Maverick seeker types...night targeting

[ESzczesniak]

I've been focusing on learning the systems and have gotten a reasonably good grip of these. I'm now trying to broaden to get a firm grasp on employement and combat effectiveness. With this path, I have not done many night flights before, which is one thing I was working on today. I was flying at night (late dusk/early night) carry AGM-65H's. I've had no problem targeting these during the day, however using the same procedures I was unable to lock any targets at night.

 

Now, I'm aware that the AGM-65H is a CCD-TV sensor that is logically going to have problems in low-light conditions. Using an AGM-65D with IR sensor seems much more logical in low light conditions, however I'd love to hear from others if this is correct in the sim and/or real life.

 

Of course, my wingman was able to lock and ripple AGM-65H's at 4 targets in a single pass...he also seems to be superman.

[Mar]

In my experience the AI has always been dreadfully unrealistic, best not to pay any attention to the methods they use.

 

So yes, the D is the one to use in night time operations. Personally, the D is the only one I use since it can always lock a target two miles farther out than the K. I haven't used the H more than once or twice, but I'm pretty sure I had to get as close as I had to get with the K for a lock.

 

I find it quite odd. The resolution of the K and H are much, much higher than the D allowing me to make out targets twice as far away, where with the D I would never be able to find a specific target without the TGP unless it was out in the open away from everything else.

[RodBorza]

The H model is good only for daytime operations.

The D is the only good choice for night operations. Although they don't have a good resolution as the other models, if you look for targets with the TGP you won't have any problem locking them on.

Also, as in the game we don't have problem with limited supplies, then you can carry Mav D's all the time.

 

Two things you should know about Mav employment, if you don't already know:

1) After finding targets with TGP (make new SPI) and slaving all to the SPI, when at the MAV page, select TMS UP short. It helps the missile seeker to lock the targets;

2) After half an hour you will get a message on the MFCDs saying something like "EO timeout". In real life the MAV seeker would overheat, in the game, if I'm not mistaken, the capacity of lock on targets will be degraded (I must test it though). So, it is not good to keep the missiles on for more than you really need to.

[Spetz]

The EO time limit is just a warning. There is nothing but the warning modeling game.

[charonx]

On the occassions where I've had the Mavericks powered on for over 30 minutes, they will NOT fire until the power is recycled.

[SY_KO]

I'm sure I read somewhere the lock on capability is degraded and micelles in game.

[jeffyd123]

I dont know why, but I was trying "D" models in a mission that i made (operation vertical limit) about 50% were missing targets. There was snow on the ground, targets at 5,000 - 11,000MSL, wind was light but there is some turbulence, time 18:45, light was starting to fade.

 

The "H" models had a better success rate but 1 or 2 out of 25 would miss.

 

What I have noticed about Mavs:

 

"D" models lock on farther out but are very reliable. they seem to have a narrower scope and firing envelope.

 

"H" models need to be closer to fire but have a wider firing envelope. They also seem very reliable to hit the target.

 

Im no expert on Mavs, Im just going by what Ive experienced between the 2. I have fired about 300 of each model

 

I was very surprised in my mission that the "D" models were missing targets... any ideas what would cause this?

 

Jeff

[S77th-konkussion]

I have seen (once before) that although slaved to the TGP's SPI- a Maverick D has in fact swerved off to something else close by- like a house or something- when set into tracking mode.

[RodBorza]

I dont know why, but I was trying "D" models in a mission that i made (operation vertical limit) about 50% were missing targets. There was snow on the ground, targets at 5,000 - 11,000MSL, wind was light but there is some turbulence, time 18:45, light was starting to fade.

 

The "H" models had a better success rate but 1 or 2 out of 25 would miss.

 

What I have noticed about Mavs:

 

"D" models lock on farther out but are very reliable. they seem to have a narrower scope and firing envelope.

 

"H" models need to be closer to fire but have a wider firing envelope. They also seem very reliable to hit the target.

 

Im no expert on Mavs, Im just going by what Ive experienced between the 2. I have fired about 300 of each model

 

I was very surprised in my mission that the "D" models were missing targets... any ideas what would cause this?

 

Jeff

 

Probable causes:

1) Cold. Maybe because it was winter, the IR seeker on the "D" maybe doesn't track the target because the vehicle is also cold. The vehicle doesn't stand out of the surrounding environment, contrary to what one would expect.

 

2) Moving target. Mavericks are great weapons, but if the target is moving abeam (90 degrees) of the aircraft axis, they are more prone to lost track. Some videos on YouTube on the sim show that. Enganging targets coming in the direction (axis) of the aircraft is almost a sure kill, moving laterally is not always guaranteed.

 

3) Flight envelope. Depending on the distance, Gs, maneuver required to track and engage the MAVs, as any missile, can and will miss.

 

And 2 out 25 is 8% misses. So, statistically, not a really bad ratio.

Edit: Also, considering that the "H" model looks for contrast, a black dot (vehicle) on a white surface (snow) allows for a very high contrast. One more probable cause for the "H"'s hitting more than the "D"s on your specific mission.

 

Well, this is my two cents. I really don't know if I raised more questions than answered them... :music_whistling:

Edited March 26, 2011 by RodBorza