AGM-114
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- "A rack of 4 laser guided anti-tank missiles. Requires continuous lock for guidance."
- ― Weapon Description
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an Air-to-Ground missile available to the AV-42C and AH-94.
It is a versatile laser-guided Air-to-Ground Missile designed with Close Air Support tactics in mind, making it a good choice for both Anti-Infantry and Anti-Tank combat. One rack of AGM-114's contains 4 missiles each, providing a cost-effective alternative to the heavier AGM-65. This comes with some drawbacks, however, since the AGM-114 lacks both the Fire-and-Forget capability and the warhead size needed to destroy bunkers.
Usage
The AGM-114 has a number of deployment options that affect the behavior of the targeting reticle, listed below:
- Uncage mode:
- Auto - Locks onto the TGP reticle once the AGM-114 reticle is in proximity of it.
- Manual - Requires holding down the trigger for the AGM-114 reticle to lock on.
- Loft Settings:
- Manual - Standard missile behaviour. Default setting.
- Low - Fires the missile at a 10° angle while in LOAL mode.
- High - Fires the missile at a 20° angle while in LOAL mode.
The AGM-114 operates off of a continuous laser guidance system from the TGP or TADS, and thus requires constant line of sight to a target from launch to impact. The guiding aircraft, while still capable of actively maneuvering, must keep the target locked within the confines of the TGP's gimbal limit, else the laser will steer off course and the missile will follow. This limitation makes the AGM-114 difficult to use in areas with heavy air defenses, as the aircraft must keep moving to avoid being shot down.
The AGM-114 contains an INS backup, allowing it to remain accurate when striking static targets even when the laser is turned off during flight.
Due to the laser-guidance system, the missile can actually be adjusted in-flight to track a different target if the previous one has, for example, hidden behind cover. Do beware, the maneuverability and range of the missile diminish after the initial launch burn. Afterwards, the missile will entirely rely on its remaining momentum and the range to the target. Thus, it is recommended that if a target change is required, the new target should be as close as possible to the previous one.
Thanks to its low cost, the AGM-114 can be reliably employed against various light as well as armored targets such as tanks, APC's and Infantry.
Like other laser-guided weapons, the AGM-114 is compatible with Buddy Lasing.
Deployment
- Enable the Master Arm switch.
- Turn on the TGP and set it to SOI.
- Select the AGM-114 as your current weapon.
- While holding the flight stick, use the thumb stick to slew the TGP reticle over the desired target. The reticle will snap to a unit and lock onto it.
- Trigger Uncage Mode (Manual): Hold down the trigger with the aircraft pointed towards the target to uncage the sensor. The weapon circle in the HUD will slew onto the target. If you are within range, the Range Launch Authorization Lights will come on and the aircraft's Voice Warning System will announce: "Shoot!" While continuing to pull the trigger, press the change weapon button to launch the missile.
- Trigger Uncage Mode (Auto): If the target is in front of you and in range, the target reticle will automatically slew onto the target. The trigger is now used to fire the weapon.
- After launch, continue tracking the target until impact.
Variants
- 2x AGM-114: Exclusively available to the AH-94.
- Cost: $700
- Weight: 162 kg
- 4x AGM-114: Available to both the AV-42C and AH-94.
- Cost: $1200
- Weight: 258 kg
Gallery
