more questions: AA weapons
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Situation: 2 dutch F-16 groups of 2 Falcons each are on patrol, in passive mode. ESM suddenly detects four Su-30s inbound. I try to do a pincer attack, one group towards his left, other group towards his right. I try to sneak the Falcon groups, to achieve surprise. but one of them fail to do so (low altitude, cruise speed, if I read the AARs right ground clutter is modelled, is that right?).
The flankers turn towards one of the grups group and try to intercept. Knowing the Su-30 missiles have a range of some 50 miles and that my AMRAAMS have only 40, I try to use a run-turn-run attack at reheat. That is; I run away at high altitude and reheat to make them pursue me at max speed aswell. When they are within my AAW range circles, I turn into them: closing speeds of almost 3000 knots make range go down fast, so when they are roughly 1/4th within my range circle, I order a missile attack on them, each plane firing 2 missiles to send 4 AMRAAMS in total (one for each flanker).
My intention is to turn tails and start running away just after firing. Either the Flankers turn and run, or keep following me. If they turn away they will run right into the range of my 2nd Falcon group. If they keep following me, they will eat four AMRAAMS.
So I set the attack ,order the missiles....and nothing happens. I stand looking totally surprised as my missiles simply refuse to fire for something like 5 seconds. Text message says enemy units are firing at me, so I turn tails again and go away running in despair. For nothing. Both falcons were destroyed.
I shake my head in incredulity, my fighters have refused to fire missiles. Still I got another two falcons, so I try to repeat the ruse (but this time if they run away from my missiles they won't hit...oh well...). Again, I order firing AMRAAMS when they are slightly within my range. Again the missiles refuse to fire. Again I lose two falcons. In fact I mostly lose the scenario because I only got two more Falcons and if this behaviour repeats itself, I'll be out of offensive aircraft...
What's going on here? what am I doing wrong?
thanks in advance.
The flankers turn towards one of the grups group and try to intercept. Knowing the Su-30 missiles have a range of some 50 miles and that my AMRAAMS have only 40, I try to use a run-turn-run attack at reheat. That is; I run away at high altitude and reheat to make them pursue me at max speed aswell. When they are within my AAW range circles, I turn into them: closing speeds of almost 3000 knots make range go down fast, so when they are roughly 1/4th within my range circle, I order a missile attack on them, each plane firing 2 missiles to send 4 AMRAAMS in total (one for each flanker).
My intention is to turn tails and start running away just after firing. Either the Flankers turn and run, or keep following me. If they turn away they will run right into the range of my 2nd Falcon group. If they keep following me, they will eat four AMRAAMS.
So I set the attack ,order the missiles....and nothing happens. I stand looking totally surprised as my missiles simply refuse to fire for something like 5 seconds. Text message says enemy units are firing at me, so I turn tails again and go away running in despair. For nothing. Both falcons were destroyed.
I shake my head in incredulity, my fighters have refused to fire missiles. Still I got another two falcons, so I try to repeat the ruse (but this time if they run away from my missiles they won't hit...oh well...). Again, I order firing AMRAAMS when they are slightly within my range. Again the missiles refuse to fire. Again I lose two falcons. In fact I mostly lose the scenario because I only got two more Falcons and if this behaviour repeats itself, I'll be out of offensive aircraft...
What's going on here? what am I doing wrong?
thanks in advance.