Paco,
Thanks for your reply and your attempt to help me. It is much appreciated. Sure enough, after an hour or two after posting, I think I solved the problem. (if not, I'll re-post here).
Apparently the 'Lock Target' key bind would not take or stay in the saved OK mode on the Adjust Controls. I know how to key bind but thought this was pretty weird that
after I close out the Mission Editor (where I was testing the key binds and practicing flying the KA50) and then come back in to practice there was the Lock Target and a few other key binds that were not working or were not saved. I do click OK on the requested key bind, and then click the overall Adjust Control 'OK' key click at the bottom right page too to ensure I don't just X out of the Adjust Controls page.
Bottom line is I think it was me not completing some key bind action. After Lock Target now with the Laser on, I do get a range in KMs the way it should operate now.
Thanks again for trying to help. Hope to see you and the other Helo guys on the Multiplayer servers flying KA50 2s/3s once I am up to speed on flying the KA50 BS 3 again.
One other possible problem that I may have self-inflicted on my key binding is to ensure that I have selected KA50 BS version 3 vs Version 2 if I'm setting up my key binds for Black Shark 3.
We can close out this message now. Hope my mistakes help newer DCS pilots.
Max.