Engaging targets - auto pilot channels?

[Megagoth1702]

Hey guys,

 

I was wondering how you guys engage ground targets with unguided rockets.

 

I know how to use the autopilot, read all of it and I am very fine cruising with it but in combat scenarios all I know is auto-hover so far... I have trouble re-programming the autopilot every tiny bit of a second just to get the pipper of my rockets on target.

 

I tend to use Flight Director mode a lot, since it gives me more direct controls over the helo.

 

What do YOU do? How do you employ the different weapons? Maybe even use guns on a fly by?

 

Thanks in advance!

[ZaltysZ]

I use 3 methods:

 

1) FD on

2) FD off, but trim button pressed. Effect is same like with FD on, but I don't need to fiddle with turning FD on/off.

3) FD off, directional (H) AP channel off. Aircraft trimmed for keeping piper on target. Final corrections feels like stick is super insensitive, so precision rises. You probably need rudder pedals for this method to work correctly.

[Megagoth1702]

Thank you very much.

 

I thought so.

 

Do you engage targets with guns while moving? If so - how do you do it? I tried autopilot pitch & bank hold but... It's still hard to do. :-/

[ZaltysZ]

Do you engage targets with guns while moving? If so - how do you do it? I tried autopilot pitch & bank hold but... It's still hard to do. :-/

 

If you talk about cannon, then just trim for stable flight with K, T, H channels on, lock the target with Shkval and use your cannon. Cannon is not fully fixed, so targeting computer can aim it for you and give focused fire even if you and/or target is moving. If you talk about gun pods, then the procedure is pretty similar to unguided rockets employment.

[Davis0079]

shooting on the move is a bad idea no matter how you slice it......using the vickr and cannon from a stable condition is how you should use your Ka-50...

 

 

I suggest you make sure to key bind your eject button before trying a rocket run on anyone armed with a Ak-47 or greater

 

 

Having said that.....I make sure I have stable forward flight at a medium to fast speed.....no heading AP (so you can adjust your heading without fighting the AP).....I like a medium burst length....as you get close to the target(s), you will most likely have to pull up on the nose and at that time is when I pickle the rockets. This makes it so the medium burst length is not all in one spot, but sprays down the length of the column I'm attacking......the going rule is to never over fly your target, so break away after you release weapons....dont keep flying towards them hoping to get one more shot....use lots of flares when you try to make your escape

 

and like I say...if you insist on using rockets (or the cannon in boresight{fixed} mode)....plz be proficient in the ejection process

 

 

You should use your airframe like a highly mobile missile platform, sniping things from cover with your laser guided missiles then moving to the next safe spot....not flying around with guns and rockets like a fighter aircraft, not only are you not using the targeting systems to its full potential, but your putting yourself in a losing situation....

 

I personally can overfly(DANGER) a column using the cannon slewed to the helmet sight and get more kills with less ammo then trying a rocket run or using the cannon in boresight mode...swinging the whole airframe to aim the gun is foolish compared to using the targeting system and slewing the cannon....I link the cannon to the helmet and fire without locking the target up, then simply look at the next target and fire, look at next target and fire, and so on.......(since the button to move the cannon to the eye piece is a one time thing, I had to change my device key to make it a toggle switch so i dont have to hold the button down for the cannon to move with my head...I simply turn it on or off...very good for shooting on the move....and much easier the turning the whole helicopter to target something)

Edited May 9, 2013 by Davis0079

[JG14_Smil]

AP channels always stay on. You change submodes (DT/none/DH and BR/none/RD) and use the alt reset/collective brake. FD for freehand flight.

[Ich666]

shooting on the move is a bad idea no matter how you slice it......using the vickr and cannon from a stable condition is how you should use your Ka-50...

 

 

I suggest you make sure to key bind your eject button before trying a rocket run on anyone armed with a Ak-47 or greater

 

 

Having said that.....I make sure I have stable forward flight at a medium to fast speed.....no heading AP (so you can adjust your heading without fighting the AP).....I like a medium burst length....as you get close to the target(s), you will most likely have to pull up on the nose and at that time is when I pickle the rockets. This makes it so the medium burst length is not all in one spot, but sprays down the length of the column I'm attacking......the going rule is to never over fly your target, so break away after you release weapons....dont keep flying towards them hoping to get one more shot....use lots of flares when you try to make your escape

 

and like I say...if you insist on using rockets (or the cannon in boresight{fixed} mode)....plz be proficient in the ejection process

 

 

You should use your airframe like a highly mobile missile platform, sniping things from cover with your laser guided missiles then moving to the next safe spot....not flying around with guns and rockets like a fighter aircraft, not only are you not using the targeting systems to its full potential, but your putting yourself in a losing situation....

