Fleet Defender Missiles and Loadouts

[HansGruber]

I thought I'd throw a few notes in here about the missiles in Fleet Defender, and what I've noticed about using them. I'm not sure how many new people are coming in to play this sim or how many old players are coming back. I had the original CD-Rom version of this (Atlantic campaigns only, and without the V2 patch) running on a Pentium-66 back in the 90's and never did get any sound to work, but had plenty of fun none the less.

First, I want to just say that my suspicion is that the development team had far fewer resources at their fingertips than we do today. Quite often, I think they simply didn't know details, and where they didn't know, they did something generic, or managed to conflate various subversions of missiles or aircraft together.

A note on difficulty modes:

In "Standard" mode, missiles fired at targets within range will always hit and always be lethal. I think of this as "Easy Mode", and I don't play on this setting.

In the "Moderate" mode, your missiles are always deadly when scoring a hit, and although they can be decoyed, are very likely to hit. Given that aircraft hit by modern missiles seem to usually be taken down, and that modern missiles are much more reliable, I typically think of this as being a good representation of modern AAMs rather than a reduced difficulty mode.

In "Authentic" mode your missiles seem to be more likely to go for a decoy, and a missile hit does not guarantee a kill.

Now, on to the actual missiles themselves.

AIM-9 Sidewinder
In Fleet Defender, the manual makes references both to the AIM-9M and the AIM-9L. Given that scenarios are set to take place over a relatively wide time period in Fleet Defender, my assumption is that the AIM-9 simulated in FD is intended to be an 9L or early 9M model. Can be used for head on shots, but at least for me I have had far better luck getting a hit when firing this missile from behind, and I think it's worth the extra effort to get a rear aspect shot.

AIM-7 Sparrow
The manual mentions at least once that you can only have one of these in the air at a time. That is incorrect both in Fleet Defender, and in real life!
The specific variant modeled is unclear, the manual mentions the 7M, the 7P, etc, but in game no distinction is made as far as I am aware...
The manual mentions that it's a 510# missile, matching the weight of the 7F, 7M, or 7P, but gives a maximum range of 24nm which is between that of the AIM-7E and the 7F. This might be due to lack of information or incorrect information at the time, or perhaps it's shorter than the stated range for the 7F because the 7F stated range includes the "dynamic launch zone" for closing targets an Fleet Defender does not, but I digress...

Think of it as either an AIM-7E-4 or AIM-7F. In order to use this missile, you MUST get a radar lock in PDSTT mode (in "standard" mode just lock the target) and must maintain that radar lock until the missile impacts the target or has missed. Breaking lock results in a miss. It appears that you might have a better chance to hit when firing at a target backgrounded by sky rather than ground but I can't really be sure, although this is true in real life.

BE AWARE: Even though your HUD will flash and indicate that you are in range and ready to fire, you CAN NOT fire these using the "highlight target" feature!!! You MUST use PDSTT mode, which you can get to either by locking a target from an appropriate search mode, or via the Boresight or VSL modes.

Take note that the MIG-29, SU-27, and other late generation fighters have longer range missiles than these, and you'll have to get inside that range to fire an AIM-7 at them. In scenarios with modern opposition, I tend to use my AIM-54's on the new fighters and use the AIM-7 against less threatening targets.


AIM-54 Phoenix
The whole point of your F-14 is to carry and fire these missiles. I'm not sure what variant Fleet Defender simulates, however it appears to be a variant before the AIM-54C+ "Sealed" missile delivered in 1986, but more on that later. There are a few things to be aware of when using these with the Advanced or Authentic radar modes.

BE AWARE: In TWS-A or TWS-M mode, your AIM-54 will only lock on to targets that have been Designated! Even though your HUD will flash and indicate that you are in range and ready to fire, you can not fire these using the "highlight target" feature, if you do, your missiles WILL go dumb and miss! Be sure that you designate the target first.

In Fleet Defender, so far as I am aware, there is no mode or option to fire these missiles in a short range dogfight mode.

You may also fire the AIM-54 at a target that you have locked up in PDSTT mode. There is no need to maintain the lock.

Although the manual leads you to think of this as an anti-bomber and anti-cruise missile weapon, it is still, particularly in "Moderate" difficulty mode rather than "Authentic", quite highly effective against modern fighter aircraft. Even in "Authentic" mode it seems to be quite good at either killing or incapacitating enemy fighters, and personally I recall several times where my target wasn't outright destroyed, but was so badly crippled that it became an easy guns kill. Be sure to try it out in that role, and see what tactics work best for you. I tend to use my AIM-54s to deal with high threat targets that I don't want to allow close to me or close to what I'm protecting.

