1. Rule 14.L: VIFF Maneuvers - With the directional control available through the vectored thrust nozzles, could not the attitude of the aircraft be changed quickly enough to rate a Rapid Pitch designation?
NO! Currently, Harriers are the only aircraft in the game system capable of Viffing. Their vectored thrust comes from four equally spaced nozzles forming a square centered about the aircraffs center of gravity. These nozzles push equally on either side of the CG and thus produce no pitching moments for the aircraft to capitalize on. Future aircraft to be included will be the F-22 which has vectored nozzles in its tail. These would aid that aircraft's pitch rate.
2. Rule 14.L: VIFF Maneuvers - Does using a VIFF turn increase the effective turn mode for purposes of determining gunsight modifiers and missile launch G?
Yes! Even though the aircraft would pay only the decel cost for the original turn rate plus the VIFF penalty, the effect oii the pilot, sights and missiles would be as if the next higher turn rate were used. The G is there acting upon you!
3. Rule 14.F: Vertical Rolls - May an aircraft do a vertical roll more than once in a game-turn as long as each roll occurs after the expenditure of a different VFP?
Yes, this is allowed. 4. Rule 16: Engaging Missiles - The questions and answers in issue # 10 of Air Power state that an unspotted missile may only be decoyed by decoys despensed by a DDS program, even if the aircraft is engaged against other missiles. Therefore, this implies that an A/C that is engaged may both-run programs and dispense decoys as desired. Is that true?
Yes, but manually dispensed decoys may only be used against missiles the target is aware of, i.e. "engaged against". The secod edition EW rules will be much clearer on this.
5. Rule 41: Laser Guided Bombs and Rockets - The Rule states that a laser designator aircraft or FAC must designate the ground target before laser guided weapons can be used. In Iraq, Laser designation was often performed when the bombs were less than 10 seconds to impact. Can't the rules be changed to allow designator aircraft to designate in just the last third or half of their move instead of for the whole turn?
NO! the rule remains as is since it represents the designator unit sighting in on the target which is a much longer process. Whether a laser is actually used for the whole time or just in the last few seconds of the bombs flight is irrelevant as the designator operator is usually locked on and tracking the target long before that, which is what placing the laser marker on the map represents.
6. Rule 20.K.1.1a: IRSTS Ranges - This optional rule which appeared in Air Power # 1 states that the detection range in hexes of the target is equal to 4 (6 for multi-engine jets) times the Accel points gained for the target's chosen power setting. This means that targets in Normal power can't be detected as 4 or 6 x 0 equals 0. Furthermore, as accel changes with configuration, so does the detection range of the IRSTS which is obviously not realistic! How has this rule been changed, or fixed, or has it?
The rule in its above form was fatally flawed. In 2d edition detection ranges are based on Fuel points expended not accel points gained. The minimum ranges were changed as well. Unfortunately there is not enough room in this column to repeat the whole rule, maybe later!
7. Expanded Damage Tables: Under Heavy Damage in the Optional Expanded Damage Tables presented in Issue # 9, it states that Radar, ECM, Technology are all OUL does this apply to ECM in pods as well or only to internal ECM listed on the Aircraft Data Card?
The result applies to all ECM, internal and external!
8. Air StrikeHawk 200 data card - The card states that station 3 normally carries a Nato 30mm Gunpod, even though the aircraft is equipped with internal guns. Is this just a mistake left over from the Hawk 1/50 data card?
The Hawk 200 should be able to carry that pod there but you are right, it would not be a normal fit. The note is in error, a normal availability roll would be required.
9. Missile Data Sheets, AP Issue # 3: The charts indicate that all of the BR missiles may only engage in the 60 to 0 arcs. If they are beam riders, why aren't they all aspect like BR SAMs would be?
Aircraft fired BR missiles are usually associated with very early airborne radars with poor data processing capability. The limit is due to the lack of ability of the early jet interceptor radars to track targets with high crossing angles or heavy maneuvering. We're talking NG- 17 Fresco E or MiG- 19 Farmer E for example here. BR SAMs have the benefit of large ground based radars and crews to help and thus have all aspect capability.
10. F-14A/1 Data Cards: Various articles on the F-14 state that the TV Camera Set (TCS; read VAS for Air Superiority) are also equipped with GE Aerospace Electronic Systems IRSTS sensors. Shouldn't the F-14s have an IRSTS capability? Source; Jane's Aircraft 1990-91.
You are partially correct. As of about late 1988, F-14s began to recieve IRSTS add on sets to the TCS subject to availability of funding (not much through 1989). By 1991 almost all will be so equipped. Prior to 1988 none were. Treat it as IRSTS-B.
All Questions This Issue were submitted by Gary "Gunner" Bear from Kill Devil Hills, NC. Thanks Gary.
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