Chinese Surveillance Balloon - Observation

A high-altitude balloon approaches the South Carolina coast. You fly up the coast from Patrick, make two passes beside the balloon at its own height, and leave the engagement to the intercept force.

Objectives

The objectives come one at a time, in this order. Each one shows its direction on screen. How the gates and strips work is under Missions.

1. Take off: met at liftoff, within 2.2 NM of the start.
2. Daytona coastal transit: fly within 6 NM of the point. Follow the coast north and keep climbing.
3. Jacksonville coastal climb: fly within 6 NM of the point.
4. Climb above 40,000 ft MSL: stay above 40,000 ft MSL for 5 seconds. This objective runs beside the route: keep following the waypoints while you climb.
5. Brunswick coastal transit: fly within 6 NM of the point.
6. Savannah coastal transit: fly within 6 NM of the point.
7. Charleston coastal transit: fly within 6 NM of the point.
8. Offshore observation approach: fly within 6 NM of the point. Turn gently north toward the first pass. Keep your distance.
9. Set up - Balloon envelope observation: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 000° true.
10. Balloon envelope observation: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 000° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 30 continuous seconds.
11. Clear strip - Balloon envelope observation: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn. Fly the 50 NM lead-out, then the broad hairpin.
12. Set up - Payload observation: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 180° true.
13. Payload observation: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 180° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 30 continuous seconds.
14. Clear strip - Payload observation: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn. The intercept force has the target. Turn for Savannah and the coast.
15. Savannah coast - return: fly within 6 NM of the point.
16. Brunswick coast - return: fly within 6 NM of the point.
17. Jacksonville coast - return: fly within 6 NM of the point. Control reports that the balloon is down.
18. Daytona coast - return: fly within 6 NM of the point. Begin the planned descent for Patrick.
19. Return to Base: land within 2.2 NM of the field. The mission ends 15 seconds after touchdown.

Tips

• The balloon flies at 64,000 ft at 33.55 N, 78.65 W, between the two strips. Climb to its height to see it beside you: the strips pass about 0.2 NM to each side of it.
• The balloon is a solid object: do not fly into it.
• Patrick is a default MSFS airport: it is not part of the U-2 package.

Related pages: Missions · Sensors · Targeting Points