Xavven

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's the latter. I believe it knows what general part of the aircraft was hit (left/right wing, fuselage, etc.), but I always have the same bullet hole pattern regardless of the weapon that hit me -- SAM, AAA, all the same.

Hi, ex81! I don't believe you can change the color of the TGP crosshair itself, but you can switch the video feed between BHOT and WHOT if in FLIR mode in order to get better contrast between the crosshair and the target you're looking at. Make the TGP SOI and use Boat Switch Aft -- that usually has the best contrast for me. The default key binding for Boat Switch aft is right-alt + left arrow EDIT: And don't forget to adjust the FLIR Gain. That can help with contrast as well.

Can you post a track? I've been having some bugs lately too where certain labels or systems won't be fully functional, where it can't be human error because it's literally an in-air start. Also, if you're using the ED version (non-steam) of DCS, you can try doing a repair. See this thread for details: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2548018 If you're using the steam version, you can try a "verify integrity of game cache" from your game library.

Nice post! Also, I have that same kneeboard! Or at least it looks exactly the same.

This is cool. Wonder if we can get this thread stickied.

Haha! Yeah, that's a pretty maxxed out gaming rig :) Anyway, I don't have a very high opinion of the Georgian Hammer stock campaign. Most people would probably tell you to join a virtual squadron at this point and play multiplayer. DCS has great flight mechanics but version 1.5 is pretty thin on good stock missions/campaigns. I guess the mission called "Hideout" is pretty good though. With regards to L/L coordinates, I have never put in an "N" or "E" in my coordinates, but I think you do have to put in the leading 0 for your northing, but not easting, as in "042" etc. Try that and see if that fixes it for you. If you're using MGRS, then make sure you are using the right grid. For the caucus region you will be in either 38T or 37T

NICE! Someone tell the author that the first sound is the impacts of 30mm hitting the ground/target and the second sound is the GAU-8 firing.

Cool! Thanks for the info and for clearing up my misconceptions about these systems. I love learning about this stuff. Downloaded the document and will read as well.

To be honest, your best bet is to learn how to use the mission editor and make a few practice missions yourself, and host a server with a password to keep others out. However, a friend and I have been having fun on the "Hollow Pointe" server. Technically, someone could hop into a fighter and shoot you down, but the majority of the time the server is empty and we can practice safely. Seriously, though... learn the mission editor and you'll be much happier, because you can stage the exact stuff you want to practice, be it gun runs against soft targets, tanks, anti-air defenses, or even formation flying (I like to load up smoke generators on the wingtips for that). I've even made missions specifically for Combined Arms JTAC'ing. Endless fun :)

Check post #9 on this thread: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=133803 Apparently you can decoy a launcher that use SACLOS guidance if you dispense chaff. Not sure how it's modeled in DCS, though.

You're right. I just did some reading and they use command guidance. Good to know!

ECM automatically shuts off if there are no radar systems locking you up, as there's no benefit to having it running unless you're actively attempting to break lock. If you are currently locked, your ECM will remain on once engaged. Are you sure? I could be wrong but I think chaff has actually helped me to break lock. Also, doesn't the SA-19 fire IR guided missiles?

This page can help: http://wiki.hoggit.us/view/RWR Or search google for "A-10C RWR guide" and you'll find some PDFs to download. It pays to memorize the RWR symbols.

You might want to check out the mission editor manual. You can download it here: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/131372/ There's a really good explanation of task prioritization on "page 122" (actually pg. 74 in the PDF) To answer your question directly, PERFORM TASK will take precedence over any START ENROUTE TASK that is pending. Once PERFORM TASK is complete, then any ENROUTE TASKs will execute in their order of priority. The difference between FAC and FAC ASSIGN/ENGAGE GROUP is that plain old "FAC" lets the JTAC automatically decide which enemy groups it will direct aircraft to engage if it detects them. "FAC ASSIGN/ENGAGE GROUP" lets the mission designer specify which enemy groups the JTAC will direct aircraft to engage.

I would gladly pay $5-$20 for an A-10C "expansion" that adds the APKWS and HMCS.

Create a custom mission and take a look at the FAC options. By default, the JTAC decides how it will mark the target, and in my experience it tends to default to sending data via datalink. You can, however, explicitly specify the unit to use a laser, or IR pointer.

Are you making the TGP SOI before you press TMS fwd long?

