SpecterDC13

It appears that the Tracked Target Symbol, Target Aspect Angle, and the HUD Reticle Aspect Indicator are all tied together. When the Tracked Target Symbol changes every 22.5 degrees (as it should) the Aspect Angle and HUD Aspect Indicator also changes. Only the Tracked Target Symbol should change every 22.5 degrees whereas the Target Aspect Angle should display in tens of degrees. and since the HUD Reticle Aspect Indicator should be tied to the Target Aspect Angle that too should change every ten degrees. This makes it difficult to do base line intercepts as flying 120 AA is ideal for intercepting but on the FCR the AA never reads 12 it only shows 11 and 14 and in some situations it shows 13. All-in-all I think there was some confusion, or it is still a WIP moment. See attached track files and mission files. 22.5 = 22.5 FCR AA reads 2 22.5+22.5 = 45 FCR AA reads 4 or 5 22.5x3 = 67.5 FCR AA reads 7 22.5x4 = 90 FCR AA reads 9 22.5x5 = 112.5 FCR AA reads 11 22.5x6 = 135 FCR AA reads 13 or 14 22.5x7 = 157.5 FCR AA reads 16 22.5x8 = 180 FCR AA reads 18 Only the target symbol should change in those degrees not the AA number. The AA number should change in tens: 11, 12, 13, etc. F16 Aspect Angle Testing from the left.miz F16 Aspect Angle Testing from the right.miz F16 Aspect Angle Test tgt from the left.trk F16 Aspect Angle Test tgt from the right.trk

Yes, the TGP and HTS are both considered CAT III stores. Here we go again. The jet does not know what is installed on stations 5L and 5R. Therefore it is the pilots' responsibility to know what is loaded and to ensure that he stays in the correct CAT. If he has the TGP or HTS pods he is still CAT III. Even after you release stores off of stations 3 and 7 and you get the caution light you should ignore it and stay in CAT III. Remember the jet does not know that you have stores on 5L and 5R. Please refer to my other comments in this forum. Per the -2 TGPs and pods are CATIII regardless of other stores.

In conjunction with the scratchpad tool here is an app called DCS-DTC that will do all the work for you. It will input coords that you grab from the F10 map using the capture function of it. You can setup your MFDs, countermeasures, bingo, tacan, ils, and much more. Setup everything and press load and it will set everything up for you without you doing any work after starting up. https://github.com/the-paid-actor/dcs-dtc/releases

Yeah pretty much what Falconeer said. But again, just remember what is loaded to your jet and ignore as needed. Most situations you can just ignore it. And honestly until ED implements more effects in terms of G loads on equipment you should be alright either way. Ive flown with guys that have never flown in CAT III and have pulled more than enough Gs with certain configurations. But if you want the realism and immersion then you know what to do.

Yes, you will get that warning once anything comes off of sta 3 and 7 when wing weapon pylons are installed. Even when you press Master Caution the caution will stay there. Pressing Master Caution is the same as pressing F-Ack (once implemented for PFLD) you are just acknowledging the warning and you have to do certain things to clear it. Same as when you get any other warning like fuel cautions or Equip Hot, they go away once corrected. But yes, you are still CAT III with those 120s and tanks. And definitely CAT III if you had your TGP/HTS. Refer back to my earlier posts here about ignoring it.

@GregkarCheck my youtube video. It is as in depth as possible. A bit older but I did some things to future proof. Still waiting on a few features like DTC and some others to be in until I update it. But it goes over literally everything. https://youtu.be/HQKxKIHIIRQ?si=uYW7i1gpVXumeTs2

Yes I get that. I'm just saying from what I know it seems to be good as is and is acting as expected. If anything I am shocked that this got implemented and doesnt seem to be bugged lol

@BIGNEWYSo far it seems to be correct as is. Right?

@GregkarNope, they are not. Just remember 6x 9s good to go. Throw 120s on and boom CAT III. I think we all just think they are because most of the time they are paired with A2G munitions and the TGP and HTS pod.

