Jogui3000 Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Well Title kind of says it all I mean, things like VSS and Boresight mode... :pilotfly::book: PC Specs: RTX 2070 (8GB) + I5-9600K + 32GB RAM. Stuff for the sim: Thrustmaster T16000M HOTAS + TFRP Rudder pedals, Track IR5. Modules: FC3, A10C, F/A-18C, F16C, F14A/B, MiG-21Bis, AJS-37, F5E, F86F-35, M2000C, Ka-50, P51D, Bf-109K4, Fw-190D9, Spitfire LF Mk IX, L39, CA. Maps: Persian Gulf, NTTR, Normandy 1944 + WWII Assets Pack. Campaigns: A10C:The Enemy Within.
NeilWillis Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 You'll probably find information about the radar systems in the real aircraft online manuals - though I understand some radar information isn't present in the stuff we can access. Other than that, I guess we'll have to wait until Leatherneck have the systems modelling squared away, and have made it public what they will be providing.
BlackLion213 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Turns out that radar modes are not covered in the released NATOPs manual (at least not the version I have). The only auto-acquisition mode that I know of is PLM (pilot lock-on mode) - which is a bore-sight auto-acquisition mode like that of the current F-15. I don't know if the scan area is adjustable or has different submodes (like vertical search vs classic bore-sight, etc). The AWG-9 was relatively primitive with regards to these automated/work-load reducing features. Having a second crewman to operate the radar did reduce the need for such pilot aids, though I think it had more to do with when the radar was developed (it was late 60's tech). Anyway, thats what I know. -Nick
Nerd1000 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Turns out that radar modes are not covered in the released NATOPs manual (at least not the version I have). The only auto-acquisition mode that I know of is PLM (pilot lock-on mode) - which is a bore-sight auto-acquisition mode like that of the current F-15. I don't know if the scan area is adjustable or has different submodes (like vertical search vs classic bore-sight, etc). The AWG-9 was relatively primitive with regards to these automated/work-load reducing features. Having a second crewman to operate the radar did reduce the need for such pilot aids, though I think it had more to do with when the radar was developed (it was late 60's tech). Anyway, thats what I know. -Nick This mentions a VSL (vertical scan lock-on) mode.
BlackLion213 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 This mentions a VSL (vertical scan lock-on) mode. I just checked another source and found three modes: PLM, VSL, and PAL. All are auto-acquisition modes. PLM is classic bore-sight mode - it uses a 2.3 deg pencil beam centered on the aircraft datum line. VSL is classic vertical search - the radar sweeps vertically instead of horizontally. There were 2 submodes: VSL HI (+15 deg to +55 deg) and VSL LO (-15 deg to +25 deg). PAL is a horizontal scan mode - it provides a 40 deg, one bar search for acquiring off axis targets at the same altitude. I guess I shouldn't have given up and posted so soon. ;) Also, the RIO can try to lock targets manually and there was a Manual Rapid Lock-on mode (MRL) that acquired the first target the the RIO hand controller reached (from how it's described). It seems that the Tomcat's AWG-9 close range modes were pretty conventional (in a good way....I was expecting less). -Nick
streakeagle Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 This very old book (1975) had pretty good coverage of F-14 flight performance and radar/weapon capabilities: http://www.amazon.com/Grumman-F-14-Tomcat-Aero-25/dp/0830685928/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453697280&sr=8-1&keywords=Aero+25+Grumman+F-14+Tomcat A photo illustration shows 4 ACM modes: 1 GUN 2 PLM 3 VSL 4 NRL A second illustration shows VSL HIGH and VSL LOW beam coverage. The text on ACM modes covers: Pilot Lockon Mode (PLM) Vertical Scan Lockon (VSL) NFO Rapid Lockon (NRL) The text on the M61 cannon mentions the gun can be used with a boresight mode. There is no explicit explanation of the GUN mode listed above. I suspect it is a true boresight mode (antenna fixed ahead), whereas PLM moves the antenna to scan a limited area rather than remain fixed ahead. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
streakeagle Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The whole book is online! http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero-Series-25-Grumman-F-14-Tomcat_Page_085-960 Page of interest: http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/var/resizes/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero%20Series%2025%20Grumman%20F-14%20Tomcat_Page_085-960.jpg?m=1393297494 1 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
BlackLion213 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The whole book is online! http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero-Series-25-Grumman-F-14-Tomcat_Page_085-960 Page of interest: http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/var/resizes/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero%20Series%2025%20Grumman%20F-14%20Tomcat_Page_085-960.jpg?m=1393297494 Nice! I have that book and you're right, it is excellent. I'm glad to see it's available, I think most print copies are quite old. I'm constantly worried that mine will fall apart. -Nick
Dudikoff Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The book gives a surprisingly detailed description of the radar modes available, especially given its age. Thanks for posting the link. i386DX40@42 MHz w/i387 CP, 4 MB RAM (8*512 kB), Trident 8900C 1 MB w/16-bit RAMDAC ISA, Quantum 340 MB UDMA33, SB 16, DOS 6.22 w/QEMM + Win3.11CE, Quickshot 1btn 2axis, Numpad as hat. 2 FPH on a good day, 1 FPH avg. DISCLAIMER: My posts are still absolutely useless. Just finding excuses not to learn the F-14 (HB's Swansong?). Annoyed by my posts? Please consider donating. Once the target sum is reached, I'll be off to somewhere nice I promise not to post from. I'd buy that for a dollar!
