ATTACK TECHNIQUES : -------------------------------------------------------- MISSILES : ----------------------------------------------------------------- MISSILE RANGES:The maximum range of a missile depends not only on its motor, but your plane's speed at launch and the direction of enemy movement. The initial "lock-on" range corresponds to missile maximum range if you're at maximum speed. However, if you're moving slower the missile may not get that extra boost needed to reach the target. A much more important consideration is the enemy's flight path.If the target plane is flying toward you, even a maximum range launch is likely to reach him.However, if the target plane is flying away the missie has a long "stern chase" ahead of it. In such a situation you should wait until the oval turns red before launching. RADAR GUIDED MISSILES:Your AIM-120 AMRAAM missile is one of the best medium- range weapons in the world.It is the only "fire and forget" radar-guided mis sile in American inventory.It has sufficient circuitry to penetrate most de- fenses, and sufficient maneuverability to chase down most fighters, not to mention nailing bombers and transports.Because the AIM-120 has greater range than the Sidewinder (32 km -> 17 km),pilots typically open fire with the AIM 120,then switch to Sidewinders if any enemy aircraft survive to that range. IR GUIDED MISSILES: The short-range AIM-9M Sidewinder is probably the best dogfighting missile in the world. It is more maneuverable than the AMRAAM, giving it a better chance of "hanging on" to a twisting, turning target. The most advantageous firing position for the Sidewinder is up the enemy's tail- pipes. The next best position is from above, diving down onto the top (hot side) of the enemy plane.The third best position is directly into the enemys nose. Shots against the enemy as it crosses in front of you,or at its under- side (the cold side) have very little chance of hitting.The main weakness of the Sidewinder is its limited range. TECHNIQUE: When firing a missile, always remember to (1) open the bay doors, and (2) wait for the lock-on. If you don't wait for the target box to become oval-shaped, you're firing without a lock-on,and will almost certainly miss. Then look at your airspeed.If you're moving fast (around 500kts) or the tar- get is closing,a maximum range lock-on shot`ll probably hit. However,if your speed is low or the target flying away you should wait until the range clo- ses,ideally until the oval turns red. Missile accuracy doesn't take into account enemy defensive equipment or eva- sive maneuvering. First line and elite fighter aircraft may prove more diff- icult to hit. Although the "Mainstay" AEW&C craft maneuvers poorly, it has superior defensive equipment. You may find that guns are necessary against Mainstays flown by a capable crew. FIRING ATTITUDE : Also remember that AAMs,like other missiles,will fall 300' to 400' before their motor is powerful enough to guide them away to the tar- get.Until then the missile has your speed and VVI. If you're diving at the ground,the missile may slam into the ground before it can fly away.Firing in a tight turn, or while inverted,can cause the missile to tumble as it leaves the weapons bay. Best method is to fire only when you're level + above 500'. TARGET DISCRIMINATION : Sidewinders and AMRAAMs always home on the most pro- minent target, which is usually the nearest.They will do so even if you were tracking someone else. In Cold War and Limited War, beware of this limited "brainpower" in your missiles.You may be tracking a primary / secondary tar- get,fire a missile, and then discover it goes for one of the fighter escorts that happens to be closer! NOTES : Your F-19 uses a tracking camera instead of weapon guidance radars. This system "downloads" appropriate launch parameters to the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Although the AIM-120 itself uses radar,the set switches on when the missile is launched. As a result, missile targeting does not increase your EMV. Of course,opening the bay doors to fire does increase your EMV.A skillful stea- lth pilot only opens the bay doors just before launch, or during a dogfight. GUNS : --------------------------------------------------------------------- Jet aircraft travel so quickly that conventional machine guns/cannons cannot fire fast enough to guarantee a hit: a plane could literally fly between the shells. Therefore,modern aircraft cannon are either a group of guns (such as the twin 23mm cannons in many Russian MiGs) or a multi-barrel gatling gun (such as the six-barrel 20mm M61A1 on most American jets). Cannons are used because they fire explosive shells (machine guns fire less destructive solid lead slugs).Small 20mm to 30mm cannons are used because large weapons cannot fire fast enough. Aircraft cannons have an effective range of 0.5 to 3 km, a maximum range of 6 kilometers. Inside 0.5 kilometers there is a significant danger that a piece from a disintegrating target might hit you. THE HISTORICAL GUNSIGHT: Your F-19 has the most modern and advanced gunsight available:a "historical" gunsight with automatic laser rangefinder.In normal operation this gunsight "assumes" you are firing at maximum range (6 km).Ho- wever,if your tracking box is on a closer target, that shorter range is used instead for gunsight calculations. The gunsight computer constantly calcula- tes range,flight path,and ballistics for you.It then displays where your sh- ells would be if they were hitting the target now. The gunsight continually calculates firing, delays the appropriate time and display potential hits as they would occur.Therefore,the sight is "assuming" that you fired at the cor rect time in the past (hence the term "historical" gunsight). ANTICIPATION FIRING : It takes about 2 seconds for M61A1 20mm shells to tra- vel the maximum 6 kilometer range. Therefore, to hit a target you must judge the speed at which the target and your sight converge. You should fire about 2 sec. before they meet.If the range is less than 6 km, wait a little less. For example,at 3 km wait until target and sight are one second apart; at 1.5 km wait until target and sight are a half second apart,etc. You can use this sight like an old fashioned predicting sight.That is,wait until the sight is on the target,then shoot. But at 6 km range you'll have to hope the target stays on the same course for 2 secs to insure a hit. Airplane targets aren't always so obliging! In short,the key to using a historical gunsight is anti- cipation.Don't wait for the sight to reach the target.Instead,learn to anti- cipate the meeting of sight and target,then shoot ahead of time. PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS : Although the maximum range of your M61A1 20mm Vul- can cannon is 6 km,this is not the recommended engagement range.At ranges be yond 3 km accuracy falls off considerably. Beware of firing at ranges less than 0.5 km. If the enemy is closer, you could be hit by pieces of wreckage. Your 20mm cannon has a large ammunition supply,but the huge rate of fire me- ans it goes quickly.Fire short bursts instead of long ones,especially again- st aircraft."Hosing down" a target is extremely wasteful.If the shot is that difficult to achieve, you're crazy to waste ammo on it. In air combat cannon shots are usually very good or very bad, with very few intermediate cases. NOTES : The historical gunsight requires conscious "retraining" to use well, since it doesn't require you to "place the sight on the target".However,this weakness is more than compensated for by the advantages of anticipation fir- ing.The sight allows you to fire sooner, and more accurately, than any other sight in existence. The historial gunsight is the device of choice among "in the know" fighter jocks. The gunsight on this model uses a laser rangefinder slaved to the tracking camera,rather than the traditional ranging radar.This means you can use your gun without increasing your EMV. AIR-TO-AIR DUELS : --------------------------------------------------------- THE AMBUSH : --------------------------------------------------------------- Best way to start air-to-air combat is to surprise your opponent. Enemy air- craft have only forward-facing radars(except the Il-76 "Mainstay" AEW&C).The best way to ambush an enemy plane is to slide up behind him. Traditionally fighter pilots prefer to attack from above.This gives them an energy advant- age in any dogfight.However,missile tactics + the importance of secrecy make height advantage less valuable for a stealth pilot. Gaining height makes you visible to enemy radar,which in turn will certainly warn your targets.There- fore,approaching low and from behind is often wiser.Only if your missile at- tacks fail and the enemy discovers you should you begin to seek an altitude advantage.If you're surprised or "bounced"(attacked from above) by the enemy immediately look for incoming missiles + take appropriate defensive action. Missiles arrive faster than aircraft,and therefore must be avoided first.On- ly then can you begin dogfighting or attempt to escape. THE MISSILE EXCHANGE : ----------------------------------------------------- Often an air-to-air battle starts because the enemy has discovered you, and vectors fighters in your direction.The result,quite frequently,is a head-to- head face-off,you against him.In this westernstyle showdown each side starts with an exchange of long- to medium-ranged radar missiles.Be prepared to de- coy,jam,and possibly chaff the "incoming".Once your radar missile is away,sw itch to an AIM-9M Sidewinder.You may get a second closerange missile shot if the AMRAAM fails.Scoring with a head-to-head cannon shot is much more diffi- cult,and not worth the ammo unless either (a) you're out of missiles, or (b) you're an incredibly good marksman.Naturally,if you can get off a second mis sile shot,so can the enemy if he carries second-generation IR missiles (the AA-8 or AA-10 IR version).These nasties show up frequently on MiG-29s and Su 27s,but aren't unknown on other craft flown by Veteran or Elite pilots. THE EARLY TURN : ----------------------------------------------------------- One of the most difficult,but most useful tactics in a head-to-head match is making an early turn. This is a maneuver where you make a tight 180 degrees turn so that you come out of the turn already closing on the incoming MiG's tail.Against inexperienced pilots this trick`s easy,since greenhorns usually keep boring in,hoping for a cannon shot,and only thinking about a turn after they've passed you.Against vets an early turn requires fine timing.If you tu rn more than a sec or two ahead of the enemy you're just telegraphing your intentions.If you wait too long,you get no advantage at all. ENEMY MISSILES : ----------------------------------------------------------- RADAR-HOMING AAMS : The Russian AA-10 Alamo is a "fire and forget" missile just like your AIM-120 AMRAAM.All other Russian radar-guided weapons are se- mi-active homers.Here the launching aircarft must continue to paint you with its radar -the missile homes on the "paint".You avoid radar-homing AAMs just like SAMs.That is,use reduced EMV,ECM jamming + ultimately chaff. Decoys can be very effective.Note that the MiG-25 and MiG-31 carry extremely longranged radar AAMs. Low EMV,ECM and decoy tactics are especially effective against these weapons.Consider yourself fortunate that none of the Iranian F-14s ha- ve operational Phoenix missiles.These long-range killers are especially dif- ficult to evade. INFRARED (IR) HOMING AAMS :All IR homing AAMs are "fire and forget" weapons. Of these the AA-8 is the most dangerous because of its second generation IR seeker and great maneuverability. If enemy MiGs/Sukhois close to AA-8 range (8 km) you're often in trouble. Techniques to evade IR AAMs are the same as those used against IR SAMs. That is, use the IR jammer at long range, flares at short range.The decoy also works. In practice,many IR homers are fired at short ranges during a dogfight. This means that you've got to leap onto the IR jammer when you get a launch warning, then dodge out of the missile's 45 degree field of view immediately. At dogfighting ranges missile flight times are very short ! If this fails, or you delay too long, the missile approach klaxon will go off. Now you've got bare seconds to react: dump a flare imme- diately and dodge,or you're history. One nice thing about IRAAMs is that the older AA-2,AA-6 and AA-7 designs all use first generation seekers.The enemy must get on your tail before these missiles lock on. Keep him off your tail and you avoid this entire class of weaponry. Of course, doing that requires dogfighting skills. DOGFIGHTING : -------------------------------------------------------------- The essential rule in dogfighting is to get on the enemy's tail. On all figh ter aircraft,guns and missile guidance systems only face forward. If you're on the enemy's tail,you can shoot and he can`t. If you can't get on his tail at least try to place his aircraft ahead of you as much as possible, so you have the maximum number of firing opportunities. Maintaining higher speed or altitude is valuable in a dogfight. A plane slower and lower can only dodge attacks.A plane faster or higher can attack or retreat as desired. Having a higher speed or altitude is termed the "energy advantage". If the enemy is behind you, there are various classic escape maneuvers : Turning Inside, the Scissors, the Immelmann,the Split-S,and the Yo-Yo. Not only should you learn them, but also learn to recognize these maneuvers so you can apply the appro priate counter-maneuver. TURNING INSIDE : The simplest solution to an enemy plane coming up behind you is -turn toward him (i.e.,turn in the direction of the enemy aircraft). If you're turning faster than he, you'll gradually circle around + get onto his tail.This kind of a "turn match" is frequently seen when greenhorns dog fight.Of course,if the enemy is turning faster than you, he will eventually come around behind you. If this happens try something else immediately. The longer you wait the worse it gets, until he lines up a shot and toasts you. SCISSORS : A more complex way to out-turn an enemy aircraft is the scissors maneuver.Begin a turn toward him, but once he begins to turn with you,quick- ly roll over to turn in the other direction. This opens the scissors. As the enemy realizes you've turned away + turns toward you again, you reverse the procedure and roll back toward him again. If your turns were quicker + tigh- ter than his,and/or you're a slower plane, he will eventually pass in front of you. This allows you to get onto his tail. Novice pilots trying to turn with you can be lured into a scissors with ease. Even if their planes turn better, their slow reactions to each scissor opening and closing`ll quickly give you the edge. More experienced enemies may avoid this tactic by antici- pating your next turn and blasting you (if they're less maneuverable),or by pulling up and over in a yo-yo (if they're faster). IMMELMANN TURN : This maneuver is an excellent way to reverse direction qu- ickly.First you perform a halfloop to reverse direction, then a half roll to right your aircraft. If an enemy aircraft is behind you, an Immelmann can bring you nose-to-nose with him. The original Immelmann,a German WWI fighter pilot,reputedly rolled while vertical, allowing him to finish the loop in wh atever direction he desired. He still finished the half-loop inverted - it's aerodynamically more efficient that way. Note that an Immelmann gives you an altitude gain but costs speed, since a half-loop upward slows you down sig- nificantly. SPLIT-S TURN : This maneuver complements the Immelmann. Begin by rolling in- verted,then pull the stick back to half-loop downward. Many pilots begin the loop before the roll is completed,rolling the plane while looping. The split S causes you to lose considerable altitude, so it's often wise to reduce thr ottle and/or use speed brakes to minimize altitude loss. The Split-S comple- ments the Immelmann because you gain speed and lose altitude. Unwary fighter pilots have sometimes tried to Split-S into or away from the enemy without remembering their altitude. Result can be a Split-S right into the ground! YO-YO TURN : This maneuver is used mainly by higher speed jets against slo- wer opponents.Therefore the relatively slow F-19 has little occasion to use it dogfighting. However, you may see enemy MiGs attempting it against you ! This turn also requires excellent cockpitvisibility, something that both the F-19 and early MiGs lack.In a Yo-Yo turn you climb and roll toward the ene- my -until he's visible out the top of your canopy. Then pull over into dive while still turning. During the dive you roll the plane to help line up your shot.Very often you will take that shot while inverted. Don't let it bother you.Because a YoYo requires good spacial perception, first practice it using the Slot View (if alone) or Tacti View (if you've got a target). In combat conditions switching to a wide angle view is extremely helpful in pulling the HUD around onto the enemy after you come over the top. Then you can swi- tch back to normal view again. In effect a Yo-Yo plane makes a very big turn in three dimensions. Most of the turn radius is "consumed" with the climbing and diving,allowing a faster plane to travel further and turn wider,yet st- ill come out on the tail of the more maneuverable plane. American F4 Phantom pilots used the maneuver with great success against slower but more maneu- verable MiG21s over North Vietnam during the Vietnam war. Note that the best defense against a Yo-Yo is to reverse your turn, or to use the third dimen- sion yourself,usually by going into a Split-S). ENEMY GUNS : --------------------------------------------------------------- The enemy has cannons equivalent to yours in range and power. However,the en emy still uses old predicting gunsights. This means they are virtually requi red to get behind you before they can make a good shot. In addition,all but the most elite pilots will be slow to fire, since they must place the gunsi- ght on the target and keep it there to score a hit. If you sense the enemy`s behind you and ready to fire cannons,"jinking" (small violent moves in ran- dom directions) can throw off his aim. Finally, Russian-built aircraft with the older GSh-23 cannon may not always hit, since the lower volume of fire- power increases the chances of you "flying between the shells" and escaping serious injury. Don't rely on this! Not every 23mm shell is an unlucky one! PART 4 MISSION BRIEFINGS : ------------------------------------------------ RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : ------------------------------------------------------ Rules of Engagement(ROE) outline what targets a pilot can and cannot attack. In an age of nuclear weapons unrestricted warfare would destroy the planet within 24 hours.Therefore,all wars are limited to some degree. If warfare is limited to just a local area with specific goals,ROEs are much more restric- tive.If an official state of war does not exist then the rules will be extr- emely restrictive.In stealth missions,ROEs also determine what "exposure" of your aircraft is allowed. In cold and limited war situations it is important that the enemy not know exactly who or what performed the attack.This allows the politicians to say whatever they want. COLD WAR SITUATIONS : ------------------------------------------------------ ROE : You may attack and destroy a target only if it`s specifically required by your mission orders.You may engage other targets only if they fire first, or if they have spotted your plane.The mission is completely clandestine.You must avoid detection,especially visual detection by enemy aircraft.Enemy air or ground forces that do detect you should be destroyed,to prevent embarass- ing disclosures.Neutrals and civilians must be considered friendlies,and ab- ove all you should avoid detection by neutral aircraft and radars.Background Notes: In cold war situations the State Department must have deniability for every mission. If the mission is successful and the political climate seems good,the USA may claim credit for the deed. In other cases, however, America may not wish to attach its name to the action.You are warned when enemy rad- ar returns are good enough to spot your craft, or when enemy aircraft come close enough to visually identify you. These enemies should be destroyed,al- though the effort can be counterproductive if the attack generates lots of additional sightings! Gratuitous or wanton destruction of all other targets is very bad in cold war.Hitting targets of value to the civilian sector,such as bridges,oil wells and tanks,refineries,etc.,is especially bad.Your record will rapidly accumulate black marks if you act like "Rambo" during the Cold War.After all,Rambo is fiction,this is reality! LIMITED WAR SITUATIONS : --------------------------------------------------- ROE : You will engage, attack, and destroy all targets specifically required by your orders.In addition,all other targets with active weaponry(i.e.,which could fire on your craft) may be attacked.You may engage these military tar- gets even if they haven't seen you yet.You may never attack non-military tar gets unless so required by orders. Neutrals must be considered friendlies at all times,and in addition you should avoid detection by neutral aircraft and radars at all costs.Background Notes:In limited war the State Department may require deniability,since American aid to the contestants may need to be sec ret.However,since there is a war, and military targets get destroyed in war, you can attack military targets of opportunity and be rewarded (rather than penalized) for your efforts.However,hitting noncombatant targets of value to the civilian sector (unless ordered to) is forbidden. CONVENTIONAL WAR SITUATIONS : ---------------------------------------------- ROE : You`ll engage, attack,and destroy all targets specifically required by your orders. In addition,any and all other targets in enemy territory may be attacked,including civilian targets.If able to select additional targets,se- lect those with immediate military capability first.Neutrals must be consid- ered friendlies at all times, and in addition you should avoid detection by neutral aircraft and radars at all costs.Background Notes: In a conventional war you are allowed unrestricted conventional attacks on enemy territory.Th- is includes civilian targets formerly forbidden.However,targets with immedi- ate military capability are more important.Therefore,destroying enemy aircr- aft,airbases,SAMs,radars,depots,headquarters,etc.,gives more reward than br- idges,oil refineries,oil wells and platforms,etc., whose importance is long- term.This is because even conventional wars are fought for short-term goals (such as the Grenada invasion in 1983,or the Falkland Islands campaign of 19 84).However,from a pilot's point of view,conventional war is "fun" because anything in enemy territory is fair game.Of course, the disadvantage is that the enemy are prepared and alert for intruders. ONC MAP COORDINATES : ------------------------------------------------------ ONC maps use the standard USArmy military grid system for locating positions anywhere on the globe.The maps are divided into large squares.Each square is identified by a two-letter code,such as WX,JC,etc.Within each square are sm- aller rows and columns,ruled into smaller squares. These smaller squares are identified by a column and row number from 0 to 9. Following the "read right and up" rule,the column number appears first,then the row number.This is the same as basic algebra,where the "x" horizontal value is given first,then the "y" vertical value.For example,coordinate JC79 means large map square JC,co- lumn 7,row 9. MISSIONS : ----------------------------------------------------------------- AIR-AIR MISSIONS : --------------------------------------------------------- SELECTING ARMAMENTS : In limited or conventional war situations the AIM-120A AMRAAM is the missile of choice. You can lob these at enemies from a full 30 km range.If you're firing at a plane with close escorts,space the shots 5 to 10 seconds apart (the higher their altitude,the longer the spacing). This is because a burning,exploding plane is a prominent target to the missile's se- eker.If your missiles arrive right behind one another,those following may ho me on the plane hit by the first. Worse,the terminal homing of the AMRAAM is somewhat questionable-it tends to take the closest target at the time,rather than the target you originally designated ! Therefore, when shooting into a group you can't count on which plane will be hit.Finally,if the enemy is ve- teran or elite,don't be surprised if the enemy manages to outmaneuver your missile by turning inside it.In cold war,guns are the weapons of choice.With these you can insure the proper target`s hit,and no others.Unfortunately,get ting close enough for a shot may reveal your presence. A good compromise is the AIM-9M Sidewinder,a fast-turning close-in dogfighting missile.It's usua- lly easy to line up a 5 to 8 km shot,where the Sidewinder has a clear run at the target and nobody else is likely to get in the way. AMBUSHING A LEADER : Here an important personage is travelling by plane;your job is to make sure he doesn't arrive!The plane takes off about the same ti- me as your own.Remember that his plane is NOT the flashing dot on the satel- lite/radar map (on your left-side cockpit CRT).That is his destination.Alth- ough it's possible to just fly to his destination and wait, roving fighter patrols or local air defenses eventually will spot you. In general,the wiser approach is to find the best way to "sneak through" enemy patrols + SAM rad- ars to intercept him en route. In limited/conventional war you can take down his plane and escort with AMRAAMs.In a cold war situation you'll need to cl- ose for a clean Sidewinder or gun shot.Remember, though, that if the fighter escorts get a visual ID on your plane you must zap them too. If your attack location is well away from any ground radars or MainstayAEW&C planes,you can attack from above, hit your man, drop a decoy to confuse them, and zoom away with maximum speed at low altitude. INTERCEPTING TERRORISTS OR COMMANDOS : In this mission you know a transport plane,accompanied by fighters,`ll head for friendly territory.Your objective is to eliminate them before they arrive.The problem is, you don't know their destination.As you take off,watch the enemy aircraft carefully.Circle around a bit,observing their course until you can guess their objective.Once you kn ow their goal, it's easy to pick a nice quiet spot to ambush them. Often you can stay in friendly territory all the way!Properly executed,this mission is a nice,easy milk run. ELIMINATING A FIGHTER