F-4E Phantom II – Articles

This series, created circa one year before the release of DCS F-4E Phantom II, used FSX to introduce cockpits, peculiarities (gun/slats), radar controls, modes and primary usage. Despite minor differences, it still applies to DCS.
Note that the last Chapter used an F-14 Tomcat to mimic intercepts. The articles listed below, created using the DCS Phantom II, supersede such a chapter.

1. First Steps: broad introduction to the F-4E in the air-to-air role.
2. Aim Dot intercepts: a function part of the F-4E that can come handy the properly position the Phantom during an engagement.
3. VISIDENT: A mode useful to improve closure rate management in specific situation, handy along Aim Dot intercepts for ab initio stern conversions.
4. SYNC-Z-TURN [ESSENTIAL]: Intercept technique effective and easy to use. It only requires radar awareness.
5. Assess CATA & Bandit Heading [ESSENTIAL]: Determination of Collision Antenna Train Angle and Bandit Heading without necessarily requiring a radar lockon.
6. “40° Cold of CATA” Intercept Technique: Another 1970s brilliant intercept technique, not affected by speed ratio constraints.
7. Variable Lag Pursuit Stern Conversion Intercept Technique: A late 70s intercept technique. Unusual, but very flexible.

• Elevation, Range, Azimuth: the characteristics of the APQ-120 using the most familiar parameters to players.
• Radar Cross-Section (RCS) and Detection range: Heatblur has implemented variables affecting the detection range, such as aspect and external ordnance.
• Jamming Effects: An overview of how DCS noise jammers appear on the APQ-120.
• Chaff Effects: Chaff are very simplified in DCS compared to real life, but they still affect the APQ-120.

• Boresight Mode, AIM-7 and Speedgates [ESSENTIAL]: Boresight is a flexible tool to expedite radar lock acquisition or target engagement in adverse conditions.
• Manual Tracking and AIM-7: Manual tracking is a niche but useful tool, enabling medium-range engagement of jamming targets.
• F-4E: Stop struggling in Air-to-Air: A discussion about the F-4E Phantom in the Air-to-Air arena, why many players seem to struggle with it, and how they can improve.

• Leap Frog Operations: A handy technique for INS navigation on the F-4E-45MC.
• Bullseye & Nav References: The usage of bullseye and other references in the F-4E-45MC.