Kayos Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 The whole book is online! http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero-Series-25-Grumman-F-14-Tomcat_Page_085-960 Page of interest: http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/var/resizes/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero%20Series%2025%20Grumman%20F-14%20Tomcat_Page_085-960.jpg?m=1393297494 Thanks! Some great info there. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Cobra847 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 We have been, carefully, drawing upon this book to get a better idea of the AWG-9 and various weapon modes, ranges and capabilities. For a book written so long ago- it matches reality very well. One way we could verify this was to check against the Sparrow data and what we know now (30 years later!) Nicholas Dackard Founder & Lead Artist Heatblur Simulations https://www.facebook.com/heatblur/
streakeagle Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I am not sure how or why the author was allowed to release such accurate information so soon after the introduction of the aircraft. I suspect the Navy was desperate to keep funding for the Tomcat any way they could. A very detailed, accurate technical book that was pro-Tomcat would be one way to sell people on the idea that it was worth the money. Whatever the reason, it is crammed with good information. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
streakeagle Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 As someone who has spent some time on flight modeling, my favorite pages aren't the ones about the radar. They are the ones with the performance charts. The MiG charts are heavily estimated (or maybe not entirely given that we had the MiG-21F-13 in possession). But to see the F-14A, F-14B (original one, not the renamed A+), and F-4J all compared is excellent. http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero-Series-25-Grumman-F-14-Tomcat_Page_064-960 http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Aero-Series/25-Grumman-F-14/Aero-Series-25-Grumman-F-14-Tomcat_Page_065-960 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Jogui3000 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Posted January 26, 2016 Turns out that radar modes are not covered in the released NATOPs manual (at least not the version I have). The only auto-acquisition mode that I know of is PLM (pilot lock-on mode) - which is a bore-sight auto-acquisition mode like that of the current F-15. I don't know if the scan area is adjustable or has different submodes (like vertical search vs classic bore-sight, etc). The AWG-9 was relatively primitive with regards to these automated/work-load reducing features. Having a second crewman to operate the radar did reduce the need for such pilot aids, though I think it had more to do with when the radar was developed (it was late 60's tech). Anyway, thats what I know. -Nick Thanks PC Specs: RTX 2070 (8GB) + I5-9600K + 32GB RAM. Stuff for the sim: Thrustmaster T16000M HOTAS + TFRP Rudder pedals, Track IR5. Modules: FC3, A10C, F/A-18C, F16C, F14A/B, MiG-21Bis, AJS-37, F5E, F86F-35, M2000C, Ka-50, P51D, Bf-109K4, Fw-190D9, Spitfire LF Mk IX, L39, CA. Maps: Persian Gulf, NTTR, Normandy 1944 + WWII Assets Pack. Campaigns: A10C:The Enemy Within.
MBot Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 Were the close combat radar modes pilot selectable or commanded by the RIO?
captain_dalan Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 Just a fan fact guys, i've been crosschecking my SACs with the EM charts, and it seams those charts (in the book) are for a clean F-14, with nothing but 9500-9500 lbs of fuel and some hydraulic liquid and possibly missile rails installed. An excellent find! Modules: FC3, Mirage 2000C, Harrier AV-8B NA, F-5, AJS-37 Viggen, F-14B, F-14A, Combined Arms, F/A-18C, F-16C, MiG-19P, F-86, MiG-15, FW-190A, Spitfire Mk IX, UH-1 Huey, Su-25, P-51PD, Caucasus map, Nevada map, Persian Gulf map, Marianas map, Syria Map, Super Carrier, Sinai map, Mosquito, P-51, AH-64 Apache
streakeagle Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Frequently, performance charts are for clean, 1/2 internal fuel unless otherwise specified. Sales people like sell their products at their best, not loaded and dirty. I would have liked to see a slatted F-4E, F-15A, and F-16A in that list for more contemporary comparisons. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
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