OStateBandit

I'm not Larry, but that is the NAVFLIR. The lense on the nose is the ARBS (Angle Rate Bombing System), which is also known as the DMT (Dual Mode Tracker).

N/As do use them operationally. The LITENING pods add a boat load of capability beyond the onboard ARBS/DMT and NAVFLIR. Aside from the sensor capabilities of the pod, the LITENING is what allows the AV-8B to self-lase targets.

TACAN ground stations have a published real world tolerance of +/-1° at 3.75km (~2nm), per the FAA. Per USN, TACAN airborne receivers have a tolerance of +/-4° of the selected radial for IFR flight. This matches the FAA required tolerance of VOR receivers for IFR flight by the way (14 CFR 91.171). To put those tolerances in perspective, use the 1 in 60 rule of thumb. 1° of offset equals 1nm in lateral position when 60nm from the station. So stacking tolerances between station and reciever, you could be in the neighborhood of 5nm to either side of your displayed position 60nm from LSV and still be within the IFR tolerances of the TACAN system. Perhaps the DCS waypoints do have some errors, but it appears that they are within real world TACAN navigation tolerances.

I've been plowing away at the practice missions, and getting a bit better with practice. Getting into low altitude scissors does indeed typically give me an advantage and usually garners a few snapshot opportunities before they extend beyond gun range...or, as happens quite a bit, they break the hard deck and the engagement is terminated.

Thanks Sydy. I suppose what I am actually looking for are successful tactics to employee at the merge to keep me offensive and work into the bandit's control zone. With the adversary F-5Es for instance, I have found that coming into the merge low and fast, or high and slow, then performing a well timed vertical reversal quickly puts me in a great position. If I don't do something stupid, I have them every time after that. I haven't figured out the merge tactics to employee with the other aircraft, understanding of course that their high thrust to weight ratio alone will make things much more difficult. So, any tips?

I'm enjoying the F-5E and this campaign way too much. And while I can now beat the other F-5Es without issue, the dissimilar aircraft extend on me and the vul time runs out. It seems I can 'sucker' them back in by momentarily turning away and getting them to re-engage, but I tend to go through the merge followed by a single turn and perhaps a fleeting snapshot. Each time they extend and we do it again. While I'm happy to be staying alive and apparently flying decent enough BFM to do so, and even forcing the bandits to extend, does anyone have any specific recommendations for the dissimilar aircraft?