Heatseeker/The Payback

The Payback

Introduction
The assault on Granuja's stronghold has begun, and the Nemesis is tasked with providing air cover for an amphibious IC attack force led by the flagship Guardian.

Recommended Loadout
While air targets are plentiful here, the lack of escort sections makes them much less of a threat. Focus on anti-ground weaponry when picking a loadout.

Protect the Nemesis
Take off from the Nemesis by hitting the afterburners (accelerate to full speed) to engage the incoming enemies.

This objective encompasses the entire mission.

Destroy the Incoming Boats
Multiple PT Boats will spawn to attack the Nemesis, accompanied by a number of MiG-29 Fulcrums. As per usual, the boats are the primary targets due to their damage potential. A second wave of boats will spawn after the first is destroyed.


 * Bonus Objective: Sink all the boats - stay below the radar grid - The radar grid is extremely close to the water (only 30m in altitude, forcing you to stay below that height) and when the objective activates, the player is given a 10-second grace period to fly below the grid before failing the objective. Level out just above the water and instead of controlling your plane normally, use your rudders to steer the plane left and right while engaging the boats with GAMs. The MiG-29s will have to be ignored as there is no way to attack them without flying above the grid. Take your time and fly slow - the fighters won't do much to the fleet on their own.

Once the boats are dealt with, take out the fighters.

Intercept the Approaching Strike Planes
Another wave of MiG-29s will approach from the same direction as before. Regular dogfighting procedures apply here - take out one or possibly two as they approach, then circle back and try to stay on their tail as you pick off the rest.

Sink the Incoming Missile Boats
Multiple Nanuchka boats will spawn to attack the Nemesis. They will take multiple anti-ground hits to bring down and unlike their previous showings, the Nanuchkas here will frequently lock on and fire at you, so be prepared to deploy countermeasures as per the onscreen prompts.

Once the Nanuchkas attacking the Nemesis are almost done with, a second wave will spawn targeting the Guardian fleet, with Fulcrums providing air cover and additional fire support. Mop up the last boat or two before flying over to support.

Protect the Guardian Fleet
This objective completes when all enemies attacking the Guardian are destroyed.


 * Bonus Objective: Sink the fleeing boats - three PT Boats will spawn near the east edge of the mission area, visible as a green blip on the radar. Clean up most of the attacking enemies, then pursue them.

Intercept the Incoming Bogeys
The attacking planes are in close formation on approach so they make easy targets on the first pass, but after that, prioritize the Nanuchkas attacking the Guardian before going after the fighters.

Once the Guardian is safe, more MiG-29s will attack the Nemesis, so fly back to provide air cover. Once most of the planes are destroyed, the rest will retreat.


 * Bonus Objective: Destroy all planes before they get away - A long dialogue sequence will play before the next objective goes live, giving you time to chase down the fleeing enemies.

Ensure Fleet Survives Missile Attack
Two waves of cruise missiles will be launched at the fleet. As per the norm for cruise missiles, shoot them down from either the front or from behind, using SRAMs.

After this objective, the mission completes - in a sense.