Some historical notes on the AIM-54 Phoenix:

The real AIM-54 was produced in AIM-54A and AIM-54C variants. There was possibly a version called AIM-54B. Some sources claim it was in production starting in 1977, others claim it wasn't built in large numbers, still others say it wasn't built at all. If it was built, it appears that it was simply called "AIM-54A" in actual service, or built in such small numbers that it completely disappeared after a short time.

The first production AIM-54A's were delivered in 1973. They deployed on F-14A's in 1974, and were also exported with the F-14A model to Iran. Starting in 1977, work was begun on the AIM-54C, a greatly improved model. After the Iranian Revolution, exposing the secrets of the Tomcat's electronics and the AIM-54A to the Soviet Union, there was some emphasis put on upgrading the AIM-54 again, resulting in missiles with the "ECCM" designation, meaning that they had been modified to better resist chaff and ECM.

Production of the C model started in 1982. The C+ or "Sealed" missile was first delivered in 1986, and when given the ECCM upgrade is known as the ECCM/Sealed missile.

Take note that in Fleet Defender, the only time the AIM-54 is carried under the wings is when the AIM-54 is also carried under the belly. This is because the AIM-54 needs to have coolant circulated between the missile and the aircraft to prevent it from overheating during supersonic flight. The system to provide coolant is part of the front halves of the large AIM-54 carrying rails that are fitted between the engines.

The AIM-54C+ "Sealed" was modified to NOT have coolant connectors between itself and the aircraft carrying it. This means that it imposes a speed limit on the aircraft carrying it, but that it also could be carried under the wings without the under-belly rails being fitted. Although it might be possible (I don't really know) to carry a regular A or C without coolant hooked up, this appears not to have been regularly done, which is why all AIM-54 loadouts in Fleet Defender show only the typical configurations, and why I think the missiles simulated are pre-1986 models.



F-14 loadouts in Fleet Defender...

I'll first note that except in wartime, the F-14 frequently flew with only a partial missile load.

For example the pair that shot down the Libyan SU-22's are reported to have had a loadout of only 6 missiles, 2x AIM-54 under the belly, 2x AIM-7 on the wing pylons, and 2x AIM-9.

The Tomcats involved in the 1989 Libyan MiG-23 shootdown carried 4x AIM-7 under the belly and 2x AIM-9. They were intended to carry 4x AIM-9 and 4x AIM-7 but were launched in a hurry before the last two sidewinders could be loaded.

Fleet Defender only gives you pre-set loadouts to pick from, sadly. They have "Fleet Defense" and "Mig Cap" names, but don't force yourself to pick based on that!

"Fleet Defense Alpha" (4x AIM-54, 2x AIM-7, 2x AIM-9) is my usual Go-To loadout. It gives me and my wingman a good long-range punch with the AIM-54s, and once they are gone the AIM-7/9 combo leaves a lightly loaded Tomcat with some decent firepower.
If you're careful, you might be able to keep up with a strike package while loaded like this, and use your AIM-54's to pick off interceptors at long range.
Get rid of as many AIM-54s as you can before getting to dogfighting range, and be sure to let your wingman use a few up as well.

"MiG Cap Charlie" (4x AIM-54, 4x AIM-9) is my second favorite option. You have a decent long range punch with the AIM-54's, but once you're out you need to either coordinate with your wingman to take out further threats, or use your speed to close the gap and get into AIM-9 range.
Get rid of as many AIM-54s as you can before getting to dogfighting range, and don't forget about letting your wingman shoot some off too.

"Fleet Defense Charlie" (2x AIM-54, 1x AIM-7, 4x AIM-9) is noteworthy for being the lightest weight weapons load to include the AIM-54 missile. In this case the AIM-54's ride on the front half launcher pallets, while the back half is left off to fit in an AIM-7.
I suggest using the AIM-54's before you get into dogfight distance, and get your wingman to use his up as well.

I can't ever recall seeing a real F-14 loaded exactly like this. I have seen them fly with 2x AIM-54, 3x AIM-7 (One in the rear, one under each wing) and 2x AIM-9, although the one in the game is definitely possible.


"Fleet Defense Bravo" (6x AIM-54, 2x AIM-9) is the full on Phoenix package. Your jet will fly like a stuffed pig when fully loaded. You will struggle to keep up with strike packages without using afterburner. You will get your butt kicked if you get into a dogfight fully loaded. Your wingman will die and die quickly if you get him into a dogfight fully loaded.

If you fly with this loadout, since your wingman will only have one AIM-54 in the air at a time, put him into Combat Spread as soon as you take off, and allow him to fire his AIM-54's at will. Be sure to launch your own AIM-54s before you get into a dogfight! If you get jumped, get rid of them as soon as you can.

An F-14 loaded with all six AIM-54s is too heavy to land aboard a carrier, so it would only fly like this if expending some missiles was pretty much certain.



