shaken
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Post by shaken on Nov 11, 2007 15:32:46 GMT 9
Everyone, I've been doing some research on the F-106 and have come to a bit of a dead end. I am hoping you can help out with this information or point me to another resource. I am involved with the development of a board wargame called "Birds of Prey", which simulates dogfighting throughout the jet era. (For more information visit www.airbattle.com and groups.yahoo.com/group/airbattle). The game is quite sophisticated, giving a reasonably faithful representation of the physics of flight and details of individual aircraft. The question we have is about how the aircraft and Falcon missiles interact during the firing process. 1) Are IR Falcon missiles (AIM-4G) locked-on before launch or after launch? - Missiles appear to be launched as soon as the door-open and rails extend. This would not appear to leave enough time for the sensor to acquire before it is zooming off the airframe. - LOAL (lock-on after launch) is common in radar missiles, such as the Sparrow. In this process, the missile is boosted to a point in space which should place the target within the sensors field of regard. 1a) Is the missile cued by the aircraft's radar, IR search sensor or either? 1b) Can the IR Falcon be fired without cueing from the aircraft? 2) Do the radar Falcon missiles (AIM-4E/F) launch identically to the IR Falcons (with either lock on before or after launch)? - Obviously, these weapons required the aircraft radar be locked on. IRST lock-on would not be sufficient. Any information on this topic would be much appreciated. Thank you! -- Shaken - out -- www.airbattle.com
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Black Bart
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Post by Black Bart on Nov 13, 2007 7:34:40 GMT 9
1) Are IR Falcon missiles (AIM-4G) locked-on before launch or after launch? - Missiles appear to be launched as soon as the door-open and rails extend. This would not appear to leave enough time for the sensor to acquire before it is zooming off the airframe. - LOAL (lock-on after launch) is common in radar missiles, such as the Sparrow. In this process, the missile is boosted to a point in space which should place the target within the sensors field of regard.
The AIM-4G is locked on prior/at launch. The target is seen prior to fire. Both the AIM-4F/G has the head prepositioned in azimuth and elevation and in the case of the RADAR missile, even the range is prepositioned, prior to launch.
1a) Is the missile cued by the aircraft's radar, IR search sensor or either?
Both and crossed. May have IR Track/Radar Slaved, update range and fire. May have ATOT (Angle Track On Target) and fire. This would be basically firing at the jamming source. Had Nose/Tail switching.
1b) Can the IR Falcon be fired without cueing from the aircraft?
No!
2) Do the radar Falcon missiles (AIM-4E/F) launch identically to the IR Falcons (with either lock on before or after launch)?
Before launch!
- Obviously, these weapons required the aircraft radar be locked on. IRST lock-on would not be sufficient.
With valid range a hit is more likely, but not necessary. Black Bart
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shaken
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Post by shaken on Dec 19, 2007 13:28:15 GMT 9
Thank you for the reply, Bart. It is a great help.
-- Shaken - out --
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rich256
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Post by rich256 on Dec 19, 2007 13:41:52 GMT 9
In the mid 60s Hughes got a contract to put the AIM4D on the F4 for Vietnam use. It was supposed to be strictly a radar control lock similar to the F-106. Then the pilots wanted a "tone" so they gave them one. Then they wanted a manual mode so the gave them one. The squadron went to Vietnam and they gave the planes to pilots that had not used the AIM4D. A real disaster. The missile never was intended to be a dogfight missile. They finally got the F4E with the gun which is what they really needed.
One note is that up until that time the Falcon never missed a plane it was fired at. I remember one where an F102 got a T33 in about 1959. Pilot thought he had training missiles. It was the Duluth Squadron but they were in Kansas while the Duluth runways were being repaired.
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