LOCK ON: MODERN AIR COMBAT

· Chaff and flares are now replenished when the player re-arms (ctrl W)

· Made rear view camera position (press F4) configurable in the Lua script Config/View/Chase.lua.
·
Extended Lua scripts execution diagnostics in the Temp/Error.log

· Accuracy of some anti-tank guided missiles has been decreased to a more realistic level (such as the BMP series of IFV).
·
Added the ability to change the color of labels (Config/view/labels.cfg -> config/view/labels.lua)
·
o Colors in RGB format {red, green, blue}, volume from 0 up to 255
o ColorAliesSide = {200, 0, 0}
o ColorEnemiesSide = {0, 0, 200}

· Corrected inaccuracies in multiplayer debriefings
·
Corrected vertical scan radar mode indication for Russian aircraft
·
Implemented several experimental data export functions for the player aircraft. These functions are necessary for the export of various flight data outside the simulator. For example, the creation of various applications that can be used by third parties (gauges and avionics export data). Now it will be possible to make the present breadboard model of a cockpits with working gauges. See Config/Export/Export.lua for details, please.
·
Fixed lack of launch warning when a missile is initially launched in HOJ mode but then switches to an STT radar lock
·
Deleted launch warning in TWS PDT fire control mode when launching AIM-120 missile
·
Single-target SAM systems will now engage the closest target
·
Improved ISM-1 (AoA index lights at Su-33) logic
·
Removed scan bar position cues from the Russian HUDs. No such indicators exist on the real aircraft
·
Improved visibility of TD box on the Russian HUD when in BVR mode

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· Corrected network speed selection settings:

xDSL 128/128 Kbit/s
downstream = 1600
upstream = 16000

xDSL 256/128 Kbit/s
downstream = 32000
upstream = 16000

xDSL 1024/128 Kbit/s
downstream = 128000
upstream = 16000

Modem 33.6K
downstream = 3000
upstream = 1000

LAN 10 Mbit/s
downstream = 500000
upstream = 500000

LAN 100 Mbit/s
downstream = 5000000
upstream = 5000000

Modem 56.6K
downstream = 5000
upstream = 3000

With the new network connections, unlike previous versions of Lock On, your bandwidth is now selectable. There are now selections from Modem 33.6K up to LAN 100mb. You will need to select your connection before you enter an online session. The default for a client is 33.6K and for the server it is DSL 256/128K. For people with dialup connections you have 33.6K and 56.6K, for DSL you have 128/128K, 256/128K, and 1024/128K.

During testing we found that the best online connection results with the Host set at 1024/128K provided the connection is fast and it can handle that high of a bandwidth. We have hosted over 8 people with stable results for several hours at a time. With V1.02 you can use the apostrophe (') key to check pings of clients joining using the score window. If they are too high you can ask them to leave or you can kick them off to make the game stable for everyone else. Only the Host will have the “kick” button. Client players checking ping and scores will not have a “kick” button.

Also for those with higher uploads you can edit the config.lua file located in the config/network subdirectory to increase your bandwidth setting to what your connection can handle. One of our testers has a 784k upload and has set his upload setting to 500000 which allows him to host more people. If you have lower than 300k upload then we would recommend leaving this alone and using the default settings. In the old LOMAC netcode we have been able to host up to 20 on 784k upload but most will be able to host at 16 with few problems. The file is located in c:\program files\ubisoft\lock on\config\network folder. We take no responsibility if you corrupt your Lock On installation by changing these settings. Ensure that you save a backup copy of any configuration file you decide to alter.

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· Views control options (including custom snap views) are saved inside the track file and will be applied for playing of the track. There is no need for custom *.xml files for saving custom track snap views. User local options will be applied for old tracks.

User-made snap views are saved in the Config/View/SnapViews.lua file if the parameter DisableSnapViewsSaving = true in the Config/View/Cockpit.lua file. Default snap views come from the Config/View/SnapViewsDefault.lua file. The first index in the Snap table stands for the plane type (see the PlaneIndex table in the Config/View/View.lua file, please). The second index denotes Keypad 0-9 key + 1.

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· Players can use chaff, flares, and weapons normally after switching to a new aircraft
· A Mission-Goal completion window has been added. During a mission, the player can press the (quote key ‘) to determine which mission goals have been completed.

Launch Permission Override button has been added to Russian aircraft (Alt-W). This allows the player to launch a missile on a locked target, even when the target is out of range.
· Players can no longer launch weapons when the landing gear of their aircraft is down

· Fixed the sound effect of flares and rockets. The proper sound effect will now be played for each launch

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· Added Continuously Computed Release Point (CCRP) bombing mode for A-10.
o Select AG mode (press 7) and select bombing mode
o Place the Depressible Pipper over the target (moved by TDC control key) and lock the target point (press TAB).

Figure 1. Depressible Pipper
· Select Continuously Calculated Release Point (CCRP) mode (press o). On the HUD, the Target Designation Cue (TDC) will slowly move down HUD. Fly the airplane so that the TDC moves along the bomb fall line. When the TDC reaches the impact reticule, the bomb(s) will be dropped automatically.

