TGP should "see" through clouds or not??

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Just a fast question...I though after reading manual that TGP should be able to see thrugh clouds when not CCD mode is used (Whot/Bhot) but is not the case for me...either in whot or bhot I cant see anything as soon as there is a cloud between me and the terrain...is that suposed to be like that???

[Vitormouraa]

it depends on the cloud's thickness. But yes, the Litening Pod can see throught the clouds, but it's not every cloud it can see.

[Eddie]

That's correct it should not be able to see through cloud. Moisture very quickly absorbs and therefore blocks IR energy, it's just as hard for IR to pass through cloud as it is visible light.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

it depends on the cloud's thickness. But yes, the Litening Pod can see throught the clouds, but it's not every cloud it can see.

 

i have tried to see something through the smallest possible cloud and see nothing mate...:huh:

 

 

That's correct it should not be able to see through cloud. Moisture very quickly absorbs and therefore blocks IR energy, it's just as hard for IR to pass through cloud as it is visible light.

 

Ok, then I guess its not possible to use a10c during low overcast situations right?...I find it kind of surprising...

[Eddie]

Of course it's possible to employ the aircraft, you just can't use the targeting pod or Mavericks from above any cloud deck that's all.

 

But that said, the A-10 is not an all weather aircraft, and almost all aircraft suffer limitations in poor weather.

[AlphaOneSix]

If you can't see through a cloud with your eyes, a FLIR can't see through it either. That's sort of how I work it out (in real life, anyway).

 

Because of the same effect, clear glass windows look like mirrors to a FLIR camera (can't see through them at all with FLIR even though they are perfectly clear to plain vision).

[Aginor]

Yeah, just fly below the clouds.

 

The TGP can't see through them. That's what radar is for. :)

[AlphaOneSix]

Oh yeah, this is not something in the sim now but there are millimeter-wave radars that can generate a "picture" that's almost as good as a FLIR image but it can see though clouds like they aren't even there. Of course they have their own limitations, too...

[Vitormouraa]

I don't know the 1.5, but long time ago I was able to see through the clouds, but they needed to be very weak, but I could, now, I don't know.

[7rooper]

Yeah, just fly below the clouds.

 

The TGP can't see through them. That's what radar is for. :)

 

:lol:

[QuiGon]

I don't know the 1.5, but long time ago I was able to see through the clouds, but they needed to be very weak, but I could, now, I don't know.

 

Yes, clouds were not visible on the TGP in the old graphics engine (prior 1.5).

[Aginor]

Yes. It was a bug.

[AlphaOneSix]

Yeah that's it. I was briefly (and I mean BRIEFLY) assigned as a sensor operator, just long enough to do a week of Star Safire HD training and a few training flights. But we talked about how synthetic aperture radar compares to FLIR. Then my previous boss pulled me back to being an Mi-17 crew chief. Oh well.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Thanks guys, its clear now, tgp cant see through clouds :thumbup:

[VAF [136] Striker]

I don't know the 1.5, but long time ago I was able to see through the clouds, but they needed to be very weak, but I could, now, I don't know.

It depends on the density. I went right to Northrop Grumman's website to look it up and according to their public information, the AN/AAQ-28V can see through wispy cloud formations, fog, smoke and similar low density materials. I suppose that there's a threshold that's hard to model in the current engine. I remember that back awhile ago I could see right through even heavy clouds without any problem but ED changed it when they released 1.5, probably because that was not realistic. Right now, when I fly over a target and even if the clouds are very light, I lose all sight of the target. I suppose that's not realistic either. Based on the visual density, I should still be able to see something. So I think that ED is going to have to correct some of the values to find a sweet spot. Also, they're apparently working on a complete update to the pod anyhow so maybe we'll see some improvement when it comes out.

[thezapper]

they're apparently working on a complete update to the pod anyhow so maybe we'll see some improvement when it comes out.

 

I hope so, the pod is basically useless now as an IR camera since the new ground textures update. You can't differentiate between targets and the ground.

 

I was going to buy the A-10 redflag campaign and Nevada map but not until the TGP works.

[VAF [136] Striker]

I forgot to mention that information is based on the latest generation AN/AAQ-28V pod. I'm not sure what generation is modeled in the DCS A-10 but based on the age of the rest of the equipment, late 70's to late 80's, it probably didn't have the same capabilities. The in game encyclopedia refers to it as the Lightning II pod, but I couldn't find any information on what generation it was modeled on. In the A-10C manual, it just refers to it as the AN/AAQ-28 but no generation.

[VAF [136] Striker]

I hope so, the pod is basically useless now as an IR camera since the new ground textures update. You can't differentiate between targets and the ground.

 

I was going to buy the A-10 redflag campaign and Nevada map but not until the TGP works.

Try adjusting the brightness and contrast settings. I've found that helps immensely. But yeah, I still have a lot of trouble now compared to the old modeling. Even in infrared targets disappear into the terrain. Everyone in our group has complained about it since 1.5 came out.

[kobac]

Yes I agree that a vehicle should be better distinguished from the terrain. Because now is very difficult to spot it.

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

Yes, thats something Im also worried about...I feel like "blind" :D when spotting targets in TGP...its really hard to see them...

[thezapper]

Try adjusting the brightness and contrast settings. I've found that helps immensely.

 

I have, it didn't help in my opinion. I also tried changing rendering resolution which made no difference. I heard the issue also affects the SU-25 and Ka-50 targeting systems.

 

Fingers crossed for a fix, I've currently stopped playing because of this 'feature'.

[Nerd1000]

I have, it didn't help in my opinion. I also tried changing rendering resolution which made no difference. I heard the issue also affects the SU-25 and Ka-50 targeting systems.

 

Fingers crossed for a fix, I've currently stopped playing because of this 'feature'.

 

Barthek's ground textures mod helps immensely with this. Way easier to spot ground targets with FLIR.

 

The Black shark and Toad both use a visible light camera, not a IR one. Targets sometimes blend into the terrain due to camouflage, but you don't get that horrid noise effect that effectively blinds IR cameras.

[whitehot]

I know this thread is a little dated, but I found that increasing gain on the FLIR helps somehow. Also, switching between whitehot and blackhot if either mode is not effectve

[Aginor]

Yes, that's what a lot of guys (including myself) do until the FLIR system is fixed.

[stefaanadriansens]

sometimes its good to see the clouds trough the tgp , so when your lasing then you see that the laser wont lase on target . in whot it can see trough them a little bit and then you would be surprized that the gbu did not hit on target , your olso get a warning if the lase is blocked by clouds