What is "Tracking Mode"?

[vicx]

I have had a look at it and I have no idea what it does or is meant to do.

[Kilo]

Automatic deflection shooting for moving targets (If you're using a cannon)

 

How to use it:

1: Turn it on

2: Use the rangefinder

3: Track the target twith your reticle

4: Shoot

5: Immediately fall in love with this feature :D

[vicx]

Interesting. I was hoping it was something else but thanks.

 

Thanks Kilo - I have fallen in love with this feature. Great work ED.

Edited October 14, 2015 by vicx
update to give thanks

[Wrecking Crew]

:D

[karambiatos]

so how does it actually work?

 

Because i can't hit anything when i turn it on.

[vicx]

I checked it out with the M1A1. You put the cross on the thing you want dead, get the range with laser and you press the trigger to deadify. Uses automatic weapon tracking which of course the M1A1 has IRL.

 

This feature doesn't work for the Tunguska (also has computed tracking) but I think I can fix that by modding a compatible range finder into the unit. If it works I'll post the LUA.

 

*Update* Got it working and it makes the Tunguska more like the killer it should be (still not good enough to shoot down cruise missiles) .. anyway Add GT.WS[ws].laser = true; and __LN.distanceMaxForFCS = 31337; to anything you think should have a fire control system to augment the meatbag at the controls.

Edited October 10, 2015 by vicx
update

[razo+r]

Is it normal that the aimcircle is flipping around like crazy when moving the turret?

 

On the pic, the aimcircle should be much closer to the moving target

[vicx]

Is it normal that the aimcircle is flipping around like crazy when moving the turret?

 

The FCS uses your input as part of the lead calculations. If your input is shaky ... your calculated point will be shaky. You still need some skill to aim.Bind joystick axii to control the turret for best results.

 

Over time maybe we will get alternative FCS systems ... but this one works this way.

Edited October 10, 2015 by vicx

[karambiatos]

it's nigh impossible to use on the move, since you have to keep moving the turret.

 

It's way easier to use the old system of rangefinder and shooting at the lead indicator.

 

 

EDIT: never mind, if you are using the mouse using the alternative cursor mode is pretty much required, hopefully ED can make it work for both modes.

Edited October 10, 2015 by karambiatos

[Kilo]

it's nigh impossible to use on the move, since you have to keep moving the turret.

 

It's way easier to use the old system of rangefinder and shooting at the lead indicator.

 

 

EDIT: never mind, if you are using the mouse using the alternative cursor mode is pretty much required, hopefully ED can make it work for both modes.

 

I use my joystick and I have no problems hitting moving targets this way. On average I need two shots to hit a target. :joystick:

[karambiatos]

I use my joystick and I have no problems hitting moving targets this way. On average I need two shots to hit a target. :joystick:

I don't like using the joystick for CA, since CA is mostly my "I'm too lazy too set up the joystick" part of DCS

[vicx]

I'm not using the stick for CA but I am using the x55 throttle. The thumbwheels are perfect for turret rotation and steering ... it works pretty great.

[razo+r]

Is this normal with tracking mode on and not moving at all, that the tower goes weird after just a bit of moving the tower in the SA-19?

[vicx]

Razo+r, If you are using a FCS Fire Control System you don't need to use an aiming helper (the circle). Get rid of the helper by UNTARGETING (backspace on the keyboard).

 

It is natural for the gun barrels to move and adjust when sighting but in a real systems they might only be adjusted for range at the moment of firing. Depends on system.

 

If you want to play with the Tunguska (using laser mod)

• Turn on the FCS
  
• Track target very smoothly - use the red arrow mode of the mouse or use a thumbwheel throttle axis. The tracking movement MUST be perfectly smooth.
  
• While tracking smoothly press "L" (get laser range) this will adjust the gun barrels to match the target range
  
• Fire!
  

 

Using the laser mod we approximate the Optical Tracking Mode of the Tunguska.

