First off, the lock on by the E-2 seeker head seemed like it was happening around closer in, like around 3-4 miles.
Secondly, my opinion of the Sidearm is based on the apparent inconsistant ability to lock onto the Shilka outside of it's leathal 23mm gun range despite the fact that my RWR was screaming at me. I am willing to conceed a slight possibility of operator error on that point. Additionally, once I did get the damn thing to go off the rail and actually hit the Shilka, the damage it inflicted was less than 50% and did not prevent the Shilka from using its radar to direct its 4 23mm guns at me. I think that the Mavric would be a far more effective tool for killing thos bastards provided you knew where to look for them.