Torment

If the A-10 is operating within the confines of a ROZ , then the JTAC can laterally deconflict the other assests to basically "clear way" for the A-10 to use the GAU. This could allow the fighter to break through the coordinating altitude which is the separation of rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Cool bunch of guys in that squadron. Really enjoyed talking/working with them. Happy to hear that they're back.

A little doctrine to poke your eyes out with: In a CAS scenario, a JTAC can control exactly how and what type of ordinance is used for each attack (Type 1/2 control). For this type he'll control each individual attack with the term "cleared hot". For type 3, he'll use the term "cleared to engage" which may include restrictions including what ordinance to use. But...a JTAC is not required to employ ordinance in all situations. 1. Air interdiction tasking - A designated authority, such as an AOC/ASOC can task an A-10 to "target" an objective. The pilot may release ordinance if: -The CDE has been met and is in accordance with the GFC directive -A PID has been established that the target is hostile Both must hold true for the duration of the attack 2. JFACC tasking - The big man says drop the bomb, the above restrictions may or may not have been met. Drop the bomb. 3. Self Defense - Never restricted. However, must be proportionate to the threat (the common saying is you can't drop a nuke on a guy with an AK-47). May be used in the defense of self, or friendly/civilian forces on the ground. 4. ECAS - There's also emergency CAS with non-JTAC qualified personnel. All in the JFIRE. AINT is kinda sorta in this sim but there's not a FLOT and FSCL established to differentiate between INT and CAS. No aircraft is going to be given a blanket authority to just "go out there and F S up". It's almost always going to be "mother, may I?". As far as which weapons is employed...Eddie is correct, there is no book telling you to use weapon X in situation Y. There is a book that says you could use weapon X against target Y. In the real world, the SPINS will dictate a Standard Conventional Loadout for each aircraft that will be employed in theatre. This will be determined based on the perceived threats and targets of the battlefield. By no means set in stone but it gives the GFC a good idea if he calls an asset (A-10) for support he has a good idea what it's capable of.

Here's an idea. How cool would it be for a JTAC to give you a ten digit MGRS grid to put a JDAM through a window?:D

:thumbup: Awesome I remember one pilot at the 74th saying that they don't use CM. I guess they don't want the DU rounds all over the place.

In OIF/OEF, I've never seen any asset carry mavericks. Maybe it's due to accuracy and warhead yield, never really thought about it. Or perhaps it's because of it's purpose in busting armor/bunkers. I've only seen A-10's use JDAMs and 500 lb LGBs. Usually one or two of each to increase their loiter time (plus the JTAC may request they conduct yo-yo ops to maximize the amount of time he has a fires asset overhead for his JTAR). Can't remember if they had a rocket pod or not. One pilot I talked to told me something funny. They never carry 2000 lb bombs because the only way they will unload them is by dropping them...and that's a rare occurrence. I guess arming/dearming an A-10 with a GBU-10/Mk-84 is no easy process. As for this game, I admit I cheat a little. Since most of my missions don't last much longer than 30-90 minutes, I'll pack on at least four mavs and four or more PGMs. But I'm still learning on how to effectively employ UGMs.

The TACAN is very useful in tracking the tanker before its in visual range. Make sure you set the right frequency and select TCN on the navigation panel in front of the stick. On the HSI "Pointer 1" should point you towards the tanker and also give you range. Overrunning the tanker was a big problem with me when I started learning, and I found that at max zoom and the tanker's wings are halfway to the edge of my HUD, I can use my eyeballs to determine closing speed fairly well. If I see that I'm closing too fast, I'll throttle to idle and extend the speed brakes. As I slow, I'll keep watching the tanker and when I think the speeds are matched, I'll glance at my IAS then close to 5-10+ that. Once I get close, I'll reduce my closing speed to 1-3+, they say that you approach the boom at a walking pace. Probably nothing close to reality but it can work. The tanker turning is its own demon in itself. IIRC F4AF would warn you that a turn was approaching, would be awesome if this sim would do the same. The tanker will snap to a 10 degree bank angle and if you're not ready for it you'll shoot off to the right. My technique is to bank over more to catch up with him then level the wings slightly to allow him to catch up. I'll do this 2 or 3 times until our "banks" are the same. Also you'll lose a tiny bit of airspeed in a bank so I'll add a nudge of power to keep my airspeed up. BTW, I'm new!

I haven't tried in game but under the communications options there is a "Cover Me" with the command defaulted to LWin + W

Definitely an MWS. Has an optical sensor that looks for heat/light signatures consistent with a missile. Looks nearly identical to the one's that we have on the MC-12.

Very weird, can't seem to get a single one of the keyboard commands to work to control the data link panel. Per the manual (and my keyboard control page within the game) the left shift/left control plus 1,2,3,4 etc. will push the buttons on it. Not a single one will work! All other keyboard commands are functioning properly as far as I can tell. I've even tried remapping them to other keyboard commands but to no avail. If anyone on here has any ideas on how to fix this it would be much appreciated.