This mission was designed for the F/A-18 Hornet and F-14B Tomcat to practice the following:
1) Super Carrier Landings
2) Aerial Refueling
3) Air to Air delivery
4) Air to Ground delivery with any weapon
5) JTAC
6) Formation Flying (They constantly talk and grade you)
7) Voice Overs throughout any activities
I fly in VR and this is one of my fav mission because of the 20 songs you can pick from playing over the radio channels and great clouds.
For the F-14 and F/A-18 BVR there are four groups of cargo plane targets at 50 nautical miles, 100 nm, 140 nm, 180 nm, and they alternate between head to tail closure or perpendicular aspect angles so you can practice how this effects the radar returns. Pop-up events are included if you choose to engage with ACM.
For air to ground, just pick a loadout that has an ordinance that you want to use. The target zone is defended by Air defenses so if you want to practice without this threat, use the Coms Menu and select the Wild Weasel using F10 men
Version 1_01 Update 04/26/2022
1) Added AGM-62 Walleye and AGM-154A to the hornet loadout. This should now be all of the F/A-18 air to ground weapons.
2) Added more constraints to the formation flight. Before, all you had to do was fly close to the flight lead. Now, if the formation is Echelon right, and you line up on his left, this will be viewed as being out of formation, regardless of how close you are to him.
3) Only F/A-18C tail number 011 is watched to the fullest for formation flying. Based on feedback, I will add this to tail number 012 and tail 201 as well in order to have three separate grades for the formation flight. This would allow for competition for the best grade in multiplayer events.
4) Added a possible new surprise ending to the formation flight sequence.
Version 1_03 Update 04/30/2022
1) Added Activate Link 4 on Freq 336 and Activate ACLS to the Super Carrier via mission editor. (I did not test this fr om inside the cockpit as I have not learned that system)
2) Added Tail 012 to be fully monitored in formation flying. Now its possible to compete simultaneously for best scores between tail numbers 011 and 012.
3) Tweaked formation judgement parameters in several locations. Especially the last Finger Four so it more readily sees you as in formation.
4) Corrected any annotations for Base Recovery Coarse. It was saying 123, now it says 116.
5) Smoothed out the route of Gold Leader back to the carrier so that he doesn't dive too steep anymore. Also added some more voice instructions wh ere needed.
6) Tanker formation now gives audio cues as to which one is Texaco and which one is Shell when you approach their formation.
7) Added more small talk for the Tankers. Also they will now voice interact with Hornets 1 thru 4 and Tomcats 1 thru 4 (Before it was just tail # 011).
8) Added more triggers to the very last scene with Gold Leader to make sure he stops talking when he suppose to.
9) Corrected a few spots where radio chat was not playing when it should be.
Version 1_04 Update 05/02/2022
1) Adjusted Tanker coarse route so that they no longer cross each other's path.
2) Added trigger logic to switch radio callout as to who is on the left and who is on the right. (Not working at the moment as it seems not to see the flag that changes the radio message).
3) Adjusted drone target type and se t them at different altitudes and speeds so that you will have to adjust radar elevation in order to detect certain groups.
4) Formation flight seems to evade in the vertical if you get too close in Line abreast.
Version 1_05 Update 05/07/2022
1) Logic to switch radio callout as to which tanker is on the left/right is working.
2) At Waypoint 2, added a flight of bandits in tight formation in order to practice hornet Raid and Expand A/A radar modes.
Welcome to the play ground.
This mission was designed to maintain proficiency with all aspects of the F/A-18C Hornet and F-14B Tomcat.
This is a free roam mission, so the waypoints are not meant to be followed in sequence. They only mark points of interest while on the Play Ground. Voice-Overs are included in any of the activities that you may choose to participate in.
Waypoint 1:
You are 25 nm behind Mother at 2,000 feet. Contact Mother Approach for a CASE I Recovery to practice your carrier landings. Locate her using Tacan channel 71X (THR). Coms: 127.500 MHz AM. BRC : 116 degrees. Link 4 : Frequency 336.0
Waypoint 2:
Enemy Drone cargo planes are operating in that area so you can practice your air to air engagements. For best results, keep the current coarse and fly 5 nautical miles pass the super carrier. Then turn toward the bandits. This will put their flight paths perpendicular to yours and or be tail cold or nose hot relative to your position.