PATROL : Enemy fighter patrols have a nasty habit of lurking near their own air defense systems,and/or being supported by Mainst- ay AEW&C planes.Going in after them can cause quite a battle.One trick to a- void the mess is to publicize your presence in a nearby area.You should pick an area with little / no SAM coverage,and with no nearby airbases.If you can lure the fighterpatrol to you,at this spot,the battle may be much easier.The typical way to accomplish the lure is to raise your EMV (by flying high,tur- ning on the ECM,and opening the bay doors). If that doesn't work, clobbering a thing or two on the ground may catch their interest. Once you've "dangled the lure",it's wise to take a low profile again, so you can ambush the enemy fighters as they arrive. As in many other aspects of modern warfare, getting the first shot is a big advantage. DESTROYING A RECON BOMBER : In most cases you must chase an enemy plane on its way home.Catch + attack him as quickly as possible.The longer you delay, the closer he gets to SAM cover and fighter aid. This is one mission where climbing to a higher altitude can be rewarding-you travel faster, farther at high altitude than low.Of course,don't go so high that you wake up the enemy and attract lots of fighters and missiles. ATTACKING A CRUISE MISSILE : These aircraft are most unobliging targets.They cruise around deep behind their own lines,guarded by SAMs and closely escor- ted by fighters. Given the defenses,attacking these planes is like hitting a ground target.You need to sneak or punch your way through defenses,elude co- unterattacks,and blast the primary,just like a strike mission. TAKING DOWN THE MAINSTAY : The Il-76 "Mainstay" AEW&C plane is the most dif- ficult aircraft target.Sooner or later its radar will see you,forcing you to fight through fighters + SAMs to reach it. Make your approach as stealthy as possible: it postpones this hour of reckoning. Destroying one or two crucial SAM radar sites on your way in can be useful -it opens a radar-free corridor to the target, and at the same time may draw off enemy interceptors, perhaps even some of the Mainstay's fighter escort. STRIKE MISSIONS : ---------------------------------------------------------- CHOOSING YOUR WEAPONS : Selecting armaments for ground attacks is always di- fficult.The favorite weapon is the AGM-65D Maverick missile. It's your long- est-ranged ground attack weapon (30 km;the Harpoon fires farther but is only good against warships).The Maverick's also an accurate "fire and forget" wea pon.Its weakness is that one missile can't always do the job.Fortunately,Ma- vericks are just fine against radar installations. Most pilots carry as many as they can afford, and fear the day when the crew chief tells them no more are available.Choosing between laserguided bombs,retarded bombs,and freefall bombs is often a matter of personal preference.Many times more than one wea- pon will do the job,so you can pick a type whose attack run suits your style Other times you may be forced to use a certain weapon because nothing else does the job right.When choosing weapons,don't expect much from a weapon ra- ted C or D against a target.Scoring a hit with such always requires a lot of luck.Certainly don't rely on such to take out your primary target.Weapons ra ted A or B can be relied upon,provided you deliver them accurately. SECRET AIRSTRIPS : Dropping off or picking up items deep behind enemy terri- tory seems rather straightforward. After all, you don't have to fly into SAM batteries or go head-to-head with fighter patrols.Instead, a secret airstrip challenges your flying skill.You must manage a landing without an ILS to gu- ide you.Worse,the strip is only half the length of a normal runway. You must land gently,at low speed (under 160 kts, preferably), and touchdown near the start.Otherwise you'll roll off the other end + crash!To make matters worse, the strip's lights are only on for limited time. Make a note of the time the lights go off,then periodically check the Waypoints screen on the right-side CRT see how much time you've got.Once the lights are out landing`s virtually impossible.If your opponents are skillful,their intelligence may have dange- rous information about this mission.You could find enemy fighter patrols un- comfortably close to your objective,or bouncing you just as you're trying to land! AIRDROPS: These missions are usually milk runs. Your job is to avoid action and just fly over a radiobeacon that's quite clear on your HUD.The only real worry is reaching the beacon before it is turned off.Make a note of the turn off time and periodically check the Waypoints screen on the right-side CRT. Once the beacon is off there's no way to find the drop site. Be warned that skillful opponents may have intelligence about this mission from their spies You could find enemy fighter patrols lurking around the objective.If so, you could attempt to lure them away,or blow them away,depending on your ROE. PHOTO RECON RUNS : There are two hard things about photographic missions: u- sing the camera,and keeping a low profile while you're doing it! Because the 135mm/IR camera is on a fixed mounting, you must steer the plane to aim the camera.This is more difficult than it seems, since the target swims into and out of view all too fast.Experienced pilots advise you to line up on the ta- rget 8 to 10 km away. Set up a perfectly straight course and keep to it.At 2 km to 4 km hit the bay doors and brakes,then pull the nose gradually up,bri- nging the cameras aim onto the target.Keep in this regime,using subtle pitch changes to keep the target in the camera,while snapping pictures. You've got plenty of film: don't be afraid to take plenty of extras! Success is announ- ced right on the CRT.As soon as you have it,close the doors and brakes, then dive low for escape.Don't be surprised if the enemy spots you during the ph- oto run.Photo runs over enemy troop concentrations and/or near SAMs are esp- ecially nervewracking.You may need to take out a SAM radar before making the run.If shoulder-fired SAMs infest the area,your only hope is to dump a decoy before you start, run your IR jammer as long as you can, and/or periodically dump flares. FLYING AGAINST SAMS : Destroying a SAM battery requires that you "sneak up" on them as best you can, then nail his radar first with a Maverick or HARM. With the radar out of action,the missiles are helpless.Unless there are oth- er SAMs nearby you can have a strafing "picnic" with the missile launchers until a fighter patrol shows up. Remember that the safest place around a SAM battery is directly above it.Radar cannot look straight up,and the longer-ra nged missies (such as the SA-2,-5,-10 and -12) have minimum range of 4 to 5 km.Of course, getting to this point can be rather tricky. It doesn't hurt to run over the litany of defense techniques before going after a SAM: disappe- aring,decoys,ECM,chaff and manuevering. HITTING THE SUB PENS : The Severomorsk submarine pens in the North Cape are a unique and special target. These must be attacked by toss bombing from the north:you must place an FAE through the sea doors.This means flying straight at the mountain,pulling up at the last minute. You may wish to make your run at 500' to 1,000',instead of 200'.This lets you begin the toss sooner (about 3 to 4 km away),giving you more leeway to clear the mountainside. Beware the Krivak-class frigates that patrol seaward of this submarine base. Their rad- ars and SAMs cannot be ignored! You'll want to bring along a couple of Peng- uin-3 ASMs to eliminate these fellows.Even in Cold War,chances are good a Kr ivak will get a radar "make" on you,forcing you to hit him. SINKING SHIPS : The ideal ship-killer is the AGM-84A Harpoon. This heavy mi- ssile is your longestranged weapon.It has a superb targetingsystem that hits the ship you target,even a carrier with a ring of escorts.However,don't und- erestimate enemy warships,especially those of the Russian Northern Fleet.The larger ships have exceptionally good radars and very powerful SAMs.Patrol sh ips can be knocked out with a single missile,but a task force has so many sh ips that any close approach means you'll be dodging missiles left and right. Most enemy ships stay close to friendly shorelines,with fighter cover nearby (if not overhead already).Don't forget that enemy aircraft carriers have th- eir own fighters: you can count on a few flying CAP (combat air patrol).When fighting a conventional war with Libya,or in the Persian Gulf,be careful ab- out attacking merchant ships. Avoid those on the high seas or near friendly coastlines ; only attack ships close to enemy ports or shore. Otherwise, you could end up hitting a neutral ship by accident. BOMBING RUNS : When attacking with laser or free-fall bombs, you'll have to rise above minimum altitude during the attack run.This,combined with the op- en bay doors, raises your EMV considerably. Try to minimize this exposure as much as possible.Remember,the higher your EMV, the better target you are for enemy missiles.The longer you're a big target,the more chances the enemy has to launch + hit you. The most frightening prospect is a bombing run directly over enemy troop concentrations. There's nothing worse than a host of shoul- der-fired SAMs rising up at you. These are on the one missile site you can't knock out.Fortunately, they have a very short range. Still, flying through a barrage of SA-14s,dumping a flare every two seconds, while trying to line up a bomb,will turn your hair prematurely white. LIBYA : -------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION/POLITICS : Libya is ruled by Col.Mu'ammar al-Qadhaffi,leader of the secret army organization that deposed the former king in `69.The capital city is Tripoli and the nation's chief source of wealth is oil sold to west- ern nations. MILITARY FORCES: Rich by third world standards,Libya buys most of its armam- ents from the Soviet Union.Personnel are trained by Soviet military advisors but national pride has prohibited (so far) any significant Soviet presence. Soviet advisors are not invited on combat operations.The Libyan Army has ap- proximately 60,000 men, Navy has 53 ships and 6,500 men, while the Air Force has about 530 planes,30 combat helicopters,and 8,500 men.A paramilitary "Pan African Legion" of about 10,000 also exists.In addition, Libya has built and supported a variety of training camps for terrorist groups. GEOGRAPHY : Libya`s a desert nation.Along the coast it has only one mountain region that is visually distinctive: the Jabal al Akbar to the east of Beng- hazi. These mountains greatly restrict the capabilities of Benghazi + Benina radars.Deep in the desert, east of Sabha, are the more desolate and isolated mountains of the Al Haruj al Aswad,while to the west are the great sandseas. LEVEL OF CONFLICT : -------------------------------------------------------- COLD WAR : At times Libya has been enthusiastic backer of international ter- rorist organizations.It provides funds,arms,military training, and base camp sites for a variety of Arab and other terrorist groups. America has already attacked tactical military targets in retaliation for Libya's role in numer- ous incidents of international terrorism in Europe and the Mediterranean. LIMITED WAR : The Libyan army has fought minor border clashes against Egypt to the east.Egypt is an American ally,and so far has proved considerably su- perior,militarily,to Libya.The Libyan army has also attempted an invasion of Chad to the south.After a protracted campaign against Chad and her ally Fra- nce, Libyan supply lines through the Sahara desert were cut,forcing a Libyan retreat.Future limited wars between Libya and any of her neighbours are pos- sible. CONVENTIONAL WAR : In the even of NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict in the Mediterr- anean and/or Europe, Libya is expected to provide bases for Soviet aircraft and warships operating in the Mediterranean.These bases could become the wes ternmost outposts of Russian forces contesting the Mediterranean. FRIENDLY BASES : ----------------------------------------------------------- SIGONELLA ON SICILY (UD15): The USA maintains a military base at Trapani, on western Sicily,and the Sigonella military field in south-eastern Sicily.Sig- onella runway is the main staging point for air attacks against the North African coast,especially Libya.Unfortunately, the flight distances are quite long.Using this base virtually requires that your F-19 carry extra fuel. CV AMERICA AT SEA (UD70): This 60,000-ton "Kitty Hawk" class conventional aircraft carrier, designated CV66, often serves with the US 6th fleet in the Mediterranean.It participated in the 1986 raids against Tripoli + Benghazi. The carrier is ideally positioned for launching and recovering strikes agai- nst Benghazi, the Gulf of Sirte, or targets deep in the Libyan desert. Here it cruises on a southerly course with its traditional ring of close escorts. The carrier remains well north of the Gulf of Sirte to avoid SSM attacks fr- om enemy ships and aircraft.It is surrounded by escorts and regularly reple- nishes the CAP (combat air patrol) with F-18 launches. NEUTRAL BASES : ------------------------------------------------------------ These airbases are in neutral territory.You shouldn`t use these bases unless specifically so ordered,or if you must make an emergency landing. SUDA BAY ON CRETE (VD41): This airfield,near the city of Khania,isn`t an Am- erican base,although in years past it was a major NATO air and naval base.It has the advantage of being both closer and less public than equivalent airf- ields in Greece or Egypt. HALFAR ON MALTA (UD13): This airfield is on the island of Malta.Once a crit- ical strength position for the British Commonwealth in the Mediterranean,it is now a neutral port and sometime tourist haven. SEEING THE SIGHTS IN LIBYA : ----------------------------------------------- Flying over Libya is a unique experience.It is a truly desert nation, a land of red and brown hardscrabble with patches of tan sand and gray boulder fie- lds.Water is all underground,seeping to the surface in occasional patches of green oasis or mountain valley.Mountain ranges are low,undulating areas full of small hillocks and short peaks. From the air it's often hard to tell the difference between again roadways and the dark wadis(gullies) in the desert. But some works of man stand out, particularly the rust red of oil wells and pipelines,or the distinctive star-pattern of SAM batteries. LIBYA : -------------------------------------------------------------------- TRIPOLI (TC87): The capital city of Libya has a large military-civilian air- base at Idris,and is well protected by SAM batteries.Until recently these we re long-range SA-5 Gammons, but there are indications that Russian military advisors may replace these with the formidable SA-12 Gladiator.Tripoli`s al- so the site of a major army headquarters,various military depots,oil storage areas, and sometimes terrorist training camps.Missile boats often cruise off the coast. SABHA (UB17): This southern town`s the main military base supporting Libya's southerly border expansion.It was the major depot for the Chad war,and still extremely important to Libyan trans-Saharan ambitions.The most important mi- litary installations here are the large airbase and the SAM battery protect- ing it. MISRATAH (UC26) & SIRT (UC43): These two coastal towns are much smaller are- as,with lower level military headquarters.The ports include oilstorage tanks for refueling ships.Sirt is a secondary naval base, supporting missile boats that cruise the western side of the "Line of Death". RAS LANUF (UC82) & PORT BREGA (UC92): Ras Lanuf is Libya's largest + newest oil facility. The majority of all oil for export is stored here, and a large number of oil tankers are usually coming and going at all times.There`s also a refinery,vast "farms" of oil tanks,and a major military headquarters. Port Brega is an older oil facility, still in operation despite the completion of Ras Lanuf.SAM batteries are sited in this strategically vital area. In addi- tion the Port Brega airfield,west of the town,serves both ports. BENGHAZI (VC16): This city is the site of Libya's second-largest military ba se, including the Benina airfield and powerful protective SAM batteries. The city itself is large, with a military headquarters + a few small oil storage facilites to serve the ancient port.Terrorist training camps aren`t uncommon in the hills to the west. AL BADYA (VC37): This sleepy coastal town in the mountainous Jabal al Akbar has major military significance. It overlooks the narrow Ionian sea between Libya and Greece, making it an ideal site for anti-ship missiles. There is a small airstrip and SAM site as well. OIL FIELDS : The great oilfields of Libya are in the southeast,where litera- lly thousands of wells pump crude from the ground,which is piped to RasLanuf and Port Brega. The great producing fields can be found near Raguba (UC90), Waha (VB18),Amal (VC30),Jalo Oasis (VC40),and Gialo (VB49).Most of the great fields have a few storage tanks on site, to hold crude temporarily until it can be piped to the port. However, the majority of storage tanks are at the ports,not here on the fields. SECRET BASES : Western intelligence operatives in Libya are preparing two secret,hardpack surfaces suitable for aircraft landings.One is at AlMukhayli (ONC VC43),the other is on the edge of the great ergs, at Yafran (ONC TC93). AIR DEFENSES : Libyan air defenses use Russian-built equipment. Russian adv- isors train native Libyan crews, who then operate the equipment. SA-2 Guide- line and SA-5 Gammon SAMs have been the backbone of Libyan air defenses, but there are rumors of upgrades to the new SA-10 Grumble + SA-12 Gladiator sys- tems.Local military forces make use of the SA-7 and SA-14 shoulder-fired mis siles.These are also popular terrorist weapons, and can be expected in the vicinity of terrorist camps,Libyan army units use various medium-range SAMs, including the SA-8,-9,-11,and -13. However, these are not always in the best state of repair. AIR FORCE : ---------------------------------------------------------------- FIGHTERS : The Libyan Air Force is primarily composed of MiG-23MF "Flogger" fighters,with over 140 craft.It also has a smaller number of MiG-25"Foxbats" for reconnaissance and long-range interception, as well as some antiquated MiG-21s. The Air Force also has various Mirage 5D fighter-bombers for ground attack missions.Intelligence expects that MiG-23s and 25s will be your prim- ary air-to-air opponents,although in Conventional War, or against higher qu- ality pilots,you may encounter the new MiG-29 "Fulcrum" flown by Soviet per- sonnel. RECONNAISSANCE BOMBERS: Although Libya does not possess any Tu-95 "Bear" re- connaissance bombers, Russian planes of this type frequently operate from Libyan bases. AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING & CONTROL: Libya has no AEW&C craft. No Russian Il-76 "Mainstays" are expected to use Libyan bases,since they are too precious. In wartime Libya is a distant outpost in the middle of NATO's great strength in the Western Mediterranean.Aircraft losses would be high - too high to permit risking the rare and costly AEW&C craft. AIR TRANSPORTS: It is suspected that Libya's antiquated fleet of C-130H and C-47 air transports (built in America) will be replaced with russian-built equipment,perhaps including the new An-72 "Coaler" jet transport. NAVY : --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Libyan Navy is primarily composed of Missile Corvettes + Missile Patrol Boats. The largest of these are the 770-ton Russian-built Nanuchka II class armed with Styx surface-to-surface missiles, SA-N-4 surface-to-air missiles, and a twin 57mm gun turret.The other boats include the Russian Osa-class,It- alian-built Wadi M'ragh class and the French-built La Combattante II types; these have poorer missiles and SA-N-5 SAMs, or no SAMs at all. The Nanuchkas are the best boats in the Libyan Navy. They perform the most aggressive pat- rols,making them the primary threat. Patrols occur frequently in the Gulf of Sirte,south of the "Line of Death".Sometimes the Libyan air force flies fig- hter missions in support of the patrols. THE PERSIAN GULF : --------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION/POLITICS : Iran has been ruled by Shi'ite (a Moslem sect) radi- cals since their overthrow of the pro-American Shah in 1979.In September1980 Iraq attacked Iran, beginning a long, costly war between those nations. Both contestants are viewed with distrust by the Arab states along the south of the Persin Gulf. Iran's use of international terrorism as a tool of foreign policy has not improved the nation's image.Iran also calls for a Shi'ite re- ligious revolution throughout the Islamic world. This naturally bothers the leadership of the Arab states,since their governments are Sunni (another Mo- slem sect).However,Iran is populated by Persians,not Arabs.So far this cult- ural and linguistic barrier has hindered the spread of Iranian Shi'ite radi- calism across the Persian Gulf to the Arab states. MILITARY FORCES : Under the Shah, Iran's oil-rich finances permitted massive investment in military forces, mostly from the USA.Since the revolution many complex weapons have failed for lack of spare parts and maintenance,while mo st of the rest were damaged or destroyed in the war with Iraq. Iran has some sophisticated aircraft and missiles remaining,but these are deployed to pro- tect key cities in the interior,rather than as a border defense. GEOGRAPHY : Iran is a large nation with varied geography.The Elbruz and Zag- ros mountain ranges run from the northwest corner (where Iran touches Turkey and the Soviet trans-Caucasus) diagonally southeast,along the border with I- raq,and then parallel to the Persian Gulf.South of these mountains,at the he ad of the Gulf,are Iran's oilfields.North of the mountains the nation is di- vided into two regions.The western part,near Iraq, Turkey,and trans-Caucasus Russia,is fertile,heavily populated, + includes most of the major cities and industrial plants. The eastern part, bordering Pakistan,Afghanistan, and So- viet Central Asia,is mostly barren deserts and mountains with a small,impov- erished,undereducated population. LEVEL OF CONFLICT : -------------------------------------------------------- COLD WAR : Iran's use of terrorism has been very effective to data.America's confused policy respons, culminating in the Iran-Contra scandal,is one exam- ple.However,eventually the continue violence may provoke a military response from the Western nations. LIMITED WAR : Iran and Iraq have been fighting a limited war since 1980. The cities of Abadan and Basra,on the national border where the Tigris-Euphrates rivers empty into the Gulf,are largely ruined by the fighting.Running north- ward are two opposing lines of trenches and bunkers with a "no-man's land" between. Each side attempted to discourage Persian Gulf shipping from aiding the opposition, resulting in missile + rocket attacks on many freighters and tankers. In 1987 and 1988 American fleet units escorting oil tankers became involved in surface battles with Iranian ships and boats,as well as an unfo- rtunate civilian airliner that flew through a battle area and was shot down by the somewhat inept crew of the missile cruiser USS Vincennes. CONVENTIONAL WAR : Russia could invade Iran as part of a wider NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict,or as a counter to the Shi'ite radicals,who would like to spr- ead their revolution to the USSR's Moslem population.America may be drawn in to invading Iran by its confused foreign policy. The vast and often hostile geography,not to mention a large and hostile population,argue against tradi- tional military invasions.Instead,a gradual escalation from limited war,inc- luding bigger and deeper air attacks,is more probable. FRIENDLY BASES : ----------------------------------------------------------- America's strongest allies in the Persian Gulf are Saudi Arabia and the tiny island kingdom of Bahrain. CV NIMITZ AT SEA (KY83) : This huge 80,000-ton nuclear carrier is the class ship of the latest and most powerful program of aircraft carriers. Normally assigned to the Pacific Fleet,it`s prepared to visit the Indian Ocean at any time.Here it sails with a close escort of destroyes,and has its F-18s on re- gular rotation in CAP (combat air patrol). American aircraft carriers do not sail into the restricted waters of the Persian Gulf,where they would be sit- ting ducks for land-based air and missile attacks.Carrier task forces remain in the Indian Ocean, although the Nimitz and her ring of close escorts have sailed deep into the Gulf of Oman, to provide a base as close as possible to Persian Gulf targets.If threatened the ship can always sail to the southeast and escape into the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean. RAS AS SAFFANIYAH (JY19) : This is Saudi Arabia's northenmost oil terminal + port along the Gulf. Its airfield is in a useful strategic location. Basing privileges for a secret "stealth" mission can be arranged with the pro-Amer- ican Saudi monarchy. DHAHRAM (JY54) & AL HUFUF (JY44): Dhahram is Saudi Arabias largest port city on the Persian Gulf, making its airfield and unwise choice for stealth air- craft operations. However,the Al Hufuf airfield slightly inland is a strate- gically useful and less public position for basing missions and raids.Either can be used for stealth missions,but Al Hufuf is preferable. AS SALAMIYAH (JY00) : This small airbase outside of the capital Riyadh is a nice, quite location where clandestine missions can be organized easily. Un- fortunately,the gulf coast is far away. BAHRAIN (JY65) : This small island nation is strongly pro-American,providing large naval and air base facilities for American military forces.It`s fairly easy to operate stealth missions from here. NEUTRAL BASES : ------------------------------------------------------------ Kuwait is a friendly neutral nation,Oman is neutral but pro-Western, and the UAE are studiously neutral.