Today we’ll take a look at how we’ll accomplish the SEAD role (Suppression Enemy Air Defense) using the Su-25T. The –T is quite capable in the SEAD role and carries a few unique weapons and instruments that will help accomplish that mission. The two primary items you need to accomplish SEAD missions are 1) a means to detect enemy radar emissions and 2) a means to engage those threats. You could also throw in a third item 3) a means to protect yourself from getting shot down. The best way to avoid getting shot down is, of course, to kill the threat before he kills you.
I’ve set up a mission with several independent SAM sites for us to train against. Keep in mind that the scenario is fairly simplistic because there are not multiple “layers” or “tiers” of air-defense in this scenario. A more realistic setup would include long range detection, long range/altitude engagement, medium range/altitude, and short range defenses to protect the SAM emplacements including AAA and short range man-portable SAMs. For today’s training flight we’ll be taking off from Novorossiysk and heading inland past several SAM sites before returning to Gelendzhik.
Along the way we’ll encounter several different types of SAM units that I’ve chosen somewhat at random. I’m not a master of mission design, so I’m not at all sure what the capabilities and relative strengths and weaknesses are of each unit, but I’m sure we’ll thresh that out in later discussions. The first site we’ll come across is an SA-11 “Buk” system comprised of 4 launchers and a radar vehicle. A mission designer would better be able to tell you how these items interact, I’m not sure how many launchers can be controlled by each vehicle, nor do I know how close the launchers have to be in proximity to the radar vehicle in order for it to be effective.
The next site will contain an SA-6 “Kub” system, again containing a radar vehicle and launchers.
The final two systems we’ll face are the SA-8 “Osa” and the SA-15 “Tor”. All of the SAM sites have been placed near the edges of prominent lakes on the map to better help us identify the site locations since this is a targeting exercise. Keep in mind that in a real mission you likely won’t know the locations or, in some cases, the types of threats you will be facing.
In order to take out these threats we’ll be carrying a fairly specialized SEAD ordnance package consisting of anti-radiation missiles such as the Kh-25MP and the Kh-58. These missiles use a passive detection system to home in on radar emissions and both have the ability to “remember” the location of the emitter and continue toward the target (though loss of the active signal seriously degrades their kill probability). In addition to anti-radiation missiles we’ll also be carrying the unique KMGU-2 Sub-munitions Dispenser which is a bomblet dispensing unit that is used at low altitude and high speed to saturate an area with munitions much like a cluster bomb but slightly more linearly. On the center-line we’ll be carrying the L-081 “Fantasmagoria” ETS (Emitter Targeting System) which is a passive detection system that directs the initial targeting of the anti-radiation missiles. On the outer stations we’ll carry the MPS-410 radar jamming pods for self-protection. I’ve also adjusted the fuel load to 50% to give us a 94% of gross takeoff weight.
With all these cool toys mounted on the outside we head off for our first target area.
The harbor near Novorossiysk is a beehive of activity; you certainly can’t say that LOMAC world isn’t rendered beautifully.
After climbing a bit it isn’t long before we’ve entered the detection range of the first SAM site and our SPO-15LM “Bereza” radar warning system starts doing its thing. I have to admit that getting a grip on the Russian style RWS continues to be a learning process. The unit compacts a lot of information into a very small space and learning to decipher what it is telling you is crucial for battlefield survival. The first thing worth noting is what
type of threat you are receiving. The type of threat is indicated by the 6 lights that cross horizontally at the bottom of the instrument. Moving left to right the radar types are: airborne, long range, medium range, short range, early warning and finally AWACS. Obviously, as an attack aircraft, the most alarming would likely be an airborne radar since your air-to-air capabilities are relatively modest. In this case we are looking at a medium-range radar (the 3rd light is lit) and the “x” underneath the symbol supposedly indicates this is a secondary threat (as opposed to an “n” which would indicate a primary threat). There are actually two threats being received however since primary and secondary threat bearings are indicated by the outer orange bearing lights and the green secondary threat bearing lights respectively. As you can see here we have a primary threat bearing indication (orange light) 10 degrees right of the nose and a secondary threat bearing (green light) also at 10 degrees.
Additionally, we have a signal strength meter that illuminates as signal strength changes. As signal strength increases, more and more lights illuminate counter-clockwise on the display. The dual hemisphere indication at the center of the display indicates the threat elevation relative to you (above or below).
I’ve already activated the air-to-ground mode and have turned the ETS pod on (I-key) to detect and display the threat data on the HUD. Threats are projected on the HUD as diamonds and the square targeting data cursor can be moved over the diamond and selected to lock your missile onto the threat. Once you’ve selected the target the diamond turns to a circle and a range bar appears on the left side of the HUD. An arrow will fall down the range bar (maximum range is indicated by the thick tick line on the scale) and when launch parameters are realized a “launch authorized” cue will appear and your ready weapon station will flash.
