F-16 ADF Questions

[𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓊𝒶𝓁 Sinner]

Alright, I knew it would feel different naturally, but I didn't think it would be this much of a shock compared to the phantoms. I have a few questions for anyone who would like to answer

- How exactly do you use the AIM-7M? I can't find a straight answer, it's apparently fire and forget, but I am not sure at what range where I can ignore it or if if can be shook easier that way.
= I already experimented trying to fire and forget around 20kms away from a target, it lost interest and blew up around 3kms in.

- What is the best radar mode to use generally? And what is the difference between SRC PD and SRC?
= I can't tell the difference honestly in my matches, but I also cannot fixate on them 24/7 to really test.

- I've been tipped and I'm noticing that this is not a vehicle you really want to hold afterburner with, and it can turn well and go between speeds well. With that though, is it better to climb and use alt for missiles or remain lower and get into the fighting?

I'll probably add more questions in the comments as I play more.

[Dagaline]

im still trying to understand radar myself, but SRC is basically a search radar, SRC PD has the pulse doppler, which means its easier to lock things either coming right at you or away from you, i generally use PD, as far as aim 7's go, i keep the target locked as long as i can, i dont know if they are fire and forget, but i wouldnt treat them as such for now in my experience

[𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓊𝒶𝓁 Sinner]

Originally posted by Dagaline Comtn:

im still trying to understand radar myself, but SRC is basically a search radar, SRC PD has the pulse doppler, which means its easier to lock things either coming right at you or away from you, i generally use PD, as far as aim 7's go, i keep the target locked as long as i can, i dont know if they are fire and forget, but i wouldnt treat them as such for now in my experience

Yeah this is the idea I'm getting from game play. It doesn't seem like they're fire and forget at all, not sure why I see some other topics saying they are.

What has worked best for me so far is high climbing using the drop tank, then cruising around without afterburner. Engage targets using the AIM7Ms within 15kms if not closer (but then if its a 29 you're probably dead) and use the Aim9Ls, your gun, and your good turning at low speed at low alts.

[Dagaline]

dont forget you have a stage 1 afterburner as well which can be useful in certain circumstances

[CPT. Doc]

The AIM-7M is a semi active radar missile so you have to maintain radar lock on the target all the way to the target.

src stands for search and src PD stands for search pulse duppler, PD allows your radar to track targets flying at you with the ground behind them.

The F-16 being a light fighter doesn't have that much fuel in it and its engine will drink fuel at a high rate. So you do not want to stay in after burner and on larger maps you won't stay in after burner with any plane. You can also carry a single external fuel tank on the F-16 which will get you a bit more flight time in it.

[chicks99]

The only fire and forget missile in the game is the Aim54 Pheonix on the F14A Early.

Aim7M is basically a copy of the Aim7F, long range but u gotta keep the lock on target.

best radar mode is any PD mode but if you're flying at high altitude you might want to switch to SRC (normal) once in a while to make sure you're not getting snuck up on.

If someone starts notching then you should switch over to SRC to launch Aim7M at them (but if they drop enough chaff it'll miss).

U should keep afterburner on the entire game, speed is life in a fighter jet.

[Jaes]

- AIM-7 Sparrows are all SARH missiles and require a hard lock from the launch platform to maintain guidance to target. Not sure where you got information that the AIM-7M is "fire and forget," but it's wrong. It requires a maintained lock like all Sparrows before it.

The primary strength of the AIM-7M compared to the AIM-7F is that it has better guidance logic and ECM resistance. The ECM resistance does not play any factor in the game at the moment, but I suspect Gaijin will add jamming systems at some point in the future.

- The F-16's radar set is fairly simple and limited compared to the F-14's. As another poster has mentioned, PD for front aspect engagements, SRC for any other engagement. The F-16's radar is good enough to ignore some of the clutter caused by ground returns while using SRC radar so it can pretty reliably maintain a lock on a target at low altitudes.

Since the F-16's radar does not have the capability to cycle between PD and SRC while maintaining a lock like the F-14 can, I generally bait a potential target with a 15-18km lock in PD mode, let them Notch, then wait until they turn in again and lock them up with SRC mode. Generally, they'll shift into a Notch expecting it to drop again while not realizing I'm no longer in SRC mode. Folks really need to deploy Chaff more often.

- The best way I've seen the F-16A to be played as is "F-104 Lite." It's fantastic at hit and run style game play elements like the Starfighter, but it can also dogfight.

In order to maneuver fight with the F-16 though, you need to drastically reduce speed with an aircraft that does not want to bleed speed. If you're going faster than 700km/h, a Phantom II will pull more Angle of Attack than you. You'll generally want to cut back your throttle to 70% and deploy air brakes until you enter that sweet spot of sub 700km/h for proper maneuvering.

But as mentioned, Speed is life, so enter a low energy maneuver fight at your peril.

[shipdesignerdude]

AMRAAM is the fire and forget missile, and the R-27ER can temporarily lose lock and regain lock and still track, AIM-7 cannot do either. You lose lock, the missile is gone.

PD is the mode you want to go with, it ignores ground clutter and therefore you will basically get a lock from any direction as long as the distance between you and the target are changing distance from each other.

The best strat to fly the ADF is go low to the ground and left, going low is currently meta for dodging missiles (I mean like 50 feet above the ground). Let someone else turn in to the enemy first to attract the missiles, and then fire an AIM-7 at the distracted enemies. Once a general furball has developed just start throwing missiles around and taking isolated dogfights.

[Pozieres]

- AIM-7 requires a constant lock

-SRC is a basic radar that will only work if the target is above you and does not chaff (this mode picks up loads of ground clutter which prevents a weapon solution)

-PD will work with headons no mater above you or below you, it wont work if they fly tangential to your advance below you or after using a chaff and then flying tangential at even or higher altitudes to you.

-RB I just leave after burner on with lots of fuel but in AB i wait to lose energy then slap it on when needed