Figure 2. TDC release cue

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· Replaced Ctrl-E ejection sequence with Ctrl-E-E-E (Hold Control key down and hit E three times

· Ping rate has been added to the multiplayer score window. Press ‘ (quote) key to show score window

· New coop multiplayer A-10 mission has been added

· Aircraft and ground vehicles can now be seen at much greater distances (16 miles)

· Added combined gun and missile HUD modes for F-15C. Player can now have active gun pipper and missile launch symbology on the HUD at the same time. To do so, select AA mode, select missile, then select gun mode (press C)

· Mouse cursor has been removed from screen during a network game

· Fixed the absence of some AG weapon IDs on Russian HUDs

· Released the AGM-65 lock point if the target is destroyed by another weapon

· Fixed incorrect performance of Kh-25ML missile if a Kh-25MP missile has been launched first. For example: if the player launches an antiradar Kh-25MP against a SAM, and then launches an Kh-25ML while the Kh-25MP is still in flight, you are locking the laser designation to next target for Kh-25ML. When the Kh-25MP hits the target, the laser lock for ML is removed.

· Fixed incorrect radar lock warning when target is locked via TWS mode of F-15C radar
Removed the A2A missile indications marks on Russian MFD (when AWACS is in the mission).

· Added separate keys to release chaff and flares (Insert and Delete).

· The F4 key provides the player with a quick check-six view now. The chase view is now assigned to Ctrl-F4 by default.
· A multiplayer scoring system has been added. To view mission scores, ping rate, losses, and kills, press the quote key to view the score window. Scores are based on the following point values:
· Tornado IDS = 50
F/A-18A = 50
F/A-18C = 50
MiG-29S = 50
MiG-29A = 50
F-14A = 50
Tu-22M3 = 100
F-4E = 30
B-52H = 100
MiG-27K = 50
A-10A = 50
Su-27 = 50
MiG-29A = 50
MiG-23MLD = 30
Su-25 = 50
Su-39 = 50
Su-33 = 50
MiG-25PD = 30
MiG-25RBT = 30
Su-30 = 50
Su-34 = 70
Su-17M4 = 50
MiG-31 = 50
Tu-95MS = 100
Su-24M = 70
Tu-160 = 100
F-117A = 70
B-1B = 100
S-3B = 50
S-3B = 50
Mirage 2000-5 = 50
F-15C = 50
F-5E = 30
MiG-29K = 50
Tu-142 = 100
C-130 = 50
An-26B = 50
An-30M = 50
C-17A = 50
A-50 = 100
E-3A = 100
IL-78M = 100
KC-10A = 100
E-2C = 100
IL-76MD = 70
F-16C = 50
Su-24MR = 70
F-16A = 50
Ka-50 = 50
Ka-52 = 50
Mi-24W = 30
Mi-8MT = 30
Mi-26 = 30
Ka-27 = 30
UH-60A = 30
CH-53E = 30
CH-47D = 30
SH-3W = 30
AH-64A = 50
AH-64D = 50
AH-1W = 30
SH-60B = 30
AB-212ASW = 20
Moscow = 4500
Elnya = 700
Albatros = 2000
Rezky = 1460
Molniya = 1000
Oliver Perry = 2500
Ticonderoga = 4000
Kilo = 1200
Som = 1500
Zvezdny = 50
Yastrebov = 2000
Neustrashimy = 1500
Admiral Kuznetsov = 5500
CVN-70 = 5500
Yakushev = 50
Ivanov = 50
1L13 EWR= 100
55G6 EWR = 100
S-300PS 40B6M tr = 20
S-300PS 40B6MD sr = 100
S-300PS 5H63C tr = 20
S-300PS 64H6E sr = 100
S-300PS 5P85C ln = 70
S-300PS 5P85D ln = 70
Buk SR = 100
Buk LN = 70
Buk LD/LN = 70
Kub STR = 100
Kub LN = 70
Osa 9A33 ln = 50
Osa 9T217 ld = 20
Strela-1 9P31 = 30
Strela-10 9A35 = 30
Dog Ear rdr = 50
Tor 9A331 = 100
Tunguska = 100
Shilka = 30
Roland ADS = 100
Roland rdr = 100
Avenger = 30
Patriot STR = 100
Patriot LN = 100
Gepard = 70
Hawk SR = 100
Hawk TR = 20
Hawk LN = 70
Igla = 30
Stinger = 30
Vulcan = 50
SAU Msta = 50
SAU Akatsia = 50
SAU Nona = 50
ATMZ-5 = 20
ATZ-10 = 20
ATZ-60 = 30
APA = 20
BMD-1 = 30
BMP-1 = 30
BMP-2 = 30
BRDM-2 = 30
BTR-70 = 30
Grad = 50
Hummer = 20
LAV-25 = 30
Leopard-2 = 100
LVTP-7 = 30
M-109 = 50
M-113 = 30
M-1 = 100
Marder = 30
SAU Bereg = 50
Smerch = 100
T-80UD = 100
BTR TPZ = 30
UAZ-469 = 20
Ural-375 = 20
Ural-375 PBU = 20
ZIL-135 = 20
Electric locomotive = 20
IKARUS-280 = 10
VAZ-2109 = 10
Locomotive = 20
ZIU-9 = 10
Coach a tank = 20
Coach cargo = 20
Coach cargo open = 20
Coach a platform = 20
Coach a passenger = 20
KAMAZ-41310P = 10
KAMAZ-41310 = 10
LAZ-695 = 10
SAU Gvozdika = 50
BMP-3 = 50
M-2 = 100
MCV-80 = 30
MLRS = 50
M-60 = 30
M-48 = 30
BTR-D = 20
M 818 = 20
S-300PS 54K6 cp = 50
S-300V 9S457-1 cp = 50
GAZ-66 = 10
GAZ-3308 = 10
MAZ-6303 = 10
Patriot CP = 50
GAZ-3307 = 10
ZIL-4331 = 10
Player lands = 100 percent of point given.
Player ejects = 70 percent of points given.
Player is KIA = 10 percent of points given.
Player destroys the friendly unit = double the amount of points is subtracted from score.

