Close Air Combat – Vertical Scan Mode
The vertical scan mode is perhaps the most convenient and useful mode when performing high-G
combat maneuvers. In this sub-mode, the radar and IRST are scanning a zone three degrees wide
and form–10 to +50 degrees in the vertical. Two vertical lines are displayed on the HUD that
illustrates the scan zone azimuth limits. When you are trailing a maneuvering target, but it is still
above your HUD on the same lift-line, the VS mode allows you to lock the target without "over-
pulling" to place the target in the HUD.
The lock and launch steps are as follows:
Step 1
When an air target is visually detected, activate VS mode by pressing the [3] key. The IRST sensor
will become active automatically; this allows an attack without active sensors. If you then select a
SARH-type missile, you will need to manually activate the radar by pressing the [I] key. Select the
desired missile by cycling the [D] key or select the internal gun by pressing the [C] key. Your active
weapon will be displayed on the HUD.
Step 2
Maneuver your aircraft to place the target between the two vertical lines on the HUD. Note that the
actual scan zone extends two HUD lengths above the top HUD frame. As such, it is possible to lock
on to targets far above your HUD.
With the target in the scan zone and either sensor active, you must manually initiate a lock by
pressing the [Enter] key. Once locked, the IRST or radar will automatically transition to an STT
lock.
Step 3
Once in STT mode and the distance to target is less than that of the maximum range of the selected
missile, the "ПР" (LA – launch authorized) message will appear on the HUD. With this authorization,
you may launch the missile by pressing the launch weapon button on your joystick or by pressing the
[Space] key. Y You should press and hold the weapon launch button for at least 1 sec until the
missile launches.
If in the LCOS gun mode, you must place the gun pipper on the target and press the weapon release
button on your joystick or the [Space] key on your keyboard.
To increase the probability of kill, try to minimize your aiming error by flying a collision course with
the target prior to missile launch. This will reduce the amount of G the missile must pull at launch.
Close Air Combat – STROB (BORE) Mode
BORE mode is similar to VS mode, the only differences being that the sensors scan along the
longitudinal axis (a 2.5-degree cone) of the aircraft and not along the lift vector as VS does and that
you must manually lock the target. The scan zone is shown on the HUD as a 2.5-degree reticule and
it can be moved with the [;], [,], [.], [/] keys.
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