No it should not. As far as I am aware all blocks of the F16 that the USAF has and does fly (including the ones I work on) do not recognize what is on those stations. You gotta remember irl all missions are planned and jets are configured a certain way well in advance so the pilots know exactly what they are going to be flying with. If I get into a mission that someone else made I just pop into F2 real quick and if i cant do that I just check the switches for the left and right hardpoint stations. Typically if there is something on those stations then the switches will automatically be flipper on a hot start. If it is a cold start then turn them on and see if those pages turn on. If they dont turn on then you dont have anything loaded there.

Wpns are the best.

@Furizit gives you the warning when you have the TGP and HTS loaded because it does not recognize them as stores in the SMS memory. Ignore the warning in that case and stay in CATIII. I also clarified that ECM by itself on the centerline is CAT I. It turns CATIII when loaded onto a wing station. @Gregkar2x tanks with 6x 9s can be CAT I. The minute you throw 120s on then it will be CATIII since the 120s we have are the C5s. Also keep in mind that if you start with an A2A loadout and end up being asymetric later in the flight (i.e. 2x msls on left wing and 3x on the right or 1x and 3x) that is a CAT III condition. @SickSidewinder9Where are you getting your info that it isn't?? Not once did anyone say that CAT deals with Gs. The CAT switch limits AoA it does not limit G. You can still hit 9Gs in CATIII if you are meeting the right conditions. The CAT limits the AoA you can pull which should make it harder to hit that 9Gs in normal conditions (meaning you are within the envelope). Especially when we get the Sniper that is CATIII all day long.

@Falconeerwhat do you do? I am weapons at Nellis on the 16.

ECM pods on the centerline is CAT I. They go CAT III when loaded onto the wing stations. Centerline tanks are also CAT I. However, if you do 3x tanks that is a CAT III. So for instance if you do 2x or 6x 9s and three tanks that is a CATIII configuration. TGPs and HTS pods are instant CAT III no matter what. But you will or should get a stores config caution with certain A2A loadouts as it is a reminder that if you shoot one off the rail on either side you are now asymetric which is a CAT III condition. Again, this goes with what I was saying about how it is the pilot's job to ensure he/she is in the correct CAT option as during flight your conditions can change. So know what is on your jet and you will be ok.

@Gregkar I do not as I do not work on those specific 16s. USAF does not use CFTs.

Yes, if you know it is a CAT III condition then ignore it. Think of it like this, if you go into a contested AO and have to drop tanks but still have your bombs on you are still in CAT III because of those bombs still on your jet and you will not get the light. Once you drop those bombs that light coming on will or should remind you to jet you to check your loadout and if you dont have pods then you are good for CAT I then.

Pretty sure they have access to a -2 TO along with access to manuals you will not find so easily online. There is a reason they don't post the manuals/TOs they are getting their information from.

I will verify the ECM pods and centerline, but I am 99% sure that ECM pods are CAT III. But I'm pretty sure the ECM pods are CAT III due to the design of them. They may be lighter, than a centerline, but the components inside can be more sensitive to higher G limits. Which again, the CAT switch limits AOA it does NOT limit the amount of G you can pull. Under the right conditions you can still hit 9Gs. The switch just essentially makes it harder to do by limiting how much AOA you can pull at once. A centerline can have a higher G limit because well it is just a tank with fuel and no special components inside of it. It doesn't matter block of the airframe on whether or not something is considered CAT I or III. Any TGP (lightning or sniper) and HTS pod is CAT III. Again the SMS memory does not account for anything loaded onto 5L or 5R. Anything loaded there essentially throws a 1 letting the SMS know something is there but it does not say what it is and therefore does not tell the SMS "hey i need to be CAT III". It is on the pilot to make sure he stays in the correct CAT regardless of the caution light. If it was just the TGP pylon loaded to the jet (so without the actual TGP) then the pilot would be cleared for 9Gs as the pylon itself is rated for 12Gs. But for obvious reasons the G limit is 7.5G with the TGP due to the strength of the bolts that hold the TGP to the pylon. Most units (if not all) will limit their pilots to say 7.3G during training exercises in order to make the aircraft last longer. Combat situations are a totally different story of course. Needless to say there are so many factors that play into what makes a certain loadout a CAT III vs CAT I. And that can be either the -2 or even unit enforced. Yes, that is correct behaviour.