· Pilot Log Book will no longer be changed after viewing a track

· If the player activates the seeker boresight / longitudinal mode while flying the F-15C, the player can now adjust the antenna elevation angle (shift; and ,) when in TWS or RWS mode

· If the player locks a target in TWS mode and then locks it again to enter STT mode, the RWS/TWS mode indicator on the VSD will no longer be corrupted.

· Missiles now use correct proportional navigation and are more efficient at reaching their target.

· AIM-120 proximity fuse distance has been increased to 15 m.

· Moved model timer configuration parameters to the Config/ModelTimer/ModelTimer.lua file.

· Removed read-only flags for all *.ini files in ./Config, ./Input and ./ME sub-folders.

· Removed missiles with the semi active radar-homing seekers as valid systems when using CAC mode for Russian aircraft (if Radar is off)

· The R-27AE missile removed. This missile is not in the service of the Russian air forces.

· The reconnaissance-bomber aircraft MiG-25RBT can now use bombs when assigned a ground attack task.

· The R-27EM missiles can now only be used with the Su-33. This missile is an improved version of the R-27ER and is optimized to intercept low-altitude targets such as anti-ship missiles.

· S-13 rockets have been added to the Su-25.

· Motorized Infantry Battalion (MSB 1980) has been added for Russia and Ukraine.

· Realism adjustments have been made for several surface-air missiles

· Added new TTI (Time to Target Impact) algorithm calculations for missiles

· The F-15C will now automatically transition from Home On Jam (HOJ) to an STT radar lock when ECM burn-through has been achieved

· Added velocity delta indication to Russian HUDs (aside from Su-25). This is the horizontal line in the upper left portion of the HUD with the line beneath it.

· Increased F-15C ability to burn-through ECM from 25 to 30 nm

· Adjusted navigational information for MiG-29A, C, G, Su-27, and Su-33. Velocity indicator now shows speed discretely (10 kph, 10 kts for MiG29G) Altitude indicator: Barometric altitude now shown discretely in 10 meters (100 feet for MiG29G) increments. Radio altimeter is now shown discretely in one meter increments or 10 foot increments
· Added a data exporting tool for user-made cockpits, etc. Lock On will call Lua functions defined in the Config/Export/Export.lua script. Data export is disabled by default in the Config/Export/Export.lua script.

· The Minimum Range Staple (MRS) and the Desired Release Cue (DRC) symbols have been added to the A-10 HUD when in bombing mode.

Figure 3. MRS and DRC cues
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· Continuously Computed Release Point (CCRP) (aka aeronautical bombing mode) has been added to the Russian aircraft. To use:
o Select AG mode (press 7)
o Select bomb (press D)
o Fly the aiming pipper over the target and hold the trigger down
o Fly the aiming pipper over the designation point and the bombs will automatically be released.

Figure 4. Aeronautical Mode Aiming

Figure 5. Aeronautical Mode Release
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· Changed A-10A HUD in that the gun CCIP pipper is always enabled in AG and AA modes. When the X is through the CCIP pipper, the aim point is not showing accurately. The number below the pipper shows the distance to ground at that aim point.

Figure 6. Back up CCIP gun pipper
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· When a weapon type is depleted, another weapon type will not be automatically selected
· Fixed inability of some joysticks to use gun trigger and view panning with hat correctly
· Added + (plus symbol) over a padlocked target
· Airspeeds on the HUD are now displayed in Indicated Air Speed
· The static C-130 objects now render correctly
· Added mini-HUD for all aircraft. This display can be selected on or off in the Options.
· Assigned Release weapon function to the joystick BUTTON 2 by default. Moved Change weapon function to the BUTTON 4. This applies only to Western aircraft. BUTTON 2 will launch missiles, bombs, or rockets. Trigger (BUTTON 1) files gun.
· Players can see each others smoke rockets in multiplayer sessions.
· Clients now receive air defense unit radar warnings on their RWR
· New controller axis:

Trim Pitch
Trim Roll
Trim Rudder
Radar Slew Horizontal
Radar Slew Vertical
TDC Slew Horizontal
TDC Slew Vertical
· Scenes and Traffic setting option now saves correctly
· If Russian aircraft loses radar lock, the EOS sensor will attempt to continue lock if range allows
· Russian aircraft will lose a search track on a target if they roll more than 110-degrees
· Range bumping on F-15C VSD has been corrected; the TDC is reset to the center of VSD after a range bump
· Increased the thickness of the RPI, RTR, and RMIN lines on the F-15C's HUD DLZ
· Disabled ability to re-arm when landing outside an airfield
· Trim adjustment rate has been increased
· Removed chaff and flares from MiG-25P / RBT
· Enabled force feedback trim effect
· Implemented gain parameters for force feedback effects
· Enabled cockpit camera control with joystick axis when cockpit mouse view option is off
· Changed joystick polling algorithm
· Restored mouse zoom limits in the cockpit
· Restored object crash in external view
· Fixed picture of M-818 vehicle in AWACS view
· Fixed bug regarding Betty voice after switching aircraft
· Invulnerable difficulty setting has been corrected
· Ground based SAMs now work correctly when enemy ships are in the mission
· Corrected crash in third mission of the F-15C campaign
· Fixed the plane velocity and target velocity indicators on Russian aircraft HUD
· Missiles will not change target unless there are flares or chaffs in the seeker’s field of view
· Mixed loadouts have been corrected in the Fast Battle Planner
· Audio is silenced when the game is paused
· Tracks now play back correctly when using trim and a force feedback joystick
· Objects hidden using the Hide Objects feature in the Mission Editor are no longer displayed in F10-view and briefing views
· Fixed the error with broken tracks when user presses Cancel in save menu after Video Edit
· Added new pilot Robin “SPIDEOG” Byrne to the Logbook. A tribute to Robin from his family and friends.
· Launch zone for SAMs now a factor in target’s altitude and aspect
· Missile trails and explosions are no longer affected by graphic options settings
· Increased ability of point-defense gun systems to intercept air targets
· Changed ship guns so that they orient in the correct direction
· Fixed bug with objects disappearing from view
· Fixed synchronization at the start of a LAN Game
· Reduced default external zoom speed. Made cockpit zoom speed and external zoom speed configurable in the Config\View\View.cfg file
· Infrared seekers now have difficulty locking on to a target when the Sun is in the seeker’s field of view
· Corrected incorrect zoom-in external views for track playback if zoom was changed when paused while recording
· Cockpit mouse look is automatically disabled while TrackIR is in enhanced mode
· Changed cockpit and external object camera movement according to a logarithmic acceleration rate. Made separate camera keyboard control acceleration parameters for cockpit and external views (see Config\View\View.cfg for details, please).
· Decreased explosion sizes
· Integrated scripted language Lua 5.0 to the project. Moved view config parameters from the Config\View\View.cfg to the Config\View\View.lua file. Renamed Config\View\View.cfg to Config\View\Labels.cfg
· Decreased cockpit camera rotation speed for absolute axis (TrackIR and joystick) by three times
· Fixed bluish look to the F/A-18A/C canopy glass reflection
· Fixed problem with assigning Mission Editor Objectives to static objects
· Added wind dependency for calculated shell impact point
· Restricted cockpit and external camera moving acceleration time. Added corresponding parameters to the Config\View\View.lua
· When the player ejects, the external view changes to the parachute
· Reduced fogging distance for ATI Radeon cards
· Corrected F-15C elevation scan zone as represented as the minimum and maximum scan altitudes at the TDC’s position on the VSD
· Added trim lights in the Su25 cockpit
· Fixed the F-15C Flood mode bug when several targets in flood cone simultaneously
· Static vehicles explode and burn after destruction now
· Static ships now sink when damaged
· Separated mouse speed parameters for cockpit and external views in the Config/View/View.lua file
· Alt - Key Pad 1-9 move pan base in the cockpit view. Ctrl - Key Pad 1-9 or joystick hat make pan steps relative to current pan base
· Shells persistency increased from 3.5s to 6s and unguided rockets persistency has been doubled
· Renamed Config/View/LookJump.lua to Config/View/SnapViews.lua. Added script files for different view types, moved some parameters from the Config/View/View.lua to corresponding files
· Western systems now use imperial units in the external view information data bar
· Corrected difficulty settings in a LAN Game
· Disabled force feedback effects during track play back
· Added working clock to the main menu screen
· Improved Quick Start missions for the F-15C
· Version number now embedded in main menu screen altitude gauge

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New Threat Warning Systems

General Description

These systems are intended for detecting radar emitters and to identify various threat types. The modifications implemented in the simulation have similar characteristics between the Western and Russian systems and include the ability to place the systems in one of two modes. Each system is capable of detecting pulse and continuous wave (CW) radar signals, as well as missile command guidance signals.

For better situational awareness it is recommended that the system be set to the All Mode. This default mode will detect all threat signals to include scan and lock signals and, most importantly, missile launch signals.

