SAMS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=94 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="5" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="6" WIDTH="361" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#A6CAF0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#C0C0C0" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id29_rrfws.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training"><U>Hornet Training</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="70"><div> <A HREF="id131_a.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>Glossary</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id132_a_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RadioCalls"><U>Radio Calls</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id170_onlinedictionary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Online Dictionary"><U>Dictionary</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=386 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="64300c00egerdp.jpg"> <bR> <div> SAMS</div> <div> Approximate download time on 33.6 Kb -- 10 sec</div> <div> <B> <A NAME="sam"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Surface to Air Missile Systems - SAMS</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5ef2cea0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="234" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="626" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 188 WIDTH="622"><div> Most priorizating threats you must concentrate on any mission are SA-11/10 and its sea-based threats versions mounted on Slava Missile cruiser (SL) and Sovremenny destroyer (SV). Radar's that are used on ships are more powerful and that makes sea versions of SAM's harder to defeat also very low flying doesn't help much when you are faced against this SAM's on the open seas. In this case attack is the best defense. Use your HARM's wisely first against SAM's that threaten you most.</div> <div> Setting IDECM Mode to Auto Mode (this is done on the EW page of your MDI), is not very wise idea because you will lose your Chaffs very quickly and if there is lots of treats you will find your self out of chaff very soon.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> In my early days of flying this simulation I found my self getting out of chaff very soon especially when engaged by SA-15 and SA-11 that were out of range and I haven't had to worry about it. But I did. Way back then I didn't know the maximum ranges and altitudes of SAM's in this game so naturally I'd go on defensive when attacked by SA-15 even though I was flying higher then 20K altitude and thus making me untuchable for SA-15. Same goes for SA-11 there were lots of times I flew by them out of their effective range but they engaged me and I went on defensive again losing valuable chaffs where there was no need to.</div> <bR> <div> Now days when SAM engages me especially by SA-11 or SA-10 I check the distance from the SAM that threatens me. To be able to do that you must have at least one HARM ordnance loaded on your plane. Go to A/G mode, select HARM MDI then select SP mode of HARM and when SAM engages you this SAM will be bracket by a square on the HUD. All you have to do is to place mouse cursor on this square and click. Then go to HIS MDI page usually already placed on MPCD and select TGT steering option. Now you will have the range to the SAM that threatened you on the lower right corner where the range to next WP was. Now you have all you need to make a decision on if and how to go defensive based on the effective ranges and altitudes of different SAM's.</div> <bR> <div> Before you apply any defensive tactics against SAM it's good to know few basics about each of the SAM systems that can be found in Jane's F/A-18. To successfully defeat any missile you must first know its strengths, weaknesses and limitations. I will cover SAM units from short range to long range.</div> <bR> <div> <B>SA-9</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5ed2caf0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="175" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> First short-range SAM you will encounter is SA-9. This very-short-range SAM doesn't have any radar. Instead it uses a passive radar emissions detection system like RWR in airplanes to find the target. Then the SA-9 Gaskin IR SAM is turned in general direction of the threat (bearing, heading and range can be given also via communications system by any of the SAM's whit radar or ground radar in the area). Once the crew of the SA-9 has visual ID on the target a missile is fired. When the missile is airborne IR tracking device takes over the guidance and thus making her very effective against very low threats flying at max 400-450KTS. Because of very limited effective range of 2NM and altitude of 2500ft AGL a greater speed than 500KTS brings the targeting Aircraft out of range very fast. However, this SAM is an excellent Heli killer. Because of its limitation the use of this SAM is decreasing in most of the countries whit this systems and replaced whit SA-13 or S6 SAM systems. These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of low importance and whit combination of medium to long range SAM's that are not very effective against low flying threats.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM it's not much of a hassle. Fly fast (over 500KTS) and higher than 3000ft AGL and avoid a use of full AB. If you find your self engaged by SA-9 and you are slow and low bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply MIL power (80%). Next step step depends on the terrain you are flying above. You have 2 options. If it's plain whit out any hills, climb above 3000 ft AGL and deploy flare. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 50ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile and deploy flare. This SAM system has also problem whit distinguishing airborne threats from sun and flares and because of this the "fly in to the sun" techniques can be very useful.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-9 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of successfully acquiring and engaging low-level airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - No warning to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-9 lethal for any unwary pilot.