Waypoint 3
A pair of F-18 Hornets are flying formations at 15,000 feet, data link ID (FD51) (FD52), and you are welcome to join them. Their Comms is 280.000 MHz (Ch 5). Waypoint 3 is also BULLSEYE for the play ground. For best experience with this formation group, form up with them as soon as the mission starts. Make sure you have a key bind se t for smoke on/off.
Waypoint 4
A pair of S-3B Aerial Refueling Tankers located 15 nautical miles off your nose, Data Link ID (TO61), (SL71), are available should you get thirsty. Their altitude is 15,000 feet. Locate them on their Tacan frequency 33Y (TEX) and 44Y (SHL). Comms: 251.000 MHz and 252.000 MHz respectively.
Waypoint 5 (Target at the Airfield)
Ground Target Primary 1: High Value Asset
LAT: N 43' 26'47.27"
LONG: E 39' 56'26.30"
Waypoint 6 (Target at the Airfield)
Ground Target Primary 2: High Value Asset
LAT: N 43' 26'44.43"
LONG: E 39' 56'17.33"
Waypoint 7 (Target at the Airfield)
Harden Aircraft Shelter with plane
N 43' 26' 41.24" ELEV 98
E 39' 57' 13.34"
Waypoint 8 (Target at the Airfield)
Harden Aircraft Shelter with plane
N 43' 26' 26.61" ELEV 98
E 39' 57' 3.78"
Naval targets are off the coast of the airport as well.
E-2D AWACS code name Overlord (Data Link ID OD41) is on station to practice coms, vector to targets, using the SA (Situational Awareness) page, and Data Link 16 symbology on the HUD and DDIs. Comms: 266.000 MHz AM
Carrier:
BRC: 116-degrees
QNH: 29.92 inHg
TACAN: channel 71X (THR)
ICLS: 11
Link 4 : FREQ 336.0
Comms: 127.500 MHz AM
Tanker 01: TEXACO (TO61)
TACAN: channel 33Y (TEX)
Comms: 251.000 MHz AM
Tanker 02: SHELL (SL71)
TACAN: channel 44Y (SHL)
Comms: 252.000 MHz AM
E-2D AWACS: Code name OVERLORD (OD41)
Comms: 266.000 MHz AM
Airborne JTAC: Code name Uzi (UI91)
Comms : 281 MHz AM
Tune to above frequency, then sel ect F4: JTAC fr om Radio Com Menu by pressing the PTT on the HOTAS.
Navy Seals concealed JTAC (HMMWV with .50 cal mount) is located 1/2 mile north of the airport such that a human player can manually perform JTAC in addition to the airborne JTAC.
Hornets DataLink ID (SD0x), (SD1x), (SD2x), (SD3x)
Comm 1 Radio Presets:
Chan 1 - Carrier/THR: 127.500
Chan 2 - 251.000 Tanker 1
Chan 3 - 252.000 Tanker 2
Chan 4 - 266.000 AWACS
Chan 5 - 280.000 Formation Flight
Chan 6 - 281.000 JTAC
Chan 7 through 20 - Free
Hornets DataLink ID (SD0x), (SD1x), (SD2x), (SD3x)
Comm 2 Radio Presets:
Chan 1 - 251.000 Tanker 1
Chan 2 - 252.000 Tanker 2
Chan 3 - 266.000 AWACS
Chan 4 through 20 - Music Playlist
Tomcats DataLink ID (CT2x), (CT3x)
Comm 1 UHF Radio Presets:
Chan 1 - 251.000 Tanker 1
Chan 2 - 252.000 Tanker 2
Chan 3 - 266.000 AWACS
Chan 4 through 20 - Music Playlist
Tomcats DataLink ID (CT2x), (CT3x)
Comm 2 VHF Radio Presets:
Chan 1 - Carrier/THR: 127.500
Chan 2 - 251.000 Tanker 1
Chan 3 - 252.000 Tanker 2
Chan 4 - 266.000 AWACS
Chan 5 - 280.000 Formation Flight
Chan 6 - 281.000 JTAC
Chan 7 through 30 - Free
BLUE TASK
This is a free roam mission, so the waypoints are not meant to be followed in sequence. They only mark points of interest while on the Play Ground.
