Cage/Uncage sidearm?

[colyoap]

Does anyone know what effect the cage/Uncage button has when the sidearm is active? It changes the crosshairs from solid to dashed. Im guessing it's something not yet implemented yet couldn't find anything in the quick guide. Just curious.

[Scrape]

I don't know about the sidearm specifically. The function of cage and uncage is the difference between a locked seeker head looking forward (caged) and one that is allowed to look around (uncaged).

[mvsgas]

A1-A8VBB-TAC-000, page 2-155 and 2-156. paragraph 2.13.4.1

The major feature of the primary mode is the

assignment of the cage/uncage HOTAS function

to the weapon. By uncaging the missile, the

seeker is allowed to self track a target. The

uncaged Sidearm symbol is a solid circle with

sticks in the center of each side. The solid circle

becomes dashed when the uncaged seeker symbol is HUD limited. The SMS receives head

position data form all Sidearm stations via the

slave reference and polar head position command signals and provides the information to

the MC which then displays the seeker position.

The Sidearm will remain uncaged until one of

the following occurs:

1. Cage command from the cage/uncage button

2. Selecting a different missile via the STEP

option

3. Sidearm is deselected

4. Priority is advanced by ACP station select

or launch

5. Selecting another A/G weapon

6. Selecting AGM-65 or 25mm gun

7. Changing master modes

8. Entering DIR or DSL(1) backup modes

9. SMS reset is received

10. SMS primary power is removed and reapplied

 

Care must be taken to prevent damage to the

Sidearm guidance system when not tracking a

target by keeping it caged. Anytime the seeker is

caged by the SMS the MC displays the caged

seeker symbology on the HUD.

 

2.13.4.2 Hot Mode. Hot Sidearm is entered

when another A/G weapon except AGM-65 or

25mm gun is selected with Sidearm already

selected, or Sidearm is selected with another A/G

weapon selected. While in this mode, all the

primary weapon delivery displays and the cage/uncage button are assigned to the other A/G

weapon. The Sidearm seeker symbol is caged 2°

below the waterline.

 

2.13.4.3 Functional Operation. The Sidearm

is a stand alone weapon and not connected with

the ALR-67. Tactically, to determine the relative

bearing of a threat the pilot must maneuver the

aircraft to point the Sidearm seeker toward the

threat.

The ability of a Sidearm to detect a threat is a

function of the threat’s operating frequency and

strength. The Sidearm seeker is more sensitive

when it is uncaged, therefore, if the seeker does

not give a good tone when it is pointed at the

threat, uncaging the missile will increase seeker

sensitivity (PRIMARY mode only). If the HOT

Sidearm mode is selected, all other weapons

must be deselected before the missile can be

uncaged. If the Sidearm does not self track the

threat and provide a good tone, cage the seeker

head to prevent seeker head damage during

subsequent flight.

If a good tone is not received when the missile

is pointed at the threat, uncage the seeker to

command a target lock on. Target lock on is

determined by the tone in the headset and

observing that the Sidearm uncage symbol

becomes stable as there is no special tone or

symbol indicating lock on for the Sidearm. It is

not necessary for the missile to be uncaged to fire

as it can be launched when a tone is present in

the headset whether the missile is caged or

uncaged.

Edited December 19, 2017 by mvsgas