So far it is correct behaviour. And as far as pods go they are not CAT I they are CAT III. It is on the pilot to ensure he is in the correct CAT regardless of the caution light coming on. If you have two tanks only and nothing else that is still CAT III and you should ignore the caution light. If you have any asymetric load even if such condition develops later in flight (to include any A2A loadout) it is a CAT III condition and you should again ignore the caution. Keep in mind the SMS does not register the TGP or HTS as an external store so if you are carrying one it isn't going to throw a caution at you, but it is on you to ensure you are in the correct CAT for it. Remember the CAT switch just limits AOA and roll/rudder limits and is NOT a G limiter. You can still pull 9G in CAT III if the right conditions are met, but again it is on the pilot to know what the actual G limit is on for the current configuration and is his responsibility to not exceed that G limit. So if you have an A2G loadout your max G is probably gonna be around 5.5G to 7.3G depending on your loadout as a whole. That limit can increase as you drop muns but again it is on you to know how much it increases.

Finally. This amazing work and hopefully ED sees this and implements it or changes it. The sky is waaay too purple in the SIM.

Nothing really game breaking but just something I noticed. (F-16 Exhaust Demo track) When you place a F-16CM (1st in the line up) on the ground and make it uncontrolled it will have the correct nozzle position for a cold start. When you place a F-16CM as a "static" (2nd in the line up) aircraft it's nozzle position is showing it was shutdown in SEC mode. The "static" F-16CM nozzle position is incorrect and should be like that of the uncontrolled F-16CM. All the other "static" F-16s appear to be incorrect as well but they are much older statics so the texture looks a bit weird. At the end of the track I jump into the jet, start up, then place the engine into SEC and shutdown. What happens in DCS is the engine nozzle opens back up. What should happen is the nozzle should stay in the closed position. (F-16 Exhaust after landing Demo track) When you are flying and place the engine into SEC, then land and shutdown the engine nozzle again opens back up instead of staying in the SEC position (closed). I know the F-16 is not completely finished yet so this might get fixed eventually just thought I make a forum post because there does not appear to be one. F16 Exhaust Demo.trk F16 Exhaust after landing Demo 2.trk

Any word on the next update for this? Or are certain aircraft still being worked on to be added to this?

JTF 501 | EMO | 913 - 5 years - F-16C UTC -8. I also run a YouTube/Twitch channel that I would gladly stream this too for those who cannot make it. YouTube: Rogue Specter Gaming Official; Twitch Rogue Specter Gaming.

Having actual ground personal (crew chiefs and B-man) would be freaking awesome to just add to the immersion of realism. It shouldnt really be tooooo hard to add a crew chief to each spot if needed. I hope at least. I would pay for it though.

Is there a reason you are being hostile? Because it is not called for. You are complaining about something that they (ED) have already stated in their news letter posted less than a week ago that they are working on and will probably never stop working on. Sure they have been working on it for a long time but they have also been working on a lot of other things that are more important and take priority. If you can't understand that then maybe DCS isn't for you at the moment. Which leads to your statement about me defending the replay system. No, I will not defend it, but I am not going to complain about it either because I know that they have more important things to do like fixing thousands of bug issues among other things on their plate. And quiet frankly the replay system isn't that big a deal. If you need to see what happened in the battlefield area then use Tacview which is free and you don't have to pay for it unless you want to. I see it like this you can either complain about something they already know and have yourself be Captain Obvious or you can help the community by finding other actual issues that haven't been found/discovered yet. Either way it goes there is no reason to be snarky.