The second mode is Lock Mode and is helpful in a complex radar threat environment. This mode filters out threats transmitting in search or detection radar modes and will only detect threats that are locked on your aircraft. Use this when you wish to filter out other detections and are only interested in those threats that have locked onto your aircraft.

Note: IFF is not a function of the threat warning systems! The signal will be identified by type but it will not determine friendly signals from enemy signals if both sides are using similar radar or missile systems.

The warning system can be placed in either mode using the SHIFT-R key to toggle between modes.

All of the implemented warning systems are capable of selecting a primary threat by following priority logic for the various threat detections in a descending order:

1. The threat is either an active homing missile, or a radar is transmitting in CW mode (Semi-Active, Radar Homing (SARH) missile guidance mode of the radar), or if missile command guidance signals are detected;

2. The threat radar is transmitting in Single Target Track (STT) mode (or any other lock mode);

3. The threat has a highest priority that determined by ‘common type’ of the threat. Here is the list of the types:

a) The threat is an airborne radar;
b) The threat is a long range radar;
c) The threat is a mid range radar;
d) The threat is a short range radar;
e) The threat is an early warning system;
f) The threat is an AWACS;

4. The threat is the maximum signal strength.

SPO-15LMSystem

Implemented modification of the warning system is very close to the actual system installed in the MiG-29A and MiG-29S (9-12, 9-13).

The system provides a steady detection of radar signals at the following angles: Azimuth - +/- 180, and Elevation Range - +/- 30.

The maximum number of threats on screen: Unlimited.

The threat history display time: 8 seconds.

Working modes: All (search) or Lock (the “OBZOR/OTKL” switch in MiG-29 cockpit).

Symbology

Threats types:

? - airborne radar
? - long range radar
X - mid range radar
H - short range radar
F - early warning system
C - AWACS

“Relative elevation” lights, “power of emission” gauge lights and “Lock/Launch” lights are intended to show particular parameters only for the current primary threat.

If a time between spikes of threat radar is not more than 8 seconds, azimuth lights will not blink. In case of search-type spike detection, the low frequency audio tone will sound.

If detected radar is in a lock mode, the “Lock/Launch” indicator will light up steadily and the high frequency continuous audio tone will sound.

If a missile launch is detected, the “Lock/Launch” light flashes and a high pitched audio tone will sound.

An active homing missile can be detected by the system after a missile establishes a lock using its own radar seeker. In this case the missile will become the primary threat. The cue to recognize an active homing missile is the rapid increase in signal strength (“power of emission” lamps).

AN/ALR-56C and AN/ALR-69 RWR Systems

The AN/ALR-56C radar warning receiver is a part of TEWS (Tactical Early Warning System) for the F-15C/D Eagle.

The AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver is installed in the A-10A/OA-10A. It is a modified and improved version of the AN/ALR-46 RWR.

Implemented modifications of the systems in the simulation are very close to the actual system installed in the A-10A/OA-10A aircraft.

The system provides a steady detection of radar signals in following angles: Azimuth - +/- 180, Elevation range - +/- 45.

The maximum number of threats on screen: 16.

The threat history display time: 7 seconds.

Working modes: All (search) or Lock (the “Search” button and RWR control panel in the A-10A).

Symbology

The relative positions of threat symbols depend upon the strength of the signal being emitted. A rule of thumb is: “Closer to center – stronger emission”.

AN/ALR-69 (A-10A) has azimuth marks on screen (at 15 grad intervals) and two zones (or “rings”) divided by circle. A threat in the inner ring is an immediate threat to your aircraft. Early Warning and AWACS radars symbols will never be displayed in the inner ring area.

When a new threat is detected, the high pitched audio tone is heard once, and the threat symbol displays a hemisphere mark at the top of the symbol.

In case of search-type spike detection, the chirp audio tone will sound.

When the threat locks on to your aircraft, the RWR tone will change from a periodic chirp to a constant chirp sound.

If missile launch is detected, the missile launch tone is will sound with an interval of 15 seconds.

If an active homing missile is detected, the “M” symbol will be displayed in the inner ring and the missile threat will receive the highest priority.

The initial position of the active missile detection for an air launched threat is close to the attacking aircraft symbol and about half the distance from the inner ring border.

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TIPS ON INCREASING PERFORMANCE (Also see the Troubleshooting & Tips section below)

One of the more important factors to consider for Lock On running properly is the quality and condition of your computer hardware. Traditionally, flight simulations are a type of program that is highly demanding of the computer’s resources.

Thus, in case of problems with booting or running the game, check the condition of your hardware. This is especially true for operating memory (RAM). It can work normally for office applications, but hopelessly quit under demanding programs. It’s always a good idea to ensure that you have the proper amount of RAM and that your memory is properly configured and functioning properly. The more RAM the better.

Base-level software, like the operating system and drivers, should coincide with the demands of the game and your hardware. Unfortunately, Lock On, in certain configurations, works poorly under Windows 98. Hence, make sure that you have installed and updated to one of these recommended operating systems: Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It is best to download drivers from the video card manufacturer’s websites.