</div> <div> - Superb helicopter killer</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-9 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Very small effective range and altitude.</div> <div> - Weak warhead, which makes it hard to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 2-3 direct hits of SA-9 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <div> - Because of short range, fast flying aircraft can not be engaged.</div> <div> - Not resistant against sun and flare.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-9 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 4nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 2nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 4000ft AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 2500ft AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>SA-13</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5ee2cca0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="202" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> This short range SAM finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne IR tracking device takes over the guidance and thus making her very effective against very low threats flying at max 450-500KTS. Because of very limited effective range of 3NM and altitude of 3000ft AGL a greater speed than 500KTS brings the targeting Aircraft out of range very fast. However, this SAM is an excellent Heli killer. Because of its limitation the use of this SAM is decreasing in most of the countries whit this systems. These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of medium importance and whit combination of medium to long range SAM's that are not very effective against low flying threats.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM it's not much of a hassle. Fly fast (over 500KTS) and higher than 3500ft AGL and avoid a use of full AB. If you find your self engaged by SA-13 and you are slow and low bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply MIL power (80%). Next step step depends on the terrain you are flying above. You have 2 options. If it's plain whit out any hills, climb above 4000 ft AGL and deploy flare. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 50ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile and deploy flare. Latest SA-13 version that is introduced in this Sim has no problem whit distinguishing any airborne threat from sun because of this the "fly in to the sun" techniques have no use.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-13 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of successfully acquiring and engaging low level airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - No warning to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-13 lethal for any unwary pilot (especially whit SA-13 IGLA version that has no radar that can be detected by RWR. In this Sim SA-18 replaces the SA-13 IGLA very successfully).</div> <div> - Resistant and against sun.</div> <div> - Superb helicopter killer</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-13 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Small effective range and altitude.</div> <div> - Weak warhead, which makes it hard to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 2-3 direct hits of SA-13 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <div> -Because of short range, fast flying aircraft can not be engaged.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-13 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 5nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 3nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 5500ft AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 3500ft AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>2S6</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5f02ced0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="237" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Next short range SAM is S6 whit "Hot Shot" radar. This short range SAM finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne radar maintains tracking of target and the guidance of missile thus making her less effective against very low flying threats. Because of limited effective range of 6NM and altitude of 10000ft AGL a greater speeds brings the targeting Aircraft out of range very fast. Because of its superiority against the SA-13 (very mobile and cannon turret whit radar tracking support) the use of this SAM is increasing in most of the countries whit this systems. These systems are mainly used for escort of convoys, as a support for ground troops and around possible ground targets of medium importance and whit combination of medium to long range SAM's that are not very effective against low flying threats.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM it's involves more work than SA-13. Fly fast and higher than 8000ft AGL. If you find your self engaged by S6 and you are slow and low bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply max. 85% of thrust. Deploy ALE-50 towed decoy (don't exceed the 85% of thrust or you will lose your decoy- you only have 3 of them), initiate jammer and dispense a chaff. If the terrain you are flying above is plain whit out any hills, climb above 8000ft AGL. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 100ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of 2S6 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of successfully acquiring and engaging low level airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - Grater effective altitude and range than SA-13 or SA-18 SAM</div> <div> - Combination of SA-19 missile and liquid-cooled 30mm cannon whit radar support tracking gives it an extra punch.</div> <div> - Powerful warhead, which makes it easier to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 1-2 direct hits of S6 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <div> - Very mobile</div> <div> - Great effectivety against very fast low flying aircraft's</div> <div> - Superb helicopter killer</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of 2S6 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Relatively small effective range and altitude.