ThunderHQ / Nuclear Escalation
Mission Planning and Flight Routes
A good route gets you to the target and leaves room for the attack, the escape and the landing.
Check the map before takeoff
Look at which side you’re on, where the objectives are and where your teammates are flying. Southeastern City joined random battles on October 16 with changes to mission-object positions. Don’t assume a route from the earlier event still works.
Pick a target and a nearby alternative your loadout can handle. If the first is destroyed or too heavily defended when you arrive, you’ll already have another option.
Back to contents ↑Think through the whole flight
Take off
Give yourself room to build speed and look around before heading into contested airspace.
Approach the target
Use terrain and friendly support where you can. Leave the weapon enough height and a clear enough view to work.
Set a limit on the run
Decide where you’ll turn away if the sight or seeker still isn’t ready. Don’t keep flying closer while you troubleshoot it.
Leave the area
Head toward cover or friendly aircraft after the attack, keeping any guidance the weapon still needs.
Get home
Keep enough fuel for the return and check that your chosen airfield is still usable.
Choose an altitude that fits the attack
Flying higher can give you a better view and help some weapons reach the target, but it also exposes you to threats farther away. Flying low lets you use terrain, at the cost of less warning and less room to maneuver.
Choose for the aircraft and weapon you’re using. Flying low over open water gives you no terrain to hide behind, and a shortcut along the coast may take you past the fleet’s defenses.
Back to contents ↑Be ready to change the plan
- An unexpected radar or fighter appears ahead: deal with it or turn away before you get absorbed in aiming.
- The target is destroyed or changes hands: check that your weapons and route suit the alternative before heading for it.
- You’re running short of fuel or countermeasures: leave enough for the escape and return, even if that means keeping your bombs.
- You’ve just respawned: work out why the last route failed before flying it again.