Needed. A list of things the CDU can do? Thanks!

[joebloggs]

Here is a list of the things I have learned so far, but I'm just wonder what else the CDU is capable of in this Sim? Meaning, what is functional and what is just for show? From the list below it's obvious it's used to coordinate and set up waypoints, but can someone give me a list of things it can do? I don't mean to go into great detail and explain these things, I just want a list of things it is capable of doing apart from coordinates. Thanks!

 

1) Using Offset from Bullseye ect.

2) Entering JTAC coordinates.

3) Creating a waypoint Using North East.

4) Divert to nearest airfield ect.

Edited February 17, 2015 by joebloggs

[PiedDroit]

You'll find a lot of useful info by starting reading the manual, there is 80 pages only for the CDU.

- Basically it can setup waypoints/offsets, create flight plans.

- You can use it to find the closest airport, get info on the airports (frequencies for the tower, ILS, etc).

- You can also manually setup the wind for better wind correction (read that somewhere, never tried).

- You use it to to do your INS alignment

- Check/reset various equipments (GPS, LASTE, EGI, CICU, CADC, HARS, etc).

 

It's safe to say it's the most complex thing in the aircraft :D

 

Maybe it's also doing the fuel computations on flight plans like an FMS but I never tried anything related to that, I still have a lot to dig in.

Edited February 17, 2015 by PiedDroit

[Durnox]

...but the manual dont tells you the "why" :-)

 

In your list one important point is missing: Triangulate SAMs

[PiedDroit]

Wow I shouldn't post before going to bed, I checked the manual it's only about 20 pages not 80 :D

It looked a lot more to me.

Also there is isn't anything about fuel computation - too much FMS...

 

I also forgot to mention the anchor point.

 

About the "why", I'll list some useful stuff:

- When you receive coordinates from AFAC you can create a waypoint that'll allow to find the target easily, same for an anchor point (bull's eye) that can be used to coordinate with friendly forces.

- When you spot a target or a point of interest you can create a markpoint (TMS right short) on it that will allow to find it more easily when going around. It's super useful when you are in the moutains or when the clouds are very low, because you're likely to loose the spot if you're using the TGP as SPI.

- Using markpoint on own ship you can triangulate a SAM position (search youtube "A-10 SAM triangulation).

 

EDIT: about the SAM triangulation, i didn't list it before as I was only speaking about the core functionalities of the CDU, not the various mission uses.

Edited February 17, 2015 by PiedDroit

[Kimi_uy]

Another thing u can squeeze out of the CDU is your bullseye position to show up in the HUD. Comes very handy in a MP enviroment.

How to:

1- Go to anchor page in the CDU.

2- Select bullseye as your anchor point.

3- On the bottom left of that page you can read "HUD ON/OFF". Press that LSK to select the "HUD ON".

4- Voila, you can now call out your rough position anytime on the top right of your HUD.

[cichlidfan]

Wow I shouldn't post before going to bed, I checked the manual it's only about 20 pages not 80 :D

 

You were correct before you went to bed. The CDU section starts on page 173 and ends on page 253.

[PiedDroit]

Lol I'm more tired than I think. I know why: when I posted first I remembered this section (80 pages) but when I checked the manual today I read the "navigation" part (page 452) which is only 20 pages and describes only uses of waypoint and flight plan pages.

So that makes 100 pages total for the CDU, not bad ^^

Edited February 18, 2015 by PiedDroit

[Zilch]

2) Entering JTAC coordinates.

 

Now, THAT sounds useful. Is there a Cliff's Notes Edition on how to accomplish this? I feel like I'm getting competent with the A-10C and the CDU and aerial refueling seem like the last frontiers I need to get the hang of before making an ass of myself in multiplayer.

[kontiuka]

Now, THAT sounds useful. Is there a Cliff's Notes Edition on how to accomplish this? I feel like I'm getting competent with the A-10C and the CDU and aerial refueling seem like the last frontiers I need to get the hang of before making an ass of myself in multiplayer.

The JTAC flow is described around p.645 of the manual. It doesn't really describe too much how to use the CDU but it's not too hard.

 

Before I contact the JTAC, I do a little CDU preparation. I go to the WAYPOINT page and press LSK R7 (line select key, right 7) to create a new waypoint. Then I give it a name in the scratchpad like "TARGET" and press LSK R3. Then I press LSK R9 to switch coordinates to UTM. Now I'm ready to receive target coordinates from the JTAC which I would key in the scratchpad and then press LSK L9.

