Optimum Circling pattern using TGP.

[Eddie]

There are plenty of ISR platforms out there that can provide constant area surveillance already. Why spend money to heavily upgrade a jet for a role it isn't there to provide. Never mind the complexity of what you're proposing.

 

And you can already manoeuvre the aircraft to avoid masking anyway.

 

It's a Targetting pod, not a search/recce pod.

[bunraku]

Am I the only one who struggles with the MK1 eyeball sometimes? I tend to not see vehicles unless they have been found In the pod then SPI'd and then coming in close on the SPI for bombs or guns. I have all settings on ultra. Maybe it's my small monitor size as only 21". Any setting or more likely my processes I can change to help?

[MasterZelgadis]

On a monitor, where you have pixels, and not a real vision, it will be always harder to see a target. But on the other side, if you are in an aircraft, try to spot something on the ground. It's very hard. Additionally military vehicles are painted to melt into their surroundings. That's why you have JTAC support in a real A-10.

[StrongHarm]

With DCS2 and ultra shadows it's not as hard to spot targets anymore. Particularly in 4k.

 

What I'm about to say may incite a riot on these boards from the "never ever decrease throttle" crowd: I think that low and slow can be an asset if you have good SA and do it in a low/no threat area with decent standoff. With decreased angle and at slower speeds it's much easier to spot targets. The "always full throttle" crowd is right though, it is high risk, especially if you don't have sufficient terrain to mask in. Mission profile would really dictate target ID method. Consider that if the target is in a contested area that could have a lot of threats, and it's an attack mission, command would likely send in JTAC spotters or drones to perform target ID. If it's a CAS type mission where there are already boots on the ground and they can say with some certainty that there are no threats on their backtrail that are high risk to aircraft, they'll probably send the warthog in to deliver CAS through talkon from the JTAC/TACP/SOTACC with that element. In my missions I handle threats in the following manner:

1. Have Hawgs hold at a waypoint until AA threats are neutralized by SEAD/DEAD (high)

2. Provide Hawgs with NAV points of last known locations of AA threats (low)

3. Provide Hawgs with certainty that AO was already swept for AA other than Manpads. (minimal)

 

I handle target ID in the following manner:

1. Attack - target location is given through NAV or JTAC a majority of the time

2. CAS - target location and SA is provided through red/green smoke or JTAC

3. Seek and Destroy - Pilot is given a 10k area or terrain reference and must ID target alone. (rare)

4. Line Battle - Target rich area.. take your pick and kill it.

 

In reality Hawgs rarely go in without proper support.. but this is the rule, there are exceptions AFAIK. I believe it's unreasonable for people to create too many missions where Hawgs have no support.. unless it's a zombie apocalypse mission I guess.

[DoctorStrop]

I've been experimenting using a sausage shaped orbit, with my TPG wing to the target side. I bank with a low angle away from the target so it's under my wing. When the target becomes obstructed, I swing all the way around, and then follow the same pattern, ok the TGP is on the other wing, but as the belly is almost exclusively showing so it doesn't matter which side the TGP is on. Higher is better for me, due to the low wing angle. I stay about 10 - 15nm away, and fly slow (200 - 220knt) to conserve fuel.

[=Mac=]

Thanks for all the GREAT training talks. This thread is Sooooooo good.

[WelshZeCorgi]

TGP Search flying pattern?

 

So I was wondering how people in the community fly when they're searching for targets. How to effectively search for targets.

 

When I started, I kept stumbling into AAA and SAMS and getting shot down. Then I learned to fly in a lazy large circle, using the altitude hold EAC while searching for a target. But I have noticed that this can get annoying sometimes as I constantly have to wait for my wing or plane to get out of the TGP's way or have to disengage autopilot, reposition, then turn on autopilot and search with the TGP again.

 

I was wondering if there was a better way than what I am currently doing.

[GurbY]

Check http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=158619

[StrongHarm]

If you want a consistent training environment to try out some of the tactics in this thread try this DCS2 training mission I posted today:

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1720895/

 

EDIT: Here's the DCS 1.0/1.5 version:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1222073/

Edited January 21, 2016 by StrongHarm

[Home Fries]

My favorite way (when flying solo and in a permissive environment..) is to first spot targets by eyes, only then use the TGP.

 

china hat aft short to slew TGP to borsesight. Make sure TGP is SOI, and look for the TGP symbol in the HUD. Spot targets and fly the nose of the aircraft so that the TGP symbol on the HUD is over the target. Touch the TGP slew control just once so the TGP locks onto the ground. This all takes just 1 second flying towards the target, as soon as you have the ground locked you can turn off the target.

 

Now you have your TGP in close proximity to the target, go heads down and lock onto it, make a markpoint and execute your attack.

 

A similar technique I like to use when I don't have time to mark the target in the HUD is to line him up with the gun pipper and make a quick burst. The system will automatically generate a "Z" mark point there.

 

Once I turn and climb away from the threat I'll select Z on the TAD and slave the TGP. Then I can refine my solution from there.

[StrongHarm]

I use the Zmark method as well, but usually when working with guns and iron bombs where standoff isn't necessary. The first strafe disperses the enemy and automatically sets the Zmark. You can then you can simply switch your SteerPoint Select dial from Mission or FLT Plan to Mark (Z will automatically be selected) then slave all to steerpoint. Takes 2seconds.

[bunraku]

Check http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=158619

 

 

 

Your link is just the 1st page of this thread?? Is that intentional or were you meant to post something else?

[bzhnono]

All the thread is about what you're asking for...

[BaconSarnie]

Your link is just the 1st page of this thread?? Is that intentional or were you meant to post something else?

Thats because he was replying to welshzecorgi who had started a different thread about this same thing, then the mods merged the threads.

[Aginor]

Yeah, that gets really confusing sometimes.