Iran Reconnaissance - Akrotiri

The longest mission in the pack. A fictional reconnaissance flight from Cyprus across the eastern Mediterranean to central Iran, with camera passes over Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in that order, and the long return to Akrotiri.

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. Mediterranean climb: fly within 16 NM of the point. Fly east from Cyprus and climb.
3. 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.
4. Eastbound transit: fly within 16 NM of the point.
5. Inland transit: fly within 16 NM of the point. Check the fuel before you continue.
6. Western Iran transit: fly within 16 NM of the point.
7. Fordow approach: fly within 16 NM of the point. Prepare the camera view and make a broad turn onto the Fordow line.
8. Set up - Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 145° true.
9. Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 145° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 45 continuous seconds.
10. Complete - Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
11. Set up - Natanz Nuclear Facility: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 170° true.
12. Natanz Nuclear Facility: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 170° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 45 continuous seconds.
13. Complete - Natanz Nuclear Facility: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
14. Set up - Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center: fly within 2 NM of the strip entry point, lined up on 200° true.
15. Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center: fly inside the strip, 20 × 4 NM on 200° true, above 40,000 ft MSL for 45 continuous seconds.
16. Complete - Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center: fly within 2 NM of the strip exit point before you turn.
17. Clear the collection area: fly within 16 NM of the point. Make the broad turn west.
18. Return across the interior: fly within 16 NM of the point. Check the fuel for the return.
19. Westbound transit: fly within 16 NM of the point.
20. Mediterranean return: fly within 16 NM of the point. Plan the descent toward Akrotiri.
21. Return to Base: land within 2.2 NM of the field. The mission ends 15 seconds after touchdown.

Tips

• 2,095 NM is a long way: take full fuel and keep the cruise climb at M .715.
• The mission starts on Gate A 3, not on the U-2 parking spot (Gate U 2), so the ground carts may not come out by themselves. Set them to Shown in the EFB Ground tab, or use Set up aircraft: Ready for takeoff.
• RAF Akrotiri comes with the U-2: see RAF Akrotiri.

Related pages: Missions · RAF Akrotiri · Mission Equipment (PME) · Targeting Points