You can get the manual from the Eagle Dynamics documentation download section: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/ Edit: NINJA'ED BY THE OP (j/k)

Pulse Repetition Frequency. "General. PRF codes can affect target engagement success. The lower the code number, the faster the laser pulse rate. The lower code number and faster pulse rate will give the seeker the most opportunity to acquire the target in the time available, and is appropriate for the most important targets and the most difficult operating conditions. However, lower code numbers cause faster battery drain." From page 49 of this PDF, which seems to be an updated version of one of the PDFs I linked above. [ame=http://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/jp-doctrine/jp3_09_1%2899%29.pdf]http://www.bits.de/NRANEU/others/jp-doctrine/jp3_09_1%2899%29.pdf[/ame]

Hi! Here's what I'm trying to accomplish: Say you have a 4 ship flight and you are all going to self-designate for GBU-12 employment, and everyone is going to have a different laser code. Instead of everyone picking one at random, I'd like to assign them in some logical way that makes it easy for everyone to remember each other's code in case we need to buddy lase. One of the easiest ways to do this would be to pick an arbitrary first 3 digits and make the last digit correspond to flight position, e.g. Flight Lead: 1681 Wingman: 1682 etc. This would probably work in DCS where the world is perfect, but I wanted to see if codes that are so close would increase the chances of a sensor in real life getting confused. So I did some research and all I could find were these two documents: [ame]https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/smart/jp3_09_1.pdf[/ame] [ame]http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/usmc/mcwp/3-16/appk.pdf[/ame] So as I understand it, the first digit must be 1, the second digit can be 1-7, and the last two digits can be 1-8. (Side note: DCS A-10C gives a CICU error if you try any code with set the second digit set to 7). Furthermore, the lower the code, the higher the PRF. That surprised me! Furthermore, a lower code (higher PRF) improves the ability for the seeker to lock, at the cost of higher battery drain for the laser designator (not a problem for an aircraft but a consideration for ground forces.) Okay, so back to the core of my question: is it a bad idea to use codes that are only 1 digit apart? Secondly, is it a bad thing to have a code with too many repeating digits, such as "1111"?

I also favor the GBU-12 over the GBU-38, but there's a downside in that it's not all-weather capable. I think the M-151 rockets are underrated. A friend just showed me that setting it to ripple-pairs qty 42 will fire as long as the pickle button is depressed, and stop as soon as released. For infantry at a known location with soft skinned vehicles, it's a neat display of force. I used to hate these things, but if you use up 20 on a pass, it'll do :D

Very interesting stuff from page 173 to 197. It's answered a lot of other questions I've had but it's also raised some new ones. What formation attack is recommended when escorting a moving convoy? Do you typically establish a wheel that circles the convoy, or do you establish a holding pattern (like a racetrack) some distance away and ingress when called upon? In such a scenario whereby friendly ground forces are taking fire from enemy ground forces, after your flight completes an attack, do you egress, rejoin at the IP, then re-attack in formation? Or do you and your wingman alternate between shooter and cover while flying a wheel? Sorry, I recently tried FOB Vetka a few days ago so these things have been on my mind as of late.

Great! I'm reading the relevant sections now. Of immediate note is the spacing as many of you mentioned. I've definitely been trying to fly too close, like in the 200 ft range, which causes me all those headaches I described. With 5000 ft separation I can see it being easy to look around, check instruments, etc. and not worry about a mid-air collision. I think I remember in that recent TeamSpeak chat with a real A-10 pilot that he mentioned spacing of 1 nautical mile. I'm just starting to read into the formation attacks starting on pg. 173. Side note: I'm really impressed with this community. You folks are very helpful, so please accept my sincerest thank you!

I'm comically bad a formation flying. It takes up nearly all of my brainpower to stay with my flight lead, and this leaves me almost nothing left to keep situational awareness. "Do you have eye's on the tracer fire?" my flight lead will ask, to which I then reply, "nope! I'm just trying to fly in formation with you!" Hell, I'll even come close to causing a mid-air collision just fencing in. This got me thinking... If I invest the time to get better at formation flying while an active battle is unfolding on the ground, what benefit should I expect to gain? I know it looks cool and makes you a better pilot and whatnot, but what I mean is, will the flight be more effective? Will the team get ordinance on target faster? Does it make the flight harder to find on radar? Why is it better to attack starting from formation instead of having everyone orbit at different flight levels while one person deconflicts and calls out targets? Thanks for your help!

Email sent. EDIT: For anyone else on this thread including Slydog486, add me on Steam (username Xavven, picture of an angry orange cat)