(At the time of writing/typing this,Iraq has just invaded Kuwait,but America is being amazingly limp-wristed about it,and have not offered military assistance, though Kuwait has requested it.USS Indepen- dence is steaming towards the Gulf,but is unlikely to actually do anything!) KUWAIT CITY IN KUWAIT (JZ12) : Originally neutral, Iranian threats + attacks caused Kuwait to seek US military aid and support. The Kuwait airport can be used to occasionally stage missions that demonstrate America's support to Ku wait,or for emergency landings. However, Kuwait is fearful of provoking more Iranian hostility,and therefore will not grant America basing rights.Kuwaits great oil fields are south of the city,in ONC JZ20 and JZ30. QATAR (JY75) : This small independent nation works hard at the appearance of neutrality,probably because it has strong pro-American + strong pro-Iranian factions.Although missions can`t be staged regularly from here,it`s possible to use the pro-American groups to aid in specific clandestine missions or em ergency landing situations. RUWEISS (KY01) & TARIF (KY11) : These small oil ports of the United Arab Em- irates are not especially friendly to the American cause. Because the UAE is a decentralized government,pressure and money in the right places could per- mit a clandestine mission or emergency landing.Some of the largest oilfields of the UAE are in this area (ONC KY22-23). ABU DHABI (KY31) : Abu Dhabi is the major city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE),where the appearance of neutrality is most important. Staging missions or emergency landings from this base is very difficult,but not impossible if Iranian diplomacy succeeds in making yet more enemies. AL KHAFI AT DUBAI (KY65) : This large airfield, outside the city of Dubai,is the most strategically useful of all UAE airfields.It is the base closest to south-central Iran,and as such an important launching or retrieval point for deep missions. However, as at Abu Dhabi, political problems make the use of this base difficult to impossible. MUSCAT IN OMAN (KY90) : Oman is careful to remain neutral in all affairs,but is strongly pro-Western. For example,much of its army is trained + officered by "retired" British military personnel. The military portion of the Muscat airfield is available for missions and emergency landings,provided everythi- ng remains secret and politically "deniable". THE SIGHTS IN THE PERSIAN GULF : ------------------------------------------- The Persian Gulf is a desert region, not unlike Libya, except for the large, high spine of mountains that runs diagonally through Iran from the northwest to the southeast. However,water is more plentiful,especially in Iran,result- ing in increased agriculture and a large number of local irrigation works to control the seasonal run-off from the mountain highlands. The Gulf has many interesting + exceptional areas, such as the Tigris-Euphrates watershed that reaches the head of the gulf around Abadan. Once a great seaport and teaming metropolis,the destruction of the Iran-Iraq war has reduced the area to a ru in of small towns and villages.Kharg Island,despite wartime attacks, remains one of the great wonders of the world.Surrounded by oil platforms and super- tankers,guarded by missile boats and fighter patrols, it remains the site of numerous refineries + oil storage tanks.There are also great oilfields south of Kuwait City,north of Bushehr in the Bandar-e-Rig,on Bahrain and Qatar,and along the UAE coastline near Ruweiss + Tarif, as well as assorted individual platforms along the Arabian Gulf coast.Another interesting region of Iran is the great valley of Bandar-e-Lengeh and Bandar 'Abbas. Seasonal rivers, flo- wing from the mountains,have formed a fertile valley floor that empties into the Straits of Hormuz, the strategic doorway to the Persian Gulf. On the op- posite side of the straits,the mountainous peninsula of Musandam knifes into the straits,creating a narrow choke-point of naval traffic. IRAN : --------------------------------------------------------------------- UPPER KHUZESTAN TRIANGLE - DEZFUL (JZ38),MASJED SOLEYMAN (JZ47),AHVAZ (JZ37) These cities are the main "rear areas" behind the Iraq-Iran battlefront.They have a variety of SAMs. Although all originally had airbase facilities,it is believed that only Masjed Soleyman's is still intact. ABADAN (JZ24) : This city is located at the final junction of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, just before they empty into the Persian Gulf.Numerous bat- tles in and around this area have destroyed a large part of the city.The su- rrounding countryside, once contained with dikes and irrigation projects, is now reverting to a poisonous marshland in the aftermath of heavy fighting, which included the use of poison gas. BANDAR KHOMENYI (JZ44) : This is the main Iranian military base behind the southern part of the Iran-Iraq front, and a major staging base for military supplies + munitions of all sorts.It has a large airbase,powerful SAM batte- ries,and a major military headquarters. BANDAR-E-RIG OIL FIELDS : These oil fields,clustered along the coast and in- land hills (JZ61 and JZ71) are a key source of Iran's oil wealth. KHARG ISLAND (JZ60) : This island is covered with refineries,oil storage ta- nks, and port facilities for oil tankers. Until the Iran-Iraq war it was the greatest oil terminal in the world. Repeated attacks have ruined many of the facilities,but never all of them.Now protected by SAM batteries, and missile boat patrols, it is still Iran's main port for oil export.Much of Iran's oil wealth is slightly offshore. One of the heaviest concentrations of oil plat- forms exists in the vicinity of Kharg Island. Beware that some platforms are now used by Iranian Shi'ite "Guards" as military bases. BUSHEHR (JZ80) : This important coastal city was once a major oil port, but is now completely overshadowed by neighboring Kharg Island.The military for- ces on its airbase + the SAM batteries aren`t always first rate.However,it`s home port for many Iranian frigates and missile boats that patrol the gulf. SHIRAZ (KZ03) : This inland city, sited on a highland plateau, is one of the largest Iranian cities.It is also the nerve center and main headquarters for Iran's southern military command - the forces responsible for the Persian Gulf.There is an exceptionally large military airbase here,and it is usually protected by a powerful SAM battery. ESFAHAN (JZ89) : This inland city,nestled in a large col of the Zagros Moun- tains,is the classic "gateway" to northwestern Iran. As a transportation and population center it naturally boasts an airfield, and SAM sites protecting it.The current state of the Iran-Iraq war has a powerful effect on what sor- ts of aircraft are based here. YAZD (KZ38) AND KERMAN (KZ84) : These two cities are distant population cen- ters on the edge of the Iranian deserts. Both cities are dominated by a str- ong traditionalist sentiment, which in recent years has translted into ferv- ent Shi'ite extremism. However,the huge war losses are causing many families to reconsider their support for the Jihad. BANDAR-E-LENGEH (KY57) : This western city on the Straits of Hormuz has a minor military base,including an airfield + SAM battery.However, its primary function is civilian,serving the large oil fields in this area.Seasonal riv- ers running from the mountains to the west down into Bandar-e-Lengeh have a variety of interesting road + rail bridges over them. Offshore Oil Platforms are especially common in KY35-45. BANDAR 'ABBAS (KY68) : This city is Irans major military base on the Straits of Hormuz. Major Iranian Navy elements are based here, as well as the latest SAMs and a large,well equipped military airbase. SECRET BASES : Western intelligence operatives in Iran are preparing 2 sec- ret,hardpack surfaces suitable for aircraft landings.One is in the Shalamzar valley(JZ67) in the Zagros Mountains,the other in the mountains south of Ke- rman,at KZ82. AIR DEFENSES : HAWK batteries are Iran's longest ranged surface-to-air miss- iles.Nearly exhausted in fighting with Iraq,these weapons are formidable de- fenders of Iran once more. The reason? A large shipment of parts and spare missiles by Lt.Colonel Oliver North,USMC.He hoped to trade them for American hostages in Lebanon.Iran got the missiles, the hostages remained in Lebanon, and North resigned from the Marines Corps.Think about that when one fires at you! Rapier batteries, sold by Britain to Iran, are fast,but shorter ranged, and hindered by a fire controlsystem that is primarily visual,with the radar intended originally as backup. The Rapier radar system never approached the quality or sophistication of the HAWK.In fact,in the Falkland Islands fight- ing,the Rapier was surprisingly ineffective.The Tigercat, an antiquated Bri- tish design,appears in less-important areas. Many Tigercat sites have little or no radar,since the missile is designed for visual control.The Seacat is a naval version of the Tigercat,found on Iranian Vosper Mk 5 type frigates. It is somewhat more dangerous because the frigates have decent radar search sy- stems. IRANIAN AIR FORCE : -------------------------------------------------------- This service arm is composed primarily of American-built aircraft acquired during the Shah's rule.Before the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war the AirForce had a nominal strength of 75 F-14 Tomcats,about 200 F-4D + F-4E Phantom IIs, 140 F-5E Tiger IIs,plus various other planes and helicopters,including C-130 Hercules transports and P-3F Orion reconnaissance bombers. FIGHTERS : Iran lacks the sophisticated technicians + parts to keep its F-14 operational.Within a year after the revolution fewer than 5 were functional. No missiles or parts exist for the long-range Phoenix AAM system, but some F-14s still have functional longrange radars.F-14s can carry AIM-7F Sparrows or AIMN-9H Sidewinders.The older but less effective F-4s and F-5s are easier to maintain.These planes are the backbone of the Iranian fighting air force, interaepting Iraqi raids,guarding rear areas and ships from attack, and occ- asionally attempting a raid into Iraqi territory.Iranian fighters are equip- ped with AIM-9H Sidewinders,one of the last + best first-generation IR AAMs. The F-4 Phantoms (but not the F-5 Tigers) are designed to carry the AIM-7F Sparrow,a long range radar-homing missile. RECONNAISSANCE BOMBERS : Iran has few naval reconnaissance bombers, and most of those are P-3C Orions with inoperative electronic gear. Such planes are reduced to making visual patrols only - a waste of aviation fuel in a modern warfare environment ! However, it's possible that long-range Russian Tu-95 "Bear" bombers may make an appearance,flying from Afghanistan or Yemen. AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING & CONTROL : Iran has no "AWACS" or other AEW&C aircr- aft.Instead, the few operational F-14s are used in this role, since the F-14 has an extremely powerful air search radar. AIR TRANSPORTS : Iran has a variety of small, medium + large air transports, including the American C-130 Hercules, German Fokker F.27, French Dassault- Breguet Falcon 20, and Boeing 707 and 747 transport models. The exact types available vary greatly,depending on the supply of spare parts + the presence of knowledgeable mechanics.Given Iran's dislike of the West,some consider it likely that she will shop in Russia for the next transports bought, perhaps the new and very flexible An-72 Coaler. NAVY : --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Iranian Navy has suffered greatly in the Iran-Iraq war,since most resour ces go into the army and air force. Many ships were damaged in the fighting and remain unrepaired;others have deteriorated badly for lack of maintenance The great naval base at Khorramshahr, near Abadan,was destroyed early in the war + remains a ruin in no-man's land.It is believed that one or more of the four Vosper Mark 5 frigates are still functional. These 1,100-ton ships inc- lude a Seacat SAM surface-to-air missile system and a 4.5" gun turret. Occa- sional patrols by these or smaller ships can be expected in the region of Kharg Island or in the Straits of Hormuz. If functional, the Vosper frigates pose a significant military threat. Iran's Shi'ite "Guards" also man a large number of fast motorboats.The crew carry rocket-propelled grenades to attack shipping,and shoulder-launched IR SAMs to protect themselves from air + hel- icopter attack.Virtually invisible,these "mosquitos" are a threat only to un armed merchant shipping,or an aircraft unlucky enough to pass over the area. These boats are based all along the Iranian coast,especially at Bandar 'Abb- as,and from a variety of offshore oil platforms. THE NORTH CAPE : ----------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION/POLITICS : The North Cape area is shared by four nations. West to east,they are Norway,Sweden,Finland,and the Soviet Union. Their political orientation parallel their geographic locations: Norway belongs to NATO,Swe- den is a pro-Western neutral,neutral Finland accomodates the Soviets,and the Soviet Union,of course,leads the Eastern bloc. MILITARY FORCES : In terms of global politics, the North Cape is the single most important military region in the Soviet Union.Murmansk is Russia's only year-round open-sea access to the Atlantic ocean. Russian SSBNs (ballastic missile nuclear submarines), the heart of nuclear deterrence, sail from here into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.The Soviet Northern Fleet protects these invaluable weapons,as well as maintaining a credible threat to NATO's Atlan- tic lifelines.Norway fields a large,tough force tailored for dogged defense of its mountainous homeland.Reasonably well-equipped,the majority of the for ces guard the populous southern regions. The northern bases have only token garrisons.Northern Norway seems more important to NATO than it is to the Nor wegians, since important NATO air, naval and marine troop assets are planned to reinforce this area in time of war. Sweden's armed forces are designed to make the Russians (or anyone) think twice about violating that country's neu trality.The forces are well equipped and well trained,with a nationwide res- erve system that makes a large part of the citizenry part-time soldiers.How- ever,the northern part of Sweden is almost unpopulated,so the defenses there are considerably lighter.Recently Sweden has been greatly irritated by Russ- ian midget submarines literally crawling around inside her fleet bases, and by a Russian dieselsub that ran aground in a harbour entrance while carrying a nuclear-tipped torpedo (a serious insult to anti-nuclear Sweden). As a re- sult,Sweden may be willing to support NATO clandestine operations as a form of revenge. Finland fields a much smaller and less sophisticated force than its neighbours. Although fiercly independent, Finland has learned to accomo- date the desires of its powerful neighbour,the Soviet Union.The Soviets main tain this "friendly" attitude by garrisoning powerful military forces near the Finnish border, and strongly encouraging Finland to buy Soviet military equipment. So even if Finland could detect F-19 overflights in its northern regions, it's unclear whether it would bother informing its "friend" Russia immediately. GEOGRAPHY : This entire region is a harshly cold climate. Northern Norway is a long,mountainous country with a harsh climate and "iron" (rocky) seacoast. In this terrain a small group of determined defenders could stop an army for years. The "open" areas of Finland and Sweden are deceptive. On the map it may appear to be an open plain, perfect for attack. In reality it's a frigid wilderness in the winter and a vast,marshy bog in the summer. LEVEL OF CONFLICT : -------------------------------------------------------- COLD WAR : Because of the potential threat posed by the Northern Fleet's sh- ips and aircraft to the shipping lanes in the Atlantic,NATO and Russian for- ces are constantly sparring with each other, testing the other's responses + jockeying for position should hostilities break out. Officially at peace,the two sides wage a covert conflict of intelligence gathering and military pos- turing that can turn deadly at any instant. LIMITED WAR : If Russian or American foreign policy was conducted with grea- ter hostilty, the North Cape would make an ideal place for Western raids of retaliations against the Soviets. Similarly,their air and sea defences could get excessively "trigger happy" and shoot before asking questions.Even among men of good faith,there`s always a temptation to send in a secret mission to "take out" something that really bothers you.Israel and South Africa,for ex- ample,have surrendered to this temptation from time to time. CONVENTIONAL WAR : The baloon's gone up.NATO and the Warsaw Pact are offici- ally shooting at each other in this part of Europe (perhaps elsewhere too). The Northern Fleet is making a sortie into the Atlantic, Soviet troops have crossed the border into Norway,Mainstays and MiGs are clouding the skies.Now missions are no joke at all.Getting in and out with your skin intact will be very,very tricky! FRIENDLY BASES : ----------------------------------------------------------- The two Norwegian land bases here are civilian airfields,but both are closer to the Russian border than the NATO bases at Banak and Bardu. It is easy and wise to stage stealth missions through either Lakselv or Kautokeino, rather than flying longer distances from more rearward fields.Such staging could be just a quick landing and refueling both inbound and outbound. In effect, the fields can function as grounded refueling tankers. KAUTOKEINO (WX11) : Located in the barren tundra of the Finnmarksvidda,Kaut- okeino airfield is well suited for operations across the top of Finland to Murmansk. The population is very small and the entire area well defended by tundra swamps and bogs in the summer,or sub-zero blizzards in the winter. LAKSELV (WX34) : Located at the inland end of the Porsangen Fjord, Lakselv town has an airfield ideally suited to operations into Russia.It is far eno- ugh from the border to survive the first few days of fighting,but close eno- ugh for easy flying. CV KENNEDY AT SEA (WX67) : In the middle 1980s the Secretary of the Navy an- nounced a new policy -a wartime policy of sending aircraft carriers deep in- to the Norwegian Sea,to challenge Russias fleet near its home ports.Although considered suicidal by some, this policy is certainly useful for launching stealth missions.Here CV67,one of the conventional carriers with the US Atla ntic Fleet,makes a quick dash to the North Cape to launch your mission.As al ways,the carrier is accompanied by a screen of escorts,and is constantly la- unching and recovering a CAP of F-18s. NEUTRAL BASES : ------------------------------------------------------------ Available neutral bases in this region are all Swedish. Sweden is strictly neutral in international politics,but economically closely tied to the West- ern bloc.Given recent events and aggressive Russian moves, it's not unlikely that a few clandestine stealth missions, or emergency landings, would be al- lowed at northern Swedish airbases. KIRUNA (WW28) : The northernmost airfield in Sweden, this base is located in the nearly unpopulated foothills of the Esrange mountains. Stealth missions could operate easily from this area, with nobody but reindeer to observe the events. GALLIVARE (WW26) : Although this airfield is also far north in Sweden,Galli- vare town is a junction of rails and roads.In the summer months it is also a popular tourist area,with the Muddus National Park a few miles to the west. Stealth missions operating from this base must be very discreet. LULEA (WW13) : This fairly populous city is the main Swedish military base in the Northern Region.It is also a port on the Gulf of Bothnia,the northern most arm of the Baltic sea. THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN : --------------------------------------------- North Cape is a realm of extremes. In summer the sun shines throughout the night,while in winter it never rises above the horizon. The most northerly areas are realms of tundra and permafrost - ground that remains frozen thou- ghout the year,save for the top few inches in the summer. Only moss + coarse grass grows here, although it can turn brilliant green on good summer days. The majority of the region is taiga,vast pine forests that are home to rein- deer,artic fox,+ rock ptarmigan.The southerly lowlands are a deep watershed, full of small lakes,marshes and bogs.The White Sea coastline is almost enti- rely marsh as the land blends gradually into sea.The interior of the Kola Pe ninsula has the characteristic mountains of a tundra-taiga borderland: low, rolling,rocky and bare,with pockets of snow even in summer.The Norwegian co- ast has more dramatic terrain.Here is the topmost end of the spine of mount- ains that divides Norway from Sweden. Even here they are still steep, bare rock with clinging patches of ice and snow.Amid this monotonous,desolute te- rrain are impressive human works,especially the city of Murmansk with its sp rawling military complexes.Hideously expensive to build and maintain through the long,deep winter, this region is surely the most valuable military real estate in the world,judging by money invested per acre! NORTHWESTERN RUSSIA : ------------------------------------------------------ Murmansk (XX11) : This major city is Russia's only year-round port on the Atlantic ocean. Its great piers + depots support not only a steady stream of merchant shipping,but the powerful Red Banner Northern fleet.Murmansk is li- terally "at the end of the line", in this case a long railway line that runs southward 700 miles to Leningrad.Murmansk is also the nerve centre of Russi- as powerful airforces,including both PVO air defence planes and Naval Aviat- ion of the Northern fleet. Satellite airfields surround the city, including large bases at Kildenstroy (XX10) and Kilpyaur (XX00).The Northern fleet in- cludes,roughly,one aircraft carrier,75 other major surface warships,one mar- ine brigade,133 submarines,and 446 naval aircraft.The protection of its bas- es is the duty of 12 Divisions of army troops (about 300,000 men total) and 150 planes of Tactical Aviation (airforce planes supporting the army) + the PVO (airforce interceptors guarding the border).The great Severomorsk (XX31) submarine pens are also just outside of Murmansk.This underground base`s the homeport for the new Typhoon class of ballistic missile subs,as well as many other diesel and nuclear undersea craft. PECHENGA (WX91) : This town is Russia's forwardmost military base in the far north. Just a few miles from the Norwegian border,Pechenga is the inevitably staging point for any invasion into NATO territory. Although it has an airb- ase and strong SAM defenses,the Polyarnyy airbase complex to the east (in WX 80) is somewhat larger. MONCHEGORSK (XW18) & OLENEGORSK (XW19) : These two towns, near the base of the Kola peninsula,are major airbases for long-range naval aviation bombers, as well as providing fighter and SAM cover to the railroad link between Mur- mansk and the south. KANDALAKSHA (XW16) : This small city is the main population centre at the ba se of the Kola peninsula.It is primarily a transportation hub,with raillines and a naval port that faces eastward, into the White Sea. South of the city lies the Loukhi(XW04) air defense complex,including a large SAM battery that covers this section of the Murmansk-Leningrad rail line. KEM (XW21) : South of Kandalaksha,Kem is the next significant city along the Murmansk-Leningrad line.It too is a small port facing onto the White Sea. It is also the starting point for the Voknavolok railline that runs westward to the Finnish border. This is a purely military line, intended to support the Russian military presence on the Finnish border. ARKHANGEL'SK (XW71) : This city is Russia's largest port on the Atlantic.Al- though closed by ice during the winter,it has much better rail and road con- nections to the interior of Russia,and is almost totally invulnerable to en- emy attack. In addition to large port facilities, the city is surrounded by military defenses,the most notable being the complexes at Severodvinsk(XW51) and Kushkushara (XW84).In addition,units of the Northern Fleet patrol offsh- ore in the White Sea. SECRET BASES : Western intelligence operatives in this area have secretly created two hardfrozen airstrips suitable for landings,one at XW57,the other at XX20. AIR DEFENSES : The Kola peninsula is vital to the SovietUnion because of the access it affords to NATO's lines of communications, but its very proximity also makes it particularly vulnerable to NATO counterstrokes. Consequently, the Kola Peninsula is likely to prove one of the most challenging anti-airc- raft environments in the world today. In clandestine missions it may prove impossible to penetrate + escape this area without eliminating at least one radar system.However,you get lucky - the systems often shut down for varying periods of time due to maintenance difficulties in this most rigorous of cli mates. LONG RANGE SAMS : These are area defense weapons that, along with fighters, are your primary opposition. The older SA-2s and SA-5s have been undergoing continual upgrade to SA-10 and SA-12 quality. The entire system is enhanced by the LPAR early warning system at Kirovsk. LIGHT SAMS : Soviet ground forces in this area are outfitted with the usual battlefield SAMs, including the older SA-9 and SA-13 IR missiles, as well as the newer SA-8 and SA-11 radar guided missiles.Mobile infantry carrying SA-7 and SA-14 shoulder-launched IR SAMs are a significant threat as well. Check out your intelligence briefing (preflight) for "special event" areas showing the latest enemy troop concentrations. THE PVO AND NAVAL AVIATION : ----------------------------------------------- FIGHTERS : This region is defended partly by the PVO units, with long-range MiG-25 and MiG-31 interceptors using long-range radar-homing AAMs.Naval avi- ation fighters operating from either carriers or land strips include the Yak 38 V/STOL jet and the new Su-27 multi-purpose fighter.During wartime shorter ranged units may arrive,including MiG-29 and SU-27 fighters with short-range IR missiles as well as long-range radar weapons.All these planes but the Yak 38 are worthy opponents.The Yak can only carry IR homing missiles (generally AA-8 Aphids).It`s considerably slower+less flexible than the other fighters. RECONNAISSANCE BOMBERS : Many long-range Tu-95D "Bears" are based in this a- rea,to keep tabs on NATO naval activity in the North Atlantic. A nuisance in peacetime, these planes pose a serious threat in a war. Eliminating them is always a high priority in NATO war plans. That would blind the Russian high command to activities in the Atlantic and Norwegian seas. TRANSPORTS : Russia possesses numerous air transports for its huge force of airborne units.The most modern of these is the jet propelled An-72 "Coaler", which is particularly suited to fast, high priority missions like inserting commando teams or transporting critical command personnel. AEW & C AIRCRAFT : The Soviets routinely deploy Il-76 "Mainstay" aircraft in this region. The 300+ mile radars on this plane may be your most formidable enemy.If you're spotted and can't discover how or by whom,chances are it's a Mainstay. THE RED BANNER NORTHERN : -------------------------------------------------- Russia's Northern Fleet offers both tempting targets + a significant threat. Its modern