AIM-54 Phoenix Performance? Ass, Ass

[alton987]

Maybe I installed too many mods but is everyone else getting ass performance? Maybe 1 out of 6 hitting on bomber targets. I get it its not a AMRAAM, but I expect better performance on larger bombers and something like 50% on small targets,

[strykerpsg]

The air-to-air and combat in general, seems a bit borked for now. A quick search will show other frustrated threads unfortunately. This has been a common theme since release and a work in progress to identify the cause and repair. I too have expended huge amounts of ordinance on air, sea and land targets, only to miss or have them all shot down.

Bare in mind, development team is on vacation till the 1st week of the new year, so nothing will be replied or worked on till then. Frustrating to say, but it's early access and as such, a work in progress. Not covering for the gross inadequacies but it's the reality of early access in general.

[Enrico Pallazzo]

No it's not just you. The only way they were performing decently well was when that mod was out that allowed for the AIM 54C and before the latest patches. The current in game AIM-54 is less accurate than people who use gas station bathrooms.

[joetrusty2020]

Are these head on intercepts (that would be more successful) or passing shots from the side?
The Tu-22s and Tu-95s seem to have a lot of counter-measures that may distract one or two shots.
When I was flying Microprose's F-14 Fleet Defender on full realism, it might take two AIM-54 shots to take down a bomber.

[Andy]

Originally posted by joetrusty2020:

Are these head on intercepts (that would be more successful) or passing shots from the side?
The Tu-22s and Tu-95s seem to have a lot of counter-measures that may distract one or two shots.
When I was flying Microprose's F-14 Fleet Defender on full realism, it might take two AIM-54 shots to take down a bomber.

Enemy aircraft don't try to dodge or evade anything at the mo. So, i'd say over half air to air shots i've seen in game have been head to head. AI flying straight and level.
Accuracy seems iffy generally, with Aim-54 particularly awful. A 50% hit rate in game vs AI that fly straight and level would be an improvement.

[InterFleet]

Used 8X AIM-54A to intercept 1X AS-4, every single one of the AIM-54 missed, seems like there is a severe lack of performance on AIM-54A, which is designed to shoot down anti-ship missiles.

[drunkblackstar]

It seems that this is not soleley AIM54 "problem" (is it a bug or a game feature?), but the accuracy of anti-air missile against bombers decresed in general after recent patches. E.g. my S300 couldn't hit B-52 that were flying in line at high altitude.

My guess they are trying to make missiles less deadly and accurate to make room for misses and mistakes as in real life. As for today it doesn't feel all that well, but they will certainly bring more changes and patches.

[AdmiralPiett]

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

It seems that this is not soleley AIM54 "problem" (is it a bug or a game feature?), but the accuracy of anti-air missile against bombers decresed in general after recent patches. E.g. my S300 couldn't hit B-52 that were flying in line at high altitude.

My guess they are trying to make missiles less deadly and accurate to make room for misses and mistakes as in real life. As for today it doesn't feel all that well, but they will certainly bring more changes and patches.

there's definitely a pendulum swing of missile effectiveness going on.

Previously missiles were insanely deadly, even to highly maneuverable fighter aircraft going full evasive with flares and chaff. I think instead of tweaking/buffing fighter defense, which they should have done, they simply nerfed missile accuracy as a "quick fix", which has had negative knock-on effects

[Master Chief]

Had this same problem until I tried Sytx_09 "Manual Shooting how it works" guide. A lot more micro but it worked for me! 54s are splashing Tu22Ms

[Stix_09]

I personally think this is lack of knowledge of how to use this weapon effectively in SP, as planes need micro on this missile to work well
I think this is always going to be required to some degree as each weapon platform has dif capabilities.

The AIM-54 we have has a base hit chance of 80%, then there are modifiers that impact that. so it can be + or - that amount. (Things like plane speed and size) The AIM-54 has passive initial guidance (from the F-14)and active terminal guidance. You can also redirect the target during its passive phase. It also has a high (MaxLoftAlt=40000ft) initial flight profile to target (it climbs then dives on target if its lower)

BUT
before that you also have any ECM effects (any jamming and chaff)

Against some targets like the Tu-22M you have a throw for jamming and if that fails a missile RNG penalty to accuracy is applied (this almost always means a miss) (about 30% chance per missile)

You also have on top of that Chaff. If that fails its a always miss. (about 25% chance per missile)

Each weapon type has resistance to chaff and resistance to jamming

for the AIM-54

#ECCM
CounterMeasuresRejection=75
// The lower the value, the greater risk of spoofing by countermeasures (0...100)
NoiseRejection=70
// The lower the value, the greater risk of spoofing by jamming (0...100)

This means u need to shoot about 3-4 salvo of AIM-54's at a target with jamming to have a good chance to hit. And at least 2 at a target with just chaff and no jamming.

This can be done using manual shooting as the F14 can track up to 6 independent targets and has 6 weapon channels.

With AirToAirIntercept loadout the F14's have a lot of missile capability.

4xAIM-54
2xAIM-7M
2xAIM-9L

All of which are all aspect weapons

imo this seem reasonable for this early era AIM-54A

Following the AIM-54A, the AIM-54C was developed. This version represented a significant improvement over its predecessor. Introduced in the 1980s, the AIM-54C incorporated advanced technology to enhance its guidance and tracking systems.

It featured better electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), making it more resistant to jamming and capable of more accurately discriminating between targets and decoys. Additionally, the AIM-54C had an improved propulsion system, providing a longer range and higher probability of kill.

https://planehistoria.com/the-aim-54-phoenix-missile-could-fly-over-100-miles/