Attack Helicopter Question

[Flouncy 10]

"Missing spamming"?

By getting a lock, shooting, then switching to a new target, as per the Hellfire's design and purpose in life, and shooting again... is... spamming?!

Shirley, you can't be serious.

[Kludo 11]

In operation Desert Storm, the first attacks of the war, were AH-64 Apache's taking out Iraqi SAM sites and SAM Radar emplacements prior to the main strike packages of F-16's,F-15's, A-6E's, A-7E's, and F/A-18A's and other aircraft.

EDIT: ADDED -> *** A day after the deadline set in Resolution, the coalition launched a massive air campaign which began the general offensive codenamed Operation Desert Storm with more than 1,000 sorties launching per day. It began on January 17, 1991, when Task Force Normandy (eight U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopters led by two MH-53 Pave Low helicopters) destroyed Iraqi radar sites and surface to air missile installations near the Iraqi-Saudi Arabian border at 2:38 A.M****

So yes, Helicopters are great at sneaking in low and attacking the SAM network of a given force.

The AH-1 and its variants do not use a Radar per se, but they do use the nose mounted FLIR pod for Target acquisition and designation. This FLIR pod has a laser in it that is used to "Paint" the target for the AGM-114 Hellfire system.

There are a number of passive systems in the AH-1Z that help in detection and tracking of enemy units.

So yes, Helicopters can in some instances provide the first strike on a SAM network, and are best suited for pop-up attacks. Even the AH-1Z excels in this because the AGM-114 has so many launch modes. I.E. LOAL= Lock on After Launch. Where the missile moves in a given Commanded Direction before the Seeker begins looking for the Laser Designator.

Where ARMA II and I fails for me with so many aircraft is a lack of functioning FLIR/AT FLIR system that has target designation and lasing ability.

And no buddy lasing? Like a Harrier lasing for another Harrier or an AH-1Z lasing for an A-10.

Having to wait on the guys on the ground to lase a target is something long long gone. Most aircraft in the U.S. inventory have FLIR/LANTRIN and lasing abilities. Even the F-14B & F-14D had the ability to lase for its own GBU's.

Kludo

Aviation Ordnanceman, USN.

Edited July 10, 2009 by Kludo

[Cobra Pilot 10]

Shirley, you can't be serious.

Dont call me Shirley!

Sorry, couldnt help it :D

Edited July 10, 2009 by Cobra Pilot

[Kludo 11]

The AGM-114 K requires a laser be "Painting" the target.

The AGM-114 L is fire and forget because it can use millimeter wave guidance and/or IR guidance.

The AGM-65 Maverick has also several variants like the Hellfire. A IR seeker version, Laser seeker version, and also a TV guided seeker version.

The TV guided seeker version requires the launching aircraft or aircraft near the launching aircraft have an AWW-13 Data Link Pod for communication with the Maverick in flight.

Frederf,

The AGM-114L is capable of being launched from the AH-1Z.

There are reasons I will not go into here that it is not currently done Operationally.

Kludo.

[max power 21]

Yeah... so they're basically useless in singleplayer?

No, the AI are capable and actually enthusiastic about using an LD.

Frederf,

The AGM-114L is capable of being launched from the AH-1Z.

There are reasons I will not go into here that it is not currently done Operationally.

Kludo.

Why not? You probably could have topically covered the reason in not much more space that it took to say that you won't go into it.

[frederf 0]

"Missing spamming"?

By getting a lock, shooting, then switching to a new target, as per the Hellfire's design and purpose in life, and shooting again... is... spamming?!

Shirley, you can't be serious.

Stepping through targets with the tab key is not proper nor is it by the design of the Hellfire. There is no computerized database of targets automatically generated by some onboard radar system that you can press next/previous to cycle through.

You find the target visually with your eyeballs. You slew the designator onto the target. You turn on designation. You fire the missile. You keep the designator on the target until it goes boom. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a system that optically recognized the target silhouette and kept the designator on the target for you post-designate but that would be the limit of the automation.

Try the HMMWV_TOW in ArmA2... that's how the Hellfire should work in the AH-1Z. This tab, launch, and leave nonsense is pure fantasy.

