TCS abilities.

[MPK]

While they're at it, I sure would like to be able to "unlock" the TCS. Very often I'm in a dog fight and lock a buddy, then unlock him, but the TCS stays on him, even after i've re-STT locked another target.

Last night I hit a friendly because of this. The TCS did not change to the new target that I locked in PAL mode. Is this something that should be reported as a bug?

[QuiGon]

Last night I hit a friendly because of this. The TCS did not change to the new target that I locked in PAL mode. Is this something that should be reported as a bug?

If the TCS is in TCS SLAVED mode, then the TCS should indeed switch once you radar lock a new target.

[MPK]

This was multiplayer with jester so I have no idea what it was switched to or how to change it.

[gyrovague]

if the TCS is in TCS SLAVED mode (as it always is when Jester acts as your RIO as far as I know), then it should always lock on the target that is locked by the radar, unless the new target is in very close prximity to the old target

 

 

It should lock on another target though as soon as you lock one up with your radar.

 

 

If the TCS is in TCS SLAVED mode, then the TCS should indeed switch once you radar lock a new target.

 

From the info we have, the above is incorrect. The TCS will slave to radar STT only if the TCS is not tracking. When it is not tracking, and ACQ mode is not MANUAL, and TCS slaved to radar (TCS slave mode), it will acquire (and thus start tracking) a target. If a new target is locked by radar, but TCS is still tracking the previous one visually, it won't automatically drop the tracking and jump to the new STT target.

 

I think we just need to add a Jester function to drop TCS track (effectively make him press and release half-action on TCS mode HCU).

[QuiGon]

If a new target is locked by radar, but TCS is still tracking the previous one visually, it won't automatically drop the tracking and jump to the new STT target.

Huh, that seems a bit odd to me, but if that is how it worked then it's alright :thumbup:

[Top Jockey]

Huh, that seems a bit odd to me, but if that is how it worked then it's alright :thumbup:

 

Yep, expertly managing the TCS operation can be somewhat a little "complex" task.

This is because in this system we have a interaction of several modes and functions, (acquisition modes / slave modes / with or without radar lock / etc).

 

But then again, details like this complexity are what give the Tomcat part of its charisma.

[Bosebcc]

In addition to this it can be slaved to the radar allowing for automatic acquisition and also the radar can actually be slaved to the TCS to help the radar find a target. This might be useful against, as an example, a jamming target.

 

I have been looking through some thread and it is still not clear to me if the following feature is implemented in the current open beta version of DCS. I have encountered many situations where I was able to get an stt lock and then proceed lose the lock due to notching or other reason, but I still have the contrast lock on the tcs. I then proceed to try to stt-lock the target through jester but strugle to do so (I imagine the bandit is still in the notch filter.)

 

My question is

1) Is it currently possible for jester to use the tcs to slave the radar and locked the target. (maybe in pulse mode or sth)

2) Is it currently possible for human rio to use the tcs to slave the radar and locked the target. (maybe in pulse mode or sth) And what is the procedure for the human rio?

3) Is it possible to fire the pheonix and let it track using the infomation from the tv without regaining contact on the radar (I saw one comment about the pheonix being able to slave the sensor to the target and fire it active off the rail)

 

 

A pure TCS track is in many cases equal to a HOJ lock in that the WCS knows elevation and azimuth to the target which can be used to slave a missile to that target.

 

The AIM-9 can, like you've discussed be slaved to that target, exactly as with a radar lock minus the range information. An AIM-54 could also be slaved and would then point the seekerhead at the TCS line of sight during launch but again, no range information. The AIM-7 on the other hand being SARH will at launch command the radar to turn on the CW illuminator thus giving indication of being painted by CW to the target.

 

In addition you could also use the radar slaved to the TCS which has its advantages. TCS with radar silent to an STT lock is quite quick, you only need to find the range as the elevation and azimuth is provided by the TCS.

 

In this way it's also possible to have the TCS help the radar stay on target if it's being jammed as when the radar is slaved to the TCS you can have the radar locked as well so that the target is tracked by radar for range and elevation and azimuth via the TCS.

 

It's still not entirely clear how much of the jamming functionality we can implement in a good way with the current ecm modelling in DCS but I guess we'll see! :-)

Edited June 3, 2020 by Bosebcc

[QuiGon]

The answer to question 1 is a solid no.

 

About question 2 and 3 I'm also not sure and wonder about that for quite some time as well. Would love to get a definitive answer on that as well :thumbup:

[eatthis]

I have been looking through some thread and it is still not clear to me if the following feature is implemented in the current open beta version of DCS. I have encountered many situations where I was able to get an stt lock and then proceed lose the lock due to notching or other reason, but I still have the contrast lock on the tcs. I then proceed to try to stt-lock the target through jester but strugle to do so (I imagine the bandit is still in the notch filter.)

 

My question is

1) Is it currently possible for jester to use the tcs to slave the radar and locked the target. (maybe in pulse mode or sth)

2) Is it currently possible for human rio to use the tcs to slave the radar and locked the target. (maybe in pulse mode or sth) And what is the procedure for the human rio?

3) Is it possible to fire the pheonix and let it track using the infomation from the tv without regaining contact on the radar (I saw one comment about the pheonix being able to slave the sensor to the target and fire it active off the rail)

 

3 a workaround could be use the tcs to point your nose at the target (or lead it a little) then fire the phoenix maddog using acm cover up?

[JupiterJoe]

Can someone please explain to me if it is possible to manually lock the TCS onto a ground target (a building, a tank, whatever) from the RIO's seat and then jump into the Pilot's seat and see the TCS tracking the target? I swear I was able to do it before, but the camera just re-centres every time I press full action. It's driving me potty! Thank you.

Edited July 1, 2020 by JupiterJoe

[QuiGon]

Can someone please explain to me if it is possible to manually lock the TCS onto a ground target (a building, a tank, whatever) from the RIO's seat and then jump into the Pilot's seat and see the TCS tracking the target? I swear I was able to do it before, but the camera just re-centres every time I press full action. It's driving me potty! Thank you.

I've not yet tried to lock static objects like buildings, but it is definitely possible to lock ground units at least. I don't know what Jester does, as I have never flown with him, but maybe he is resetting the lock when you switch to the front seat? Have you tried it with Jester disabled?

[JupiterJoe]

I've not yet tried to lock static objects like buildings, but it is definitely possible to lock ground units at least. I don't know what Jester does, as I have never flown with him, but maybe he is resetting the lock when you switch to the front seat? Have you tried it with Jester disabled?

Thank you for your feedback. I am not able to lock a ground target whilst sitting in the RIO seat. Does someone know the procedure for this? When I press full-action on the HCU, the camera re-centres. It's most likely me being dull. :helpsmilie:

 

 

Edit: I am just watching one of Cap's (Grim Reapers) videos, relating to TCS. That might show me what I'm doing wrong...

 

Edit 2: Okay, it's a matter of selecting Computer Target in A/G mode, from the Pilot's seat and slewing the target designator down and selecting a target. Silly me.

Edited July 1, 2020 by JupiterJoe

[QuiGon]

Thank you for your feedback. I am not able to lock a ground target whilst sitting in the RIO seat. Does someone know the procedure for this? When I press full-action on the HCU, the camera re-centres. It's most likely me being dull. :helpsmilie:

Set TCS slave mode to INDEPENDEND. Maybe that helps. I don't know if Jester switches it back to RDR SLAVED though, if he takes controla gain.