Crack It!/Crack It!.iso/CONTENT/STA10KIL/STA10KIL.TXT

Text File | 1998-02-24 | 7.5 KB | 173 lines

SILENT THUNDER: A-10 TANK KILLER II

INTRO

By the end of 1996, the U.S. Air Force has almost completely
eliminated the A-10 from its inventory. Almost. The spectacular
performance characteristics of the aircraft, particularly in the
ground support role, uniquely suits the A-10 for the measured
application of force in situations of extreme political
sensitivity. Accordingly, the Air Force has deployed the remaining
A-10s into a new and highly-secret flying unit: the 11th Air
Commando Wing (Provisional)-code name Silent Thunder. Its specific
mission is covert support of vital U.S. policy objectives for
nations or organizations unable to invite or acknowledge open U.S.
involvement.

Unlike all other U.S.A.F. units, Silent Thunder's aircraft
normally operate alone. However, the unit specifically recruits
star pilots chosen for independence (i.e., talented troublemakers
like you. See Personal Briefing: Jack Haggart.) In addition, the
unit is heavy in support elements, like AWACS airborne warning and
control aircraft, satellite imaging systems, and logistical
structure. This unprecedented support capability provides each
aircraft commander with phenomenal real-time theater intelligence,
as well as plentiful fuel, maintenance, and weapons. Accordingly,
the strike elements of Silent Thunder are expected to accomplish
missions beyond the scope or capabilities of conventional units of
any size.

Note: The use of the term "Silent Thunder" for the A-10 originated
with Iraq's soldiers during the Gulf War. The airplane's turbofan
engines allowed it to approach so quietly that the target's first
awareness of an attack was usually the thunderous impact of the
ordnance.

Of this motley crew, the motliest and most talented is you-Jack
"Loudmouth" Haggart. On the ground, the only orders you will
observe are from a bottle of tequila or a long-stemmed dame.
(Several of your former posts feature a "Loudmouth Haggart
Memorial Cell" in their stockades.) The brass lets it slide,
though, because in the air, you deliver: on target, on time, every
time, no matter what. So far, that is. If you fail in the air, you
may not want to return to base.

Despite the most grave misgivings of the command structure, you
face perhaps the heaviest responsibilities ever shouldered by a
United States Air Force pilot. Operating virtually alone in the
air, your actions will decide the fate of millions. Do well, and a
grateful nation will honor you. Do poorly, and you will sink into
well-deserved oblivion. It's up to you, Jack.

ACTUAL GAME PLAY

You may be ordered to destroy bunkers, aircraft hangars, illegal
factories, headquarters buildings, command posts, or other enemy
assets. Be sure to positively identify your target before firing,
as some civilian structures may resemble valid targets. Use GP
bombs or FAEs on conventional structures, and NAPalm against
hardened bunkers or command posts.

On some missions, you may be directed to Bonus Targets by your
supporting forces, or to find valid targets of opportunity on your
own. However, many of the structures and vehicles you spot during
your mission are not combatants. Attacking these targets may
diminish your score, or even cause the loss of an entire scenario.

ORDINANCE

To use a weapon other than the Avenger, you first must select it,
then get target lock in the HUD, and then fire or drop the weapon
using your [ENTER] key or Joystick Button #2. (To see what weapons
you have available or remaining, check the A-10 Status Screen
[S].) You may select any available weapon by pressing the
appropriate key, or cycle through the weapon types with the [ [ ]
and [ ] ] keys:

HUD ID Weapon Name Select Key
MAV Maverick anti-tank missile [H]
MK84 2000 lb. Mk. 84 GP Bomb [J]
MK82 500 lb. Mk. 82 GP Bomb [E]
ROC Rockeye II cluster bomb [K]
CBU52 Anti-personnel cluster bomb [R]
CBU58 Cluster bomb [U]
FAE Fuel Air Explosive [T]
NAP BLU-27 Napalm [L]
LAU LAU Rocket Pod [Y]
SID Sidewinder anti-aircraft missile [;]

If you are out of a selected weapon, "[NONE]" appears next to its
HUD ID.

WEAPONS RELEASE

To use the selected weapon, you must have a target lock for it
showing on your HUD. If you have a target lock, the words "lock"
or "release" will appear next to the weapon code on your HUD. To
cycle through the available targets, use the [TAB] key or Joystick
Button #4. Once you have lock, drop or fire the weapon with
Joystick Button #2, or the [ENTER] key.

Flares. [F] key or Joystick Button # 8 (if available). The A-10 is
equipped for every mission with 30 flares as a defense against
heat-seeking missiles. Whenever warned of an incoming SAM or
air-to-air IR missile (Infrared Radiation, e.g., heat-seeking),
you should launch several burning flares to confuse the missile
while maneuvering the A-10 abruptly. With luck, the missile will
home in on a flare instead of the A-10's exhaust. (But note -
every A-10 downed in the Gulf War was hit by an IR missile.)

Chaff. [C] key or Joystick Button # 5 (if available). The A-10 is
equipped for every mission with 30 chaff cartridges as a defense
against radar-guided missiles and guns. If you are warned about an
enemy radar locking onto your A-10, launch chaff and maneuver
abruptly. The chaff cartridge sprays out a cloud of foil strips to
reflect enemy radar and blind it for a few seconds, which may
allow you to escape.

ATTACK TACTICS

When you're about 7 kilometers from the target, slow down to a
throttle setting of [4] or [5]. This will give you enough time to
line up on the target. Then select the proper weapon:

Tanks: MAVerick, ROCkeye, or Avenger
Light Vehicles: Anything but Sidewinders.
Structures: Select Mk 82 bombs for smaller targets. Mk 84s, FAEs
for larger ones. Try NAPalm on bunkers and other hardened
installations.
Hangars,
Grounded Aircraft: FAEs or cluster munitions.
Aircraft: SIDewinders, or the Avenger if desperate.
Enemy Columns: ROCkeyes vs. armor, CBUs or iron bombs against soft
targets.

Make sure the correct target is selected (boxed) in the HUD. When
"LOCKED" appears ("RELEASE" for "dumb" weapons), send the weapon
on its way with the [Enter] key, or Joystick Button # 2.

QUICK HINTS

Fly The Training Mission -- In training no one shoots at you, and
you get the opportunity to attack a variety of targets. It's a good
chance to hone your weapons skills. You can also create a custom
loadout and test the effectiveness of different weapons in a safe
environment.

Learn Your Weapons -- Different weapons have different advantages.
If all you ever use are Mavericks and Sidewinders, you'll be
missing half of the fun.

Stay Low -- SAM radar can't pick you up through hills or
mountains. The lower you fly, the closer they must be to detect
you and the shorter time they have to fire.

Get Ready -- When making an attack on a target, select your
ordnance in advance; you may not have time when the fur is flying.
Use your Avenger for those quick shots in order to avoid having to
change selected weapons.

Sometimes, Slow Is Good -- Slowing down over a target may seem
like asking for trouble, but sometimes going a bit slower may let
you hit all of your targets in one pass and avoid the need to fly
back over the target, actually lowering the time you spend in the
enemy's sights.

Don't Be Ashamed To Run -- Helicopters are more maneuverable than
you, but slower. Dashing away can sometimes allow you to
reposition and bring Sidewinders to bear without getting blown out
of the sky.

Most of all, have fun -- That's what Silent Thunder is all about.