Forum Discussion

UP_Hawxxeye's avatar
3 years ago

The problem with Countermeasures in modern combat BFs (especially 2042)

In spite of also being an aircraft user myself, I find that this has to be said.

In the low tech settings like in WW1 and WW2, there are no homing weapons which means that all the AA options are unguided projectiles

But when we come into settings where the tech has allowed for the usage of homing missiles, we also naturally get into the necessity of countermeasures for the homing effects.

What bothers me about all this, is that the way the countermeasures are set up right now, often completely invalidate the existence of the homing missiles and thus reduce the AA options to just guns/cannons/flak, remove controlled missiles and dumb fire missiles

This was already a problem in BF3/4, but it is a larger problem in BF2042 because  in spite of the diversity of the homing missiles in the game, there is only 1 universal counter measure available for aircraft.

-----------

Here is a bit of  backstory on some of the main types of homing missiles, some of which are in the game.

Fox 1 : Passive radar missiles

These are guided by the radar reflections provided by an external radar to find their target (often surface to air missiles)

Fox 2 : IR aka Infared homing missiles

These are following the biggest heat signature that is in front of them. They are the main missile in games and movies.

Fox 3 : Active radar missiles

The newer missiles in the block. These have their own radar and are actively tracking the target in front of them and do not care about heat signatures.

-----------

Out of these, only the Fox 2 type missiles should had been affected by the Flares. The other two types  are instead susceptible to the ECM chaff countermeasure that reflects radio waves and confuses the heck out of the missile.

Also the laser designated missiles are supposed to not be affected by either of those countermeasures and only being susceptible to smoke screens and Active Protection Systems.

But in BF2042 we have Magical Magical flares that Deal with both Infa red, Radio waves and laser homing

I believe that  the issues that lots of people have when dealing with enemy aircraft is  due to how there is one universal countermeasure for the aircraft which covers all homing types.

If the pilot had to chose between IR countermeasures or radar etc. It would add a bit more depth to the options their foes have to try to counter them.

I know that BF is not a military simulator but it managed to have a bit more depth in past as far as missiles and countermeasures are concerned.

At the very least, the IR missiles should require flares to be stopped while the rest should require ECM. (ECM is already in the game as part of portal)

And laser designation should not be affected by anything that does not obstruct line of sight. A soflam should sustain a lock unless something gets in the way.

The tracer dart on the other hand is using radio signals, so it is in the domain of the ECM and not the flares.

Perhaps, I am asking for a tall order this late in the life of 2042. However I believe that the previous modern BF games have set a good precedent that 2042 should strive to not fall short of.

13 Replies

About Battlefield 2042 General Discussion

Discuss the latest news and game information around Battlefield 2042 in the community forums.15,967 PostsLatest Activity: 49 minutes ago