Campaign: Dealing with SAMs and AAA

[Darkwolf187]

Probably a very silly question, but I was wondering if there's some guide for tactics when dealing with SAMs and AAA in the campaign?

 

I know you should stay about 6000 feet so that AAA can't shoot you, but what should be done about SAMs? I have a lot of trouble locating SAMs through the TGP. Essentially I'm just slewing around looking for anything that's not a tank or a Ural. Is there a better way to find air defenses than this?

 

Or should I just activate the SEAD flights and then just do circles out of range until they're all gone?

 

In the same vein, how do you identify whether a missile launch is directed at you? I know that the missile warning will trigger from friendlies as well as hostile missiles. Can you assume a missile launch is non-hostile if there's no rapid pulsing sound from the RWR and there's no SAMs within close range (ie, no IR launches)?

[Nybble]

I've got a bit of an approach I use, not sure how 'correct' is is but I'll post it anyway.

 

Basically my first move is to try and get a visual orientation as to where friendly forces are engaging the enemy so I know how close I am to AA threats when I go in. Then I'll usually give the area a scan with the TGP and have a look for prominent threats and try to deal with them.

 

Then, unless the primary objective is urgent I'll contact a JTAC if available and request a tasking, as the JTAC will usually have some info regarding threats in the vicinity. Once I've got the tasking i'll either eliminate the threats, or complete my objective while avoiding them.

 

A final method is to hit the LSS OSB of the TGP, which will slew it to any unit being painted, and i've found several sneaky SAMS this way.

 

I'm sure there's a better approach, but its a start.

 

Looking forward to seeing some replies from the experts :)

[marcos]

I review satellite surveillance footage by going into editor and unhiding them, then setting them as ground level waypoints, then I just slew to waypoint. You may consider that cheating but trying to spot a SAM before it sees you is suicide, and you'll only end up playing the mission until you know where they are anyway.

 

The real problem is that the rest of the AI on your side is utterly useless.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Or should I just activate the SEAD flights and then just do circles out of range until they're all gone?

 

this^ is correct. if you suspect fuel to come low, hitch a tanker and stick with it till it's clear.

 

In the same vein, how do you identify whether a missile launch is directed at you? I know that the missile warning will trigger from friendlies as well as hostile missiles. Can you assume a missile launch is non-hostile if there's no rapid pulsing sound from the RWR and there's no SAMs within close range (ie, no IR launches)?

 

you can't. if the flight shoots, they will announce an engagement after shooting a missile. if no announcements were made, probably a SAM launch. you just have to delve into the warm cover of terrain masking. that is the original way of doing missions in the A-10C. a rule of thumb, 300 feet/300 knots. I'm doing a comprehensive guide on these matters.

[autogyro]

Every mission I'll ask the SEAD boys to go in and do their job first before I putter in at 250 knots. They've got a job to do and so do I, so I let them do theirs whilst setting up for mine. Speaking of which I also stick to just the primary mission and don't use jtac unless providing CAS. Also you can use the offset page in the cdu or tad to set bullseye calls for sams.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Guys, the best thing to deal with campaign SAMs, is to correct the SEAD 1 and 2 packages. They have weapons which include A-A, A-G (non HARM) by default. Before actual flight, I open the mission in ME,

 

unhide the SEAD 1 and 2 (mostly SEAD 2 is backup in case SEAD 1 gets toast).

 

Set the weapons on the F-16 to AGM-88 HARM.

Set the Perform Action to Attack Group SA-9/11/8 etc..

Choose weapon ARM

 

and that's it!

 

When you takeoff, all threats will be eliminated :D

[Humvee28]

Hey WildBillKelsoe!

 

Set the Perform Action to Attack Group SA-9/11/8 etc..

Choose weapon ARM

 

Where can i set those Options?

 

Greets

 

Hum

[WildBillKelsoe]

Hey WildBillKelsoe!

 

 

 

Where can i set those Options?

 

Greets

 

Hum

 

Mission editor?

 

Open the View units list tab to the left, navigate to US SEAD 1 and US SEAD 2.

 

They should be hidden. Unhide them, and press on them on the map, now you have their waypoints tab screen to the right. go to the advanced waypoint options below, or triggered actions to the right and set as above. If you want a quick vid, lemme know.

[slug88]

Personally I've never had to edit the SEAD flights, they've always managed to do the job with their default setup. Probably haven't played as much of the campaign as others though, since I mostly fly multiplayer, so your mileage may vary.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Personally I've never had to edit the SEAD flights, they've always managed to do the job with their default setup. Probably haven't played as much of the campaign as others though, since I mostly fly multiplayer, so your mileage may vary.

 

There is a huge difference in taking off, with everything dead (as it should be) in real life, and taking off, with RWR going crazy from an SA-8 pinging you across Batumi.. You are right, mileage, DOES vary... I like going that extra mile.

[Meatwod]

If you are getting an RWR spike, its farely obvious what direction the SAM is in. What you don't know is the SAM distance. However, all you need to triagulate the SAM position is to change your heading (or better yet fly with a wingie that is offset from the SAM at a different heading). There is a thread somewhere that shows how to triangulate the position using the TAD. I always find this methods works well if you have the time and space. However, like SEAD this method will not work for MANPAD and IR SAM threats. I still haven't found a realiable way to locate IR missile threats unless I get lucky and dodge the missile and survive the first short. I definately need to practice terain masking and pop-up attacks more.

[firefly2442]

You can also listen to the radio chatter and use the bullseye mark and call along with the TAD to put down a point to examine. Then just slew the TGP there. I saw a video on youtube about it but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet. I know it's possible though. :)

[Pyroflash]

You can also listen to the radio chatter and use the bullseye mark and call along with the TAD to put down a point to examine. Then just slew the TGP there. I saw a video on youtube about it but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet. I know it's possible though. :)

 

Bullseye calls are input using the OFFSET mode on your CDU. This is because they are points that are offset (BR) from a fixed point e.g. the bulls.

[WildBillKelsoe]

If you are getting an RWR spike, its farely obvious what direction the SAM is in. What you don't know is the SAM distance. However, all you need to triagulate the SAM position is to change your heading (or better yet fly with a wingie that is offset from the SAM at a different heading). There is a thread somewhere that shows how to triangulate the position using the TAD. I always find this methods works well if you have the time and space. However, like SEAD this method will not work for MANPAD and IR SAM threats. I still haven't found a realiable way to locate IR missile threats unless I get lucky and dodge the missile and survive the first short. I definately need to practice terain masking and pop-up attacks more.

 

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