Sovremennyy-class destroyers carry SA-N-7 missiles, while the numerous Krivak-class frigates carry SA-N-4. The larger Kiev-class carrier has the powerful SA-N-6, a sea-going equivalent to the SA-10. These warships are more than capable of defending themselves.Stationed off the northern co- ast, they significantly extend the Soviet anti-aircraft umbrella.In addition to these ships' SAMs,the Kiev carries a complement of Yak-38 "jump-jet" figh ter aircraft.While less capable than ground-based fighters, the British Har- riers in the Falklands taught the world not to underestimate the capabili- ties of such planes.An upcoming addition to the northern fleet is a class of huge aircraft carriers fitting out in the Crimea. Tentatively titled the "Kremlin" class, these ships are expected to join the Northern Fleet soon. CENTRAL EUROPE : ----------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION/POLITICS : Central Europe is where the full force of East +West meet.Since World WarII Europe has been two hostile Blocs,with a few neutrals balanced between.On one side are the communist East European nations,created in the wake of Soviet armies at the end of WWII.On the other side are democ- ratic Western European nations,created by the USA and Britain in the wake of their armies during WWII.Since 1949 the West has been linked by NATO.In 1955 the East formalized an equivalent organization, the Warsaw Pact,dominated by the USSR. From then to now the two greatest military organizations on earth have uneasily eyed each other along the German border. MILITARY FORCES : The Warsaw Pact can deploy almost three million men, about 80,000 armored fighting vehicles,and 6,000 combat aircraft.Against this Jug- gernaut, the Western powers can field around two million men, 40,000 AFV's, and 4,000 combat aircraft.The numerical imbalance is partially offset by the higher quality of the Western troops and equipment,presumably along with the traditional advantages of being the defender.Together,the two sides have al- most ten thousand nuclear weapons for battlefield use in Europe. These range from small, sub-kiloton shells designed to wipe out troop concentrations, up to multi-megaton city busters.Artillery,planes,and missiles of all types and ranges can deliver these weapons.At one time NATO felt it had to use nuclear weapons to compensate for numerical inferiority. Today it has an alternative plan: Air-land battle,2000. In this NATO uses superior technology, including its stealth planes,to attack deep in the rear of the Warsaw Pact armies,des- troying their logistical support.If this innovative strategy works NATO need not use nuclear weapons to stem the Red tide.However,if this fails,NATO must choose between a nuclear holocaust and the conquest of Europe by the Soviet Union. GEOGRAPHY : The Central Front stretches 1000km through the middle of Germany bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea,and on the south by the Alps.The in- itial strategic objective of a Russian invasion would almost certainly be the Rhine river,only 150 km from the frontier (at the closest point).West Ge rman terrain is mildly favourable to the defender,especially in the forested and hilly southern half.The broad,flat North German Plain is the traditional invasion route.But every few kilometers there is a new town,village or city. Each could become a new defensive bastion.One often neglected geographic co- nsideration is the terrain to the east of the frontier. With the development of the "Air-land battle" this region takes on a new significance. The North German plain broadens vowards the east,encompassing most of East Germany and Poland.It is crossed by a number of major rivers flowing northward, channel- ing road and rail traffic into a variety of bridges.This combination of open countryside and numerous "choke points" is well suited to air operations. LEVEL OF CONFLICT : -------------------------------------------------------- COLD WAR : This is the situation of the last 40 years.The two sides maintain a wary posture,generally trying to avoid overt provocations,probing each ot- her to gain information,stir discontent in the enemy population,and gain ps- ychological advantages.The stealth fighter,designed for clandestine penetra- tion,is the perfect aircraft for the secret operations common in this situa- tion. LIMITED WAR : Now the conflict is at the brink of open warfare, but armies have not yet crossed any borders. As military acts escalate, the opportunity for stealthmissions increases as well.Military actions are political signals that urge the other to back away in forceful terms. Unfortunately, sometimes fighting just escalates.This technique was successful for America on Grenada and against Libya,but it failed in Vietnam.Well,you're just a stealth pilot, carrying out orders. CONVENTIONAL WAR : This is it!Russian tanks pour over the West German border while NATO forces scramble to stem the onrushing tide.On one side lies conv- entional defeat,on the other the disaster of thermonuclear war.Air-land bat- tle,2000 goes into effect.Stealth aircraft,airmobile raiding groups,and long range smart munitions make the dangerous crossing over the front to hammer Soviet rear echelons. If they can isolate the Russian spearheads from their base,they may give the politicians an opportunity to avert disaster. FRIENDLY BASES : ----------------------------------------------------------- West Germany,Holland,and Denmark are studded with airfields that could serve as bases for stealthraids into Eastern Europe.They form a gentle,north-south crescent bulging west in the middle.Which is the most suitable startingpoint for a particular airstrike depends mainly on the location of the target.How- ever, the stealth fighter's unique characteristics will be most affective in the areas only thinly covered by radar to the north and south of the main arena.Therefore,deep penetration raids`ll usually start from Denmark or Sou- thern Germany. Shorter tactical strikes, however, must fly directly into the mouth of the tiger. JUTLAND PENINSULA - VANDEL (CC52) & LECK (CB59): These far northern bases make ideal jump-off points for raids out across the Baltic.Often it's easier to deal with missileboats in the Baltic than the heavier SAMdefenses in East Germany and Poland. NORTHERN GERMANY (Hanover) - AHLHORN (CB37) & GUTERSLOH (CB53): These bases, directly behind BAOR(British Army Of The Rhine),face across the flat,densely populated North German Plain,the most likely axis of advance should the War- saw Pact attack NATO. Therefore, they represent the most direct route to one of the greatest concentrationq of hostiles in the world. CENTRAL GERMANY(Westphalia) - RHEIN-MAIN(CB52) & RAMSTEIN(CB50): These bases are the great,famous bases of American air power in Europe.Rhein-Main is one of the largest military bases in the world, while Ramstein is headquarters for the 4th Tactical Air Force. SOUTHERN GERMANY(Bavaria) - NEUBERG(CA68),LEIPHEIM(CA57) & MEMMINGEN (CA65): These bases are all Luftwaffe (air force of the Federal Republic of Germany) but like many German bases,are entirely willing to host American circraft as needed.Any of these bases makes an excellent jumpoff point for missions into Czechoslovakia. SIGHTSEEING FROM THE BALTIC TO BOHEMIA : ----------------------------------- Without doubt, the most impressive sights in this region are the vast urban metroplexes,from the northern ports of Hamburg(CB67) and Lubeck(CB77) to the old cities of Leipzig(CB82) or Warsaw(DB95),or the industrial sprawl of Pra- gue(DB30) and Krakow(DB90).Those northern areas not covered with cities,tow- ns or villages are ditided into small plots of farmland. Much of the area is watered by extensive river systems flowing northward.Bridges large and small are common near cities.An especially impressive suspension bridge can be fo- und on the southwestern outskirts of Hamburg(CB67).The southern part of this region is dominated by low mountains that virtually surround the Czechoslov- akian lowlands of Bohemia(to the west) and Moravia(to the east). The valleys and passes amid the mountains provide numerous natural routes, and not c few flying challenges.Although much of the highland areas were once forested, in the last few decades acid rain has denuded many areas and started rampant erosion.The once green mountains are now more frequently brown,gray,and bla- ck.The much higher Alps, capped by perpetual snow, are generally obscured by haze to the southwest. THE EASTERN BLOC : --------------------------------------------------------- EAST GERMANY : During a limited or conventional war the main strength of the Warsaw Pact forces will travel through here, surging into West Germany. The greates natural barrier in East Germany is the Elbe River, running from the Czechoslovakian mountains northward to Hamburg.Destroying these riverbridges would cut off the Pact's forward troops from their supply lines.Covering the Pact's forward areas are two main airdefense complexes,one in the north near Wittstock(CB97) and Wittenburg(CB87),another in the south just east of Leip- zig and Magdeburg,including the big radars at Mittenwalde(CB93) and Grossen- haim(CB92). POLAND : In a NATO-Pact confict Poland is the "rear area" through which Rus- sian troops and supplies would flow toward the front lines.Many important he adquarters and depots are situated in the central and western part of the na tion.The Wista-Vistula river system divides Poland in half,from north to so- uth.Destroying the road and rail bridges can seriously damage Pact operatio- ns.Polish defense complexes include a powerful system west of Gdansk at Stu- psk(DB48),and south of Lodz at"Radom(DB83).In addition,Warsaw(DB95) is a ma- jor transportation hub, so active SAM batteries can be expected in that area during wartime. CZECHOSLOVAKIA : This Pact nation, seperated from Germany by the mountains + the rugged highlands of the BohemianForest,is likely to play a secondary ro- le in wartime. Czechoslovakian defenses are also somewhat lighter than those of East Germany and Poland.Tabor(DA38) is the most significant installation. Far to the east,guarding the entrance to Hungary and southern Pmland,is ano- ther defense complex at Konmamo(DA87). KALINGRAD : This region of Russia,named after the major seaport of Kalingrad renamed from Konigsberg in 1945,at DB89,is the Soviet front line on the Bal- tic. It includes a major OTH (over-the-horizon) radarstation at EB09,as well as the Klaipeda airbase(EC02). AIR DEFENSES : Since the Central Front forms the focal point of the war, the anti-aircraft defenses on both sides are the most intensive in the world.The Soviets are certain to deploy large quantkties of their most modern weapons, SA-10s + SA-12s,for area defense.In some areas the older,less effective SA-5 long range systems may still be in place.Radar guided SA-8s + SA-11s are the most commonly used for more local defenses,especially near important milita- ry concentrations or objectives.A few are even sited near the larger SAM bat teries to provide local defense.The shorter-ranged infrared SA-9s and espec- ially SA-13s may appear instead if the radar-guided weapons are not availab- le.At sea the @altic missile boats typically have either SA-N-5 or SA-N-7 systems,although Krivaks and larger ships with the SA-N-4 can be expected in wartime.The whole region is alive with lethal metal.The most dangerous areas will undoubtedly be on or near the front lines in West Germany, and perhaps at any invasion sites in Denmark.Also beware of reserve troop concentrations in East Germany or Poland. But these are relative assessments, not absolute. Let down your guard anywhere and your aircraft will undoubtedly follow. AIR FORCES : --------------------------------------------------------------- The Soviet Air Force is the largest in the world,and one of the most modern. It deploys a wide variety of interceptor, bomber, and support aircraft. Some are obsolescent,but many can meet the best of the West. The Soviets know the value of air superiority.They'll give high priority to that goal in any Euro pean war. FIGHTERS : As always,the primary foe is another pilot.With 6,000 combat air- craft to chose from,you can bet that the Red AirForce`ll find a few to spare for you.They'll also have the hot new models.If you're lucky,you'll only see second-line MiG23s,but more likely you'll encounter quality dogfighters like the MiG-29 and Su-27. In the rear areas you're more likely to see long-range interceptors like the MiG-25 and MiG-31. BOMBERS : The Russians have many different bomber aircraft. One of the most troublesome is the Tu-95 "Bear" modified to carry cruise missiles. Keeping a number of these craft in orbit deep behind Russian lines gives them an unto- uchable airborne nuclear force.Your job as an F-19 attacker is to prove that this nuclear weapon can be hurt too. AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING & CONTROL : The Soviet Il-76 "Mainstay" AEW&C was de- signed for work in this kind of environment. Flying "racetrack" orbits deep behind friendly lines,its powerful radars can see NATO airoperations develop and radio appropriate orders to various fighter squadrons.The effort to dev- elop these planes has been long and costly; the sixe,weight + expense of the electronic gear is gigantic. Each plane is precious. Eliminating them would cripple Soviet air operations. Pact appreciates this too, so getting to them won't be an easy job. TRANSPORTS : Thousands of air transports will shuttle back and forth on both sides of the front line,carrying troops,raiding parties,munitions,staff off- icers,etc. The new Russian workhorse that flies anywhere and carries almost anything is the An-72"Coaler".Its high speed and short-field capability make it the natural choice for secret missions,and a natural target for your ste- alth fighter. NAVAL FORCES : ------------------------------------------------------------- The Russian Baltic fleet,headquartered at Baltiysk outside of Kalingrad,con- trols 4 cruisers,16 destroyers,7 Krivak-class large frigates,22 missileboats and other light warships,and 21 amphibious assault ships,as well as 45 subs. It also controls the East German and Polish navies,which have numerous addi- tional frigates and missile boats.Tjis force has two goals:to cover the nor- thern flank of the Warsaw Pact from air attack, and to invade Denmark in the event of war.Stealth missions will generally deal with the former,your prob- lem being how to penetrate the warship screen in the Baltic. Because of the many confusing classes of Russian, Polish and East German missile boats and frigates,it's always wise to check the data on a ship. The SA-N-5 is just a first generation IR homer,and no serious threat. The SA-N-4 uses older pulse radar gukdance,but the new SA-N-7 is a more serious problem.Fortunately very few Baltic warships carry the powerful,long-ranged SA-N-10. EQUIPMENT : ---------------------------------------------------------------- ORDNANCE & WEAPON DATA CHARTS : The charts and tables on the following pages provide a detailed data reference for USAF ordnance available to the F19.Al- so included is equivalent data on enemy aircraft weapons and SAM (Surface-to Air Missile) systems. (a-a:air-to-air,a-s:air-to-ship,a-g:air-to-ground) Max Max Guidance Attack Attack Qty. Weapon Range Speed System Altitude Technique ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - M61A1 20mm Cannon 6km 6000kts Hist. sight 0'+ anticipation fire 4 AIM-9M Sidewinder 17km 2000kts IR homing 500'+ a-a fire & forget 3 AIM-120A AMRAAM 32km 2400kts Radar homing 500'+ a-a fire & forget 2 Penguin-3 ASM 32km 500kts IR homing 500'+ c-s fire & forget 1 AGM-84A Harpoon 60km 500kts Radar homing 500'+ a-s fire & forget 1 AGM-88A HARM 20km 1400kts Anti-radar 500'+ a-g fire & forget 2 AGM-65D Maverick 32km 700kts Therm. Image 500'+ a-g fire & forget 2 GBU-12 Paveway 1+km glides Laser homing 500'c toss/levelbombing 2 CBU-72 FAE 1+km glides Laser homing 500'c toss/levelbombing 2 Mk20 Rockeye II 1+km glides Laser homing 500'c toss/levelbombing 2 Mk20 Rockeye 0km retarded none 500'+ level bombing 2 Durandal 0km retarded none 500'+ level bombing 1 ISC B-1 Minelets 0km retarded none 500'+ level bombing 3 Mk82-1 Snakeye 0km retarded none 500'+ level bombing 1 Mk35 IN cluster 0km retarded none 500'+ level bombing 3 Mk82-0 Slick 0km free fall none 3000'+ level/divebombing 2 Mk122 Fireye 0km free fall none 3000'+ level/divebombing 1 135mm/IR cameras 10km on plane fixed viewer 200'+ level run 1 special equipment 0km retarded none 500'+ level run KEY TO USAF ORDNANCE SUMMARY : --------------------------------------------- The M61A1 cannon is fixed in the nose and always available. QTY : The number of weapons of this type the aircraft can carry in one of the bay positions (you have four). WEAPON : The name of the weapon. MAX RANGE : Maximum range at which the weapon can be launched / fired most effectively. A 0km range means the weapon is a free- fall/retarded bomb that must be dropped onto the target. MAX SPEED : The speed at which the weapon reaches the target. This is given in knots so you can compare it with your own flight speed.GLIDES means the weapon 'flies' without power.There fore your speed, at the time of launch, becomes the speed of the weapon.RETARDED means the weapon is a retardedbomb that falls away behind the craft,decelerating as it drops Some retarded weapons even open a parachute during their descent,to stabilize the fall and line up the warhead(s). FREE FALL means the weapon is a traditional freefall bomb that arcs downward to the target. GUIDANCE SYSTEM : If the weapon has an onboard targeting system,it`s menti- oned here for general intereqt. ATTACK ALTITUDE : The recommended altitude for the typical attackmethod.The "500+" entry means any altitude above 500feet is fine.The "500'c" entry means that a toss-bombing technique is used where the bomb is launched while the plane climbs to 500 feet. ATTACK TECHNIQUES: This references the appropriate attack technique. Techni- ques noted in second place (e.g. toss/level; level is the one we mean here) are alternate attack methods that are either more dangerous or more difficult to learn.See "How to Fight" earlier and "Air-to-Ground Tactics" for more de tails. KEY TO USAF ORDNANCE,EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST COMMON TARGETS : ---------------- TARGET TYPE ABBREVIATIONS: 1: Aircraft in flight. 2: Airbase hangar,which at military airfields are armored bunkers. 3: Airbase runway. 4: Planes on airbase runways and aprons (i.e.,outside mf hangars). 5: Airbase tower,incl. the tower radars and radios. 6: Nuclear power plant. 7: Bridge over a river. 8: Buildings,incl. terrorist camps,offices,warehouses,factories,villages. 9: Bunker,such as fixed Army HQ sites. 10: Depot of military fuel and supplies. 11: Missile launcher,fixed launchers + vehicles.Launchers have SAMs or SSMs 12: SAM radar station,usually with SAM missile launchers. 13: Large-scale Phased Array Radar station. 14: Over The Horizon long-range radar station. 15: Mffshore oil platform. 16: Oil refinery. 17: Oil storage tanks. 18: Oil wells. 19: Underground submarine pens. 20: All ships,including cargo ships,warships,and surfaced submarines. RESULTS ABBREVIATIONS : The effectiveness of results is graded like a report card;the higher the grade,the more effective the weapon : A+,A and A- = Weapons are especially effective against this target. B+,B and B- = Weapons are of normal accuracy + effectiveness against target. C+,C and C- = Weapons are not very effective cgainst this target. D = Weapon has marginal effectiveness against this target.You have to be very skillful/very lucky to achieve an effective hit. F = Weapon is totally useless against this target. USAF ORDNANCE : WEAPON EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST COMMON TARGETS : -------------- Weapon 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 -----------------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+ M61A1 Cannon B F F B B F F B F B @ C- C- C- B B B B F C AIM9M Sidewinder A+ F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F AIM120A AMRAAM A- F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F Penguin-3 ASM F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F B AGM84A Harpoon F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F A- AGM88A HARM F F F F F F F F F F F A- A- A- F F F F F B+ AGM65D Maverick F C- F C- C B B C B C C B B B B B B B F B GBU12 Paveway F B D "C- B B+ B+ B B+ B B B+ B+ B+ B B B B F C CBU72 FAE F B F F A- B+ F A- B+ F F F F F B F F F B+ C- Mk 20 Rockeye 2 F F F B B F F B F B+ B+ B B B B B+ B+ B+ F B Mk 20 Rockeye F F F B B F F B F B B B B B B B B B F C Durandal F F A+ F F D C- F D F F F F F F F F F F F ISC B1 Minelets F F A- F C F F C F C- C F F F F C C C F F Mk 821 Snakeye F F D B B F F B F B F C- C- C- F B B B F F Mk 37 Incluster F D F A- B F F B F A- A- C C C A- A- A- A- F C Mk 820 Slick F C D C B D D B D B C- C C C C B B B F C Mk 122 Fireye F C- F B B C- F B C- B+ C C C C C- B+ B+ B+ D C AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES (AAMs) : ----------------------------------------------- System Nation Guidance Effective Max Name or plane System Range Speed Maneuverability ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOLG-RANGE RADAR-HOMING : AA-6 Acrid MiG-25 SAPR 50km Mach 4 Poor AA-7 Apex MiG-23 SAPR 34km Mach 3 Poor AA-9 Amos MiG-31 SAPR 82km Mach 3.5 Fair AA-10 Alamo MiG-29/Su-27 ADR 64km Mach 3+ Good AIM-7E Sparrow F-4,F-15,F-16 SAPR 44km Mach 3.7 Very Good AIM-120A AMRAAM any USA ADR 32km Mach 4 Very Good SHORT-RANGE INFRARED-HOMING : AA-2 Atoll any USSR IR1 14km Mcch 2.5 Very Good AA-6 Acrid (IR) MiG-25 IR1 50km Mach 4 Poor AA-7 Apex (IR) MiG-23 IR1 34km Mach 3 Fair AA-8 Aphid any USSR IR2 12km Mach 3 Excellent AA-10 Alamo (IR) MiG-29/Su-27 IR2 64km Mach 3+ Good AIM-9H Sidewinder any Western IR1 12km Mach 3+ Excellent AIM-9M Sidewinder any USA IR2 17km Mach 3+ Excellent KEY TO AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES (AAMs) : ---------------------------------------- SYSVEM NAME : The name of the missile system. PLANE : Type of plane which can carry the missile. If a specific plane is listed, only those planes can carry that missile. Aircraft listed are restricted to those commonly encounte- red.ANY USA means any plane of the USAirForce,but not cur- rent or former American allies.ANY WESTERN means planes of a western-allied nation, including former American allies such as Iran,or neutrals such as Sweden.ANY USSR means any plane of a USSR-allied nation,including such Soviet allies as Libya,Finland,Iraq,East Germany,Czecholslovakia,Poland. GUIDANCE SYSTEM : How the missile finds its target. SAPR means Semi-active Pulse Radar.This requires that the launching plane contin- ues to paint the target with radar until the missile hits. ADR means Active Doppler Radar.The missile has its own ra- dar set,allowing the plane to fire and forget.In addition, the missile's doppler radar is only fooled by chaff if the target plane generates a small doppler (by running perpen- dicular to the missile's course).IR1 means Infra-Red(First generation). Missile is a first generation infrared homer. It chases the hot engine exhaust only,and is easily fooled by jammers and flares.IR2 means Infra-Red (Second generat- ion).The missile is a second generation infrared homer. It aims at any hot part of a plane, including the nose, wings and tail as well as the engineexhausts.It can recover from jamming and continue seeking a target. EFFECTIVE RANGE : Maximum range at which the missile can lock on to a target MAXIMUM SPEED : Launching speed of the missile. Mach 1 is about 660 knots. SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES (SAMs) : ------------------------------------------- Search Search Firing Firing Max Max Name Mounting Guidance Range Guidance Range Speed Alt M. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG-RANGE RADAR-GUIDED SAMS : SA2 Guideline Site Poor PR 200 BRPR 125 3+ 55000 VP SA5 Gammon Site Poor PR 350 BRPR 150 3 95000 P SA10 Grumble Site/vehicle Superb DR 320 SACGDR 125 3 70000 F SA4 Ganef Site/vehicle Poor PR 100 SAPR 70 2.5 75000 P SA12 Gladiator Vehicle Good DR 290 SACGDR 150 3+ 70000 F SA6 Gainful Vehicle Poor PR 80 SAPR 30 2.8 60000 F SA8B Gecko Vehicle Fair PR 125 SAPR 65 2 25000 G SA11 Gadfly Vehicle Fair PR 200 SAPR 100 2.5 45000 G MIM23B Hawk Site Good DR 175 SAPR 125 1.5 52000 G Rapier Site/vehicle Good PR 75 SAPR 65 2+ 24000 VG SAN4 Warship PR 200 SAPR 30 2 25000 G SAN6 Warship DR 320 SACGDR 125 3 70000 F SAN7 Warship DR 50-200 SAPR 100 2.5 45000 G SHORT-RANGE IR/VISUAL-GUIDED SAMS : SA7B Grail Infantry Eyesight Visual IR1 10 1.5 20000 G SA14 Infantry Eyesight Visual IR2 16 1.5+ 20000 E FIM43A Redeye Infantry Eyesight Visual IR1 7 1.5 10000 VG FIM92A Stinger Infantry Eyesight Visual IR2 10 2 20000 E SA9B Gaskin Vehicle Eyesight Visual IR1 30 1.5 20000 VG SA13 Gopher Vehicle Poor PR 125 IR2 65 1.5 30000 VG Tigercat Site Poor PR 65 Visual 30 1.5 12000 G SAN5 Warship Poor PR 50-150 IR1 30 1.5 20000 G Seacat Warship Poor PR 200 Visual 30 1.5 12000 G ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABBREVIATIONS : DR = Doppler Radar PR = Pulse Radar BR = Beam Rider SA = Semi Active CG = Command Guidance IR1 = First generation Infrared IR2 = Second generation Infrared M. = Maneuverability ... VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good VG = Very Good E = Excellent Site = Ground site (fixed emplacement) KEY TO SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES (SAMs) : ------------------------------------ NAME : The commonly used name of the system. MOUNTING : How the system operates when seen.Site means fixed missile launchers are positioned around a central radar station in a "star" pattern. Vehicles means the missile launchers and radars are mounted on vehicles.Vehicles are usually parked on open ground in an irregular pattern. Radars and missile launchers are on seperate vehicles, so they remain fairly close together. Vehicles sometimes have both radars + mis- siles.Although a battery usually has 2 to 4 vehicles,often widely dispersed.Warship means the radar and missile laun- cher are mounted on a warship.Infantry means the missile`s man-packed,and therefore carried by ground military units, including installation guards, as well as by well-equipped terrorists. SEARCH GUIDANCE : The type and quality of search radar used by the missile. Eyesight is a very poor search method.Doppler Radar measu- res the change in range; it is most effective when you fly toward or away from it,least effective when you arc around it at a constant distance. Pulse Radar bounces signals off a surface;it is most effective when you fly sideways to it least affective when you fly straight at it. SEARCH RANGE : The theoretical maximum range of the search radar.However, against your F-19 radar performance is greatly reduced.The quality of the radar + local conditions determine its real effective range. FIRING GUIDANCE : The way the missile finds your aircraft. Pulse and doppler radars have varying effectiveness depending on your flight path in relation to the missile.BRPR means BeamRider pulse radar;the missile uses pulse radar guidance,with the radar receiver at the launching site.It cannot "burn through" ja mming at close range.SAPR means SemiActive pulse radar;the missile uses pulse radar guidance, with the radar receiver in the missile. Therefore it may "burn through" jamming at close range.SADR means Semi-Active doppler radar; the mis- sile uses doppler radar guidance, with the radar receiver in the missile. It too can "burn through" jamming at close range.SACGDR means SemiActive with CommandGuidance doppler radar;the missile uses doppler radar guidance,with the ra- dar receiver in the missile. It can "burn through" jamming at close range. In addition it has command guidance that permits multiple attacks should the first attack miss. IR1 means IR homing (first gen.);the missile uses infrared ho- ming that seeks hot exhausts.It is very vulnerable to both jamming and flares. IR2 means IR homing (second gen.); the missile uses infrared homing that seeks any hot surface, including nose,wing edges,tail,etc. It has logic circuits that help it recover from jamming or flares. Visual means the missile is guided by a controller on the ground,who mu st watch your plane and react to your maneuvering. FIRING RANGE : Maximum range at which the missile is fired. MAX SPEED : Maximum speed in flight of the missile. Mach 1 is 660 kts. MAX ALT : Maximum altitude the missile can reach. MANEUVERABILITY : The turning ability of the missile in flight. AIR-TO-AIR ARMAMENT : ====================================================== F19 WEAPONRY : ------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : M61A1 20mm "Vulcan" PURPOSE : Very short range general purpose gun QUANTITY : 1 fixed internally EFFECTIVE RANGE : 3 km MAXIMUM RANGE : 6 km ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Tracking camera/laser historical gunsight NOTES : This six-barrel gatling-gun type cannon is the standard internal ar mament of most US fighters today,including the F4,F14,F15,F16 and F18.It can fire 6000 rounds a minute,a high rate of fire that increases the chance that a shell will be in the "same piece of sky" as the target aircraft.Of course, this rate of fire also means that a wise pilot must fire in short bursts (o- therwise he'll quickly exhaust all his ammunition). