In year 2009 ‘Seven G’ demonstrator version ‘1.03.2’ was released.
Two sessions were included titled “dodging SAM" and “dodging AAA” which created consternation among the then membership.
What follows are my tips released in 2009 on the original website before its modification -
for learning about the manual designation of FLIR and Laser Guided weapons
- OR cheats specific to these missions!
(Radar AG mode is not available in Seven G 1.03.2 demonstration version,
there is no AGM-88 HARM weapon nor Electronic Countermeasures jammer – nor any ‘human’ aid – you’re on your own!)
In a real life scenario you would not normally be in this predicament so why not first set the mission to your advantage.
After opening sim, in either ‘AAA/SAM’ TRAINING section select ARM.
Note in ‘AAA’, airframe is pre armed with GBU-12, FLIR & AIM-9M.
In ‘SAM’ the airframe is only armed with AIM-9M. Select FLIR plus several AGM-65E Maverick missiles for this mission
Click back to FLY.
FUEL is pre-set at 83%.
‘SAM’ mission opens at 400 knots airspeed, altitude 9990 feet and heading of 355 degrees.
‘AAA’ mission opens at 400 knots, 3990 feet altitude, heading 355 degrees.
Now, relax, stay calm and proceed methodically,
Set throttle to high thrust.
Before pressing P, press M twice to Arm the AG system.
(ignore ‘AG RADAR IS NOT AVAILABLE’ message)
You must Arm system first or it will not release the weapons.
Click MENU on bottom centre of right DDI. Click FLIR on top left of right DDI.
Click MAVE on top of left DDI.
The system is now pre-set.
(even Falcon 4.0 etc F-16 instructions allows pausing and FLIR/weapons setting up before continuing)
Now press P off & P on. (this enables interaction between DDI FLIR & MAVE screens)
As you have not yet flown forward, out of your left windscreen quarter look toward coast and notice the airstrip.
The target is to the right of the left end of the runway.
Using Keyboard Arrows, slew the FLIR seeker head down then left toward airstrip.
Practice use of this to familiarise the limits of slew, matching the viewed terrain with the target area
and identifying potential targets.
Either AAA or SAM target is a tiny white/green dot in the FLIR screen.
Click WIDE on right DDI.
NARR view will appear.
If the seeker head is slewed close enough to the end of the airstrip the white/green dot will be visible.
Slew the seeker near that dot.
Click NARR again. ENR view appears. Slew the cursor onto middle of white/green shape.
Press Z to designate target. Press Enter/Return (or button/switch on joystick) to hand over
weapon to FLIR seeker. LTD/R will flash on/off in FLIR screen.
NOW press P. Turn and fly toward target.
Dive to lose height. Press Insert several times to chaff the sky. (or joystick button/switch)
Press Spacebar (joystick button/switch) to hand off each missile and launch until all have gone toward the target.
Continually press Enter(stick button/switch) to hand off each missile and launch until all have gone toward the target.
AGM-65E is a laser guided missile so target has to be illuminated continually.
As soon as last hit is registered turn away on full afterburner and dive to deck scattering chaff if you want any chance in the SAM mission. GET AWAY!
The AAA/SAM is set as invulnerable so fully expect and do not be surprised when you get shot down.
Get too close or go around again and you certainly will get shot down!
At least this way you have a chance to hit the target before being shot down.
This is just an attempt to help. It is not done to take the fun out of the mission.
Learn, practice, become competent, become skilful.
You need that skill to make that kill.
Then you know what you’re doing and do it consistently well.
And survive.
