User Guide
Engaging Targets with Hellfires
Longbow, Kiowa
Hellfires are used against heavier armored targets,
such as tanks. There are two types of Hellfires —
laser-guided and radar-guided (RF, or Radio-
Frequency). The Longbow carries both types, while
the Kiowa only carries laser-guided.
Laser- and radar-guided Hellfire missiles behave differ-
ently, depending on which target list and launch mode
you have active. All Hellfires must be within range to
fire. If the target is too far or too close, the Hellfire won’t
lock on or launch.
Hellfires can be launched in one of two modes: Lock On Before Launch (LOBL)
and Lock on After Launch (LOAL). You can tell which you are in by looking in the
lower right corner of your IHADSS or on your VSD in the Kiowa.
The combination of missile launch mode and the target acquisition mode deter-
mines how a Hellfire tracks its target. The target acquisition and missile launch
modes for a missile are determined at launch time. Changing the modes in-flight
does not affect the missile’s behavior, except as noted below.
Note: The only combinations available in Longbow Apaches without radar and in
Kiowas are TADS/LOBL and TADS/LOAL.
LOBL Missile Launch Mode
♦ Requires a valid lock before launching.
♦ The Hellfire moves towards your current target with a low, shallow loft profile.
♦ You must maintain target lock throughout the missile’s trajectory. If the target
lock is broken, the Hellfire will self-destruct within a few seconds if you don’t
re-acquire a lock.
♦ The Hellfire can switch targets mid-flight, if the new target is in its field of view
(but may not have time to adjust its trajectory).
W
ith TADS Target Acquisition Mode/MMS
In TADS target acquisition mode or with the Kiowa’s MMS, the missile is aimed at
current TADS/CPG target. You can’t use PFZs, but your CPG can sort your list by
best missile targets (aT). This is the combination associated with Direct master
mode.
LONGBOW 2
5.18
Direct and Indirect master modes. You can switch to Direct or Indirect master
mode to quickly configure all of your avionics to launch Hellfires launching.
Direct
master mode switches you to LOBL missile launch mode, using TADS targets.
Indirect
master mode switches you to LOAL missile launch mode with FCR tar-
gets. Your IHADSS and MFDs also change — see Master Modes, p. 2.9.
Missile
Launch
Mode
Longbow IHADSS
Kiowa VSD