MiG Cap Alpha (4x AIM-7, 4x AIM-9) and MiG Cap Bravo (6x AIM-7, 2x AIM-9) are almost identical. They are (Mig Cap Alpha in particular) the lightest and fastest weapons loads you can take. Just be aware that modern Soviet fighters WILL have longer range missiles than you, so you'll need to find a way to get into AIM-7 range before you can engage.

The manual suggests that MiG Cap Bravo is good for missions where you attack transports or helicopters (like one of the El Dorado Canyon missions), but I think you'll find that the AIM-54 is just as effective if not more effective in those roles.


In Fleet Defender, you always launch with a pair of droptanks. When your fuel gauges indicate 8100 for each side, jettison them immediately, there's no reason to keep them along for the ride since no inventory tracking is done.

[Koranis]

Wow. That's a lot of interesting and useful information (and this game really needs some more love!) Thank you!

I have a question: is it true that in reality AIM-54 wasn't usually mounted unless in case some heavy-duty intereception was required due to it being rather costly and so most of the F-14s used the Sparrow as the main offensive weapon?

[HansGruber]

As

Originally posted by Koranis:

Wow. That's a lot of interesting and useful information (and this game really needs some more love!) Thank you!

You're welcome! There's some other vintage titles on here that I can provide some info about as well, mostly the Falcon Gold package, which came out a few years before Fleet Defender.

I have a question: is it true that in reality AIM-54 wasn't usually mounted unless in case some heavy-duty intereception was required due to it being rather costly and so most of the F-14s used the Sparrow as the main offensive weapon?

A complex questions with a complex answer, as it depends on the time frame and the mission. Yes, the AIM-54 was expensive, and heavy. It was sometimes flown, but rarely if ever in full six-missile loads for reasons other than tests and photo shoots. In order to save wear and tear on them, they frequently didn't carry a whole bunch.


If you want a simple answer in a sentence: "During peacetime, no AIM-54s, or a maximum of one or two for peacetime patrol missions. During wartime, never more than four AIM-54s at a time, unless Soviet bombers or cruise missiles were already on their way."




If you want more information, keep reading:

The two F-14's that shot down the Libyan MiG-23 Floggers in 1989 were intended to have launched with 4x AIM-9 and 4x AIM-7 (In FD: "MiG Cap Alpha") but they ran out of time and launched with 2x AIM-9 and 4x AIM-7.

According to what I've read, the two F-14's that shot down the Libyan SU-22's in 1981 were carrying 2x AIM-54 each, as well as 2x AIM-7 and 2xAIM-9. Their loadout would have looked like "Fleet Defense Alpha", but with the rear pair of AIM-54's missing.

I have some photos of F-14's armed almost exactly like that, the only difference being a third AIM-7 sparrow in the rear centerline position, like you see in "Fleet Defense Charlie".

In terms of wartime scenarios like the Fleet Defender campaigns against modern Russian super carriers with MiG-29s and SU-27s, more AIM-54s might be likely, but probably still not full six-missile loads. In Fleet Defender terms, if you want to carry some AIM-54s and still be realistic, stick with "Fleet Defense Alpha", "Fleet Defense Charlie", or "MiG Cap Charlie", unless your briefing tells you that enemy bombers are on their way.

Any time you see an F-14 being flown with the "Fleet Defense Bravo" loadout of six AIM-54's and a pair of AIM-9's, it is either operating from a land base, or if it is being flown from a carrier, they are almost certain that some of those missiles are going to be fired.

The reason is that six AIM-54's puts the F-14 above it's maximum safe landing weight for a carrier, so you either have to fire some of them or jettison some of them in order to land on a carrier...And you don't want to dump expensive missiles into the ocean!


Prior to the introduction of the AIM-54C+ "Sealed" rounds in 1986, the AIM-54 required a liquid coolant connection to the aircraft to prevent it overheating when the F-14 went supersonic for long periods, and the system to pump the coolant was in the large rails under the belly of the aircraft, with pipes running to the wing pylons and the rear rails. The rails consist of front and rear halves, but each section is over 300#, almost as much as an AIM-7 Sparrow. "Fleet Defense Charlie" represents a Tomcat with only the front halves of the rails mounted, and thus only two AIM-54s, to save weight.

In more recent times, since the latest AIM-54's didn't need the rails with the coolant systems, there are photos of F-14's carrying a pair of AIM-54's on the wing pylons, a pair of AIM-9's, and a four-pack of AIM-7's under the belly. Both to save weight, and to save wear and tear of the AIM-54s by not carrying a whole bunch.

For F-14's operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, you would see mostly bombs carried under the belly, with wing pylons carrying AIM-9 Sidewinders on the outer rails, a targeting pod on one side, and an AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-54 on the other. Sometimes you would see bombs on the foreward belly hardpoints with a single Sparrow in the rear.


Hope that answers your question!

[Koranis]

Yes, it does! Thanks a lot for your time!