

 

:doh: At least I'm learning something new everyday, two things today actually. Between reading the forums, watching videos on youtube, or reading the manual there's always something new each day.

[Garfieldo]

(...)

 

*13-15k ft, 10nm separation from target area

*TGP lock and SPI target, slave all SOI to SPI

*Line up with target

*neg 8-10 on the pitch and path autopilot

*throttles all the way back

*Let the aircraft stabilize

*Switch to Mav camera and TMS FWD Short for track (first target only)

*Fire, acquire, fire, acquire... etc.

 

(...)

 

Sounds awesome, will try your technique soon. Thanks for the detailed description.

[CrashEd]

 

*13-15k ft, 10nm separation from target area

*TGP lock and SPI target, slave all SOI to SPI

*Line up with target

*neg 8-10 on the pitch and path autopilot

*throttles all the way back

*Let the aircraft stabilize

*Switch to Mav camera and TMS FWD Short for track (first target only)

*Fire, acquire, fire, acquire... etc.

 

 

Great info - thanks :thumbup:

 

What kind of lateral movement do you have i.e. what if your targets aren't in a line?

[StrongHarm]

If my targets aren't in line then I find a point between them and head for that. In a slow descent with AP on, you don't have the quick lateral camera departure you have if there's traversal velocity in your path. For difficult acquisition I stay zoomed back until the camera is in the general area, then stabilize ground when it's 'in the box', zoom in, then slew/stabilize/slew. Using the above method I rarely have to resort to that though. The seeker seems to cooperate well.

[CrashEd]

Sounds good, I'll give it a try.

[HiJack]

I would say the easiest way are using the markpoints. Do your recce of the area mark up all the targets you wish to prosecute with the mav's. Then on your attack run just simply switch between each markpoint.

 

Aslong as they are all in the seeker range... firing each mav is then as quick as you can cycle the markpoints and get a lock.

Markpoints are fixed at the position and will then only work for fixed units. Mission designers should try to set ground units to hold when not threatend and move when enemy planes are in the area. If ED could implement the LOOP features for ground wehicles we all would have a much more dynamic battlefield.

 

(HJ)

[Seanner]

What! No.... it's much more entertaining when I shoot rockets and guns at a cluster of infantry to see one guy still kneeling in place until next pass!

[MrYenko]

You can use just the Wagon Wheel in the HUD. Once you get a visual, slew it over the target in the HUD. Check with the Mav display you have a good lock, fire.

 

This.

 

I do find it tough to pick the targets out much past 4nm, though, even with the seeker set to narrow FOV. Its a tad easier with 65Ds, due to backround contrast, but still rough.

 

The stories of pilots during the '91 gulf war using their mavericks as poor-man's targeting pods became a LOT more impressive to me once I was disabused of the idea that Mavericks can actually get a good lock out to their theoretical 17nm max range...

[TwoLate]

Markpoints are fixed at the position and will then only work for fixed units. Mission designers should try to set ground units to hold when not threatend and move when enemy planes are in the area. If ED could implement the LOOP features for ground wehicles we all would have a much more dynamic battlefield.

 

(HJ)

 

I would say the easiest way are using the markpoints. Do your recce of the area mark up all the targets you wish to prosecute with the mav's. Then on your attack run just simply switch between each markpoint.

 

Aslong as they are all in the seeker range... firing each mav is then as quick as you can cycle the markpoints and get a lock.

 

 

I use the markpoints for multiple targets. Using TGP as a standoff is a safeway.

[Geskes]

I did a tube on this somewhere in beta 2 or 3.

 

Its crappy, but all my tubes are crappy.