Sel ect the Hornets (A/A) and Tomcats (A/A) for Air to Air Loadouts, formation flying, and a lighter load for carrier touch and go landings.
Sel ect the Hornets (A/G) and Tomcats (A/G) for Air to Ground Loadouts for attacking ground and naval targets.
You are free to tune to what ever music play list you want using the radio channel presets. Coordinate with other players so that at least one of your radios is tuned to the frequency the team is communicating on.
The ground targets at the enemy airfield are protected by short range and medium range Air Defense Systems. SA-8 OSA, SA-19 Grison, and AAA ZSU-19 Shilka. There are a large variety of targets to choose fr om at the enemy airfield. You can use the (F10: Other) under the radio menu to display GPS coordinance of additional airport targets. You can also use your targeting pod to find and designate additional targets. You can also practice buddy lasing targets to guide weapons fired by teammates. Naval targets are off the coast of the enemy airport as well.
You also have the ability to call in a Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) strike sortie fr om the Carrier using the Radio Coms Menu F10: Other. This will help clear the target area for your team to proceed on mission. ETA takes about 5 minutes so plan accordingly.
We also have an Airborne Forward Air Controller (AFAC), code name Uzi, performing JTAC if you so choose to use them. They will designate moving and stationary targets with their laser code se t for 1688. Comms: 281 MHz AM. Once that is se t, sel ect F4:JTAC fr om the radio coms menu (PTT).
There are also civilian areas of the airport that must not be targeted. Use your targeting pod optics to define the no go zones.
SAM NAME RWR Display HARM target ID Code
AAA ZSU-23-4 Shilka A 121
SAM SA-8 Osa 9A33 8 117
SAM SA-19 Tunguska 2S6 19 120
LOADOUTS
Hornet (All A/A): AIM-9X *2, AIM-120C *4, AIM-7MH, External Tank, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #111: AIM-9X *2, AGM-84H *2, AGM-154C *4, AIM-120C, DATA LINK POD, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #112: AIM-9X *2, AGM-84E *2, AGM-154A *4, AIM-120C, DATA LINK POD, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #113: AIM-9X *2, AGM-88C *2, GBU-12 *2, AIM-120C, MK-20 CBU *2, ATFLIR TGP, AGM-65E
Hornet #114: AIM-9X *2, AGM-65F, GBU-24 *2, AIM-120C, MK-20 CBU *2, ATFLIR TGP, AGM-88C
Hornet #121: AIM-9X *2, AGM-65E, AGM-88C *2, AIM-120C, MK-82 *2, ATFLIR TGP, AGM-65F
Hornet #122: AIM-9X *2, AGM-154C *8, AIM-120C, MK-84, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #123: AIM-9X *2, GBU-38 *4, GBU-31(V)4/B *2, AIM-120C, MK-84, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #124: AIM-9X *2, AGM-84D *2, M151 Rockets *38, AIM-120C, MK-82 *2, ATFLIR TGP, AGM-65F
Hornet #131: AIM-9X *2, AGM-65E *2, AGM-65F *2, AIM-120C, MK-20 CBU *2, ATFLIR TGP
Hornet #132: AIM-9X *2, AGM-62, GBU-10, AIM-120C, DATA LINK POD, ATFLIR TGP, GBU-24, GBU-31(V)3/B
Hornet #133: AIM-9X *2, AGM-65F *2, M151 *38, AIM-120C, MK-20 CBU *2, ATFLIR TGP, MK71 *8
Hornet #134: AIM-9X *2, GBU-38 *8, AIM-120C, MK-82 *2, ATFLIR TGP
Tomcat (All A/A): AIM-54A-MK60 *6, AIM-9M *2, External Tank *2
Tomcat (All A/G): AIM-9M *2, LANTIRN TGP, External Tank *2, ADM-141A *2, GBU-24, MK-84, MK-20 *2
Please scroll to the last two pictures as seen to the left in order to get a visual of the loadouts and a short explanation of the different weapon types.
