MiGs, Betas and Wooden Shoe-Speak

[smurfbizkit]

With the announcement of the Closed Multiplayer Beta Test of the GOI, its time to show off their all-powerful MiG.

MiG
The newest threat to the skies of the Middle East is the MiG-39 that the Guardians of Islam recently commissioned from Russia. VTOL engineers from Yakovlev and forward-swept wing expertise from Sukhoi were united under the Mikoyan design bureau to create the best aircraft in the region. While it's unknown just how much the GOI paid for this new aircraft, it's assumed that the sum was a significant portion of their total military budget which partially explains why other military facets have been left somewhat behind, such as the GOI's fleet of tanks which still lack any active point defense systems. Whatever the cost, the result is certainly a formidable warbird; VTOL and supercruise capable, the MiG continues the Russian tradition of emphasizing maneuverability and acceleration to engage in close-in dogfights with enemy aircraft. Countermeasures built into it from the beginning make it difficult to intercept with any but the latest missile system; the Guardians claim that even the vaunted Israeli Python 5 and American AIM-120 AMRAAM are impotent against it. It is assumed but not confirmed that it's armed primarily with the R-77M1 Vympel missile system or any number of droppable ordnance. Western analysts generally agree that the MiG-39 is superior to the F-35 Lightning II in most ways save stealth and probably electronics, but only a direct confrontation between the two aircraft will prove the matter once and for all.






Closed Multiplayer Beta Test Announced!
Also, we'd like to announce that we're open for applications to form our MEC2 Beta Tester team. We aim to start testing later this week. Hit the link image below for full details.




MEC2 in a Magazine!
Michal sent us in a scan of MEC2 being mentioned in a Dutch gaming magazine, you can see that (as well as a translation) by hitting the image below.




Help Wanted!
With the upcoming Beta, we have several new positions open on the MEC2 team. Think you have what it takes to be the MEC2 Community Manager? or join our Mapping team? Go to the forum for full details!

[smurfbizkit]

We also have a shiny new 16x16 browser icon...a byproduct of the desktop icon we did up for the beta.

[Ome_Vince]

Ever singe you raped my base on that highway map I can't look at it anymore 

[abra]

Cool pics.

[Galorian]

...the Guardians claim that even the vaunted Israeli Python 5...

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh man...

good one...

With engines that pronounced... man... It would have trouble shaking off a stinger...

Now let me tell you something about the python-5's targeting system:

Conventional air-to-air missiles see targets as dots - a fact which makes it hard for the missile to tell between true or false targets .The Python 5's head seeker literally sees a clear image of the target and background, giving it an incredible advantage over other missiles by authenticating the target, thus reducing the chance of being mislead by counter measures. Using this technology allows the luxury of locking on a target after the launch. The transition to this unique technology required a development by RAFAEL, which exists in only several countries in the world. Using an electro-optical head seeker also makes it easier to locate and lock on low-heat signature aircrafts such as UAVs, helicopters or even cruise missiles. These aircrafts can fly very close to the ground and can be very hard to detect using regular head seekers. The Python 5 with the electro-optical head can easily accomplish that, by creating a sharp target image and locking on it. In order to achieve perfect performance and tracking ability, the engineers at RAFAEL tested the Python 5 against all advanced counter measures. Usually this is a tough challenge, as the missile would have to handle counter measures in the future. But that was not an impossible challenge to RAFAEL, which also develops the future counter measures. The unique head-seeker also extends the lethality of the missile by aiming it to the target's most vulnerable areas. Most heat seeking missiles tend to home on the hottest spot of the aircraft which is normally the rear exhaust system. In modern combat history, some aircrafts that were hit by a missile in that area, managed to survive the flight until the landing. The Python 5, which acquires a sharp image of the target can home on the most critical areas of the aircraft, such as the cockpit or the central area, and significantly improve the chances for a shot down.

...[the python-5 has] an on board computer which is more powerful than the aircrafts computers of the Israeli air force altogether.

First test performence:

When the time came to start conducting test sessions of the missile, the designers were pretty much confident with their missile. Normally, the testing part of a missile is one of the most expensive parts of the development. Each launch costs millions of dollars, and only few superpowers can afford such costs without thinking twice. The Americans conduct dozens of launches when developing a new missile and RAFAEL does not have these amounts of money to perform endless launches. In a regular test session, the missile is tested progressively, thru several phases which start from simple ones and end with the toughest. The Python 5 was ready to deal with a tough challenge – being tested in a complicated scenario right from the beginning. Instead of going thru all the regular test phases, the Python 5 was ready to take a test which seemed to be impossible to several people at the Israeli air force. The target was a low-signature UAV which was flying at low altitude in a hot desert area. Not like the previous test of the Python 4, the UAV was not equipped with a flare to make it easier on the missile. When looking at the video of the head-seeker, it is very hard to see the target in a human eye. The missile was about to be launched from an F-16, flying 15,000 feet above the UAV. According to plan, the Python 5 was launched from the F-16, and started to fly sharply downwards, chasing the target. In the video, the UAV can be identified only few seconds before the missile reaches it, but the Python 5 locked on the target long before that.

Here's the intercept vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrTv9f1oXJw

Note that you can't even see the UAV untill a moment before impact.

[Lord_Mordja]

Just let it go damnit!
Awesome update gais.

[Galorian]

Just let it go damnit!
Awesome update gais.

NEVER!

[TimbiWan]

@ Gal with the Python post
How many times does there have to be spammed:
[Mantra Modus on]
- this is not a super-realistic mod with actual statistics incorporated into it
- this is not a super-realistic mod with actual statistics incorporated into it
- this is not a super-realistic mod with actual statistics incorporated into it
- this is not a super-realistic mod with actual statistics incorporated into it
- this is not a super-realistic mod with actual statistics incorporated into it

[Mantra Modus off]

[the.oddest]

The MIG s look uber dope!!

[KniveZ]

Awesome Update and awesome mig!

and Golarian FGS, just let it go, this is in the future, are you telling me that the Python 5 cannot be overpowered in the future by a more superior plane? Every weapon eventually is countered.

[Galorian]

Awesome Update and awesome mig!

and Golarian FGS, just let it go, this is in the future, are you telling me that the Python 5 cannot be overpowered in the future by a more superior plane? Every weapon eventually is countered.

Are you claiming we won't improve our air-to-air missiles in 20 years?

[TimbiWan]

Awesome Update and awesome mig!

and Golarian FGS, just let it go, this is in the future, are you telling me that the Python 5 cannot be overpowered in the future by a more superior plane? Every weapon eventually is countered.

Are you claiming we won't improve our air-to-air missiles in 20 years?

I have some new words for you: GAME BALANCE. Repeat after me; IT's JUST A GAME. GAME-BALANCE! 

[smurfbizkit]

I knew realism-junkies would bitch here.

The fact is, we looked at vtol Migs and Yaks...looked at existing designs and just didn't think any fit the cool-ness factor enough. Thus, I linked spyVspy some concept art, images from anime, and real life prototypes and he came up with this awesomeness.

MEC2 is not a realism mod, and if you throw a fit over this...you may want to consider looking for another mod to follow. There will be many more drastically unrealistic units shown. The GOI is by far our most realistic faction.

Anyway...all this time arguing could better be spent signing up for the beta.

[Saladin]

The mig looks great especially the engine. But paint in green. It looks like a turkish aircraft.
By the way here is the real Mig-39

[smurfbizkit]

Its not going to be green. It actually used to be bright, sparkling new cherry red...which I loved but the team didn't. Thus it was toned down a bit.

Anyway...this definitely is proof of the anime undercurrent in MEC2 at least.