Flaming Cliffs 3 - Beta AAR #3 (Su-25)

The following is a random Flaming Cliffs 3 AAR taken from the BETA FC3 module and a BETA FC3 Su-25 single mission. As would be expected from a beta product, the screens represent unfinished work, works in progress, and the images from this report may or may not reflect the eventual finished product. With that said – the gameplay in FC3 kicks ass!

Once again – the following are taken from a BETA!


Our Su-25 mission is accompanied by a thorough SITREP and detailed briefing. It is clear what our objectives are and the accompanying map shows the area we should be operating in.







As soon as I get in the Su-25 I’m completely lost. Remember, this is the straight -25, not the -25T! The lack of a MFD or electro-optics screen baffles me. I have my handy iPad at the ready with key commands listed since I’m so lost. It takes me a few minutes to figure out that I need to have the electrical system on before I can start the engines.





Taxiing feels great. Since the Su-25 has the advanced flight model like the –T does, it is so much fun to fly.



The light is a little dim so I turn the cockpit lights on to help me better see the panel…



My wingman falls into step behind me. The poor dude has no idea what an incompetent flight lead he has..



On to the runway I actually remember to extend the takeoff/maneuvering flaps and the trims are all set.



And with a bit of back stick we rotate and wobble slightly into the air..



Ahead of me I can already see the contrail traces of my CAP flight circling enroute to the target area…





I clean up the aircraft and point my nose toward the strike waypoint…

The situation is a bit of a stalemate with Georgian forces having pounded the snot out of the outpost. A few Russian forces (our side) are positioned just north of the outpost ready to rush south once another tank column arrives. Our job is to soften up the Georgian forces south of Tskhinvali…



Zipping over the plains north of Tskhinvali. The mountains will rear up shortly and we’ll have to bump over the 4000 meter peaks to descend into the area of operations…



A pair of Su-24s has already arrived on scene and they are engaging a Georgian convoy that is coming up from the south. I watch mesmerized as the Su-24s pulverize the column, turning it into a literal highway of death…















The F10 map shows the Russian units standing by to the north, the lone outpost surrounded and the wealth of Georgian targets in all areas.



The convoy returns fire but the Su-24s slash and attack, decimating the convoy…









Georgian tanks lay in wait for any Russian reinforcements…



The Su-24s expend their precision missiles and switch to cluster bombs for their remaining pass…





To the north our AWACS keeps us abreast of any enemy air threats. So far the skies are clear…



The flight is about 180 kilometers and soon the mountain range that we have to bound over comes into view.. I glance at my clock because I know our CAP will be departing the area at +45 past the hour and I see I only have 27 minutes left to perform my attack since I’m supposed to depart with the CAP.





I turn on my EO weapon sight and have no idea how to use it. I manage to find out that the slew control on my Warthog HOTAS will move the reticle about on the HUD glass, but I have no idea how to lock a target. Turns out, you actually just sort of slew it on to your target, stabilize it, then fire. It isn’t really like a Maverick…



Here we are coming in from the north northeast..



Another close-up view of the situation…(yeah, I know it’s a cheat – but at least it isn’t labels!)



Of to my right I can see the contrails of the CAP circling the battlefield…

I zoom in on my HUD as we descend down the side of the mountain range and I can easily see the smoke rising from the Su-24 attacks. There are also other smoke columns from the ground forces engaging each other. A bunker is also sending up pyrotechnics and I try to draw a mental of picture of where the friendly Russian forces are so that I don’t commit fratricide.



Meanwhile the reinforcement column continues to drive south through the mountains…



Georgian motor tubes are set up and must have been being used to shell the Russian outpost..



The aforementioned ammo bunker…



The Russian tanks still waiting to move south…



I place my sights over the exploding bunker since I know on the other side there are Georgian tanks awaiting the Russian forces.



My first pass is a dry one since I can’t figure out how to launch the missile..(drat!).. I pay the price with a few pieces of hardware passing through my fuselage and wing..



I come back around and realize I have to hit the ENTER key to stabilize the reticle, then I can tweak it with the slew controls seeking a perfect lineup. It isn’t easy to do while you are rocketing along.



My first missile goes long and explodes behind the targeted unit.. Damn!



I pop flares as I pull off and see tracers whizzing by my canopy. I hear a couple “thunks” and realize I’m taking a few more hits. This isn’t going well at all… I release my wingman and he makes a couple runs before he gets hit and ejects.



I endeavor to at least hit something and come back around and finally manage to get a proper aiming point and hit a tank with a missile.









As I pull off I hear a dreadful “kerchunk” and my airspeed drops to zero. Well, the indicator drops to zero because the pitot tubes are now gone, along with the entirety of my nose section..



I give the controls a little test waggle and, surprisingly, the plane is flying fine. As I speed up the airframe gives a bit of buffeting and I ease back off the throttle not wanting to tear anything else up.



I point my nose toward home since I know I’m no longer in the fight.





I have a great plan though! I had spent so much time dorking around trying to get my weapons to work my CAP flight ran out of time and they head home with me. I figure I can go to base, get a repair and rearm, and maybe come back to finish up what I started.





