Creepy

I haven’t done any testing on this, but some things to check: 1) Make sure your own IFF system is on (the same system both replies to other people interrogating your aircraft and initiates your own interrogation of an unknown contact). 2) Do you have “SCS Depress” bound to keys or a HOTAS button? As currently simmed... you have to command the interrogation once you have radar SA (maybe you’re only commanding an IFF interrogation some of the time?). 3) Additionally, and again, I’ve never tested this... but if this is in multiplayer, and the other person has turned off their IFF system... you may continue to only see “unknown” indications unless they have it simulated on a by coalition basis... which would be unrealistic. Last thought, you mention the TD box turning into a diamond in the HUD... since this is only telling you ROE has been met to consider that contact Hostile, realize IFF isn’t the only way to make this happen. An NCTR return from a radar lock can also cause this to happen. (This goes back to checking that your own IFF system is turned on.

Well what do you know, I can’t say I’ve ever read that page in NATOPS (says the same in the Rhino NATOPS too), then again, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever made a MK in the Rhino... Thanks for the point out. Fortunately there are other ways in the real jet to store designation data quickly if needed. But with none of those options for coord transfer modeled in DCS (mainly due to the software being simulated), being able to utilize MK this way in the sim would definitely be easier than hand-jamming coordinates manually from the FLIR readout once that feature itself gets implemented.

Ensure you are using precise coordinates, HSI->DATA (PB10)->WYPT (PB7)->BOX PRECISE (PB19). After that, ensure the coordinates you are trying to input are precise enough for the target. You can change between DD MM.mmm and DD MM SS.ss formats at HSI-->DATA (PB10)->A/C (PB6)-->LATLN (PB15). For reference, approximate accuracy is listed below for the type of coordinate: DD MM SS.ss - 0.3m DD MM.mmm - 1.9m DD MM.mm - 18.5m DD MM SS - 30.9m DD MM - 1,853m Not applicable for FLIR designations, but always remember... accurate coordinates require all three axes (important for smart weapons)... so get an accurate elevation from the F10 map if required!

The Mark function should only ever take your aircraft’s current position (used for marking a target via overflight of the location or for downed aircrew/SAR operations). Like Swift mentioned... When they get around to it, the coordinates being listed on the FLIR page and typing them into an open waypoint on the HSI display will be the only way to go about this from a realism standpoint.

It takes a few seconds for the aircraft to stabilize with a new trim setting. Try not to set the trim all at once or you’ll find yourself fighting the jet to keep it from doing something you do not want it to do. Instead, once you are dirty (gear down and flaps full), continue manually flying the aircraft as it slows down while adding clicks of trim periodically/as necessary to remove any stick pressures as the aircraft slows to on speed. Additionally, as the aircraft approaches on speed AoA, I recommend adding power to “catch” on speed and avoid “flying through” the HUD “E” bracket and becoming slow.

Not classified, just math. Also, I have never shot the gun in manual mode. As far as “things going south,” you wouldn’t be able to effectively employ the aircraft at that point anyway (let alone still be in it).

Not necessarily, but it’s good practice so that you’re not worrying about too many variables. But set your weapon’s impact angle to something steeper than the default if you need better accuracy. You can change the desired impact angle and velocity (in feet per second) on the MSN sublevel with JDAM selected. Changing these values will enlarge or shrink your IN ZONE volume for a given set of aircraft parameters.

With respect to the miss distances, try using a steeper impact angle (especially if you don’t have the most accurate altitude associated with the target coordinate... because... geometry). Yes, this will decrease your IN ZONE.

To echo previous comments, getting into the missions/multiplayer servers to get out of your comfort zone is the best way to face the fire hose of knowledge that comes with a new airframe. The Hornet is a pretty complex aircraft with respect to all of the subsystems and getting them to work for you/do what you want them to. Chuck’s guide does a pretty good job of outlining the basics in terms of system setup for both A/A and A/G mission sets. I would also recommend Tacview if you don’t already have it. It’s a great post-flight tool to help identify things to make you better/begin to expand your SA bubble.