On some systems, there is a noticeable loss of performance tied with the particular execution of sound in DirectX. If you noticed that in-game sounds begin to sound distorted or intermittent, try lowering the Hardware Sound Acceleration, found in the DirectX Settings. To do this, you need to find and run the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\dxdiag.exe, choose the Sound tab, and lower the “Hardware Sound Acceleration Level” slider a step to the left. If the sound anomalies remain, you need to move the slider further left, or turn it off completely.

High-end video cards support various types of filtering and shading of the picture. Keep in mind though that all these graphic ‘enhancements’ considerably lower the performance of the video card, which is especially noticeable in demanding games like Lock On. Because of this, it is worthwhile to find a compromise between the quality & smoothness of the picture and frame rates. If the card is not the latest technology, it is probably best to refrain from applying smoothness (anti-aliasing) and anisotropic filtering. These options are configured by in the driver settings of the video card. Special mention should be made about the NVidia GF4MX family of cards. These video cards, despite their appearance to be 4th generation GeForce cards, are cut versions of the GF4Ti type with disabled support for shaders and are actually using GF2 chips. Because Lock On uses shader technology intensely, running the game on these cards will result in considerably lower graphic quality as compared to their more advanced cousins. A card MUST support DirectX 8.1 or higher to use these shader effects.

If you have noticed a loss of textures on objects, or even parts of objects, you should look into the size (aperture) of AGP memory, which comes under the video card’s resources. This setting is usually found in the system BIOS. Depending on the computer configuration, optimum aperture size could be 128 or 256 MB of RAM.

Before booting the game, it is also recommended to disable various tasks and utilities which are initiated with the boot sequence. This applies to various anti-virus software, utilities for memory optimization, system status software, etc. It has also been determined that online pagers like ICQ can cause short freezes and periodic instability of the display in the game. Hence, before launching Lock On, take the time to close all other applications. The easiest way to do this is through a program like EndItAll. This program is free for use and distribution and can be downloaded from: http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/.

Let’s take a look at the game options which can to a greater or lesser extent affect the performance. The first and most important set of options is the Graphics. It is found from the main menu by clicking the OPT button and then turning the knob to the Graphics position.

1) TEXTURES. Available settings: Low, Medium, High. This parameter affects the quality of the textures of objects and aircraft cockpits. It has no affect on the quality of ground textures. By default, the setting is high. This parameter has little effect on performance, although it should be lowered on lower-end machines.

2) SCENES. Available settings: Low, Medium, High. This parameter determines the detail of ground scenes in the game. On the low setting, ground objects and buildings are only drawn around airbases. Everywhere else, no objects except bridges are drawn. On the medium setting, all the objects and buildings are drawn, but no forests. Furthermore, the number of trees in populated areas in somewhat reduced. With the setting set to high, all the objects and buildings are drawn, in addition to all the forested spaces and individual trees. This parameter has quite a strong impact on performance. If your computer is not high-end, it is recommended that you use the default setting of medium. It should be noted, that the scene setting is saved in the mission, which is necessary because objects can be set as mission goals.

3) TERR PRLD (Terrain Preload). Available settings: 20, 50, 100 km. This parameter determines the radius of terrain objects and textures loaded from the spawn point of the camera in the game (this is why the game starts in a paused state to allow for the loading to take place). This parameter is worth increasing if your computer has 1 GB of RAM or greater. With more RAM there will be more objects and textures preloaded which will help avoid stutters and freezes during the game due to the loading of new textures and objects.

4) CIV TRFK (Civilian Traffic). Available settings: Yes, No. This parameter enables and disables the inclusion and travel of civilian cars and trains on roads or railways. The player has no control over these objects’ movements; they travel along a pre-determined route. The setting has a noticeable effect on performance when enabled as the map is filled with thousands of additional moving objects. Although, it should be noted that one civilian object demands considerably less resources than one military object placed through the mission editor. Nonetheless, civilian traffic will take resources.

5) WATER. Available settings: Low, Medium, High, Very High. The default setting is medium. This parameter determines the quality of water surface rendering and light reflection and refraction in the atmosphere. It has a strong impact on performance. On lower-end computers, it is better to set the setting to “low”, which will result in the water being drawn as a simple single texture. Higher settings of water rendering significantly improve its look and lighting effects but will require a more powerful computer and video card.

6) FOG. Available settings: Basic, Advanced. The default setting is advanced. This parameter determines the means of displaying fog and all effects related to viewing distance. The game has two ways of rendering fog: with the help of shaders, which is under the advanced setting, and without shader technology - basic. This option strongly affects performance and it is recommended that users with lower-end computers use the basic setting. Let’s note though that this will create the absence of some lighting effects, such as the aircraft landing lights, flares, and night illumination due to fires.

7) LIGHTS. Available setting: None, Weapons, All. The default setting is all. This parameter determines the lighting from effects and some lit objects. The option has little impact on performance, as it is rare to come across multiple sources of lighting in a single scene.

8) VISIBILITY. Available settings: Low, Medium, High. This parameter determines the distance of visibility of objects and has a strong impact on performance. It is recommended that the high setting be selected only if you have a very powerful computer and video card.

