HOw do you lock it on? I hit tab like the training mission says...nothing happens...how do I get a manual?

look in your controls for a key named lock weapon
thats what you use.

remember you need to point the TV screen on the target and you need a IR or contrast on the target compared to the sorrounding.

Get the manual in your lock on installation folder, or download it here

You have to locate and then line up on the target. It's important to be lined up and flying a course that keeps the target reasonably stationary, so you can then slew the maverick's seeker head (the TV screen) so the image or heat signature of the target is in the center of the crosshairs. Flying by too far off to one side of the target makes it harder to slew, and lock onto the target.

Given enough image or heat contrast in the image- the seeker head will snap to and auto lock the target automatically. This is indicated by the flashing + on the screen.

Assuming you are in range- you can then release the weapon. There are separate gun & release weapon button commands on US aircraft. While a hit from a maverick will destroy any vehicle in LOMAC- you are not guaranteed a hit. Firing from the very edge of its' range at a moving vehicle, some SAM vehicles can shoot it down (UNREALISTIC)

MAKE SURE the missile effectiveness slider is set to EXACTLY 50 or 100. Found in the difficulty settings.

side question...is 50% or 100% the most realistic do you think? ive been frustrated about my missiles inability to hit anything beyond visual range but i have my issues evading the enemy missiles aswell.

It's mentioned before that anything besides 50% setting for missiles may be bugged, so use 50.

May I chime in and ask a related question? I am re-acquainting myself with the game after a long time away. Sometimes when I am using the AGM 65s and select next target, instead of a diamond around it I see a red box. I have forgotten what that means, and can't seem to find an answer in the manuals or on the forums. Could you explain, or tell me where to look for, what that means?

Thanks.

Zoandar

You are in "easy radar" mode. There's a key command for it (I forget- maybe CTRL+I) or you can disable it in the difficulty settings.

Thanks! I did finally locate the description of it on the last few pages of the Quick Start Guide under Easy Radar.

I am not sure which keys toggle it, because that manual says ALT + I and the key list file says SHIFT + I. I'll have to try them both I guess.

Zoandar