Of course, if you can see the enemy SAM site, there are good odds that he sees you too. In this case the SA-11 “Buk” has launched on us as indicated by the solid red flashing circle and launch tone from the RWS.
Now is a great time to plug an excellent tutorial by Ironhand (RSoro on SimHQ) that will help you understand the dynamics of missile evasion (useful not just for LOMAC but for any flight sim with missiles). While his tutorial utilizes the A-10 the information contained is still extremely useful and the evasion tactics appear to work just as well with the Su-25T. You can download the video from Ironhand’s website:
http://flankertraining.com/ironhand/supad.htm The video is the first one titled
”Outmaneuvering SAMs” and is well worth the time to watch.
I found that approach at low-level has a couple distinct advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages is the fact that you can close to a closer range to the threat than at medium or high altitude due to terrain masking and simple radar signal physics. I also found that entering a rapid descent while the missile is in the homing phase can easily drive it into the ground since it is anticipating where you are going to be in “X” seconds, and if that point happens to be negative AGL you are in business. I don’t know if some missile systems have anti-ground collision logic, but I found the technique definitely works. Here you can see I’ve pushed into a steep dive and also turned to put the threat on my beam (90 degrees) and the result is the missile starts to descend rapidly as well as corner.
The clear disadvantage to this type of maneuver is the proximity to the ground you are doing such radical evasive maneuvers; the threat of running into “cumulus granitus” is perhaps as lethal as getting hit by a missile. Keep in mind also that the Su-25T in particular, with its advanced flight model, seems to be very unforgiving of misjudging the controls and you can’t instantly arrest a fast trend; there is a tendency to want to mush down into the ground after you give up a lot of energy during a pull-out maneuver. I almost mashed right into the ground on the first dive at the ground and a sharp yank on the stick, bordering on an accelerated stall, was all that saved me.
I flew along for a bit testing out the terrain masking and it appears to work quite well in LOMAC. The other disadvantages to flying low besides the high ground collision potential are that your fuel economy is absolutely horrendous and you are also exposing yourself to other threats by being in small arms range (the Golden BB). An additional consideration is that your offensive launch range for your anti-radar weapons is significantly reduced by flying at low altitudes. Engaging from high altitude gives your weapon much more potential energy from the start and can increase your “stand-off” range. After a bit I started a climb back up to a low altitude, re-locked the SA-11 and launched my first Kh-25MP.
The missile tracked in nicely for a kill on the radar vehicle. With the “head” of the target lopped off I could now proceed inbound to finish up the job with free-fall weapons.
Selecting my KMGU-2 dispenser I set the arming panel to the special SSC-MJM SERIES release mode which, according to the manual, would release the contents of each dispenser at 2 second intervals to provide maximum (or appropriate) coverage.
Using the flames from the radar vehicle (and the pre-briefed knowledge of the location of the site relative the lake) I’m able to pick up the SAM site visually (thanks for the zoom feature TIR!) and prepare to make my attack run on the site.
Again keep in mind that in a normal mission you’d likely have several layers of defenses to penetrate and that this scenario isn’t really indicative of the type of situation you would find in a well constructed mission. No doubt there would be additional ground threats in the form of MANPADs, close in AAA, and other armor units firing every gun they had at you. Reaching the bomb release point I hit the pickle button and watch the little bomblets release from the dispenser.
My string lands a bit long but watching the ripple of explosions tear across the ground is fantastic!
Coming back around I plan my attack run to be more in line with the axis of vehicle orientation and I have a bit better success on the second run.
One of the vehicles is damaged and continues to smolder for a minute or so before exploding into full-on flames.
I’m surprised to get an audible message warning my fuel has reached 800 kg. of fuel and a minute later I glance down and am alarmed to see I’ve burned through my light fuel load rather quickly at these low altitude and high throttle settings. I’ve also moved on toward the 2nd SAM emplacement and my threat receiver is indicating that I have been launched on.
I lock on to the SA-6 “Kub” emitter and wait for the range arrow to fall to the maximum launch range bar for my second Kh-25MP. When the max range parameter is met I launch the weapon while the SA-6 takes a shot at me.
I’m a bit unsure as to the status of my wing mounted MPS-410 jamming pods. I page through the manual and can’t find much reference to them and the keycard indicates hitting the “E” key turns on active jamming. When I toggle it on and off however I can’t find any indicator within the cockpit that alludes to the status of the device (?).
Once again the Kh-25MP finds its mark and I’m able to see the glow of the fire though the HUD. I’m a bit unclear (or uneducated) on the specific (or general) capabilities of the SAM systems I’m facing. For instance, I’m not sure if some SAM missiles are autonomous after launch or if all of them require post launch guidance from the radar site that launched them. I figure by killing the radar vehicle I’ve vastly improved my odds anyway. Additionally, I’m not sure if supplemental types of guidance are implemented; I know some types of SAMs have different modes including optical backup and perhaps even IR backup (?). There is a lot to learn still obviously.
