AIM-9 missile audio tone

DCS F-5E AIM-9 missile audio tone logic

There are at least two publicly available documents with information on the F-5E AIM-9 audio tone. First is the NAVAIR 01-F5AAA-1, page VIII-25-7, paragraph 25.2.7 AIM-9 MISSILE AUDIO TONE. It reads:

The audio tone of either missile is activated or shut off by the corresponding wingtip armament position selector switch without arming the missile. With both wingtip switches up, only the tone from left missile is audible.

According to this information, in order to hear the missile audio tone all the pilot has to do is select the wingtip armament position selector switch up. As long as there is a missile present on the corresponding station, the audio tone should be heard. Position of the GUNS, MSL & CAMR switch is irrelevant. In order to stop hearing the missile audio tone, pilot should select the wingtip armament position selector switch down. Both switches up, left missile tone has precedence and is the only tone heard (if missile present). Left missile absent, or left switch down, right switch up (right missile present), right missile audio tone should be heard.

So how about the other document, T.O. 1F-5E-34-1-1, Section I page 1-61 description of WEAPON RELEASE CONTROLS

1. (2) MISSILE VOLUME Knob | Rotate - Adjusts volume of audio tone in pilot’s headset (front and rear cockpit (F)) from left missile (selection not required) or right missile, if selected. NOTE The audio tone cannot be manually turned off.

Is this contradictory information or does it support what is described in the NAVAIR? If we take a look at the same -34, Section II, page 2-16 NOTE we will read:

NOTE

To obtain the right missile audio

tone, place left wingtip armament

position selector switch OFF and

right wingtip armament position

selector switch at up position.

Which agrees with the NAVAIR description, in that wingtip armament position selector OFF removes audio tone, and wingtip armament position selector must be at the up position for the missile tone to be heard.

Now the next bit of info is on the same -34, following page (2-17). It reads:

(AIM-9 Captive) To recycle the firing circuit and regain missile audio tone (2)position guns, missile, and camera switch to OFF, then GUNS MSL & CAMR or left wingtip armament position selector to OFF, then up.

Does this mean we need the GUNS MSL & CAMR position selected in order to her the missile tone? But no, not really. This part is talking about the use of captive missiles. So if after "firing" the missile we desire to shoot it again, we may recycle the GUNS MSL & CAMR switch, or the left wingtip armament position selector.

Shorter version: NAVAIR describes when tone can be heard, or not. The -34 tells us how loud the tone will be. It clarifies that first tone to be heard is left missile tone, and also that the volume knob does not have a zero position, can only be adjusted from a minimum to a maximum setting (can not be manually turned off - by rotating the knob?) but this does not mean the tone can not be deselected, or shut off, by selecting the wingtip selector down (OFF).

I believe the above references are enough to make clear the AIM-9 missile audio tone control logic is incorrectly represented in our DCS F-5E. If the developers are still not satisfied, I will add here that the above has been confirmed by a number pilots with extensive experience in the real F-5E.

-dolfo

I understand it will adjust the volume even if it is shut off (can not hear), so that when it is turned on the volume will be at the desired level.

To further elaborate: think of some car radios if you will. In some radios, the volume knob operates if the radio is turned off, meaning if you turn it to full volume with the radio off and then turn the radio on you will immediately hear very loud sound from the radio. This is why in the preflight procedure (TO 1F-5E-1 page 2-5 PREFLIGHT CHECK *5 AIM-9 Missile Volume Control - Fully Counterclockwise) pilot sets volume to lowest setting to prevent hearing a too loud sound when selecting the missile (wingtip armament position selector up).