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AIM-9M "Sidewinder" PURPOSE : Short range air-to-air missile with infrared homing QUANTITY ON RACK : 4 GUIDANCE : Second generation ("all aspect") infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : 17 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3+ MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-to-Air "fire and forget" NOTES : Almost every aspect of this missile has been redesigned and upgraded numerous times.The "M" model is the latest,with a greatly improved allaspect seekerhead,a new warhead and an improved rocket engine.Although an "N" model exists,it represents rebuilds of early "B" and "E" models + is less reliable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AIM-120A AMRAAM PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile with active radar homing QUANTITY ON RACK : 3 GUIDANCE : Active radar homing (has its own radar in nose) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 32 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 4 MANEUVERABILITY : Very good ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-to-Air "fire and forget" NOTES : This is the West's first radar-guided fire + forget missile.The AMR- AAM(advanced medium range air-to-air missile) has its own internal guidance, onboard TrackWhileScanning radar,and computerized target discrimination.Pre- production + early production models are becoming available to Stealth units ENEMY CANNONS : ============================================================ NAME : M61A1 20mm "Vulcan" PURPOSE : Very short range general purpose gun EFFECTIVE RANGE : 3 km MAXIMUM RANGE : 6 km ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Radar predicting gunsight NOTES : This gun is carried by Iranian F4 Phantom and F14 Tomcat fighters, which were purchased from the USA in the 1970s, when Iran was still an Amer- ican ally. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : GSh-23 23mm Cannon PURPOSE : Very short range general purpose gun EFFECTIVE RANGE : 3 km MAXIMUM RANGE : 6 km ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Radar predicting gunsight NOTES : This is the standard aerial cannon of USSR built aircraft.It`s a tw- in-barrel design that fires about 3000 rds/min.Range is equivalent to the US weapon.The slow rate of fire (compared to the American M61) makes it a less effective weapon.A 6-barrel version with a rate of fire equivalent to the Am erican weapon may arm the MiG-29 and/or Su-27. ENEMY IR AAMS : ============================================================ NAME : AIM-9H "Sidewinder" PURPOSE : Short range air-to-air missile with infrared homing EFFECTIVE RANGE : 12 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3+ MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Locks onto tail exhaust,then "fire and forget" NOTES : This was the most advanced model Sidewinder sold by America to Iran. The missile is solid, reliable and easy to maintain. Admirable features that unfortunately means it must be taken seriously by American planes flying ag- ainst Iran. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-2 "Atoll" PURPOSE : Shopt range air-to-air missile with infrared homing GUIDANCE : First generation infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : 14 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 2.5 MANEUVERABILITY : Very good ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Locks onto tail exhaust,then "fire and forget" NOTES : This early 1960s vintage IR missile is now obsolete. However,it was produced in vast quantities and sold throughout the world to Soviet clients. As a result,it is still carried by aircraft of poorer nations,as well as the second-line planes of larger and richer nations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-6 "Acrid" (IR) PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile with infrared homing GUIDANCE : First generation infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : 50 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 4 MANEUVERABILITY : Poor ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Locks onto tail exhaust,then "fire and forget" NOTES : Designed exclusively for the MiG25 interceptor,this missile is an IR version of the powerful AA-6 radar homer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-7 "Apex" (IR) PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile with infrared homing GUIDANCE : First generation infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : 34 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3 MANEUVERABILITY : Fair ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Locks onto tail exhaust,then "fire and forget" NOTES : This Missile is an IR version of the AA-7 radar guided AAM.It is mo- st commonly found on MiG-23s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-8 "Aphid" PURPOSE : Short range air-to-air missile with infrared homing GUIDANCE : Early second generation infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : 12 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3 MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent ATTACK TECHNIQUE : All-aspect lock on,then "fire and forget" NOTES : This small,lightweight missile is a pure dogfighting missile. Altho- ugh its IR seeker may be inferior to the AIM9M it`s considerably superior to earlier Soviet designs.This missile is replacing the now obsolete AA2,and is carried by just about every Soviet-built fighter,interceptor and combat hel- icopter now in service.Soviet clients within Europe have the weapon,as do an increcsing number of client states and customers around the world. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-10 "Alamo" (IR) PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile with infrared homing GUIDANCE : Second generation infrared seeker EFFECTIVE RANGE : about 64 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3+ MANEUVERABILITY : Good ATTACK TECHNIQUE : All-aspect lock on,then "fire and forget" NOTES : This missile is the IR version of the AA-10. It may be the longest- ranged second-generation IR missile in the Soviet inventory today. ENEMY RADAR AAMS : ========================================================= NAME : AIM-7E "Sparrow" PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile, semi-active radar homing GUIDANCE : Semi-active radar homing (radar guidance from plane) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 44 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3.7 MANEUVERABILITY : Very good ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Semi-active radar guided from launching aircraft NOTES : Nicknamed "The Great White Hope" because of its prominent exhaust- plume,this missile was Americas standard radar AAM in the 1960s + 1970s. The missile is not especially accurate,and depends on a close match with the fi- ring aircraft's radar.Both the missile and radar demand regular and exacting maintenance.Although Iranian F-4s have this weapon,all these drawbacks grea- tly compromise its effective ness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-6 "Acrid" (Radar) PURPOSE : Long range air-to-air missile,semi-active radar homing GUIDANCE : Semi-active radar homing (radar guidance from plane) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 50 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 4 MANEUVERABILITY : Poor ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Semi-active radar guided from launching aircraft NOTES : This huge missile is the standard long-range armament of PVO MiG-25 interceptors, and is roughly equivalent (though technically inferior) to the Phoenix AAM on the F-14.The missile is matched purely to the MiG-25;other aircraft cannot control it.MiG-25Rs sold to Soviet client states aren`t nor- mally equipped with this weapon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-7 "Apex" (Radar) PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile,semi-active radar homing GUIDANCE : Semi-active radar homing (radar guidance from plane) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 34 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3 MANEUVERABILITY : Poor ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Semi-active radar guided from launching aircraft NOTES : Was the standard USSR radar homing missile of the 1970s, the Russian equivalent of the AIM7 "Sparrow".It requires a matching aircraft radar,found in MiG-23s of the USSR + Warsaw Pact.Many MiG-23s sold to smaller Soviet cli ents outside of Europe had inferior radars incapable of controlling this mis sile. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-9 "Amos" PURPOSE : Long range air-to-air missile,semi-active radar homing GUIDANCE : Semi-active radar homing (radar guidance from plane) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 82 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3.5 MANEUVERABILITY : Fair ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Semi-active radar guided from launching aircraft NOTES : This new,large missile is a revision or redesign of the AA-6 "Acrid" and is designed exclusively for the MiG31 interceptor.There are some reports that the missile is an active radar homer (i.e.,has its own radar), allowing fire and forget launching. There is even speculation that the missile could receive mid-course corrections from the launching aircraft or a ground radar station,but it is unlikely that Russian computer electronics are capable of successfully implementing this yet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AA-10 "Alamo" PURPOSE : Medium range air-to-air missile,active radar homing GUIDANCE : Active radar homing"(has its own radar in nose) EFFECTIVE RANGE : 64 km MISSILE SPEED : Mach 3+ MANEUVERABILITY : Good ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Active radar homing independent of launching aircraft NOTES : This new,medium-sized radar AAM is strongly believed to be an active radar homer,that is,it carries its own onboard radar for "fire + forget use, like the AIM-120 AMRAAM.It`s commonly found on the new MiG-29 and Su-27. AIR-TO-GROUND ARMAMENT : =================================================== CANNON : ------------------------------------------------------------------- M61A1 20mm Cannon : 20mm cannon listed in the air-to-air armament section can be used against ground targets as well. GUIDED MISSILES : ========================================================== NAME : Penguin-3 ASM PURPOSE : Medium-altitude infrared-homing anti-ship missile QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Ships at sea EFFECTIVE RANGE : 32 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 0.8 ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-Ground fire+forget launch against any warship MIN LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 500' MAX LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 40,000' NOTES : Designed by Norway, this modestly-sized + priced missile is aimed at a point on the surface + flies there under its own inertial guidance.At this pre-designated point the missile switches on infrared homer,seeking the heat of a ship against the ocean background.The missile is not a sea-skimmer, and is therefore easier to shoot down. However, the missiles guidance system are entirely passive unlike the Harpoon,which broadcasts its presence with radar signals.Although maximum range in highaltitude launch is supposedly 80km,the range used here is appropriate to a lower altitude attack. Supplies of this weapon are limited because the USgovernment is reluctant to purchase weapons from the same source that sold important military technology to the USSR in the year 1981. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AGM-84A "Harpoon" PURPOSE : Seas-kimming radar&inertial-guided anti-ship missile QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Ships at sea EFFECTIVE RANGE : 60 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 0.8 ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-Ground fire+forget launch against any warship MIN LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 500' MAX LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 40,000' NOTES : The Harpoon is the standard antiship missile of the American Navy + Air Force.This weapon is more powerful,longer ranged and harder to stop than the Penguin.It`s launched under inertial guidance with considerable computer assistance,lying at sea-skimming altitudes to avoid detection.At a preprogr- ammed point it turns on its radar,to find and home in on the target. Depend- ing on the terminal guidance package installed it will either pop up + dive on the target,or fly straight in.Like most anti-shipping missiles,the remai- ning rocket fuel is almost as destructive as the warhead itself. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AGM-88A HARM PURPOSE : High speed anti-radiation (Homes on radar) missile QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Ground radar stations ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Warship radars EFFECTIVE RANGE : 20 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2+ ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-Ground fire+forget launch against any radar MIN LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 500' MAX LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 60,000' NOTES : This is America's most advanced anti-radar missile.It locks and hom- es on hostile radars even if they jump frequencies or switch off.The US Def- ense Department has hinted that it can even home on radarset components that are still warm,even if the set itself is turned off ! The missile also has a "loiter" mode where it`s fired blind and circles,waiting for a hostile radar to appear so it can attack it. The "loiter" attack mode is not available to HARMs carried on the F-19. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AGM-65D "Maverick" PURPOSE : Thermal-imaging air-to-ground guided missile QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B, Bridges,bunkers,sites,oil facilities,ships POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Airbase hangars,ground planes,buildings,depots EFFECTIVE RANGE : 32 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1+ ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Air-Ground fire-and-forget launch MIN LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 500' MAX LAUNCH ALTITUDE : 40,000' NOTES : The Maverick is America's standard air-to-ground guided missile, and has a wide variety of guidancesystems.The original design put a simple video camera in the missiles nose.While the missile remained attached to the plane the pilot used a miniature stick and screen to aim the bomb at the target be low,locked it in,and released the weapon.Once in flight the bomb steered to- ward the image locked into its computer brain.Later versions added zoom-len- ses,PAVETACK lasers,and ultimately,in the "D" model, a FLIR (forward-looking infrared) thermal imaging system that can "see" through clouds,smoke,and ni- ght.The missile usually carries a shaped-charge warhead for maximum effect against hardened targets impervious to normal bombing attacks. However, high explosive warheads can be fitted instead for maximum destructive effect aga- inst unarmored targets. LASER-GUIDED BOMBS : ======================================================= NAME : GBU-12 "Paveway" PURPOSE : Laser-guided glide bmmb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Hangars,buildings,bridges, bunkers, depots, missile sites, radar sites, oil facilities POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Ships EFFECTIVE RANGE : 2 kilometers per 1K' of altitude MAXIMUM SPEED : Glide bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Toss bombing or level bombing TOSS BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' and climb LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 2,000' and turn away NOTES : The GBU-12 is one of the standard laser-guided bombs in the US armo- ry.Large fighter-bombers like the F-111 favor heavier 1,000lb and 2,000lb mo dels, but the F-19 must carry lighter weight munitions in its small bays.The PaveTack guidance system is the most accurate way of placing a bomb on a tar get(short of using a guided missile like the Maverick).The advantage of usi- ng a bomb is that the weapon weight is almost entirely explosive,while guid- ed missiles must, of necessity,use some of their weight for the rocket motor ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : CBU-72 FAE PURPOSE : Laser-guided triple fuel-air explosive bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Buildings ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Submarine pens,hangars,bunkers,oilplatforms POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Ships EFFECTIVE RANGE : 2 kilometers per 1K' of altitude MAXIMUM SPEED : Glide bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Toss bombing or level bombing TOSS BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' and climb LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 2,000' and turn away NOTES : This weapon contains a mixture of three heavier-than-air gases. When the bomb lands,the gases are released into the air,forming an explosive mix- ture.A delayed-action fuse ignites the mixture,which causes the contaminated air to burn.As well as incinerating everything,the burning gas expands inst- antly. In the open air this is sufficient to set off mines and flatten soft objects (such as men).However,in an enclosed space the effect is vastly mag- nified,with the walls,floor and roof of the structure broken and blown apart The result in underground structures (submarine pens) is total destruction. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Mk 20 "Rockeye" II PURPOSE : Laser-guided high-explosive cluster bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B, Grounded planes, buildings,depots, missile sites,radar sites,oil facilities,ships EFFECTIVE RANGE : 2 kilometers per 1K' of altitude MAXIMUM SPEED : Glide bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Toss bombing or level bombing TOSS BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' and climb LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 2,000' and turn away NOTES : This weapon marries a laser-guided glide-bomb system with a Mk 20 Rockeye cluster munition.The laser guidance allows for earlier release + gre ater bomblet release accuracy.With an area weapon like a cluster bomb the fo rmer is more important,since it gives an increased safety margin to the laun ching aircraft. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Mk 20 "Rockeye PURPOSE : Retarded fragmentation cluster bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Grounded planes, buildings, depots, missile sites,radar sites,oil facilities POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Ships EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Retarded bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Low-altitude level bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' NOTES : This cluster bomb breaks open about 100' above the surface, spinning out 247 shaped-charge bomblets that can destroy buildings, armored vehicles, and people.The opening height and pattern can be pre-set for various types of targets.The U.S. Navy discovered these bombs were effective against small warships when a single cluster bomb wrecked a Libyan Nanuchka-class missile boat in 1986.Of course,not all warships are as vulnerable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Durandal Bomb PURPOSE : Parachute-deployed runway-penetration bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Runways POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Bridges EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Retarded bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Low-altitude level bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' NOTES : This is the standard antirunway weapon in the US arsenal,even though it's French made.When the Durandal is released over target it deploys a para chute.This causes it to float nose-down and roughly stationary over the run- way surface.Then its rocket motor ignites,blasting the warhead straight down through the concrete,where a delayed action fuse explodes it. This heaves up large sections of runway surface, while smaller shards fly hundreds of feet through the air.The result is a thoroughly ruined surface + tons of wreckage that requires both heavy equipment and considerable time to repair. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : ISC B-1 Minelets PURPOSE : Parachute-deployed minelet dispenser QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Runways POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Buildings,depots,SAM sites,oil facilities EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Retarded bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Low altitude level bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' NOTES : This new weapon breaks open at altitude and dispenses a variety of small anti-personnel, anti-vehicle and delayed fuse mines. Used on airfields they prevent flight operations until cleared.They can also cause problems a- round open-air structures such as refineries,oilwells etc.Clearing the mines is complicated by the variety of types, as well as random delayed-fuse bombs (i.e.,you'll never know when another will explode!). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Mk 82-1 "Snakeye" PURPOSE : Retarded high-explosive ("iron") bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 3 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Grounded planes,buildings,depots,oil facil. POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Radar sites EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Retarded bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Low altitude level bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' NOTES : Retarded bombs use parachutes as vanes to slow their descent, allow- ing the plane to clear the area before they land + explode. As a result they can be dropped from a lower altitude than free-fall bombs. However, they are less accurate, making them unsuitable against small targets.For the most ac- curate release,retarded bombs should be dropped in level flight. The Snakeye is the standard vane-type retarder unit for many US bombs, here attached to the Mk 82 500 lb. high-explosive bomb. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Mk 35 IN Cluster PURPOSE : Retarded incendiary cluster bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 OPTIMUM TARGETS : Grade A,Grounded planes,depots,missile sites,oil f. ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Buildings POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Radar sites,ships EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Retarded bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Low-altitude level bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 500' NOTES : This cluster bomb is similar to the Rockeye,but filled with 57 incen diary bomblets.The cluster breaks apart in mid-air,spreading the bomblets o- ver an area of several hundred yards.Then each bomblet spreads a burning li- quid wherever it lands. The result is a raging fire that completely covers a wide area. FREE-FALL BOMBS : ========================================================== NAME : MK 82-0 "Slick" PURPOSE : Free fall high explosive ("iron") bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 3 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Buildings,depots,oil facilities on land POOR TARGETS : Grade C,Hangars,grounded planes,missile sites,radar sites,oil platforms,ships. EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Free-fall bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Level bombing or dive bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 3,000' DIVE BOMBING ALTITUDE : Dive from 8,000',release at 3,000' NOTES : This weapon is the traditional 500 lb high explosive bomb, virtually unchanged in concept since WWII.The effectiveness of this bomb depends almo- st entirely on the skill of the bomber.The most important considerction when using "iron" bombs is that releases below 2000' don't give the bomb time to arm in flight,causing "dud" hits.This occurred in the Falklands war of 1982, when Argentine pilots repeatedly hit British ships with bombs dropped from 50' to 100'. