1st Run: 8x HARMs launched simultaneously at emitter "BB" from about 35nm as SA-10 locked lead aircraft.
Result: All 8 HARMs intercepted and destroyed by SA-10 missiles. Several also launched on our aircraft. Total 19 SA-10s launched.
2nd Run: 8x HARMs launched simultaneously at emitter "BB" from about 35nm as SA-10 locked lead aircraft.
Result: One HARM destroyed SA-10 targeting radar. Total 13 SA-10s launched.
3rd RUN: 8x HARMs launched simultaneously at emitter "CS" from about 30nm. No SA-10 emitters.
Result: One HARM destroyed SA-10 targeting radar. NO SA-10s launched.
Conclusions:
a) SAM launchers can eventually run out of missiles. A total of 32 SA-10s were launched from apparently 2x launchers, suggesting 16 missiles available for each.
b) HARMs are not as effective as advertised in the real world. Many that were not intercepted appeared to go stupid and just fly past the target area, or turn in a circle. HARMs are supposed to aim for where the emitter was, even if the emitter goes silent.
c) HARMs are much easier to intercept than they should be in the real world.
In the future, a mission like this will require a much more substantial SEAD flight, followed later by strike objectives. Probably two different missions.
1 - Hedgehog: tgt hit, trapped x3
2 - Ranger: tgt hit, crash on deck, trapped x2.
MISSION SUCCESS. SAM threat at target area eliminated.
- Hedgehog and Ranger ready to launch HARM delivery trucks
- Hedgehog and Ranger.jpg (35.96 KiB) Viewed 1186 times