9) EFFECTS. Available settings: None, Low, Medium, High. This parameter affects the magnitude and quality of various effects displayed, which mainly means different ground and air explosions. The setting does not have a strong impact on performance, unless the scene includes many explosions and fires. On non-shader video cards, it is recommended to set to the “None” setting, under which effects will be present, but in simplified form. Doing this will increase performance and avoid possible issues with game stability.

10) SHADOWS. Available settings: None, Active Planar, All Planar, All. This parameter determines the rendering of the shadows. The default setting is ‘All Planar’. Under ‘None’ no shadows are drawn. Under ‘Active Planar’ shadows are drawn only for moving objects and airplanes. Under ‘All Planar’ shadows are drawn for all objects including various buildings and structures. Under ‘All’ an additional self-casing shadow for objects is enabled, i.e. parts of an object can cast shadows on the object itself. All the options except ‘All’ have no significant impact on performance. The ‘All’ setting should only be selected if you have a powerful processor and video card. Note that we have found the ‘All Planar’ selection is actually the pivotal one because it bogs the CPU/Video card by requiring calculations to render shadows for every building/tree in the scene. Thus a major portion of the slow down when flying over cities/forests can be avoided by disabling structure shadows by selecting the ‘Active Planar’ option.

11) HEAT BLUR. Available settings: On, Off. This parameter determines the enabling and disabling of the heat shimmer effect of heated air behind the jet nozzles of aircraft. This effect can be seen on aircraft with afterburning engines (like the F-15, Su-27, and MiG-29) at speeds below 450-500 km/h. The hear blur effect significantly reduces performance, thus is disabled by default. It should be enabled only on powerful-enough computers. Using anti-aliasing with heat blur is also a performance hit.

12) COLOR. Available settings: 16 Bit, 32 Bit. This parameter determines the depth of color in the game. By default, the full-color setting of 32 Bit is used. If your video card is not powerful enough or of an older type, you should try selecting 16 Bit which will provide some improvement in performance. This setting can also be set in the configuration file Lock On\Config\graphics.cfg in the section DisplayMode, in the parameter bpp = 32; or bpp = 16.

13) RESOLUTION. This parameter determines the resolution of the screen during gameplay. The default setting is 1024x768 pixels. If your video card is not powerful enough, it is possible to lower the resolution to 800x600. It isn’t recommended to select settings lower than this, because it can result in problems with the display of the menu system. If your computer and video card is powerful, you can select any of the higher settings, all the way up to 2048x1536.

Besides all of the above-mentioned options, the “Cockpit” section has 2 parameters which affect performance.

1) MIRRORS. This parameter selects the display of rear-view mirrors in the cockpit. By default, the mirrors are disabled. Rendering mirrors has a significant impact on performance and it is not recommended to enable it on lower-end machines. Furthermore, the mirrors have three settings of quality: low, medium, and high. The default quality setting is medium. Depending on computer power, you can select the appropriate quality settings for the mirror rendering.

2) REFLECTION: This parameter determines the cockpit reflection off the canopy, as well as various canopy light reflection and refraction effects. This affects, for example, the rendering of canopy scratches under the sun’s rays.

With the correct tuning of all the above-mentioned settings according to you computer’s configuration, you will get the maximum possible quality of display with good running performance of the game.

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Patch 1.01

Windows 98 and Windows ME support greatly improved. However, please note that users using these operating systems may encounter instability if they use the AWACS view (F10) and then cycle between the F1 and F2 views.

Track to AVI tool is now working correctly. AVI files will be saved in the Movies folder.

The damage model for the Su-33 has been corrected.

Corrected target loss problems for some air defense complexes such as S-300PS and Patriot. Note that is best to use the “Complex” selection for these SAM sites and that the Patriot radar must be pointing within a 180-degree arc of the target for the SAM to engage.

HAWK and KUB SAM missiles will NOT fly into the ground shortly after launch, when engaging low-altitude targets.

Missiles fired by Perry-class ships will NOT fly into the sea shortly after launch, when engaging a low-altitude target.

Antiradar missiles cannot lock onto Strela SAMs because this system has no radar now.

Player can now not view Hide lists for a mission that has been classified.

Player can now change payload of his or her aircraft in Campaigns and classified Single Missions. This is only true for the player, not wingmen.

After exiting a training mission, the player now returns to the training mission selection screen.

External fuel tanks now add weight to the aircraft.

Corrected flight behavior of A-10 and Su-25 at low speed and AoA > 30. This fixes the odd flight behavior exhibited during a tail-slide maneuver.

Removed first delay in A-10 bomb dropping when ripple interval > 1.

Corrected jumps of general visibility in Meteo selection.

AI will now go out to less range (8 km) when re-engaging a target with bombs/CBUs.

AI will now pop up to 500 m instead of 2,000 m when attacking with gun or rockets.

MiG-23 and MiG-27 will not destroy themselves when attacking with gun or rockets.

Corrected A-10A pitch ladder so that it will not climb as the aircraft rolls.

Reduced radar look-down range reduction for F-15C.

Removed A-10A TVV on HUD when it is inside CCIP or gun/rocket pipper.