---

OK, maybe some crazy year 2020 is going to put Longbow-style Hellfires on the AH-1Z. For gameplay reasons and "year now" tech there's no confusing BIS's lazy and inaccurate game design for some supernatural insight into some future weapon advancements. It's just wrong as it is right now.

[Peonza 10]

Hey yo , thats funny discussion, but i have a question related to this stuff

I am new player of Arma, but locking target from long distance (like 1.5 km) with helicopter is hard for me , target is such little point, and this means I have to aim at it directly? (Making tank for example directly in middle of my view screen while keep pressing "lock target") ?

I think i seen youtube videos where pilots lock targets flying in high speeds , dont aiming em with noses directly.. Or i miss some kind of key bind?

[LJF 0]

We need flares is all I can say ...

[frederf 0]

Hey yo , thats funny discussion, but i have a question related to this stuff

I am new player of Arma, but locking target from long distance (like 1.5 km) with helicopter is hard for me , target is such little point, and this means I have to aim at it directly? (Making tank for example directly in middle of my view screen while keep pressing "lock target") ?

I think i seen youtube videos where pilots lock targets flying in high speeds , dont aiming em with noses directly.. Or i miss some kind of key bind?

It's called "Next Target." If you would even look in the controls menu you would figure that out.

Edited July 10, 2009 by Frederf

[soupdragon 10]

Whoa dude, chill out. No need for name calling.

SD

[frederf 0]

I guess I flamed him so he'll get a warning for flame baiting.

[TechnoTerrorist303 10]

to really appreciate the cobra in a2 you have to have a real person in both seats.. and NEVER use the autohover :) Joystick and throttle all the way.

trackir is also amazing with helicopters.

[Stridergg 10]

Just strafe-circle the town at the range of about 1.5 km and the altitude of about 300-400 m and you can keep Tab-spamming all day long without getting shot down. Just keep moving and keep your distance. I am not sure if it's a realistic tactic but it works in the game. :)

To strafe-circle, keep your nose on the target and bank a bit to the side and a bit forward. You have to keep it balanced and control your speed though, so it takes a bit of practice.

[walker 0]

Yeah... so they're basically useless in singleplayer?

Hi maturin

Lasing targets Works in SP as well.

Just place an AI in sight of the target armed with a laser designator. They will paint the target for you.

You can also make it playable so you can team switch and do both roles for extra fun.

Kind Regards walker

Edited July 10, 2009 by walker

[snoops_213 75]

The AH-1Z is capable of fielding a MMW radar and the 114L but to do so it must sacrifice one of its weapon pylons(piss poor planning), and the way they are used currently the laser version is better suited for what they need. How many of the Apaches in Iraq/Afghan actually carry the Longbow radar for missions? I wouldnt think to many as they would be costly to keep fixing from small arms fire.

[MBot 0]

Don't the Cobras even still mostly carry TOWs as they are cheaper than Hellfires?

[frederf 0]

Snoops, I think a "Longbow" Apache is a Longbow. They don't take the radar off and put it back on. It's its own separate aircraft. My best understanding is that approximately 25% (or less) of an AH-64D squadron is the Longbow variety. The AH-64D can network with the AH-64D Longbow so a single Longbow in a group of 4 can act as sensor for the other 3 in the flight.

As for TOWs. I suspected that they didn't but this video suggests otherwise. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d69_1194814584

[Liability 10]

Snoops, I think a "Longbow" Apache is a Longbow. They don't take the radar off and put it back on. It's its own separate aircraft. My best understanding is that approximately 25% (or less) of an AH-64D squadron is the Longbow variety. The AH-64D can network with the AH-64D Longbow so a single Longbow in a group of 4 can act as sensor for the other 3 in the flight.

As for TOWs. I suspected that they didn't but this video suggests otherwise. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d69_1194814584

Techincaly 100% of the Longbows have the radar dome as that's waht differenciates the AH-64D from the AH-64A (which is sans dome) and is jsut called the Apache.

Edited July 10, 2009 by Liability

[frederf 0]

You are correct:

AH-64A Apache

AH-64D Longbow Apache (no FCR)

AH-64D Longbow Apache (with FCR)

Edited July 11, 2009 by Frederf