 

I personally can overfly(DANGER) a column using the cannon slewed to the helmet sight and get more kills with less ammo then trying a rocket run or using the cannon in boresight mode...swinging the whole airframe to aim the gun is foolish compared to using the targeting system and slewing the cannon....I link the cannon to the helmet and fire without locking the target up, then simply look at the next target and fire, look at next target and fire, and so on.......(since the button to move the cannon to the eye piece is a one time thing, I had to change my device key to make it a toggle switch so i dont have to hold the button down for the cannon to move with my head...I simply turn it on or off...very good for shooting on the move....and much easier the turning the whole helicopter to target something)

 

That is just plain wrong.

 

Utilizing your stand-off range when the situation calls for it isnt bad in its own, but RELYING on it is. I see nothing wrong with high-speed attacks à la Hind, it gives the enemy less time to react if you get 2 or 3 missiles off and then give the remaining units a shower of rockets before breaking. Also you remain maneuverable instead of being a sitting duck. If you get shot at by AAA the shots will most likely miss, whereas if youre still in a hover by the time they zero in on youre dead meat.

 

Of course high speed attacks have its cons too, like the possibility for ground units to fire at you, but that is a manageable risk if you break off soon enough. Also your automatic tracking system helps you keep your workload down, so you can see possible threats.

 

Myself Im using moving attacks in most cases, but ressort to standoff hover attacks when the situation suggests that a moving attack would be inefficient (too many enemies for one pass or two; targets that would be useless to attack with rockets) or lead to a soon death.

 

I suggest you read this and get comfortable with employing all possible tactics, so that you can decide which tactic is suited best for the situation youre in.

 

EDIT: Also Autopilot Channels. At least 3 of them. At all time.

[Davis0079]

seeings how I do drink beer and smoke cheetos while playing...I dont see how you can scream at me telling me how wrong I am....did you read that before you so maliciously linked it

 

 

 

 

edit...I said this jokingly....good link...thz

 

edit again....I still never shoot on the move.....take the firing system off auto mode and raining death from 9k then RTBing for more missiles is a better idea then any rocket run....

Edited May 9, 2013 by Davis0079

[Davis0079]

you notice how every time you use the rockets in single player because the campaign has thrown you in a scripted situation or you try a rocket run online because you dont want to spend the time it takes to RTB......that "thats" the moment that you get shot down or take battle damage....theres a reason for that....

Edited May 9, 2013 by Davis0079

[roob]

What do YOU do? How do you employ the different weapons? Maybe even use guns on a fly by?

 

I line up with the target and point my computed targeting reticle on it with a forward speed of 150-250 km/h when using rockets. Firing rockets stationary is a bit... ineffective, and also dangerous in a hostile environment.

 

For the gun I usually lock the targets up before firing. The gun is highly accurate though, especially at close ranges, so it's not always that necessary. Just point with the shkval and shoot :joystick: Remember to use the rangefinder at those longer ranges at least once so you get the gun aligned.

[Megagoth1702]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will also take a look at that Black Shark Tactics site. Looks promising. :)

[Slazi]

I'm guessing unguided rockets are a ton cheaper than the vikhr missiles. Use them for RP reaons. When doing rocket runs, you shouldn't feel guilty about launching large salvos instead of 1 or 2 individual rockets. I sometimes load up 4x20 rocket pods and set my salvo size to large. Overflying troops or convoys isn't really very dangerous, and letting off all the rockets in one pass can do a lot of damage (unfortunately to your frame rate too in the current version).

 

Anti-Tank rockets on the other hand.... I have a lot of trouble using these effectively against resonable tanks. I always tend to take damage from their machine guns and sometimes main guns.

 

So use rockets! They are fun. Especially when the enemy are in the trees.

[Megagoth1702]

Meh, just played 2 missions and my last resort was rockets. Could not use them at ALL, jesus christ my chopper keeps going left and right and getting too fast to manevuer comfortably, even without heading hold autopilot. :-/

 

Dammit.

 

Can someone who think he can do it well record a track of a rocket engagement and share it? I would love to see what you do there...

 

Thanks in advance.

[Watari]

I execute a run with unguided rockets with the FD but when im getting into troubles i turn off bank and pitch AP channel. You get a lot of maneuverability but the shark is still stabler than the huey 1.0 was! :-P

 

I also like to have 4x30 unguided rockets pots with me when Im going on soft or medium targets in "free" air. They´re tricky but it makes a lot of fun to fly attack runs with 80 rockets :-)

[Fishbreath]

I haven't given this a try yet (if I get some Ka-50 time in tonight I will), but I'm considering a full-on autopilot approach: use route mode to line up on a Shkval target, and use altitude and onto the target.speed to control range of release. It would only be good for one pass at a time, but it would mostly take away the difficulties in flying the aiming pipper onto the target.