Heatseeker/Smuggler's Demise

Smuggler's Demise is the second mission in the Vertana chapter.

Introduction
Spearhead, the IC intelligence division, has reported several enemy transports attempting to evacuate. The Nemesis is to intercept the planes and force them to land for intelligence gathering.

Recommended Loadout
Air enemies are predominant in this mission, with lighter sea and ground resistance. As such, loadouts preferring air superiority are suggested (though some anti-ground weaponry is also useful). On an initial playthrough, the F-15 Eagle should be the plane of choice, though the F-16 is also usable as SRAMs can be enough to deal with the planes in the mission.

Find and Identify the Suspected Weapons Transport
An unidentified air convoy, consisting of a C-130 Hercules with a fighter escort, will appear a long distance away in the southeast, in front of you. Hit the afterburners to get close, then slow down and scan the C-130 (target it, then keep it in your sights at close range; zoom in to speed up the process).


 * Bonus Objective: Destroy the enemy SAM site - A lone Grumble Heavy SAM is located to the north on a small island, northeast of your starting position. It is visible on the map as a green dot that will trigger the objective when approached.


 * Bonus Objective: Destroy the lighthouse; it's a smugglers' base - The lighthouse is located in the sea below the transport and its escorts. It does not appear on the map.

Destroy the Transport's Fighter Escort
Once the transport is identified, it will remain neutral, but after some conversation and an order from Divot to land, the MiG-27 escort fighters will turn hostile. You should already in position behind the planes to take them out easily. The C-130 cannot be targeted in this section; make sure that you are also not attacking it with your guns.

Escort the Weapons Transport to the Airfield
Once all four fighters are down, Divot will try hailing the pilot again, but the pilot will again refuse to comply. When prompted by Rumbler, fire a few warning shots at it from your autocannon (the shots do not have to hit directly, just close enough is fine). You will be prompted to do so again after a bit of dialogue, before the transport will change course and head to the airfield. Follow it.

Take Down the Fighters!
Needless to say, the mission isn't that simple - the transport will refuse to land, and instead call in more MiG-27 Floggers to attack. Leave the transport for now, and engage the fighters. Once enough are destroyed, a second wave will spawn, and once that wave is mostly dealt with, the next objective will activate.

Destroy the Fleeing Transport
The C-130 will attempt to flee while you're busy with the fighters, and will turn from neutral to hostile; at this time, more fighters will spawn. Pursue the transport plane and destroy it, then return your attention to the remaining fighters.

Destoy the Fleeing Transports and Their Escorts
Two more C-130s will appear in the distance, with a heavy fighter escort. As per Rumbler, destroy all of them. Prioritize the transports so they can't get away, then deal with the fighters.

Investigate Surface Contacts Near the Northmost Island
After the transports and fighters are taken out, a cutscene will play and two neutral targets will appear at the north island. Fly over to investigate the targets.

Once you're near enough, the targets are revealed to be mini-subs that will submerge in a cutscene.

Destroy the SAM Sites
Multiple SAMs will activate at the north island. Be ready to send out countermeasures for them as you take them down with your anti-ground weaponry. If you do not have anti-ground weapons, a pair of SRAMs will suffice for each one. This is also a good opportunity to take out the bonus objective SAM site if you haven't already.

Take Down the Enemy Fleet and Fighters
An enemy naval group consisting of three Sovremenny-class ships and multiple Yak-141 Freestyle fighters will appear to investigate.


 * Bonus Objective: Destroy both subs before they submerge - The subs from earlier will emerge. They have relatively low health, so they can be destroyed quickly before fighting the fleet.

Sovremenny-class warships, as well as other similar vessels, have guns in addition to missiles to fend off attacks, and can be dangerous if the player flies too slow around them, thus allowing their guns to take aim; this is another factor in missiles being stronger against ships than bombs, as using missiles allows you to remain at high speed to avoid incoming fire. Fortunately, the Sovremenny ships in this mission are weaker than most ships you'll encounter, and are vulnerable to bombs and missiles; dead-fired air-to-air missiles can also be used against them (i.e. firing anti-air missiles at them without locking on). SRAMs are not recommended against ships due to the low damage.

Two waves of fighters and all three ships must be destroyed to complete the mission.