AV-8A Harrier Avionics/Targeting systems?

[Wedge]

I am new to WOE and I am in the process of learning the ins/outs of the AV-8A Harrier. I have virtical take off and landing down and now I am trying to learn how to search for and lock on to an enemy jet. With the F-4 in WOV and the F-15 in WOE I was able to use the radar to help search for enemy jets. How do I do this in the AV-8A?

 

Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

Edited July 27, 2006 by Wedge

[Warmbrak]

As far as I remember, the AV-8A is not equiped with Air-to-Air radar, as with the Phantom and the Eagle. This will limit you to the use of IR missles such as the Sidewinder range only of course, and these will require you to target the enemy without avionics. Depending on the type of sidewinder model (rear-aspect, all-aspect), one will need to get nose on the enemy target and wait for a growl tone to increase in pitch will signal that your missile's seeker head is locked onto a target. One can now fire, and the missile should track if fire within the weapon's firing perimiters.

 

I think the AV-8A is primarily a ground strike/CAS weapons platform, and the A2A missiles it carries is more for self-defense.

 

Hope this helps.

[Sky Captain]

Really? I always remembered the Harrier as more of a fighter, tasked sometimes with ground pounding duties, not a ground pounder with A2A missiles.

 

Huh.

[Forlorn]

The Harrier is a ground pounder by heart. The SeaHarrier (now retired) is a great air-to-air fighter during Falklands and also got upgraded with AMRAAM missiles.

 

Some links:

 

Sea Harrier

Harrier

Edited July 27, 2006 by Forlorn

[Wedge]

Excellent info guys. I figured as much without the radar/avionics this aircraft is a mud mover.