ELI5 -- F-15C DTE sequence

[SDsc0rch]

hi - i'm having trouble with the f-15c

 

it seems like i'm "fighting" the radar more than i'm fighting the bad guys

 

yes - i've searched the forum already --- yes, i've seen the "tutorials" on youtube - not finding them helpful - the best ones focus on only one aspect of the detect-to-engage sequence --- and yes, i see (and have read) the currently active "f-15 BVR discussion" thread - i'm needing soup-to-nuts *basics*, that thread is dealing with more high-level topics (assumes you know the basics)

 

1. one problem is, early on in the process (even before i have a contact on the scope) i select a missile - but the HUD doesn't change modes (??)

 

2. sometimes i have the radar in what i think is LRS - i move the TDC over the cursor - click ENTER --- and it won't take a lock (??)

 

3. sometimes a radar return will be VERY LARGE - like the size of a quarter! (is that a glitch??)

 

4. what is the difference between "BVR mode" and LRS and TWS/RWS? are they the different names for the same functions?

 

seriously ---- i know the diff between RWS and TWS - but BVR vs LRS - huh? and what's the diff btwn LRS and RWS?? the manual isn't clear on the distinctions..

 

5. this might be more in the line of feedback and feature requests but.. transitioning from RWS to TWS *sucks* - why does it drop all the contacts, blank the screen and start all over?? KEEP THE CURRENT CONTACTS and build track files on the existing scope in RWS mode so the scope is populated for TWS mode!! i would be very surprised if this is the mechanization in "teh real deal"

 

the way RWS>TWS is now is very disorienting - you're building a picture, then you lose it and have to build it up again - i mean, it seems like its almost better to start in TWS mode if you know that's where you're going to end up anyway - that way you avoid the whole "re-build the radar picture" disorientation phase..

 

 

 

would someone post for me, step-by-step from starting the radar (yes, i'm aware that key is "i") to selecting the correct mode straightaway (BVR first? LRS first? RWS or TWS?), to the quickest way through selecting the right weapon for the job (WITH the hud showing the correct symbology), etc

 

believe it or not, i DO see the correct symbology sometimes - a lot of times not --- that's what makes it frustrating though - in the heat of the engagement i'm rushing through what i think is right - when it works, i don't know WHY it works - when it doesn't work, i don't know WHY its not working.. that's why i feel i'm fighting the radar more than fighting the badguy airplanes out there

 

honestly, i'm "trying" to train and learn, but at the point where i look out the window and see a speck against the sky, a lot of times i just say "scr3w it," call up BORE AACQ mode, "put the thing on the thing," get a lock - and go from there --- but that kinda defeats the whole learning objective..

 

anyway - thx in advance and i look forward to your responses

[Bolt-1]

This will help you alot

http://www.scribd.com/doc/94648410/TO-1F-15A-1-Flight-Manual-USAF-F-15-Series-A-B-C-D-Block-7-and-Up-Change-5-01-Mar-1986

 

The manual has alot of answers to your questions too

[SDsc0rch]

that's good - and i have that

 

but yeah, that's for the real deal

 

*unfortunately* that doesn't help here (if only! probably "some"day though..)

 

 

i'm really after radar/wpn systems operation as modeled in DCS

 

 

 

maybe that's too much to ask though....

[Frostie]

hi - i'm having trouble with the f-15c

 

it seems like i'm "fighting" the radar more than i'm fighting the bad guys

 

yes - i've searched the forum already --- yes, i've seen the "tutorials" on youtube - not finding them helpful - the best ones focus on only one aspect of the detect-to-engage sequence --- and yes, i see (and have read) the currently active "f-15 BVR discussion" thread - i'm needing soup-to-nuts *basics*, that thread is dealing with more high-level topics (assumes you know the basics)

 

1. one problem is, early on in the process (even before i have a contact on the scope) i select a missile - but the HUD doesn't change modes (??)

 

2. sometimes i have the radar in what i think is LRS - i move the TDC over the cursor - click ENTER --- and it won't take a lock (??)

 

3. sometimes a radar return will be VERY LARGE - like the size of a quarter! (is that a glitch??)

 

4. what is the difference between "BVR mode" and LRS and TWS/RWS? are they the different names for the same functions?

 

seriously ---- i know the diff between RWS and TWS - but BVR vs LRS - huh? and what's the diff btwn LRS and RWS?? the manual isn't clear on the distinctions..

 

5. this might be more in the line of feedback and feature requests but.. transitioning from RWS to TWS *sucks* - why does it drop all the contacts, blank the screen and start all over?? KEEP THE CURRENT CONTACTS and build track files on the existing scope in RWS mode so the scope is populated for TWS mode!! i would be very surprised if this is the mechanization in "teh real deal"

 

the way RWS>TWS is now is very disorienting - you're building a picture, then you lose it and have to build it up again - i mean, it seems like its almost better to start in TWS mode if you know that's where you're going to end up anyway - that way you avoid the whole "re-build the radar picture" disorientation phase..

 

 

 

would someone post for me, step-by-step from starting the radar (yes, i'm aware that key is "i") to selecting the correct mode straightaway (BVR first? LRS first? RWS or TWS?), to the quickest way through selecting the right weapon for the job (WITH the hud showing the correct symbology), etc

 

believe it or not, i DO see the correct symbology sometimes - a lot of times not --- that's what makes it frustrating though - in the heat of the engagement i'm rushing through what i think is right - when it works, i don't know WHY it works - when it doesn't work, i don't know WHY its not working.. that's why i feel i'm fighting the radar more than fighting the badguy airplanes out there

 

honestly, i'm "trying" to train and learn, but at the point where i look out the window and see a speck against the sky, a lot of times i just say "scr3w it," call up BORE AACQ mode, "put the thing on the thing," get a lock - and go from there --- but that kinda defeats the whole learning objective..

 

anyway - thx in advance and i look forward to your responses

 

Follow this pattern A-B-C-D-E.

 

A.

You have some initial commands on the keyboard

'1' = Nav mode

'2' = BVR mode

'3' = CAC Vertical mode

'4' = CAC Bore mode

'6' = FLOOD mode

 

Choose BVR mode then never select another whilst in BVR combat.

It sounds like on occasion you're trying to combat in Nav mode.

When merged or within visual you should switch to CAC modes.

 

B.

Switch radar on with 'i'

 

C.

Select radar mode

 

LRS - For general optimal scanning

TWS - For multi target scanning and engaging

 

Choose at alternating times dependent on the situation. Optimal choice is LRS.

 

D.

Select PRF mode

 

HI - For head on targets

MED - For targets moving away from you

HI-MED - Interleaved HI and MEDIUM

 

Select dependent on contacts seen and lost.

 

E.

Move the TDC to the desired position whilst adjusting elevation and azimuth to help find contacts.

 

C-D-E are the only ones you need to play with whilst in combat to get to grip with the basics.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Frostie

[SDsc0rch]

i see!

 

thk u for the answers here and the PMs

 

i guess in flight simulators i've operated before, calling up a missile automatically changes the HUD mode for you - not so here

 

also, there are weapon modes, radar modes and HUD modes (oh, don't forget NAV mode!) - they're all separate ---- thx for explaining the difference

 

i know this helped me - hopefully someone coming after me will be helped also when they search

: )

 

not saying this thread is done - by all means if you have a suggestion or observation others haven't brought up, please feel free!

 

again - thx a lot

 

now.. imma gonna go try this out!!

8)