Some n00b questions (about gameplay)

[SniperRu]

Hey, I just recently got this game (FC) and I have some questions for you guys.

 

1- Basing myself on Flanker 2.5, what happened to Su-33's Air-to-Ground capabilities, why can't I use air-to-ground guided missiles,not even the KH-31P (my favorite missile of all)? Is it for realism's sake?

 

2- Is it normal that the F-15C is always using a jammer, is it integrated inside the aircraft or what?

 

3- Anyone else thinks that ECM is killing BVR Air-to-Air combat, I mean that you have to get very close to the target before launching any missile. There is no point in having long range missiles...

 

4- I really like the F-15C's capability to attack 2 targets at a time, How come I cant do that with the Su-27? I checked in my encyclopedia, it says that the Flanker has this capability too.

 

5- Anyone can briefly explain me how to work with an Awacs, it seems more complicated that in Flanker 2.5.

 

6- According to the game's encyclopedia, the R-27ER has a range of 75km, but when I use it, it seems limited to about 30 to 50 kms. What's wrong? Does the target and I have to be in high altitude for it to be fully "capable"?

 

That's about it for now, your anwsers will be appreciated and I'll be happy to discuss about the game/aviation with all of you.

TIA

[GGTharos]

Hey, I just recently got this game (FC) and I have some questions for you guys.

 

1- Basing myself on Flanker 2.5, what happened to Su-33's Air-to-Ground capabilities, why can't I use air-to-ground guided missiles,not even the KH-31P (my favorite missile of all)? Is it for realism's sake?

 

Correct - the real thing doesn't have those AG capalities.

 

2- Is it normal that the F-15C is always using a jammer, is it integrated inside the aircraft or what?

 

Correct, without going into jammer-usage specifics (it reallys houldn't be on all the time)

 

3- Anyone else thinks that ECM is killing BVR Air-to-Air combat, I mean that you have to get very close to the target before launching any missile. There is no point in having long range missiles...

 

Not really ... and I'll tell ya right now, those BVR missiles reach much farther than the WVR ones, despite ECM - so I'd rather have them. Try online play, you see how ECM becomes a tactical tool when other players use it instead of the AI.

You can shoot max range, but any player worth his salt will evade it, and quite easily at that.

 

4- I really like the F-15C's capability to attack 2 targets at a time, How come I cant do that with the Su-27? I checked in my encyclopedia, it says that the Flanker has this capability too.

 

Actually, the old flanker does not have the ability to do so. Newer versions do, but not the one modelled in LOMAC.

 

5- Anyone can briefly explain me how to work with an Awacs, it seems more complicated that in Flanker 2.5.

 

It shows you where the targets are, you fly towards them, but you have to do yoru own acquisition, you can no longer acquire awcs targets as you could in Flanker.

 

6- According to the game's encyclopedia, the R-27ER has a range of 75km, but when I use it, it seems limited to about 30 to 50 kms. What's wrong? Does the target and I have to be in high altitude for it to be fully "capable"?

 

You got it. These ranges are really listed for targets flying at 50000+ feet altitude, coming a tyou at Mach 1.5, and not maneuvering.

 

In one word: Marketing ;)

 

Realistic employment range changes drastically with altitude, difference in altitudes, aspect, and the opponent's maneuvering ability.

 

That's about it for now, your anwsers will be appreciated and I'll be happy to discuss about the game/aviation with all of you.

TIA

[britgliderpilot]

Couple of further notes on spec lists and published data:

 

Sukhoi suggested an upgrade program for the Su33 that would have brought it to the level shown in Flanker 2.5. This upgrade program was never actually funded . . . . . but the brochure was produced and distributed, and Janes (along with every source on the internet) took it as gospel. The Su33 still has the same capabilities as the Su27S - but the new Su27KUB should have capabilities similar to those published for the Su33 upgrade.

 

 

Likewise with the Su27's TWS modes and so forth.

No SARH missile can be guided unless it's in STT mode. Only an advanced AESA radar is capable of actually managing two STT locks at once . . . . and even then it can only do that at reduced ranges, since you're not using the power of the whole dish.

The pseudo-TWS mode is modelled in v1.1 for the Russian fighters - all it really does is provide a range on a bugged target in search mode.

 

The Su27 version modelled in Lock On and Flaming Cliffs is not capable of carrying the R77, either . . . . . so it's STT locks only. One target at a time.

 

There appears to have been some lying with the MiG29S, too - it was fitted with the ability to carry and launch the R77 missile, but not with the advanced radar and avionics to guide that missile in any kind of TWS mode. The radar itself is pretty much identical to that found in the MiG29A . . . . so you need to maintain an STT lock until your missile goes active. Not easy with no TTA counter.

You can have two missiles in the air at once, as the marketing blurb says - but you can only launch the second after the first has gone active.

 

 

 

Basically, Flanker 2.5 modelled a more advanced version of both the Su27 and Su33. As more information has come to light, it seems that the versions modelled in Flanker 2.5 either didn't exist, were too impractical to model, or wouldn't have been of equivalent timeframe to the jets they'd have to oppose.

The Su27 and Su33 in v1.1 are of the right spec, and the right timeframe in comparison to the version of the F15C they're facing.

 

It's a complicated balance, but ED have found a set of specs for all the fighters that are concurrent, and they can get information on. That's actually quite an achievement in itself . . . . . when you're dealing with five different aircraft :p

 

 

AWACS also has been corrected due to more information.

It's still not perfect . . . . . especially in it's rendition for the MiG29 variants. At the moment, the MiG29's have exactly the same avionics as the Sukhoi fighters. IRL, the head-down display is only a HUD repeater (no NAV mode), you can only get datalink guidance to one target at a time, and GCI and AWACS relies as much on voice commands as electronically relayed directions.

 

Maybe in time we'll get a perfect set of Russian avionics . . . . . we're not there yet, though.

 

 

Most modern warplanes tend to carry jammers, so the new ubercluttered radar screens seem to be accurate.

Bear in mind that nobody's ever had a battle between aircraft at this technology level . . . . . and it's extremely unlikely that anyone ever will.

[primus_TR]

3- Anyone else thinks that ECM is killing BVR Air-to-Air combat, I mean that you have to get very close to the target before launching any missile. There is no point in having long range missiles...

 

When engaging bandits with jammer on, check the signal strength lights of the enemy's radar on your RWR. It gives you a very good idea as to how far the enemy is. While engaging head to head, you can usually let go a 27ER when you have all but the last three lights are on.

 

Accuracy is not good but still it gives the enemy something to worry about.