Reduce heat signature?

[Piddy]

If you throttle back in the jet, does it reduce your heat signature?

The reason I ask is because I was tailing a jet that had already dropped its flares a couple of seconds later I sent some missiles his way but instead of hitting him, they sailed past him to our friendly heli that was about 200 meters ahead (earning me 2 teamkills and of course I had to be punished for that. ). Now the jet had slowed down, therefore it made me wonder if this is the reason, or is it because the heat sigs of helis are much more (for some unknown reason)?

On a side note: why is it you get teamkills for friendly AA kills? It's not like you can intentionally lock on to a friendly. Even if you aim for them the missiles won't hit them unless they've locked and missed the enemy.

[Ghilleman]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

I dont think that it does. probably the missles just being buggy.

[troybob]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

i haven't confirmed this - but it "seems" that afterburners actually lessen your odds of survival.

[Tox|k]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

If it was a two person bomber, then the pilot could have switched to the gunner seat, killing the engines and dropping the heat source. As far as reducing throttle goes, I haven't noticed any dramatic effect from doing so in the over 100 hours I have in jets.

Also, keep in mind... the AA sucks!
I've had missiles flying straight for enemy aircraft take right angle turns to go and down a friendly instead. I've also had them do complete 180's in mid air to seek some other crap in the air.

[F-1]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

There is nothing in this game called "heat signature". All vehicles are either hot or cold! or in other words: all vehicles either attract or do not attract "heat" seeking missiles. Onve the missile is within the maximum range from its target it will chase it.

[The Soup Nazi]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

I for one have found that if I hit the afterburners and try evasive tactics, I'll more likely than not get hit. On the flipside, if I cut the throttle to 0 (not to full reverse), I've had inbound missiles bounce off of me.

Note: this does not work all the time- but cutting the throttle while arcing upwards can slow you down enough that your attacker might have trouble stay behind you. (assuming they don't use the cannon, of course)

[BeerStein]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

You sure the other pilot did not bail out rather than throttle down? I am seeing more and more pilots bail out as soon as I lock on them rather than drop flares or try to escape.

[Sir. Shpox]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

This game is not this advanced. However, AA won't lock if theres no pilot.

[imported_TigerRei]

Re: Reduce heat signature?

Simple to explain afterburners. Your turns are wider. By going faster, you are in essence becoming less maneuverable, allowing the missiles to turn into you and shoot you down.

Shpox is right, missiles either lock on or they dont. Good helo pilots, rather those that are good at doing the self-fired TV guided missile trick, usually break locks by switching seats. Not only does this break the lock, but 9 times out of 10 I've seen the AA gunner ignore the helo because he thinks the guy bailed out. Helo pilot gets back into the pilot seat and rocket runs the AA guy, end of story.