After ten minutes or so of flying we are back near our base. As I turn final my fuel low level light illuminates..



I give a sigh of relief as both the flaps and the landing gear extend normally..



Without an airspeed indicator though, I’m doing a bit of guessing on speed. The info bar on the external view is a good cheat, but I truthfully don’t even know what the proper landing speed on the Su-25 is supposed to be in kph. I shoot for 250 which might have been a bit too hot..



I touch down and hit the button to pop my chute. The back clamshell opens, but I don’t see anything pop out. I don’t know why…damage? Or was I going to fast?



I lean on the brakes, but forget to extend my speedbrakes. As the runway end approaches I’m still doing about 75 kph and I have no choice other than to try to ground loop it onto the taxiway…



That doesn’t work so well as I flip over and catch on fire…



The CAP flight comes in to land behind me. No doubt shaking their heads at the stupidity of it all..



Meanwhile, back over the AO, the Georgians have seized the upper hand and have sent in their own flight of Su-25s to attack the waiting Russian forces..





Oh..the humanity..



I end the mission and look at my dismal rating. Someone needs a LOT more practice with the Su-25 if they are going to fly close air support..!





BeachAV8R

You have a habit of landing your flying flaming wrecks among flowers. ;p

nice AAR

I don't think the Shkval in the 25T model counts as an MFD anyway. It's just a TV with only one channel.

What I like about the Su-25A is how basic it is... it really puts you down in the weeds, dodging AAA/SAMs. All targets are visually acquired. In the A-10C, the best strategy is just to sit up at 25k+ feet, invincible and invisible, and drop JDAMs.

did you make sure you still had your feet?

Placebo again or is that pit an improvement? Mind you I haven't played FC2 since just after it came out but I don't recall the pit looking that refined. (The current default t-frog pit in World look downright gross.)

Man... airbrakes out for the approach... anything to increase drag and to place you on the front of drag curve (or as close as possible).
Then you wouldn't forget them on the R/W too.

Airbrakes, Full Flaps, Gear... for aircraft with spoilers or chutes those too after WOW.

I fly flare-less landing, with a constant pitch but adding a burst of thrust about 2-3m up and 1 second before nominal T/D, followed by chopping the throttle to idle. Hold the nose off and wings level, track straight for as long as possible, then lower nose wheel and apply braking. Braking chute can be deployed with WOW, but I usually don't bother.

im pretty sure the pits have gotten a lil bit of love.

Soooo excited for this. Been practicing with the SU-25T in World, and having a blast. Does the Standard Su-25 handle better?

that is the funniest AAR I've read for Su-25.. You are a piece of work, Chris!!

I mean jeez!! the Su-25 noseless! HAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!! you need to play FC2 Su-25 familiarization missions.

Great AAR Beach, FC3 looks luscious.

I don't know why you didn't jettison your stores...

Didn't know the keyboard shortcut..

Nice review, I wonder if you're under DNA things.
Some FC pilot(including me) wants to see more detail info on how the new feature, "resource management" works.
Would you review on that if you arent under those publication restriction?

I have tried using that shortcut and it doesn't work maybe there is more to it, Maybe you select the weapon and then jettison?

I am under the NDA still. I was given permission to post some AARs from FC3, but that is the extent to which I should probably comment.

Regards!
BeachAV8R

Always marvel at how photoreal dcs can look...the shot of the frogfoot taking off, with heat shimmer behind....near perfect.

I see.. thanks for the clear answer.

It was not until yesterday that I find the panel that will help me with the navigation in Su-25,Oh.....
I missed too much, and I 'm looking forward the new missions in FC3

nice screenshots~

I don't see any of YOUR AAR's up here, NOOB. And I wouldn't advise laughing at people. This isn't your Mario Brothers message board.

Bravo! Beautiful AAR! You certainly have a gift for story telling and your screenshots look to be right out of hollywood. I love the Su-25s. Used to fly those all the time in Lockon. I hope someday ED brings them up to DCS standard with clickable cockpits and such. I'd love to have the equivalent of the A-10C from the Russian side.

Question for you; when you capture these screenshots, do you do it while flying in the sim or do you use the track file and go back and pick your shots? They look so good in terms of angles, background etc. that I would imagine you must not do it while flying the aircraft.

Haha! LOL! Same over here

Beautifully crafted report, btw, Bav8r.

Cheers

R

Nice AAR, get the reader interested in the sim. Well Done

I should have read this before I tried the mission myself. I did, actually, but I forgot it was the mission I was flying to test FC3.
At least then I would have known where I was going.

The aiming system is very quirky compared to the simples of US click & shoot systems - but once you get used to it it's a real hoot.
It would have been a really bad idea to return to the AO without cover, too, so probably best you didn't.

I have lost my nose a few times in FC2 - the A-Frog flies quite well without it. The way I assess my final approach speed without the ASI is to slow until the aircraft starts to wallow, then increase power a smidgin and it's fine - even without a 'chute.

Also don't forget that the Frog lands very nicely and stops very quickly with the gear retracted. Seriously, it's a good option when you are all shot-up and it has never killed me.

Nice AAR