</div> <div> -Warning via RWR to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a S6 easier to find</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of 2S6 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 8nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 6nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 11000 AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 8000 AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>SA-8</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5f1fadc0.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="220" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> SA-8 SAM whit "Land role" radar is a short range SAM that finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne radar maintains tracking of target and the guidance of missile. SA-8 systems are of an older generation SAM and are being replaced successfully by SA-15 and S6.</div> <div> Because of the Nature of SA-8 radar and its limitations, this system isn't very useful against airborne threats that fly very fast and very low. These SAM losses a track-on very quickly even whit out of Chaff and ALE-50 decoys. One Hi-G maneuver or fast gain/lose of altitude usually forces radar to lose the track of target also flying bellow the 100ft AGL even at plain terrain gives the SA-8 problems tracking the target. The SA-8 radar system is also very subjected to counter-measures and jamming.</div> <bR> <div> The use of this system is reducing in most of the countries that have it and is replaced by SA-15. However, this system has been successfully introduced in Sea to air role as SA-N-4 on so called OSA boats and Krivak Missile cruiser, primarily as defense against missiles like Harpoon or Tomahawk. These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of low importance and whit combination of medium to long range SAM's.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM it doesn't involves lots of work. Fly fast and higher than 15000ft AGL. If you find your self engaged by SA-8 and you are slow and low bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply max. 85% of thrust. Deploy ALE-50 towed decoy (don't exceed the 85% of thrust or you will lose your decoy- you only have 3 of them), initiate jammer and dispense a chaff. If the terrain you are flying above is plain whit out any hills, climb above 15000ft AGL. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 150ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-8 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of relatively successfully acquiring and engaging low level airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - Grater effective altitude and range than SA-13or SA-18.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-8 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Small effectivety against very low and very fast flying aircraft's.</div> <div> -Warning via RWR to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-8 easier to find</div> <div> - Radar of older generation whit lots of tracking limitations. Very subjected to counter-measures and fast altitude deviations.</div> <div> - Small warhead</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-8 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 8nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 6nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 15000 AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 10000 AGL</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>SA-15</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5f22cfe0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="254" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Now we came to a short-medium range SAM.</div> <bR> <div> SA-15 SAM whit "Gauntlet" radar. This short-medium range SAM finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne radar maintains tracking of target and the guidance of missile thus making her less effective against very low flying threats. It has a grater effective range of 8NM and altitude of 18000ft AGL then S6. However, due to older generation radar this SAM losses a track-on very quickly even whit out of Chaff and ALE-50 decoys. One Hi-G loop or fast gain/lose of altitude usually forces radar to lose the track of target also flying bellow the 200ft AGL even at plain terrain gives the SA-15 problems tracking the target. These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of medium-high importance and whit combination of medium to long range SAM's.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM it doesn't involves lots of work. Fly fast and higher than 20000ft AGL. If you find your self engaged by SA-15 and you are slow and low bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply max. 85% of thrust. Deploy ALE-50 towed decoy (don't exceed the 85% of thrust or you will lose your decoy- you only have 3 of them), initiate jammer and dispense a chaff. If the terrain you are flying above is plain whit out any hills, climb above 20000ft AGL. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 200ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-15 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of relatively successfully acquiring and engaging low level airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - Grater effective altitude and range than SA-13, SA-18 or S6 SAM</div> <div> - Powerful warhead, which makes it easier to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 1-2 direct hits of SA-15 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-15 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Small effectivety against very low flying aircraft's.</div> <div> -Warning via RWR to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-15 easier to find</div> <div> - Radar of older generation whit lots of tracking limitations. Very subjected to counter-measures and fast altitude deviations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-15 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 12nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 8nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 32000 AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 18000 AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>SA-11</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5f30e050.jpg" border=0 width="270" height="261" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Now we came to the most dangerouse SAM. The medium range SA-11 SAM.