 

From Wikipedia

The Tunguska can fire its cannons in two primary modes of operation, radar and optical. In radar mode, the target tracking is fully automatic, with the guns aimed using data from the radar. In optical mode, the gunner tracks the target through the 1A29 stabilized sight, with the radar providing range data.

 

Also I found some Lua code which ED has commented out for now which lets the FCS mode use a Tracking Radar instead of a Laser. This is exactly what we want for units like the Tunguska and others - BUT it is not enabled in DCS 1.5 yet. Finally it looks like ED will get rid of the aiming helper for ground units which are meant to have an FCS. It will be more realistic and more closely resemble the behaviour of the actual FCS systems. Very cool ED.

Edited October 14, 2015 by vicx
details

[Kilo]

Also I found some Lua code which ED has commented out for now which lets the FCS mode use a Tracking Radar instead of a Laser. This is exactly what we want for units like the Tunguska and others - BUT it is not enabled in DCS 1.5 yet. Finally it looks like ED will get rid of the aiming helper for ground units which are meant to have an FCS. It will be more realistic and more closely resemble the behaviour of the actual FCS systems. Very cool ED.

 

Nice! CA is finally starting to get some well-deserved love

[Boberro]

I still get no point.

 

If I use FCS (tracking green text on screen), then I lock target. Get distance info via laser command.

And then what? I still need to manually aim my cannon in the middle of the circle (it is called helper I think) and fire.

I do the same without FCS and still kill target.

I see no difference here...

 

There is also bad thing when switching from cursor modes.

 

Let's say I am scoping target on. I use normal mode and move my mouse steady. During movement I change mouse mode to this red arrow. And at this moment the speed of aiming is reset to 0.

I need to again take my aim over the target which moved away because I had to re-speed my cursor one more time.

When changing cursor modes, the speed of mouse should be same, if we move mouse on screen with speed 10 pixels per second, after changing mode it shouldn't stop to zero.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Boberro

[karambiatos]

I think you don't quite understand how the arrow aiming mode works, you don't use it on and off you use it constantly, because it allows you to have a continuous slew.

[vicx]

If I use FCS (tracking green text on screen), then I lock target. Get distance info via laser command.

And then what? I still need to manually aim my cannon in the middle of the circle (it is called helper I think) and fire.

I do the same without FCS and still kill target.

 

No this is incorrect.

 

You should not be using the game mode feature that is the circle. Maybe you normally lock a target using ENTER (keyboard key for "lock"). Don't do this anymore for vehicles that have FCS.

 

Do not use the circle.

 

Make the circle go away using BACKSPACE (keyboard key for "unlock")

 

Now without the circle to help you ... engage the target.

 

Turn the FCS "Tracking Mode" ON

 

Smoothly keep the crosshair on the target

 

Lase the target ... press "L"

 

The next round you shoot should be adjusted to hit where you aim and take into factor the tracking motion input. IF you track smoothly the target the shot will automatically LEAD the target.

 

===

 

Also maybe your shooting scenario is too easy. Put a HUMVEE going 80mph left to right at a range of 1km or more and see of you can hit him without the circle helper. Use only the FCS.

[vicx]

I still get no point.

 

The point is to have a more realistic tank experience. More simulation and less game. ED add FCS so you can stop using a game feature like the "aiming circle".

 

I think it works.

[Boberro]

Tried it, don't know if it worked as supposed to work.

It is worse than circle... much worse :P

[vicx]

Bob, I thought with some training you would make a tanker.

 

It is OK, you can drive the fuel truck.

[Wrecking Crew]

:D

[Boberro]

I kill you.

.

.

.

:D

[Hekktor]

What I really don't get - why is none of the guns stabilized? Is there any modern MBT without stabilized main gun???

[Kilo]

Stabilised guns haven't been implemented yet. You get some sort of stabilisation by pressing a key called "keep turret pointed to target", or something along these lines. Default: V.