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MK 122 "Fireye" PURPOSE : Free fall incendiary ("fire") bomb QUANTITY PER BAY : 2 ACCEPTABLE TARGETS : Grade B,Grounded planes,buildings,depots,oil facil. POOR TARGETS : Grade C, Hangars,bunkers,missile sites,radar sites, oil platforms, ships. EFFECTIVE RANGE : Nil MAXIMUM SPEED : Free-fall bomb ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Level bombing or dive bombing LEVEL BOMBING ALTITUDE : 3,000' DIVE BOMBING ALTITUDE : Dive from 8,000',release at 3,000' NOTES : This weapon contains an incendiary gel that spreads a burning liquid over a wide area. The liquid can flow into vents, grates,weapon slits, etc., makine it effective against vehicles and fortifications as well as open-air targets. Of course, the bomb must be placed on the target with some accuracy to achieve this effect.Bombing skill`s extremely important with this weapon. OTHER EQUIPMENT : ========================================================== NAME : 135mm/IR Camera PURPOSE : Visual+Infrared photographic reconnaissance camera QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 TARGETS : Any ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Level low-altitude photographic run PHOTO RUN ALTITUDE : 200' NOTES : This pallette contains a 135mm high resolution camera for use in vis ible light,and a second camera for infrared thermal photography.Both photogr aphs are taken simultaneously under pilot control.When this camera is deplo- yed through the bomb bay,the F-19's tracking camera is "frozen" into a pre- programmed position,allowing it to function as a viewer for the 135mm lens. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : 1900 lbs Fuel PURPOSE : Additional fuel for extended range flying QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 EFFECTIVE RANGE : Improves flight range by 19% per tank NOTES : This fuel container gives extra range with the mininum container wei ght.It replaces the weapons mounting in one bay. The fuel can be transferred into the main tanks by the flip of a switch because the F-19 turbofan engine fuel lines run only to the main tanks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Special Airdropping Secret Equipment QUANTITY PER BAY : 1 ATTACK TECHNIQUE : Airdrop from level flight or land at airstrip AIRDROP ALTITUDE : 500' to 1000' NOTES : Airdropped equipment in the F19 uses a simple ripcord-and-chute des- ign.The equipment package is released from the weapons bay,a long ripcord re mains attached.Within a second the cord draws taught + pulls open the chute. SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEMS : =========================================== RADAR RATINGS : Pulse radars are generally less effective than dopplerradars Obsolescent radars of either type are greatly inferior to modern radars.As a result,modern doppler radars are the most dangerous, while obsolescent pulse radars are the least dangerous.Ranges are given in km.Note that a maximum fi ring range is often less than the maximum search range,due to the limited fu el carried by most missiles. GUIDANCE SYSTEMS : Radar guided missiles, with/without command guidance, are confused by your ECM jammer unless they are very close.If they are close,ch- aff is needed instead.Infrared guided missiles are confused by your IR jam- mer unless very close,where flares are used instead.A decoy is effective ag- ainst any type of missile.Visually guided missiles cannot be fooled, but are usually slow reacting,allowing you to outmaneuver them fairly easily.Maximum speed is a useful measure of whether you can outrun a missile, and how much reaction time you have if one is fired. Mach 1 or 2 missiles are fairly slow and easier to deal with. Mach 3 or faster missiles are much more formidable opponents.Maximum altitude is also a useful measure, since in some cases you can fly above the missile's ceiling.Maneuverability indicates how easy it is to outmaneuver the missile.The less maneuverable the missile,the better your chance of turning perpendicular to its course and outmaneuvering it. RADAR-CONTROLLED SAMS : ==================================================== The standard long-range SAM is controlled by radar.First the search radar sc ans the sky to find your plane.Searchradars are graphically portrayed in the pre-flight briefing,and on your cockpit CRTmaps.When the search system finds your plane,it will "hand off" the prospective target to a narrow beam fire control radar,usually running on a different frequency.The "TRAK" warning li ght in the cockpit alerts you whenever a narrow-beam tracking radar "paints" your craft.Tracking continues while the missile is airborne.Beam Rider radar guided missiles are the least flexible.They "ride" the controlling radars be am.They can be easily jammed,have poor maneuverability,and cannot "turn aro- und" for a second attack if they miss. Semi-Active radar guided missiles are more flexible.They can burn through jamming as they approach the target, and often have better maneuverability.However,like beam-riders,they cannot "turn around" for a second attack if they miss. Command Guidance radar-guided mis- siles are the most flexible.Like semi-active missiles, they can burn through jamming at short distances + have good maneuverability. In addition,they can be commanded to turn around and try again if they miss on the first pass. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-2 "Guideline" PURPOSE : Long-range fixed-site radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar bunker with missile emplacements SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 200 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar "beam-rider" MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 125 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 3+ MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 55,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very poor NOTES : This very old system is used by many third world nations outfitted with Soviet equipment.Although the radar systems have been upgraded over the last two decades,they are still inferior to modern systems.The last time SA2 were used effectively was the air defense of North Vietnam in the early 70s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-5 "Gammon" PURPOSE : Long-range fixed-site radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar bunker with missile emplacements SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 350 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar "beam-rider" MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 150 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 3 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 95,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Poor NOTES : The SA5 is the largest + longest ranged SAM in the world today.Howe- ver,bigger is not always better. Missile accuracy at extreme ranges is poor, its radar control system mediocre,and the huge missile has very poor maneuv- erability.Still,the extreme range poses a formidable threat.In its 1986 exc- hanges with Libya,the US Navy's first priority was disabling the SA-5 Gammon batteries with HARM missiles. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-10 "Grumble" PURPOSE : Long-range fixed-site or vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar bunker or armored vehicle with missile emplace ments or armored vehicle missile launchers. SEARCH SYSTEM : Phased-array doppler radar MAXIMUM SEARCH Range : 320 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern doppler radar and command guidance MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 125 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 3 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : Over 70,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This semi-mobile all-altitude defense system was originally designed to defend the borders of the USSR from both cruise missiles and aircraft.How ever,recent failures to detect and engage low-flying aircraft suggest this system is less than perfect.The SA-10 is a new generation long range air def ense weapon designed to replace the obsolgscent SA-5 Gammon.Because this wea pon is new, details may be innaccurate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-4 "Ganef" PURPOSE : Medium-range fixed-site/vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar bunker with missile emplacements, or radar and launcher on tracked vehicles SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 100 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar & semi-active radar homing MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 70 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 75,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very poor NOTES : The SA-4 was Russia's first mobile,battlefield SAM,designed to accom pany large military formations as they maneuver on the battlefield.It opera- tes in the rear areas of the front lines,attacking aircraft that IR SAMs fa- il to hit.The SA-4 entered service in the 1960s. It is now obsolescent,found only in 2nd and 3rd line Russian units.It has been sold extensively to Russ- ian allies and client states. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-12 "Gladiator" PURPOSE : Medium/long-range site / vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Temporary site with radar and missile launchers, or dispersed radar and launcher vehicles SEARCH SYSTEM : Phased-array doppler radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 290 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern doppler radar and command guidance MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 150 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 3+ MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : Over 70,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This very new system is believed to be a semi-mobile SAM designed to accompany armies,deploying far rear.From that position the missile can prov- ide a wide umbrella of defense against both air raids and missile attacks. Because this weapon is quite new,the details may be innaccurate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-6 "Gainful" PURPOSE : Medium-range vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar and launcher on tracked vehicles SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH Range : 80 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar and command guidance MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2.8 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 60,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This medium ranged battlefield SAM is also obsolescent in the Russi- an army, but extensively used by the first-line forces of Soviet allies and client states.It is designed to accompany combat troops,protecting them from positions only a short distance behind the front lines. The missile was very effective in the first few days of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War,but soon succum bed to advanced ECM jammers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-8 "Gecko" PURPOSE : Medium-range vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar and launcher on a single vehicle SEARCH SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 125 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar,semi-active with video backup MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 65 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 25,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This shorter-ranged but higher quality successor to the SA-6 was the standard "up front" radar SAM of the Soviet Army in the 1970s + early 1980s. Now being replaced by the SA-11, it is likely to appear among the armies of Russia's allies and client states soon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-11 "Gadfly" PURPOSE : Medium-range vehicular radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar and launcher on a single vehicle SEARCH SYSTEM : Modern doppler radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 200 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar,backup unknown MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 100 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 45,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This weapon is the "next generation" battlefield radar SAM designed to replace the SA-6 and SA-8.The weapon is very new, and details may well be inaccurate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MIM-23B "Hawk" PURPOSE : Medium-range fixed-site radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar bunker or trailer with missile launcher empla- cements or trailers SEARCH SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 175 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar and command guidance MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 125 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 52,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : The HAWK has long been the standard SAM of the USA, with various mo- dels exported to allies, including Iran. Lt.Colonel North's famous arms deal to Iran included extra parts and missiles for HAWK batteries,then Irans most powerful air defense system. This missile was adequate for the 1970s, but is no longer "state of the art" against first-line 1980s aircraft.The US Army's replacement,the MIM-104 "Patriot" has not been sold to any other nation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : "Rapier" PURPOSE : Short-range fixed-site visual/radar-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Combined radar+launcher pedestal,or tracked vehicle. SEARCH SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 75 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Optical command guidance with semi-active pulse rad- ar backup system. MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 65 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2+ MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 24,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This is a British high-precision,high-speed SAM for general battlef- ield defense (roughly equivalent to the SA-8).However it is greatly hampered by its short range,and was not very effective in the Falklands for this rea- son.Pedestal versions were sold to the Iranian air force for airbase defense ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-N-4 PURPOSE : Medium-range area-defense naval SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Integral to warship SEARCH SYSTEM : Depends on the ship,usually some type of pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Depends on the ship.Typically 100-200 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar with video backup MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 25,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This missile is the naval version of the SA8 Gecko,used on some cru- isers,frigates,newer missile boats (including the Nanuchka class),and amphi- bious warfare ships. The twin missile launcher pops up from an armored silo when ready to fire. The missiles can be fired against surface ships as well as airplanes, but are ineffective against modern anti-ship cruise missiles. This is a serious drawback,since many cruisers have a longer range than this SAM-System. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-N-6 PURPOSE : Medium-range area-defense naval SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Integral to warship SEARCH SYSTEM : Phased array doppler radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 300+ km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern doppler radar and command guidance MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 125 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 3 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : over 70,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Average NOTES : This is the naval version of the SA10 Grumble long-range air-defense SAM,mounted on the Kiev-class aircraft carriers and Kirov-class battlecruis- ers.It is an excellent all-altitude weapon capable of reaching out long dis- tances to intercept incoming airstrikes before they launch their own missil- es,as well as planes that approach more closely.It is also designed to shoot down incoming cruise missiles,should a hostile aircraft manage to launch one ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-N-7 PURPOSE : Medium-range area-defense naval SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Integral to warship SEARCH SYSTEM : Depends on ship,usually modern doppler radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Depends on the ship,50 to 200 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Modern pulse radar,backup unknown MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 100 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 45,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This is the naval equivalent of the SA11 Gadfly,found on Sovremennyy class and later destroyers.It is a good self-defense weapon against air att- acks that fly near or over the ship, but lacks the range to engage distant planes launching anti ship cruisemissiles.This missile is not good enough to shoot down anti-ship cruise missiles,but the Sovremennyys carry 30mm gatling guns for that job. SHORT RANGE IR & VISUAL SAMS : ============================================= Expensive,sophisticated short range SAMs rely on search radars, but the less expensive designs use simple eyesight.Once acquired,the target may be track- ed by eyesight,cameras or radar.If the missile is an IR homer,it is aimed a- long the tracking line,and its infrared seeker turned on.When the seeker lo- cks onto the target the missile is launched.From that point onward the miss- ile steers itself,using its seeker.Infrared seekers home on heat sources."Fi rst generation" seekers were easily confused by the sun,common distress fla- res,even greenhouses or sun-heated rocks.More modern "second generation" se- ekers have filters,improved technology and computer logic, making them more difficult to "fool" with jammers or flares. Visually guided weapons require that the controller guide the missile to the target in sight. Early designs such as the Tigercat and Seacat required the controller to actually fly the missile like a plane,later designs such as the Rapier requier the the contr- oller just keep the target in his crosshairs - the missile automatically gu- ides itself in whateter direction the crosshair sight indicates,visually gu- ided systems cannot be jammed,have trouble tracking wildly maneuvering targ- ets,or even finding a target in bad visibility. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-7B "Grail" PURPOSE : Short-range shoulder-launched infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Carried by infantrymen, or in any light vehicle. SEARCH SYSTEM : Eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Infrared homing (first generation) MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 10 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 20,000'+ MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : One of the first shoulder fired SAMs,this missile has good speed and range but a very weak warhead.The IR seeker has been improved in the B model but even more upgrades appeared in the SA-14. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : FIM-43A "Redeye" PURPOSE : Short-range shoulder-launched infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Carried by infantrymen,or in any light vehicle. SEARCH SYSTEM : Eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Infrared homing (first generation) MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : No more that 7 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 10,000'+ MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : Was America's first shoulder-fired SAM,and was never really very ef- fective.Its IR seeker was very simple,the warhead small,and the range and sp eed barely adequate.However,during the 1970s the US Army had nothing better, and a few NATO allies were loyal enough to buy it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-14 & SA-16 PURPOSE : Short-range shoulder-launched infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Carried by infantrymen,or in any light vehicle. SEARCH SYSTEM : Eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Infrared homing (second generation all-aspect) MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : About 16 km MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5+ MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 20,000'+ MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent NOTES : This is a completely upgraded version of the SA7,with greater speed, range, and a much improved seeker. Even further improvements and refinements will appear with the upcoming SA-16. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : FIM-92A "Stinger" PURPOSE : Short-range shoulder-launched infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Carried by infantrymen,or in any light vehicle. SEARCH SYSTEM : Eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Infrared homing (second generation all-aspect) MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 2 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : About 10 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : About 20,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent NOTES : Entering production in 1981, this was a much-needed replacement for the Redeye.The Stinger is much more effective missile,largely because of its excellent and quite intelligent IR seeker.The CIA has been supplying quanti- ties of this missile to guerilla movements, who in turn have traded or given this to groups hostile to America,including the Iranian Shi'ite militia. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-9B "Gaskin" PURPOSE : Short-range vehicle mounted infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar and launcher on same armored vehicle SEARCH SYSTEM : Eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Pulse radar aiming and infrared (IR) homing MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 20,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This is an upgraded version of the SA-9 missile vehicle.The original design did very poorly in the Bekaa Valley against Israeli aircraft in 1981. The SA-9 is designed to accompany front-line combat units and provide low- level defense against strike aircraft and helicopters. The missile itself is fairly small and not especially destructive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-13 "Gopher" PURPOSE : Short-range vehicle mounted infrared-homing SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Radar and launcher on same armored vehicle SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radars or eyesight MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Visual or 30-60 km pulse radar GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Pulse radar aiming and infrared (IR) homing MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 65 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 30,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This is an improved SA9 with a new launcher,better radar,and an imp- roved missile.Unlike the SA-9, it can be linked with a seperate search radar system,including other obsolescent systems from older radar-guided SAMs.A nu mber of third world nations have received this with the SA9B missiles on the new tracked launcher. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : "Tigercat" PURPOSE : Short-range fixed site visual SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Emplacements + controller position,trailer laucher SEARCH SYSTEM : Visual or obsolescent pulse radar MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Eyesight or 65 km pulse radar GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Joystick (visual) command guidance MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 12,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This inexpensive land version of the Seacat missile is only useful for protecting installations from direct air raids. It is very short ranged, cannot reach high altitudes,and has a primitive "operator must fly the miss- ile" control system.Missiles are heavy, and mounted on trailers that must be deployed well to rear of any battlefield frontline. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : SA-N-5 PURPOSE : Short-range point defense naval SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Integral to warship SEARCH SYSTEM : Naval pulse radar of varying quality MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : Varies with ship,50-150 km GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Infrared (IR) homing MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 20,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This is vhe naval version of the SA-7 Grail.Older frigates and miss- ile boats including the very common Osa class use this system. The missiles are aimed visually,their IR locked on,and then fired.Larger launcher systems have four launching tubes and an operator position. The system is effective only against aircraft that fly close to the boat or ship. