games-pc comanche 3 gold User Manual
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CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
You can add or remove the EFAMS by clicking on the “EFAMS” button in the
lower left area of the display. If you add EFAMS, the additional hardpoints will
appear intially empty and ready to be loaded. Likewise, if you turn off the
EFAMS, any weapons currently loaded on them will be removed from the
loadout.
appear intially empty and ready to be loaded. Likewise, if you turn off the
EFAMS, any weapons currently loaded on them will be removed from the
loadout.
Keep in mind that the ability to carry the additional weapons does not come
without cost. If you add EFAMS when they were not initially installed for a
particular mission, you will be entering the mission with far less stealth than
was intended. See the following section on “Stealth Considerations” for more
discussion of these factors.
particular mission, you will be entering the mission with far less stealth than
was intended. See the following section on “Stealth Considerations” for more
discussion of these factors.
5. H
ELICOPTER
S
TRATEGY
AND
T
ACTICS
The following section contains hints and tips that you can put to good use
in your single player and Multi-player war games.
a) Stealth Considerations
Your Comanche is designed to survive on the modern battlefield by being
difficult to detect. Obviously, the enemy can’t shoot you down if they don’t
know where you are. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make it
harder for the enemy to detect you.
know where you are. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make it
harder for the enemy to detect you.
For maximum stealth, you should check to see that your bay doors are
closed and your landing gear is retracted. Both of these items, when extended,
reflect radar waves and enhance your radar signature. Likewise, if you are
flying around with EFAMS you will be easier to spot. Unfortunately, there’s
nothing you can do about the EFAMS once in flight. The extra ammunition they
carry is the trade-off for making you easier to detect.
reflect radar waves and enhance your radar signature. Likewise, if you are
flying around with EFAMS you will be easier to spot. Unfortunately, there’s
nothing you can do about the EFAMS once in flight. The extra ammunition they
carry is the trade-off for making you easier to detect.
Use the terrain to your advantage. Keep something solid (like a mountain or
ridge) between you and the enemy. If you see yourself being “painted” by
enemy radar, try flying behind some elevated terrain. The red line and flashing
warnings on your Threat Display will disappear once the enemy can no longer
see you.
enemy radar, try flying behind some elevated terrain. The red line and flashing
warnings on your Threat Display will disappear once the enemy can no longer
see you.
Finally, stay as low to the ground as possible. By keeping low, you add to the
enemy’s difficulty of spotting you. Since radar works by LOS, an elevated
terrain provides you with some measure of cover. By staying less than 50 feet
AGL there’s a good chance that even if the enemy has a direct LOS, you’ll be
able to evade detection. Low flying objects are difficult to detect because of
ambient ground clutter and false echoes.
terrain provides you with some measure of cover. By staying less than 50 feet
AGL there’s a good chance that even if the enemy has a direct LOS, you’ll be
able to evade detection. Low flying objects are difficult to detect because of
ambient ground clutter and false echoes.
b) Flight Profiles
The altitude at which you fly makes a big difference when it comes to
detection. As a general rule, the higher you fly, the easier you are to spot. Of
course, you can fly faster at higher altitudes because you are less likely to run
into anything. Depending upon the tactical situation, helicopters generally
assume one of three flight profiles: Nap-of-the-Earth (NOE), Contour flight, or
Altitude dash. These three profiles represent a graduated trade-off: speed for
safety.
course, you can fly faster at higher altitudes because you are less likely to run
into anything. Depending upon the tactical situation, helicopters generally
assume one of three flight profiles: Nap-of-the-Earth (NOE), Contour flight, or
Altitude dash. These three profiles represent a graduated trade-off: speed for
safety.
∂
Nap-Of-the-Earth is used when you need to traverse the battlefield and
you are in contact with enemy units. NOE requires that you remain just far
enough off the ground to move. Instead of flying over obstacles like trees
enough off the ground to move. Instead of flying over obstacles like trees