Removed F-15C bank and steering indicator on HUD when in air-to-air mode.

Increased padlock field of view angles.

Corrected the lack of green radar zone triangle on Russian Head Down Display (HDD) when an AWACS is in the mission.

Adjusted the aircraft reaction to small rudder inputs.

S-3A and S-3R now will fold their wings during taxiing.

Player can now switch between cockpits of flyable aircraft (Alt-j).

NyMax (maximum G) has been increased up to 9G for Su-27, Su-33 and Mig-29.

New MiG-29S CAP payloads have been added.

AGM-65D and AGM-65K now indicate correct seeker type in payload screen.

Maximum range of AIM-120C and R-77 was increased to 50 km.

Reduced the effect of radar range reduction when flying at low altitudes.

AI will now engage with follow-on missile(s) if first has missed.

Corrected TrackIR centering problem and improved Enhanced mode support. NOTE: YOU MUST DISABLE COCKPIT MOUSE OPTION TO ENABLE TRACKIR!

Corrected probability of failures option. It is not always set to 0% now.

Skill is defaulted to “Player” when a flyable aircraft is selected.

Game no longer crashes is player presses F3 while the game is paused at the start of a mission.

"Fuel Low" indication is correct now for the A-10A.

Renamed "mi" to "nm" in labels.

Adjusted maximum radar range of some aircraft.

Set 150 shells for Mig-29 gun.

The wind direction dial now shows correct direction.

The R-27EM now has a semi-active radar seeker instead of an active radar seeker.

Chaff now works against semi-active seeker missiles.

Decreased effectiveness of chaff and flares against active and IR guided missiles.

Fixed crash game in Dinput8.dll on the Exit.

Fixed instability bug when saving stage of campaign.

Removed "Category" column from Debrief Event Log.

Players can now record voice-overs for Tracks.

Limited helicopter numbers from 1 – 10.

Fixed algorithm of finding course of routes in mission editor.

Fixed award white spaces in the Logbook for countries with less then 8 awards (e.g. Spain). You need to remove existing pilot, sorry.

Corrected wind-related flight effects for player and AI aircraft.

Corrected engine behavior after aerial refueling.

Corrected zero thrust phenomena in A-10 when flying at M>0.8.

Expanded range of R-60 in rear hemisphere.

Increased engine impulse for MICA missiles.

Values RCS for some planes and helicopters are adjusted.

Decreased maximum G for F-15C at low speed.

Corrected collisions for Mirage-2000 and, KAMAZ.

BANO, afterburner and other effects will not cast shadows now.

ECM was removed from MiG-25PS.

The F-117 has no chaffs or flares now.

Incorrect route saving from state restoring is fixed both for Human and AI.

AWACS-View is now working in saved state games.

Corrected keyboard-only pitch control. Disabled automatic return to the neutral position.

Disabled mouse speed scaling for TrackIR.

Host can now respawn in multiplayer.

Missile and gun accuracy is greatly increased in multiplayer.

nForce2 lag problems have been significantly reduced. However, if the game consists of six or more players, lag may be observed.

Fixed broken payload options "MK-84*2, LAU-61*2, AGM-65K*2" (A-10A, Task "CAS")

Keyboard/mouse speed values in the Config\View\View.cfg are now applicable for cockpit and for external views.

"Record Track, Play Track, Video Edit and Record AVI" are grayed in debriefing mode.

Set mouse axis as unlimited.

Increased the EOS view and lock ranges for Russian fighters.

Remade the air-to-air mode for Su-25. Can now fire missiles when EOS is damaged.

Added the caret sweep on F15C radar in TWS mode.

HOJ strobe should is always shown on VSD when jammer is active now.

Radar notch has been narrowed to a reduced radial velocity gate.

Antenna elevation control now works correctly after changing between search and short-range auto-acquisition modes in the F-15C.

Elevation scan zone has been widened.

Radar on Russian fighters now works correctly when EOS is turned off.

Gimbal limits of AGM-65 have been reduced to realistic limits.

Ground vehicles formation changes work correctly now.

Fixed bug that prevented clients from joining large file size missions (64kb).

Fixed bug that would crash game if player started an Internet game and pressed the aircraft icon (top / left corner of screen), before doing anything else.

Player can now jettison KMGU-2f and KMGU-2b containers.

External aircraft model is correct now when player has blown-off canopy.

Betty and radio voices are now correct in saved state missions.

Added advanced check of connections in the LAN Game.

Added rocket's dispersion, except for S-24 and S-25.

New training processor remembers current airplane and task.

The visibility range of “Goal” targets has been increased.

Cockpit camera speed control commands are functional (Ctrl+Left Shift, Alt+Left Shift, Right Shift+Left Shift). Corresponding speed values in the Config\View\View.cfg are functional too.

Labels are much more configurable now (Config/View/View.cfg).

New text messages are now automatically shown at the top of the screen in multiplayer.

Added configurable cockpit camera default position to the Config\View\View.cfg.

Setting "ScreenNoise = true;" in Graphics.cfg enables film “graininess.”