</div> <bR> <div> SA-11 SAM whit "Fire Dome" radar. This medium range SAM finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne radar maintains tracking of target and the guidance of missile thus making her less effective against very low flying threats. It has a grater effective range of 20NM and altitude of 50000ft AGL. However, due to nature of radar flying bellow the 150ft AGL gives the SA-11 problems tracking the target.These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of high importance and whit combination of short to long range SAM's.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM involves lots of work. Flying fast and high doesn't help you a lot. I will present 2 ways of defeating the SA-11 depending on the altitude you are flying at.</div> <div> If you find your self engaged by SA-11 and you are at high altitude (higher then 30K ft Baro) bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply max. 85% of thrust. Deploy ALE-50 towed decoy (don't exceed the 85% of thrust or you will lose your decoy- you only have 3 of them), initiate jammer. Initiate a vertical climb for few seconds (or when the bitching Betty begins to yell "Chaff, Chaff"), then make an inverted roll and Hi-G 100% dive, while doing that dispense Chaff. When you spoofed the threat missile you will usually find your self at around 20-25K alt going very fast. You have two options either climb back to 30-35K alt as soon as possible and go through the same procedure once again when you're engaged by SA-11 or dive towards the floor.</div> <div> When flying at medium or low (below 20K Alt.) altitude and the terrain you are flying above is plain whit out any hills, dive bellow 100ft AGL. If the area you are flying above is rough dive below 200ft AGL and perform an NOE flight profile and bring your self on the 3/9 o'clock position whit the missile and apply max. 85% of thrust. Deploy ALE-50 towed decoy (don't exceed the 85% of thrust or you will lose your decoy- you only have 3 of them), initiate jammer and dispense a chaff.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-11 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of successfully acquiring and engaging low level very fast airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - Grater effective altitude and range than S6, SA-13 and SA-15. Capable of hitting and destroying even very high and fast flying airplanes.</div> <div> - Powerful warhead, which makes it easier to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 1direct hit of SA-11 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <div> - Hit probability increases whit targets altitude.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-11 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Less effectively against very low flying aircraft's.</div> <div> -Warning via RWR to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-11 easier to find</div> <div> - Relatively subjected to counter-measures and fast altitude deviations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-11 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 20nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 18nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 60K AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 50K AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>SA-10</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5f42caa0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="170" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> And at least here is the long range SAM called SA-10 SAM.</div> <bR> <div> SA-10 SAM whit "Flap Lid" radar. This long range SAM finds and directs its missile whit radar. Once the missile is airborne radar maintains tracking of target and the guidance of missile thus making her less effective against very low flying threats. It has a grate effective range of 40NM and altitude of 65000ft AGL. However, due to nature of radar flying bellow the 250ft AGL gives the SA-10 problems tracking the target. These systems are mainly used around possible ground targets of high importance and whit combination of short to medium range SAM's.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat this SAM involves lots of work. Flying fast and high doesn't help you in any way.</div> <bR> <div> To defeat the SA-10 use same procedures as by SA-11.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Strengths of SA-10 SAM</B></div> <div> - Capable of successfully acquiring and engaging low-medium level very fast airborne threats (moving and stationed i.e. hovering helicopter).</div> <div> - Grater effective altitude and range than SA-11. Capable of hitting and destroying even very high and fast flying airplanes.</div> <div> - Powerful warhead, which makes it easier to achieve one, hit one kill ratio. Usually it takes 1direct hit of SA-10 to destroy an airplane of F/A-18 size whit BI-engine construction.</div> <div> - Hit probability increases whit targets altitude.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Weaknesses of SA-10 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Less effectively against very low flying aircraft's (even more then SA-11).</div> <div> -Warning via RWR to targeting and engaged aircraft of a missile lunch and tracking thus making a SA-10 easier to find</div> <div> - Relatively subjected to counter-measures and fast altitude deviations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Limitations of SA-10 SAM.</B></div> <div> - Max. engagement range 50nm.</div> <div> - Effective engagement range 40nm</div> <div> - Max. altitude 85K AGL</div> <div> - Effective altitude 65K AGL</div> <bR> <div> <B>Navalized SAM systems</B></div> <bR> <div> Russian war-ships also use SAM defense that are derivats of the land-based SAM's.