Using the R-27ER against F-15E can be extremely efficient.
The idea is that by firing the ER first so that it can reach Mach 5 before the F-15E is even in engagement range. This is made possible by the insane speed of the F-15 .
In this example, I fired my ER at 30 Km, pretty close to an ER. The F-15 at this point has an altitude and speed advantage. He’s probably on Mach 1.5 Now I am on mach 1.2.
Because the F-15E player does not want to turn because his Amraam is not yet in effective range(which would be around 25 KM at this speed and alt), he needs to keep flying straight for a while.
By doing so, he directly plays my cards.
Because of the insane acceleration of ER and F-15 quickly reaching speeds over Mach 1.8 soon my ER will be at Mach 5 and close to 20 Km when he fires.
Both the missile and F-15 are so fast that they close in very quickly, which leaves not much reaction time for F-15.
Now the real clue comes. He needs to hold the lock for a few more seconds because his amraam needs to go pitbull. At this time, my ER can close in at about 10 Km.
The time he wants to disengage my ER is already too close. He turns around still with Mach 1.6, but it’s too late. The ER still has double the speed of him and catches him up.
By the time of impact my ER only needed to travel 20 Km and still had a speed of Mach 2.5.
Fun Fact: His Amraams didn’t even pass mach 3.
Obviously, a competent F-15E player could counter this strategy by cranking or flying away, but it would need him to give up his advantage of speed and insane kill potential early in the match.
He can’t just 90 degree chaff either, because the ER seeker is not that foolish.
In the end, the flanker can either way get an advantage for the team. Killing a F-15 or denying a F-15s advantage. The best lineup for the Flanker would therefore be 2ER,2Et,2R-77 and 4 R-73.
R-77 is great when you get closer to around 10Km and R-27ET is perfect to fool chaf notching opponents.
In this scenario, the F-15 decided to do the first. I was capable of killing him and surviving, but because of his potential(speed and altitude), he could get 3 of my dumb teammates out early.