Once again I swoop in low after the initial anti-radar missile strike and clean up a bit with the KMGU-2. I’ve learned to anticipate the release a bit better though and now hit the pickle button a second prior to my first intended point of impact; this allows the string to start just prior to the first vehicle and walk up to and over it and I think it decreases the chances of having a pass “go long” and miss the first target.
After the pass I continue off to the east toward the SA-8 “Osa” formation. I inadvertently included four SA-8 vehicles clustered around a centrally located re-arming vehicle that I mistook as a radar vehicle in the mission editor. I didn’t realize that SA-8 is a self contained unit and doesn’t require any additional support for firing. The support vehicle does bring up the interesting question of whether SAM units resupply from those vehicles or if they even have a finite missile capability. I know for sure that they have “reload times”, but I’m unsure of the other two factors.
Since I’m getting critically low on fuel, I elect to pass-by the SA-8 formation and instead proceed to an airfield where I can refuel. I choose Krasnodar-Pashkovskiy on the opposite side of the SAM emplacement so I decide to fly around the north side of the threat.
I’ll be well inside the engagement range of the multiple SA-8 vehicles and they soon start popping off missiles at me at regular intervals.
I push my flying down as low as I can stand and the concentration required is immense. Just a slight bobble or second of inattention and it will be all over. Rising terrain is a serious hazard as it requires instant correction without bouncing up too high into the SAM engagement envelope.
Time after time the SA-8 vehicles fire but the missiles are on such flat trajectories that they often run into intervening terrain or structures.
At my point of closest approach I allow myself to drift just slightly high and as I look out the right side of the cockpit I can see the launchers and I watch in horror as a missile gets a bead on me and doesn’t fly into the ground. This one stays fixed on my canopy and I feel my shoulders go tense and know I’m going to get smacked by this one.
I push the nose down then yank back violently on the stick and the missile slides behind me and a huge yellow explosion lights the wings and inside of the cockpit. I look for damage indications and am amazed to find that the missile has missed!
I pass out of the west side of the engagement zone and hit the speed brakes to line up on the runway at Krasnodar. I touchdown and rollout before taxiing over to the ramp to let the tension subside.
On the ramp I shut the engines down (only 170 kg. of fuel remaining!) and then hunt through my keycard to find the refueling command. I hit the CTRL-R key and the fuel load starts creeping up slowly; a nice effect instead of just having the tanks fill up instantly. As the fuel load increases I wonder if it will stop at the pre-mission total of 1895 kg. or if it is possible to exceed that and I’m pleasantly surprised to see the fuel increase past that point. I then become curious as to just how much fuel I can put in and it allows me to fill the internal tank to maximum capacity of 3770 kg. I wonder to myself if perhaps this weight is over-gross or not with my remaining weapon loadout and if there are any ramifications (structurally) other than increased takeoff speed and distance (?). Interestingly, it took several minutes to fully fuel and in that time I had the battery on but the engines off. After several minutes I panicked because the electronics turned off and my canopy raised automatically and I thought I had run the battery dead and wouldn’t be able to restart. Thankfully, I was able to turn the battery back on and accomplish the engine start. I’m wondering if perhaps the turning off of the electrics and opening of the canopy was the signal that the ground maintenance was complete (repairing damage which in my case was just repacking the drag chute). If you ever manage to get a damaged bird back to an airfield that is a good tip to know and one I only discovered after reading about it in the forums: just stop on the ramp (maybe even the runway?) and sit for a few minutes and your bird will get patched up. I didn’t re-arm (is that possible?) so I fired back up and headed back to the runway.
Heading up the lake to the final SAM site, the SA-15 “Tor”, I once again turn on the ETS and prepare to engage with my Kh-58 missiles.
The Kh-58 is a pretty cool weapon since it drops away in free fall before the boost motor kicks in. This looks like a missile with real heft and punch. According to the manual the Kh-58 has a maximum range from a high altitude launch of 100 km!
Unfortunately, my first shot misses, perhaps because the SA-15 turns off its radar briefly and the missile only hits nearby but not close enough to damage the vehicle.
Meanwhile I evade missiles lobbed at me by staying just outside of the engagement zone. It is gratifying to look out the canopy and see the SAMs exploding a kilometer or so away in the mid-air.
I launch my second Kh-58 and get a kill on the SA-15 and I decide to have a little fun on my way back to base with the multiple SA-8 emplacements that I bypassed. I jettison my KMGU-2 dispensers and get down on the deck at near maximum speed. Though the SA-8 vehicles attempt to engage me several times I’m just too low and I blister across the site at near 800 kph. Fun stuff but the high concentration required to fly so low is actually quite fatiguing.
Arriving at the destination airfield (Gelendzhik) back on the coast I get a bit stupid and try to slow from 700 kph to landing speed all while descending down from the high mountains that guard the west side of the harbor. As everyone knows, an unstabilized often leads to an unstabilized landing, which is exactly what I end up with.