 

That is really just a nutshell. You can also do it all through the TAD and skip the CDU completely.

[EntropySG]

I remember seeing a guide or tutorial video, where instead of manually entering the coordinates, the pilot would simply use the TAD and slew the sensors to the red symbol on the moving map. Is that not much easier than typing in coordinates? Whats the advantage of entering a new waypoint in the CDU over using the TAD?

[kontiuka]

I remember seeing a guide or tutorial video, where instead of manually entering the coordinates, the pilot would simply use the TAD and slew the sensors to the red symbol on the moving map. Is that not much easier than typing in coordinates? Whats the advantage of entering a new waypoint in the CDU over using the TAD?

If, for some reason, you've lost your TAD (which happens), you have manual CDU entry as an option.

 

Once you do the manual entry thing a couple of times, it's pretty easy but ya, I usually just use the TAD. Plus, it's good practice for getting used to the CDU.

[PiedDroit]

Some scripted missions will also give you coordinates via on-screen messages.

 

An easy thing to do to get more familiar with the CDU is to jump in the instant action, put the aircraft into orbit then create waypoints, markpoints, rename them, create flight plan, input coordinates from the TGP readings, etc...

 

EDIT: here are the two tricky things that got me at the beginning:

 

• Searching and renaming a waypoint uses the same LSK (for example: MSN001[]) and the same entry method (type in scratchpad).
  
  1. If you type something in the S/P and the waypoint is found in the database, you'll switch to the existing waypoint when pressing the LSK.
     
  2. If you type something in the S/P and the name is not found in the database, the existing waypoint will be renamed when you press the LSK
     

   

 

• To create a new waypoint you actually copy the existing waypoint (or offset) data into a new slot using the LSK that has a question mark next to it, for example: ?6@ (will copy the waypoint data in slot number 6). Then you can modify the newly copied waypoint with your own data.
  

Edited February 20, 2015 by PiedDroit

[PFunk1606688187]

I remember seeing a guide or tutorial video, where instead of manually entering the coordinates, the pilot would simply use the TAD and slew the sensors to the red symbol on the moving map. Is that not much easier than typing in coordinates? Whats the advantage of entering a new waypoint in the CDU over using the TAD?

 

Using the TAD to transmit coordinates requires a compatible datalink.

 

Also, datalinks function on a radio frequency. In a real war with a near parity opponent you would see jamming of many types of radio.

[kontiuka]

^

Just played a mission with an AFAC and they don't transmit via a datalink so you're forced to manually input the coords into the CDU.

[baltic_dragon]

On original question - CDU enables you to set the actual, today date in your A-10C system :) as opposed to year 2012 or whichever it is in the sim.

[kontiuka]

^

As well as the GMT offset.

[Backy 51]

The CDU is the brains of the A-10C Weapon System. Some other nifty features for you:

 

- Set a Desired Time Over Target (DTOT) to make a hard time for a strike, rendezvous with a tanker, or join up with another formation, etc.

 

- Determine a Required Indicated/True/Ground Airspeed (RIAS/RTAS/RGS) to make the DTOT

 

- Provide a Desired Magnetic Heading (DMH) that corrects for wind drift

 

- Modify the Navigation Database of 2000+ points ( I can't recall the exact number but it is the sum of mark points, waypoints, navaids and airfields that you would mission plan for on the ground during preflight and access/modify once inflight)

 

- Convert UTM or GMRS coordinates to Lat/Lon or vice versa

 

- Display Outside Air Temperature (OAT), Wind Direction (WD) and Wind Velocity (WV) - your onboard meteorologist ;)

 

- System and Maintenance pages that only a wrench turner would love

 

- DTOT ADJUST to allow for mission changes, early takeoffs, mnx delays, etc.

 

The interaction of the UFC, MFCD and CDU are key to your mastery of any modern weapon system.

 

I may put some CDU gouge and/or videos together if enough folks demand it. I highly recommend you check out Sgt. Baker's UltraMFCD mod in the MODS AND APPS section. It will assist you greatly in learning the CDU and being able to read the displays without using a magnifying glass! :D

 

Carry on and fly smarter, not harder!