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : "Seacat" PURPOSE : Short-range point defense naval SAM. BATTERY CONFIGURATION : Integral to"warship SEARCH SYSTEM : Obsolescent pulse radar (on Vosper Mk 5 Frigates) MAXIMUM SEARCH RANGE : 200 km (on Vosper Mk 5 Frigates) GUIDANCE SYSTEM : Joystick (visual) command guidance MAXIMUM SPEED : Mach 1.5 MAXIMUM FIRING RANGE : 30 km MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 12,000' MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : The missile is the naval version of the Tigercat,with the same prim- itive control system and short range.It is the anti-aircraft defense of Mark 5 frigates,built by Vosper/England for export. Iran bought a number of these ships.The Vosper's search radar is the obsolescent AWS-1,whose maximum range is 200 km.Its effective range against a stealth aircraft would be much less. WARPLANES/KEY TO AIRCRAFT : ================================================ ROLES : A fighter plane specializes in air-to-air combat,where the objective is destroying enemy aircraft.An interceptor is a fighter designed to fly lo- ng distances + attack distant enemy aircraft.Many interceptors are poor dog- fighters.A strike plane is designed to hit surface targets in enemy territo- ry.Close support strikes are against enemy front-line troops,interdiction st rikes are against military rear areas (headquarters,supply dumps, columns on roads,etc.),while deep strikes attack enemy installations far behind the fr- ont line (railroad yards,bridges,airbases,etc.). Strike aircraft designed to function against warships are sometimes termed attack aircraft. Bombers are designed for knterdiction,deep strike,and/or naval attack,aswell as carrying nuclear weapons and/or reconnaissance gear.Transports carry personnel and e- quipment.They are not designed to fight,and almost never carry and armament. AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) planes carry powerful search radar and communications gear, designed to watch friendly + hostile aircraft while simultaneously controlling friendly air operations. CREW : If a plane has a crew of one man,cockpit aids are important:the work- load for one man in a jet warplane is quite high. MISSION WEIGHT : This is the typical total weight of the plane, with fuel + weapons,at takeoff.If the plane can serve in both fighter + strike role, the fighter (air-to-air) weight is given. In a strike role a plane often carries 15-35% additional weight. ENGINES : The total thrust of the engines (on afterburners if available) is important.Airplanes with greater thrust than weight can fly "ballistically", a useful advantage in aircombat.A high thrust/weight ratio is desired by all fighter pilots. RANGE : This is the combat radius of the plane when loaded for action, but using only internal tanks (no extra fuel tanks).Often the figure is an appr- oximation. CEILING : Maximum altitude of the plane,using afterburners if available. MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : Sea-level maximum speed is often much less than high altitude maximum speed,especially in high-speed jets. MAXIMUM SPEED AT 36,000': This altitude level is an importcnt benchmark bec- ause above it Mach 1 is a constant 573 knots.Although this speed is importa- nt,note that the optimum turning speed for most aircraft is Mach 0.75 - 0.90 (i.e.,550-650 knots,depending on the plane and altitude); higher speeds are only good for chasing opponents,escaping from them, or quick dashes into and out of enemy airspace. ARMAMENT: Often weapons pylons can be fitted to carry multiple bombs/light- weight missiles.Number of pylons need not limit the number of ordnance items AIR-TO-AIR RADAR QUALITY : As a stealth pilot, you are naturally interested in the range and quality of enemy airborne search radar. MANEUVERABILITY : This is a comparative rating of how well the plane can ma- neuver in a dogfight.All aircraft are rated on the same standard: via superb maneuverability of the F-16 Falcon. AMERICAN-BUILT WARPLANES : ================================================= NAME : F-4E Phantom II DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : McDonnell Douglas, USA ROLE : Fighter & strike fighter CREW : 2 MISSION WEIGHT : 27 t ENGINE(S) : 2 GeneralElectric J79-17 turbojets/35,800lbs thrust RANGE : 830 km CEILING : 58,750' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 800 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1260 kts ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 20mm cannon,4 missile recesses,5 pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Fair quality and range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair to good NOTES : This all-purpose plane served the US Navy + Air Force as both a fig- hter and strike fighter throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. In the USAF it is now obsolescent, serving mainly for reconnaissance and electronic warfare ("Wild Weasel").However,hundreds were sold to western nations worldwide,inc- luding Iran under the Shah.For air-to-air combat the plane can carry four AI M-9 Sidewinders + four AIM-7 Sparrows. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : F-5E Tiger II DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : Northrop, USA ROLE : Fighter & strike fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 12 t ENGINE(S) : 2 GeneralElectric J85-GE-21B turbojets/10,000 lbs RANGE : 220 km CEILING : 51,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : Not available,probably 500-600 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 950 kts ARMAMENT : 2 * 20mm cannon,5 weapon pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Poor quality and range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This inexpensive and unsophisticated fighter was never adopted by US combat arms,but has been widely sold abroad,including 138 to Iran.Underpowe- red,with poor avionics, it is useful only against obsolete opponents. It can carry AIM-9 Sidewinders,but not AIM-7 Sparrows. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : F-14D Tomcat DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : Grumman, USA ROLE : Fighter & interceptor CREW : 2 MISSION WEIGHT : 35 t ENGINE(S) : Originally 2 Pratt & Whitney TF30-412A turbofans for 41,800 lbs thrust,upgraded in D model to two General Electric F110-400 turbofans for 54-58,000 lbs thrust RANGE : 1280 km CEILING : over 56,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 800 kts with TF30,higher with F110 MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1350 kts with TF30,higher with F110 ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 20mm cannon,4 weapons pallets,2 pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Excellent range,high quality doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This heavy,longrange interceptor has extremely powerful avionics for use with the AIM-54 Phoenix semi-active radar-homing missile,which has a 200 km effective range.The aircraft is the US Navy's long-range defender of car- rier battle groups.Standard USN armament is 4 Phoenix + 4 Sidewinder missil- es. The swinging wings are computer controlled for maximum performance, but their swing also shows the plane's energy state to the enemy. In 87 the Navy began a program that upgraded the original TF30 engines with the newer, more powerful F110s.About 80 TF30-engined F-14s were supplied to Iran, but engine troubles,complexities in the avionics system,and the delicacy of the Phoenix missiles have greatly reduced their militaryvalue.They are often used as ra- dar-warning patrol aircraft. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : F-15C Eagle DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : McDonnell Douglas, USA ROLE : Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 22 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Pratt&Whitney F100-100 turbofans/47,660 lbs thrust RANGE : 1200 km CEILING : 63,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 810 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1260 kts or greater ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 20mm cannon,4 missile ejectors, 4 pylons, 2 FAST pallet points (extra fuel) AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium range,high quality doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This large,powerful dogfighter is the dream plane of many USAFpilots Although not as nimble as the lightweight F-16,it has longer ranged avionics plus a brute size and power unmatched by any fighter until the new Su-27 ap- peared. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : F-16C Falcon DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : General Dynamics, USA ROLE : Fighter & strike fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 540 km ENGINE(S) : 1 Pratt&Whitney F100-200 turbofan/23,830 lbs thrust RANGE : 12.5 t CEILING : Over 50,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 800 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1190 kts ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 20mm cannon,7 weapon pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium range,high quality doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Excellent NOTES : The latest production fighter added to the US Air Force, the F-16 is the most maneuverable dogfighter in the world possibly excepting the MiG-29. The inherently unstable airframe that gives this agility would be unflyable except for the computerized electronic controls,hence its nickname "Electric Jet".Advanced air-ground avionics and anti-missile defenses are extras,maki- ng the basic aircraft relatively cheap. Many western nations have purchased F-16s.However,until the AIM-120 AMRAAM it had no long-range AAM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : F/A-18A Hornet DESIGNER/MANUFACTURER : McDonnell Douglas/Northrop, US ROLE : Fighter & strike fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 18 t ENGINE(S) : 2 GeneralElectric F404400 turbofans/32,000lbs thrust RANGE : 740 km CEILING : 50,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : Less than 660 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1050 kts ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 20mm cannon,9 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium range,high quality doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Good to very good NOTES : Although not as maneuverable as the F-16,this heavier multi-role fi- ghter has numerous avionic and defensive aids built in. These were required by the US Navy,its main user,who needed an all-purpose fighter + attack bom- ber able to fire a variety of sophisticated weapons.Like the F-16,it also is sold to western nations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : A-6E Intruder DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Grumman, USA ROLE : Attack & interdiction bomber CREW : 2 MISSION WEIGHT : 13 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Pratt&Whitney J52-8A turbojets / 18,600 lbs thrust RANGE : 870 km CEILING : 44,600' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 570 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 540 kts ARMAMENT : 5 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Poor,but superb air-to-ground weapons radars MANEUVERABILITY : Fair to poor NOTES : Designed at the end of the 1950s as a lowlevel attack bomber for use in bad weather/at night,this plane remains an unqualified success.Avionics + weapons have been rebuilt more than once to maintain the "state of the art", with upgrades under development.Electronic warfare (EA-6 and EA-6B) + aerial tanker (KA-6D) versions exist. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : AV-8B Harrier II DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : British Aerospace,UK (original design) and McDonnell Douglas,USA (American version) ROLE : S/VTOL Fighter & strike fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 15 t STOVL,10 t VTOL ENGINE(S) : One Rolls Royce Pegasus 11-21E for 22,000 lbs vecto- red thrust (no afterburner) RANGE : 240 km CEILING : 55,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 585 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 520 kts ARMAMENT : 1 * 25mm cannon,7 weapon pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Poor,target acquisition is usually visual MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : Originally designed as a strike fighter,the British-American corede- sign greatly enhanced maneuverability. The avionics are designed for ground attack rather than air-to-air combat. Despite this, Harriers were successful as interceptors and combat air patrol in the 1982 Falklands War. The Harrier is the primary fighter of the US Marines,the British Royal Navy,and frontli- ne squadrons of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) in Germany.Usually it uses short segments of roadway or a "skijump" deck for rolling takeoffs,and later lands vertically,like a helicopter. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : A-10A Thunderbolt II DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Fairchild Republic,USA ROLE : Close support aircraft CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 20 t ENGINE(S) : 2 GeneralElectric TF34100 turbofans/18,130lbs thrust RANGE : 960 km CEILING : Under 40,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 370 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : Unknown,probably less than 370 kts ARMAMENT : 7-barrel 30mm cannon,11 weapon pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Poor,air-to-ground avionics quite basic MANEUVERABILITY : Very good NOTES : This slow, heavily-armored plane was designed purely for frontline ground attack with tank busting its speciality.This role (unglamorous to the USAF), along with its peculiar appearance, earns it the unofficial nickname Warthog.Although intended for combat in Europe where low clouds and bad wea- ther are frequent,the A-10 is a fair-weather day-only plane.The manafacturer hopes to interest the USAF in a night-flying variant, currently without suc- cess.Unless protected by good fighters (F-15s + F-16s), this plane is doomed if sent into airspace contested by USSR fighters. The USAF is now gradually getting rid of the A-10.Numerous accidents may have had something to do with this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : EF-111A Raven DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : General Dynamics,USA ROLE : Electronic warfare escort CREW : 2 MISSION WEIGHT : 43.5 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Pratt & Whitney TF30-3 turbofans/37,000 lbs thrust (with afterburners) RANGE : 1,900 km CEILING : 54,700' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 700 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1020 kts ARMAMENT : ALQ-99E electronic warfare system,no other weapons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium-long range,high quality pulse & doppler MANOUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : Specially built electronic warfare version of the F-111 "Aardvaark" strike and interdiction bomber.The original concept of the F-111 was a high- speed bomber for deep strikes at high and/or low altitude,especially at nig- ht or in bad weather.The EF-111 is popularly known as the "Electric Fox", or "Spark Vark".It is designed to accompany deep strike and interdiction missi- ons,providing electronic screening and jamming,it is the fastest,most power- ful such craft in the world. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : B-1B Bomber DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Rockwell International,USA ROLE : Strategic bomber CREW : 4 MISSION WEIGHT : 225 t with internal load only ENGINE(S) : 4 GeneralElectric F101102 turbofans/120,000 lbs RANGE : 5,900 km CEILING : Unknown,probably under 50,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 530 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 727 kts ARMAMENT : 37.5 t capacity bomb bay,plus 29.5 t external mounts AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium range,high quality doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Poor NOTES : This redesign of the B1A emphasizes low-level attack + minimal radar signature.The aircraft is now seriously overloaded by the numerous revisions + often unreliable electronic defensive gear. Despite the usual carping from the US press, in combat against first-line Russian aircraft this bomber has some hope of survival.The obsolescent B-52s it replaces would have no chance whatsoever. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : E-3C Sentry "AWACS" DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Boeing,USA ROLE : Airborne Early Warning & Control CREW : 15 to 17 MISSION WEIGHT : 162.5 t ENGINE(S) : 4 Pratt&Whitney TF33-100/100A turbofans/84,000 lbs RANGE : 3,000 km (11 hours unrefueled endurance) CEILING : Over 29,000' CRUISE SPEED : Over 350 kts MAXIMUM SPEED : 460 kts ARMAMENT : Surveillance radar,communications,airtraffic control and electronic defenses; weapons pylons may be added AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Excellent range and quality radars MANEUVERABILITY : Poor NOTES : This 707 airliner frame holds the most sophisticated + effective air borne radar in the world.No other nation has a plane of equivalent effective ness.Flying "racetrack" circles behind friendly lines at 25-30,000',this AW- ACS can watch and direct aircraft out to 300 miles range.Until the "C" model upgrade,too many aircraft and limited computer power caused temporary "blind spots".In wartime weapons pylons carrying AIM-9 Sidewinders or AIM-120 AMRA- AMS could be added.In addition each Sentry carries various electronic defen- ses and always has a fighter escort. RUSSIAN-BUILT WARPLANES : ================================================== NAME : MiG-21 Fishbed DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 9 t ENGINE(S) : 1 Tumansky R-11F2S-300 turbofan/14,500 lbs thrust RANGE : 630 km CEILING : 59,000' (often only 50,000') MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 700 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1220 kts ARMAMENT : 2 * 23mm cannon,4 weapons pylons,1 fuel tank pylon AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Very short range,low quality pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Good NOTES : This agile, maneuverable,easy-flying fighter was the premier dogfig- hting plane of the 1960s and early 1970s.It has simple avionics + a standard armament of 2 or 4 AA-2s (now often replaced by AA-8s),making it inexpensive to buy,arm and maintain.However,it has little or no HUD,weak radars, and low quality defenses,making it obsolete as a fighter. Unfortunately, its limited carrying capacity makes it poor as a strike fighter. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MiG-23 Flogger DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : Fighter CREW : One MISSION WEIGHT : 16 t ENGINE(S) : 1 Tumansky R-29B turbofan/27,500 lbs thrust RANGE : 900 km CEILING : 61,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 740 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1190 kts ARMAMENT : 2 * 23mm cannon,4 weapon pylons,1 fuel tank pylon AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Very poor,short range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This swing-wing fighter replacement for the MiG21 originally had few avionics and a 22,485 lb. R-27 engine.This variant,incapable of firing soph- isticated weapons and with serious performance flaws, is often sold abroad. The more advanced models,listed above, are mediocre performers. All commonly carry AA-2 and/or AA-8 missiles,most USSR and East European versions use the AA-7 radar homing missile also. With its MiG-27 brother, this plane has huge production runs, making it the cheapest fighter available today. This alone makes it one of the world's most popular aircraft. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MiG-27 Flogger (Physical appearance equivalent to Mi G-23,but slimmer 'duck-nose') DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : Strike Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 22 t ENGINE(S) : 1 Tumansky R-29 turbofan/25,353 lbs thrust RANGE : 400 km CEILING : 52,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 635 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 925 kts ARMAMENT : 1 * 6-barrel 23mm cannon,5 weapon pylons,2 bombracks AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Very poor,very short range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This is the ground-attack variant of the MiG-23.In Russian frontline units it includes a laser designator for laser-guided munitions and simple terrainavoidance radars for lowlevel attacks.Improved jammers and decoys are added as well.Many sophisticated attack aids common on western strike fight- ers are not present.Presumably the MiG-27s compensate for this with quantity as huge production runs greatly lower its cost. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MiG-25 Foxbat DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : PVO Interceptor CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 40 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Tumansky R-31 turbofans/48,500 lbs thrust RANGE : 1,100 km CEILING : 80,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 570 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1860 kts ARMAMENT : 4 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium quality,medium range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Poor NOTES : This plane was originally designed to defend the distant borders of the USSR from air attack, working with special ground radars to attack enemy bombers with a special long-ranged AAM (the AA-6). It is extremely fast, but quite unmaneuverable. A few are bought by client states for status reasons, but the reconnaissance version (MiG25R) is more popular - it's 88,000' ceil- ing makes it immune to normal SAM or fighter interception. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MiG-29 Fulcrum DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 18 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Tumansky R-33D turbofans/36,600 lbs thrust RANGE : 650 km CEILING : Probably 55-65,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 700 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1260 kts ARMAMENT : 1 multi-barrel cannon,6 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Medium quality and range doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Very good to excellent NOTES : Originally designed to outfight the F-15,this plane is a modern,lig htweight dogfighter with superlative agility. It has engine power in excess of its weight. Common armament is AA10 "fire and forget" radar-homers along with some AA-8 and/or AA-10 IR missiles.The degree of sophistication in the avionics is unknown,but unlikely to match west models. Considerable debate exists regarding the relative superiority of this plane versus the F-16. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : MiG-31 Foxhound DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Mikoyan-Gurevich,USSR ROLE : PVO Interceptor CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 45 t ENGINE(S) : 2 turbofans/turbojets,estimated thrust 50-60,000lbs RANGE : 1,500 km CEILING : 75,500' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 790 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1400 kts ARMAMENT : Cannon possible,4 missile recesses,4 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Superior quality and range doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This aircraft is a redesigned MiG-25. Although slightly slower,it is improved in all other categories,especially low-altitude interceptions agai- nst planes and cruise missiles. The new AA-9 long-range missile is designed for look-down attacks on low-level cruise missiles.It also has AA8s + AA10s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Su-24 Fencer DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Sukhoi,USSR ROLE : Strike Fighter & Interdictor CREW : 2 MISSION WEIGHT : 43.5 t ENGINE(S) : 2 Tumansky R-29B turbofans/50,700 lbs thrust RANGE : 300 to 1,800 km (varies with mission profile/load) CEILING : 57,400' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 765 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1400 kts ARMAMENT : 6-barrel 23mm cannon,8 weapon pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Nil,avionics designed purely for air-ground role MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : This is the most advanced air-ground attack plane built by the USSR. Externally it appears similar to the F111,including the side-by-side seating in the cockpit.However,its armament and avionics are designed for front-line and rear-area strikes, into the teeth of enemy air defenses. Western air and ground commanders fear the Su-24 more than any other Soviet aircraft.The air craft may carry a few AA-8s for self-defense,but it is not designed for air- to-air combat. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Su-27 Flanker DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Sukhoi,USSR ROLE : Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 25 t ENGINE(S) : 2 unknown turbojets/estimated 60,000 lbs thrust RANGE : 1,150 km CEILING : probably 60,000' or more MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 725 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 1350 kts ARMAMENT : Probably a cannon,6 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Above average quality and range doppler radar MANEUVERABILITY : Very good to excellent NOTES : This aircraft was designed to dedeat the F-14 and F-15 fighters.It`s a large, powerful dogfighter whose usual armament is probably four AA-8 and four AA-10 missiles.In comparison to the MiG-29,the Su27 is a larger,heavier plane.If its avionics and flight controls are truly modern, the Su-27 may be the superior plane.However,in dogfighting maneuverability the MiG-29 and F16 probably have the edge. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Yak-38 Forger DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Yakovlev,USSR ROLE : VTOL Fighter CREW : 1 MISSION WEIGHT : 12 t ENGINE(S) : 1 Lyulka AL-21 vectored-thrust turbojet / 17,985 lbs thrust (no afterburner),plus 2 Koliesov lift engines RANGE : 370 km CEILING : 39,370' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 535 kts MAXIMUM SPEED 36,000' : 550 kts ARMAMENT : 4 weapons pylons AIR-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Poor quality and range pulse radar MANEUVERABILITY : Fair NOTES : Originally known as the Yak-36MP,this vertical take-off fighter oper ates from the Kiev-class aircraft carriers.These lack the equipment and deck space for conventional jets. Initially thought to be a Russian equivalent of the Harrier,the Yak38 is considerably inferior.It has a limited interception ability and very limited strike capacity.However,until this plane the Russi- an navy had nothing bigger than helicopters for its warships at sea. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Tu-26 "Backfire" DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Tupolev, USSR ROLE : Bomber CREW : 4 MISSION WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF : 61 tons ENGINE(S) : 2 Kuznetsov NK-144 turbofans/88,180 lbs thrust RANGE : 5,500 km CEILING : 55,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 525 kts MAXIMUM SPEED AT 36,000' : 970 kts ARMAMENT : 3 heavy Air-Surface missiles/13 tons of bombs AIR-TO-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Fair,with excellent air-to-surface avionics MANEUVERABILITY : Very poor NOTES : Many of these swing-wing bombers are in service with the Soviet nav- al air arm,carrying longrange missiles to attack hostile warships up to 3000 km out to sea.The Backfire's exceptionally long range + high speed, plus its powerful missiles make it a mortal threat to USN aircraft carriers.With aer- ial refueling it has sufficient range to get within curise-missile-launch po sition of the USA.As a gesture to arms control,the USSR has removed air ref- ueling equipment from its Air Force Backfires. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Tu-95D "Bear" DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Tupolev, USSR ROLE : Reconnaissance bomber CREW : 7-12 MISSION WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF : Unknown,about 145-165 tons ENGINE(S) : Four Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops RANGE : 8,250 km (7 hours endurance) CEILING : 41,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 410 kts MAXIMUM SPEED AT 36,000' : 475 kts ARMAMENT : Unarmed AIR-TO-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Very good long-range pulse radars MANEUVERABILITY : Terrible NOTES : The Tu95 has been the worlds most sophisticated turbopropbomber for over thirty years (it entered service in 1955). It is primarily used for lo ng-range reconnaissance,electronic intelligence,electronic warfare(jamming) anti-ship missiles,and cruise-missiles.The "D" model is a reconnaissance ve rsion,the "H" model (on a slightly modified airframe) a cruise-missile car- rier.(Believe it or not, this plane's design ancestry can be traced back to the WW2 American Flying Fortress..) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : Il-76 "Mainstay" DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Ilyushin, USSR ROLE : Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) CREW : Estimated at 15 to 20 MISSION WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF : About 150 t ENGINE(S) : 4 Soloview D-30KP turbofans/106,000 lbs thrust RANGE : About 6,400 km (7 hours endurance) CEILING : About 40-50,000' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 400 kts MAXIMUM SPEED AT 36,000' : 460 kts ARMAMENT : Possibly twin 23mm tailcannon, 2-4 weapon pylons AIR-TO-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Excellent long-range doppler radars MANEUVERABILITY : Terrible NOTES : The "Mainstay" is a conversion of the huge Il-76 Candid transport pl ane to "AWACS" duties.Its purpose is to detect enemy aircraft and low-flyi- ng missiles,and act as a mobile,airborne command post that controls friendly aircraft engaging such threats. The earlier Tu-126 "Moss" AEW&C with turbo- props was a disastrous failure.Like many AEW&C planes, the Il-76 could carry a few AAMs (AA-8s or AA-10s) for self defense,as well as extensive jammers, decoys,etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME : An-72 "Coaler" DESIGNER/MANAFACTURER : Antonov, USSR ROLE : Air transport CREW : 3 MISSION WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF : 28 t ENGINE(S) : Two Lotarev D-36 turbofans for 28,660 lbs thrust RANGE : 1000 km (max cargo) to 3,800 km (no cargo) CEILING : 36,100' MAXIMUM SPEED AT 0' : 350 kts MAXIMUM SPEED AT 36,000' : 410 kts ARMAMENT : Unarmed;can carry 32 passengers/11 t cargo AIR-TO-AIR RADAR QUALITY : Navigational only MANEUVERABILITY : Terrible for a fighter,but good for a transport NOTES : This is the latest general purpose medium air transport of the Sovi- et Union.Its jet engines and short-takeoff performance make in an outstand- ing utility craft for transporting all types of personnel and cargo between remote airfields. EVASIVE ACTION AGAINST MISSILES : ========================================== JAMMERS : Jammers are so-called ECM-equipment (Electronic Counter Measures). They try to electronically interfere incoming IR- and Radar-guided missiles. They work just fine against IR1-classed missiles, but the IR2 type is guided by a seeker with advanced computer logic, and once recognizing the seeker of the jammer,actually homes on the jammer,instead of being confused by it.The- refore,it's unwise and sometimes downright dangerous to leave a jammer run- ning when second-generation IR missiles are getting close (not to mention the jammer overheating and shutting off at an inconvenient time). FLARES : Although called "flares", these are really small, finely tuned heat decoys. A flare lures an IR missile toward it (and away from you), but only during the 2 to 3 seconds it burns.After that the flare dies and the missile resumes seeking.Therefore,like chaff,the standard technique is to wait until the missile is a couple of seconds away(the klaxon sounds),then drop a flare while you turn away. MANEUVERING : Maneuvering techniques against IR missiles are the same as th- ose used against radar guided missiles.The only difference is that IR missi- les tend to be smaller and more maneuverable. Second generation missiles are often the most maneuverable,so you're best odf relying on decoy, jammer and/ or flares against them.Unlike radar guided SAMs,most IR SAMs are very maneu- verable,with the ability to turn toward their target almost immediately aft- er launch. As a result, flying low and close to a battery of maneuverable IR SAMs is very dangerous! WARNINGS & RESPONSES : Your first warning of an IR missile attack can occur at any time.A search or tracking radar may alert you,just like a radarguided SAM attack.In fact,at that point you can't tell that an IR missile attack is coming. However, when the missile is launched, the "I" missile warning light goes on (rather than the "R" light). In many cases your first warning of an attack is the "I" missile warning light.This is because lots of cheap IRSAMs have no search radar - just eyesight searching. Your first warning is their launch. If you know the missile is a first-generation homer, you can turn on the IR jammer,change course and laugh it off. However,it pays to be wary.Ag- ainst second generation missiles the IR jcmmer may still work - if you can get outside its 45 degree field of view before it gets too close,or the jam- mer overheats.The reduced airspeed due to using the jammer doesn't help,eit- her.Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the proximity alarm klaxon. Many IR missiles are fired from very short ranges,so short that the "I" light is al- most immediately followed by the proximity alarm klaxon.When you hear the kl axon and see the "I" light burning, your first act must be to drop a flare + then dodge! OUTMANEUVERING A MISSILE : ------------------------------------------------- Whether you're using jammers,decoys,or just plain guts, the basic principles of outmaneuvering a missile remain the same. EVADING THE MISSILE'S VIEW : SAMs can only home on targets within the acqui- sition arc of their seeker.This arc is a bare 45 degrees ahea.If decoys,jam- mers, or whatever temporarily confuse a missile, you evade attack by moving outside this 45 degree arc.Usually the quickest escape course is one perpen- diculap to the missile's flight path. TURNING INSIDE A MISSILE : When a missile is close, you still have a chance to outmaneuver him.Its turning arc is larger than yours.If the missile is tr ying to fly up your tail,roll over onto a wingtip for a tight turn,then pull back hard on the controlstick to tighten the turn further.Keep an eye on the airspeed,since you can't stay long in this kind of a turn -soon the plane`ll stall.But meanwhile,the missile is making a wider,faster turn that causes it to zoom past harmlessly. TURNING TOWARD A MISSILE : If a SAM approaches you from the side, gradually turn toward it,increasing the tightness of your turn as it comes closer. The objective is to keep the missile's course at right angles (perpendicular) to your own.This tactic works because the missile cannot turn with you. Instead it gradually falls behind,zooming past your tail. EVADING FRONTAL ATTACKS : If a SAM approaches you from the front, wait until it's about 8 to 12 km away (about 2/3rds of a grid square on the tactical display).Then make a quick 90 degree turn. This puts the missile facing your side.Now roll over 180 degrees and turn toward the missile.Now you're set up for a turning battle (see "Turning toward a Missile" above). MISSILE MINIMUM RANGE : Large less-maneuverable missiles fire straight up wh en first launched.This means that they can't begin homing until they're bey- ond a certain distance (in range and altitude) from their launchers.As a re- sult, circling right over a battery of low-maneuverability SAMs can actually be very safe. DOPPLER MISSILES : Enemy missiles with doppler guidancesystems are a special danger.These missiles`ll not home on the chaff unless your course is perpen- dicular (at right angles to) the missile. If the missile chases you from the rear or attacks from straight ahead,chaff has no effect.Only three SAMs cur- rently have doppler guidance:SA-10,SA-12,and SA-N-6.Only one AAM has doppler guidance: the AA-10. THE "DOPPLER CROSS" MISSILE EVASION: The F19 observes an enemy dopplerguided SAM approaching, and until his course is perpendicular (at right angles to) the missile,Then the F-19 drops chaff or a decoy,and continues on a perpend- icular course,keeping the missile at a constant range. Flying on a different course can be disastrous, as the missile will "see" the doppler shift as you change range. APPENDIX : ================================================================= AAM : Air-to-air missile. ACE : Pilot with five or more confirmed kills of enemy aircraft ACE-OF-THE-BASE : Best flyer in the qquadron. AFV : Armored Fighting Vehicle,and armored vehicle designed for front line combat. This includes tanks, armored personnel carriers,anti-aircraft tanks,SAM missile carriers, etc. AGM : Air-to-Ground Missile.Originally used by the US Air Force for missiles designed to hit land surface targets,but com monly extended to mean missiles designed for use against land or sea targets. ARM : Anti-radiation Missile.Missile designed to home on enemy radar sets. ASM : Air-to-Surface Missile. Often used for missiles designed to attack ships,but sometimes generalized to mean any mis sile launched against targets on the surface of the Earth BRAVO SIERRA : Military words for BS, which in turn is an abbreviation for a common expletive,here indicating something especia- lly unpleasant or unbelievable.For example: "Doing the bu nny hop down the runway to a bellyflop landing,then comp- laining about wind sheer,is true Bravo Sierra!" BVR : Beyond Visual Range.Any engagement where you cannot visu- ally distinguish the target. During peacetime pilots are often prohibited from firing BVR, for fear of hitting the wrong target. CAP : Combat Air Patrol. Aircraft patrolling over friendly for- ces. Originally it meant fighters launched from aircraft- carriers,and assigned to patrol over those carriers,prot- ecting them from air attack. CHECK YOUR SIX : Watch your tail;literally, watch the six o'clock position of your aircraft. COLORS : Silk neck scarf worn by fighter pilots. DITCH : Bail out, esp. over water. DRIVER : Pilot. ECM : Electronic Counter-measures.Devices designed to jam or fo ol ("spoof") enemy electronic sensors, notably radar. ECCM : Electronic Counter-counter-measures. Devices designed to protect against jamming or "spoofing" by enemy ECM. ELECTRIC JET : F-16 Falcon. FANGS OUT : Seeking air-to-air victory in a dogfight, regardless of other dangers or considerations,such as worry about other enemy aircraft,your EMV,or even altitude.See KNIFE FIGHT. FEBA : Forward Edge of Battle Area. Older NATO abbreviation for the front line or battle line with the enemy. FITREP : Fitness Report.A report by commander that recommends sub- ordinates for promotion (or not,as appropriate). FLOT : Forward Line of Troops. Current NATO abbreviation for the front line or battle line with the enemy. FLYING A DESK : Staff or command job with no flying duties. FRISBEE : Unofficial nickname of the F-19 Stealth Fighter. HUD : Head-Up Display.A large piece of glass mounted on the co- ckpit front,arranged so a pilot can look forward through the glass. All crucial (i.e., "real time") information is projected onto the glass,so the pilot can watch the outs- ide while getting detailed information.Some HUDs have be- come so complex they defeat their designed purpose (and are equipped with a "de-clutter" switch!). KNIFE FIGHT : Dogfight to the death.What happens when you go fangs out. This situation is advantageous to low-speed,highly manue- verable planes + disadvantageous to higher speed but less maneuverable planes.However,either / both contestants can be surprised by other fighters and SAMs. ILS : Instrument Landing System. A device that receives signals from an airport and displays to the pilot his position in relationship to a hypothetical glide path. INS : Inertial Navigation System.A devicethat keeps track of an airplane's position (using a gyroscope) and displays that position and a desired destination.There are many differ- ent types of INS systems; those which use cockpit CRTmaps and HUD pointers are the most sophisticated. IR : Infrared.A portion of the electro-magnetic spectrum where the intensity of the signal is directly related to heat of the object. MIKE MIKE : Military words for "mm", generally referring to 20mm can- non shells.Ex: "Then I placed some Mike Mike right up his tail". MiG : Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau, which specializes in the design and construction of jet fighters for the Soviet Un ion.Often used as a generic name for all soviet-built fi- ghter aircraft (even though other bureaus contribute fig- hter designs). NINER : Reference to the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. The 9L version is known as the "Niner Lima", the 9M version used by the F19 is a "Niner Mike". OBSOLESCENT : Outdated but not yet useless;not quite obsolete. PROMO : Promotion. PUCKER FACTOR : Level of fear (e.g.,"When those 20 Flankers jumped us,the pucker factor sure went up!"). PUNCH HIS TICKET : To shoot down an enemy fighter plane. PUNCH OUT : Specifically to bail out using an ejection seat,but gene- rally applied to a departure ("Let's punch out of here!") SAM : Surface-to-Air Missile. SIERRA HOTEL : Military expansion of the letters "SH",here an abbreviat- ion for heated excrement.Curiously,the expression denotes admiration and excitement.For example,"Sierra Hotel, look at that guy smoke MiGs!". SKUNK WORKS : Quasi-official nickname of the Lockheed plant in Burbank, California that designs and builds top-secret aircraft. SMOKE : To destroy, as in "Smoked that MiG!". Originally from the smoke plume emitted by burning aircraft. STAR : As in "getting your star".Refers to the much coveted pro- motion from Colonel to General,where your rank insignia`s now a single gold star. VVI : Vertical Velocity Indicator. A gauge that indicates how fast a plane is ascending or descending. WHISKEY DELTA : Military expansion of the letters WD,which in turn refers to weakness in a certain male organ rarely discussed in polite company.The term is an especially derogatory + in- sulting description of a fighter pilot (e,g."that Whiskey Delta couldn't even find his own airbase,much less hit it with a bomb."). WING WEENIE : Administrative staff off icer attached to a fighter unit, but with no combat or flying duties. A mildly derogatory term. ZERO-ZERO : Nickname for the zero-zero type ejection seat. So named because, in theory, a pilot can eject safely from a plane with zero speed and zero altitude (i.e.sitting on a run- way). HINTS,TIPS AND BUG REPORTS : =============================================== In this game,the most commonly encountered SAMs are the SA14, SA10 and HAWK. The SA14 is an IR SAM,and all you have to do is stick the IR jammer on! In fact,sometimes you don't even need to do that, as it often runs out of fuel before it gets anywhere near you! The HAWK is also a bit of a loser.Just put the ECM jammer on and it`ll fly blindly past. The SA10,however,is a bit more dangerous.The best strategy is to dump a decoy,fly at right angles to the mi ssile (use tactical map) and dump chaff if it gets close.And prcy... Next,what weapons to choose... if you know that you are going to encounter a lot of enemy aircraft,load up with Sidewinders.In fact,if you are on air-to- air missions and the secondary target is a strike mission (not a recon miss- ion),then take nothing but Sidewinders, unless you need extra fuel. Why take no air-to-ground weapons? Because you have a very good gun! The gun can take out just about anything, as long as you hit target in the right place. When strafing a ground target, it often helps to aim slightly below target. This definitely works when strafing SAM batteries. Sidewinders are preferable to AMRAAMs most of the time,because you can carry four Sidewinders in one bay,and only three AMRAAMs.And the Sidewinders actu- ally seem to have the same range as an AMRAAM,over 35 kilometers! Never mind that they should run out of fuel after 15-20 km, these are SuperSidewinders! Against an aircraft flying towards you,you could probably get away with fir- ing a Sidewinder at 40 km! The gun also has a"longer range than the manual says.I've splashed MiGs that were 18 km away,on numerous occasions.And it is VERY powerful! For instance, I have destroyed the following targets with the gun... USS America (whoops), Missile Boats,Oil Rigs,SAM Radars,Tank farms.I think just about anything can be destroyed by the gun if your aim is true. Dogfighting is EASY.First,the enemy doesn't use guns on you.Second,they har- dly ever fire missiles when up close.And third,they have this great habit of flying in straight lines (even Veterans).I don't know much about Elite enemy pilots;I've only engaged them with AMRAAMs, and never got up close. But I do know that Elite pilots seem to have a knack of avoiding Sidewinders that are fired at long range (i.e. above 15 km). What planes are friendly and what ones are hostile? Well,all Boeings are ci- vilian airliners and the only other friendlies are the F18,so shoot anything else flying into your path ... Taking off is so easy I won't mention it. Landing is also surprisingly easy, even on Realistic Landings you can come down very fast indeed and still come out without a scratch.Carrier landings are tougher.If you don't hit the rear quarter of the deck,then the arrestor wires won't catch you.If they do catch you,you stop almost immediately,so you're ok! If you do miss them,then it IS possible to stop just by using the brakes and shutting down the engine, but it will look very scary- the nosewheel will hang over the edge of the deck! Maybe even the main wheels too, so it'll look likg you're hovering in front of the carrier... this is because the deck is a bit longer than it actually is on screen. Next is fuel.If you fly with the throttle around the half-way mark, you will use fuel at a VERY low rate. So low that you can loiter for up to 1/2 hour (real time) in any area, waiting for bad guys to show up (so you can shoot them down!).Two disadvantages with this throttle setting are that you will have to put down the flaps to stay in the air, and your airspeed`ll probably be as low as 200 knots.Accelerated time is a good idea! RADARS.I hate 'em! Damn things! Pulse radars aren't too worrying,but Doppler ones are very dangerous - if there are any near your flight path, take them out with a Maverick,or you could risk going in and strafing the radar,but th at means risking SAM launches against you.Missile boats are also best destr- oyed if any are near your flight path. In mountainous areas, radars are less of a problem;it's quite easy to zoom in and strafe one before it even reali- qes you exist! BUGS.The major one is that sometimes the plane flips upside down for no rea- son! This can cause a crash if you are using autopilot at the time,as the du mb autopilot tries to correct by rolling over and diving into the ground ! When the plane does this little party trick,it sometimes does an instant 180 degree turn as well! Another bug I've noticed is that when your plane is hea vily damaged (8 out of the 9 damagelights were on),then selecting the damage display (F6) locked up the game.Buv I only saw it do that once,because norm- ally I'm so brilliant at the game that I don't get damaged (ego!). The final bug I have had happen to me twice now;in Libya,for no apparent reason,it cra shes out,displaying the registers,exception type,etc. A little bit annoying when I had spent half an hour sneaking around mountains avoiding detection. Oh well,at least it isn't as buggy as v1.01 (the version released on the con tinent.That's Europe to you Americans!). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE KEYS FOR "F19 - STEALTH FIGHTER" BROUGHT TO YOU BY TURTLETRONIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREFLIGHT & POSTFLIGHT OPTIONS : ------------------------------------------- Controller = Joystick,or arrow keys,or mouse Selection = Joystick button,or return key,or left mouse button. CONTROLS : ----------------------------------------------------------------- JOYSTICK | KEYBOARD | MOUSE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitch down = Forward | Up-arrow | Mouse forward Roll right = Right | Right-arrow | Mouse right Roll left = Left | Left-arrow | Mouse left Pitch Up = Back | Down-arrow | Mouse back Down & right = Forward & right | Up & right | Forward & right Down & left = Forward & left | Up & left | Forward & left Up & right = Back & right | Down & right | Back & right Up & left = Back & left | Down & left | Back & left THROTTLE : ----------------------------------------------------------------- Max Pwr (maximum power) = Shift- '+=' key Incr (increase throttle) = = Decr (decrease throttle) = - No Pwr (no power) = Shift- '-_' key OTHER FLIGHT CONTROLS : ---------------------------------------------------- Gear (landing gear toggle) = 6 (on main keyboard) Flaps (extend/retract toggle) = 9 (on main keyboard) Brakes (on/off toggle) = 0 (on main keyboard) Autopilot (on/off toggle) = 7 (on main keyboard) Accel (accelerated) time = Shift-Z Norm (normal) time = Shift-X OUT-OF-PLANE VIEWING : ----------------------------------------------------- Slot View = Shift-F1 Chase Plane = Shift-F2 Side View = Shift-F3 Missile View = Shift-F4 Tacti view (you & enemy) = Shift-F6 Invrs tacti (enemy & you) = Shift-F7 OUT-OF-COCKPIT VIEWING : --------------------------------------------------- View ahead = Shift- '?/' key View rear = Shift- '>.' key View left = Shift- '<,' key View right = Shift-M OTHER VIEW KEYS : ---------------------------------------------------------- Zoom (view or map) = Z Unzoom (view or map) = X View Angle (narrow or wide) = C COCKPIT CONTROLS : --------------------------------------------------------- Cockpit View = F1 HUD Modes = F2 CRT Maps(toggles leftside CRT) = F3 Data (on right-side CRT) = F4 Ordnance (on right-side CRT) = F5 System Damage (right-side CRT) = F6 ILS (on/off the HUD) = F9 Mission (on right-side CRT) = F10 Eject (bail out) = Shift-F10 INS (INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM) : ----------------------------------------- Select Waypoint(rightside CRT) = F7 Change Waypoint (both CRTs) = F8 Reset Waypoint (all) = Shift-F8 Select/Change Previous Waypoint = Minus (-) key on numeric keypad Select/Change Next Waypoint = Plus (+) key on numeric keypad Move Waypoint Up (changing pt) = Up-arrow (numeric keypad 8) Move Waypoint Down (changing pt) = Down-arrow (numeric keypad 2) Move Waypoint Left (changing pt) = Left-arrow (numeric keypad 4) Move Waypoint Right (changing pt) = Right-arrow (numeric keypad 6) TRACKING CAMERA (APPEARS ON RIGHT-SIDE COCKPIT CRT) : ---------------------- Cam Ahead = / Cam Rear = . Cam Left = M Cam Right = , Select Target (current view arc) = B Designate New Target (ahead only) = N ARMAMENTS : ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ordnance (on right-side CRT) = F5 Select Ordnance = Space Bay Doors (toggles open/close) = 8 (on main keyboard) Fire Ordnance = Return key,or right mouse button Fire Cannon = Joybutton,backspace key,left mouse btn. DEFENCES : ----------------------------------------------------------------- Flare (drop one cartridge) = 1 (on main keyboard) Chaff (drop one cartridge) = 2 (on main keyboard) IR Jammer (toggles on/off) = 3 (on main keyboard) ECM (radar jammer on/off) = 4 (on main keyboard) Decoy (drop one) = 5 (on main keyboard) SIMULATION CONTROLS : ------------------------------------------------------ Pause (press any key to un-pause) = Alt-P "Boss" (hides simulation) = Alt-B Quit = Alt-Q Resupply (training only) = Alt-R Change missions to training = Alt-T KEYBOARD CONTROL STICK ADJUST = 'INS' key : --------------------------- Keyboard Sensitivity 3 = Causes large stick movement Keyboard Sensitivity 2 = Causes moderate stick movement (default) Keyboard Sensitivity 1 = Causes small stick movement VOLUME ADJUST (4 SOUND LEVELS) = Alt-V : ------------------------------- Sound Level 3 = All sounds Sound Level 2 = All sounds execpt engine background noise (default) Sound Level 1 = Firing and explosions only (no warning sounds) Sound Level 0 = No sound DETAIL ADJUST (2 LEVELS) = Alt-D : ------------------------------- Detail Level 1 = Maximum detail on Tactical and Track Cam Displays Detail Level 0 = Normal detail on Tactical and Track Cam displays SLEW CONTROLS (4 DIRECTIONS / TRAINING ONLY) : ----------------------------- Slew North = Alt-I Slew West = Alt-J Slew South = Alt-K Slew East = Alt-L COLORCODES ON DISPLAYS : --------------------------------------------------- HUD : ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Black square = Inactive weapon (day) Brown square = Inactive weapon (night) White square = Active weapon White circle = Active weapon (sighting you) Red circle = Fully active weapon,primed and armed EMV: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Red line = Enemy ground radar,no sighting Orange line = Enemy ground radar,bad sighting Yellow line = Enemy ground radar,got you visible Blue line = Enemy air radar,no sighting White line = Enemy air radar,got you visible PLANE DAMAGE DISPLAY : ----------------------------------------------------- Blue = System O.K. Red = System damaged or destroyed AUTOPILOT LIGHT : ---------------------------------------------------------- White = Autopilot on Black = Autopilot off GEAR-LIGHT : --------------------------------------------------------------- White = Gear extended Black = Gear pulled in Blinking = Gear extended at to high speed SATELLITE/RADAR-MAP: ------------------------------------------------------- Blinking white = Your plane Blinking red/orange = Mission objectives Red = Enemy plane Black = Enemy radar station Pointed line = Impulse radar Full line = Doppler radar White = Runways TACTICAL DISPLAY : --------------------------------------------------------- Grey lines = 16 km grid Orange radar = Ground radar Blue ship = Warship radar Grey square = Runway Red circle with cross = Ground target Grey plane = Your aircraft Grey outline = Decoy White dots = Chaff Red&orange explosions = Flares Blue plane = Plane on higher level Light red plane = Plane in same height Orange plane = Plane on lower level Orange line = Radar-guided missile Red line = IR-guided missile Orange dots = Visually-guided missile White line = Missile launched by you White boxed object = Tracked target Colored boxed object = Source of enemy radar-signal INS-WAYPOINT FUEL DISPLAY : ------------------------------------------------ Black stripe = Used fuel White stripe = Fuel usage to waypoint Blue stripe = Fuel usage to next waypoint Orange stripe = Reserve fuel (fuel left)