DCS Heatblur F-4E AGM-45 Shrike WRCS Employment Using Loft and Direct Profiles

Attack profile used in this showcase are "direct" for two missiles and "loft" for the other two missiles, selected through the small orange triangle on the upper left corner of the weapon slot in the rearming screen.

Important! The default profile is always direct. You should always switch it to loft while on the ground, unless you plan on a short range (under 5-6nm), dive bombing style delivery.

You can see the difference between range based on the attack profile selection. The ones that immediately start moving control surfaces are the direct profile missiles. While those that coast for a longer period before active guidance are the loft profile missiles.

As is evident, the loft profile can reach the target from up to 20nm at altitude, the direct profile will fall short of the target for any range over about 6nm, despite the altitude and loft boost imparted on it on release.

Tests have shown the direct profile missile will fall just short of the target in a similar manner anywhere from 7-20nm. This is because of the missile's particular way of guidance, which uses "bang-bang" controls in small intervals using full surface deflection, creating a lot of drag.

Direct profile starts guidance immediately upon launch and wastes all the extra energy provided to it by altitude and launch angle. This is why direct profile is really only useful for sub-6nm range dive attack methods.

Loft profile on the other hand locks controls in place until a certain amount of altitude loss and dive angle is achieved. Allowing it to coast with no extra drag for a longer time, extending its range significantly.