This replay is from the first SU27 STRiKER Training mission "Anti-Armor", and is flown by Yuri Gremencho. Yuri did not have much opportunity to "learn" this mission off and after a few attempts using HARM-type weapons he tried it out guns only.
A few points to watch out for as this "master of the Flanker-B" demonstrates the air-to-ground abilities of the Su-27:
•1 Speed.
Yuri likes to keep his speed up as much as possible. "Engines are designed for speed." he says. Watch how he immediately drops to low level after entering the mission and goes to afterburner. As he ingresses at about 300 feet he pushes it up to 1.7 MACH. This is not an easy altitude at which to maintain a rock-steady, level flight. The best technique is a slight rolling motion, it allows more control over the airplane.
•2 Pop-up with ECM on.
As he approaches the first ridge of the island, he rolls out to the right and activates ECM. He keeps his speed above 1.2 MACH for the initial attack on the SAM site. "ECM reduces enemy range by one third to one half optimum distance." he says.
•3 SAM site is dead at 1.2 MACH.
Note how he "walks" the gun sight across the SAM site, hitting two launchers and the radar vehicle... then it's an immediate break to the right going to full afterburner to get away from the ZSU-23 vehicle behind him. He does not look back, "I could feel it." he says.
•4 Multiple attacks.
Yuri keeps pressing the attack on the vehicles on the island with as much haste as is safe. Ideally the M1A1 tanks should have been dead just after the SAM site was removed, but the nearby ZSU-23 put an end to that tactic. The best way to deal with ground targets is "One pass and haul ass". Yuri however takes out the ZSU-23 vehicle on the next pass and the two M1A1s on second and third passes. Each time he comes off target he jinks to the left or right and throws out chaff and flares (from force of habit). "Use the dispensables!" he says.
•5 Never attack on the same axis as the previous.
Yuri does not "roll in" on the same headings. The second M1A1 is dealt with by a low, fast, rolling attack with a good long burst, the first M1A1 is knocked out with a slower, wings level attack. The ZSU-23 is dead after its turret begins to swivel around. It manages to get off a few rounds but not much else... "ZSU-23 is vicious." he says.
•6 "Is cheating!" he says.
Yuri does not use the "5" or the Radar/E-O Target view. He had no way of determining which of the moving targets was a Abrams or ZSU-23. Treat every ground target as if it was a heavy-caliber gun emplacement designed to shoot you down. Then you will have more success if you get a surprise. Once committed to a strafing attack, follow it through the end.
•7 Save the ammo!
Short sharp bursts are the key in this. If you targets are lit up on the HUD then you don't need to "hose them down".
•8 Surprise in the sky.
Finally watch how he takes a long range and deadly accurate head-on shot against the F-16 at the end, effectively beating the computer at it's own game. Against more than one bogey in an air-to-air situation it is best to take the head-ons and make sure that you score some hits on the first pass. The computer shows no mercy... and will take the head-ons against you.