</div> <div> Here are the sea versions of SAM's:</div> <div> - Kuznetsov aircraft carrier (KU on RWR) carries SA-N-9 (version of SA-15) and SA-19 (version of S6)</div> <div> - Slava Missile cruiser (SL) carries SA-N-6 (ver. Of SA-10) and SA-N-4 (ver. Of SA-8)</div> <div> - Krivak Missile cruiser (KR) carries SA-N-4 (ver. Of SA-8)</div> <div> - Sovremenny destroyer carries (SV) carries SA-N-7 (ver. Of SA-11)</div> <bR> <div> You must also know that all SAM system have also a minimum effective range that is in direct correlation to maximum effective range and max. effective altitude. Long-range SAM has a longer minimum effective range and the short-ranged SAM has shorter minimum effective range. For example, the SA-10's min. effective range is around 5NM at 5000ft AGL while the SA-8 has almost no minimum range. That is why you can be relatively safe flying over SA-10/11 at relatively low altitudes and close proximity. Since long-range SAM systems have a relatively large minimum effective range and are thus more subjected to "sneaky" NOE attacks they are always accompanied whit some mobile 23/80mm AAA and SA-13 or 2S6 SAM type systems for a self-defense and better target area coverage. SAM rarely "comes" alone. Usually there are 4-5 different AAA/SAM systems protecting specific area. The goal is the same for all but how to accomplish it it differs from system to system. Each one is protecting specific segment of target area but together they protect all of it and if it's properly coordinated it can make a Hell for a pilot who wants to penetrate it.</div> <div> Also, the numbers that can be found under Maximum and Effective altitude (as well as range except not by such a degree) of specific SAM shouldn't be taken as an exact number, especially the effective one. Here come in consideration several factors. First one is the AGL altitude position of SAM. Effective/Maximum numbers for altitude is in AGL not Barometric altitude. Higher the AGL more effective the SAM can be for two reasons. First, if you are flying somewhere over the hilly terrain you must add around 3500ft or more (average altitude of the ground in inner of Murmansk is 1000-3500ft) to the altitude shown on your HUD to get out of range for a specific SAM. Secondly lower air resistance due to higher launching altitude gives the SAM longer motor burn-time and higher initial velocity, just the same as when you are flying at higher altitude you burn less fuel and fly faster.</div> <div> Second factor regarding effective altitude is the degree of counter measures performed by target. If the target is doing nothing to brake the lock i.e. beaming, jamming, chaff/flares deployment etc. but instead relaying solely on it's altitude advantage the effective altitude increases more over to the maximum altitude. That comes most noticeable by SA-15 SAM. If you find yourself engaged by one of these and you are flying at 19K and you are thinking well I'm above the effective altitude of the SAM, you are in a big du-du. The SA-15 will reach you with out of any problems. Even if you tried a ballistic vertical climb in a desperate try to out climb it, it will reach you in most cases before you reached its maximum altitude. That is because the SAM doesn't have to do nothing except to chase you dead-on with out of any deviations in its flight pattern. Effective altitude/range is in direct correlation with motor burn-time. That means that the SAM has enough energy for High G maneuvering with out of loosing its speed rapidly as long as the motor is working or the speed is still with in successful engagement parameters. You must also remember that SAM is much faster than you are. Average SAM speeds is mach 2.5+ and they accelerate to this speed in just few seconds. However, if you deploy just one or two chaffs and use jamming, you will most probably brake a lock and if you put beaming and high G brake than you'll brake the lock even more likely if the SAM is outside of its effective performance. </div> <bR> <div> I use TALD quite frequently and may I say very successfully, not really for self-defense but for viewing pleasure. I usually drop them from 20-30K and around 30nm from SAM protected area then I slow down and turn away so that TALD's get ahead of me. I really enjoy watching them get shoot down. The 300W Sub-Woofer and surround sound system combined whit high visual setting really make a show.</div> <bR> <div> As for how many SA-missiles does it take to hit and kill the aircraft, well that varies from system to system and the strategy that SAM commander (via enemy skills setting) uses for engaging threats. However, the biggest role is caring the targeted pilot, how good is he at defensive maneuvers and tactics.</div> <bR> <div> <B>To summarize:</B></div> <div> We can be safe to say that flying below 150ft AGL, using jammer and ALE-50 decoy and terrain masking will defeat most SAM's. Exapctions are the SA-13 and SA-18 that use IR guidance and thus making them resistant to Jammer and very low flying but lack of range and warhead power makes them less of a threat then S6 and better SAM's. If there are non-of the medium-long range SAM's in area then there is the wisest to fly above 15K alt.</div> <bR> <div> SA-8 and SA-9 are poorly represented in this Sim missions. Up to day I haven't encounter SA-9 in any Campaign mission (from stock campaign to Valhalla and Falklands remembered) and only two encounters whit SA-8 in one of the stock campaign missions so I had to test them in one of my user created missions. Hope in the future any new campaigns will involve this two Sam's more then they are now.</div> <div> One more thing on SAM systems. The Strengths, Weaknesses and Limitations info of SAM's was gathered from my experiences in this Simulation and testing on different user created missions involving SAM defense and differs in some area from the real SAM systems especially at SA-13 and SA-15. Other info was gathered in my days being in Slovenian AD. Over-all picture of SAM in this simulation is one of the best; my only wish is a little more aggressive and powerful SA-8, SA-13 and SA-15.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="276" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id206_sams.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BeatingM"><U><B>MISSILE EVASION TACTICS</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="10" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="3" WIDTH="656" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFFFFF" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="75"><div> <A HREF="id73_cpt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="cockpit"><U>Cockpit</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> <A HREF="id80_bf.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Basic Flight"><U>Basic 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