Jester, AWACS, Datalink and other...

[kievbsm]

Hello!

 

Everyone knows that the radar on the F-14 is very powerful and allows us to find a target at a sufficiently large distance.

 

From the other side, it was not once on the forum that situations were discussed when Jester was not always able to find a target that seemed to be very close. Or loses an already found target.

 

Also, in the Jester's menu we can find an item that allows us to assign a source for the Datalink. We usually use it for ACLS procedure.

 

In the manual for the F-14 we can find information with a description of the symbols on the TID when we receive information from AWACS and when there is no such information.

 

Putting it all together, I have few questions:

1) Is there a difference in Jester’s abilities when we join AWACS through DL or when he works alone?

 

2) Will connecting to AWACS via DL makes Jester more effective? For example, when Jester loses a target, and AWACS sees it, will it help to Jester to keep target as locked?

 

3) Does it make any sense to fly to the F-14 and at the same time connect to the AWACS via DL?

 

4) Can we use the "silence" mode of F-14 radar and have all information about airspace on TID which translated from AWACS via DL? It maybe gives us chance to be "invisible" and send AIM-54 to the target as biggest surprise then a rocket in TWS mode.

[GGTharos]

You cannot launch a radar guided missile if the radar is not transmitting, unless you are in a dogfight mode and launching the pHoenix active off the rail.

 

In other words, you cannot attack tracks that your radar cannot see. But you can use the DL to quietly set yourself up for an advantageous attack.

[kievbsm]

Well, I made few test flights yesterday evening and got results which maybe useful for somebody:

 

1. When I choose AWACS (I used E-3A aircraft) my Jester could see the target which was outside of my radar sector. I got detailed information from Jester about it even Jester didn’t look to the side of this target. I didn’t contact with AWACS and didn’t set correct radio frequency for connection with it. Just said to Jester to sett AWACS as host for DL.

2. Previous was repeated by me again but with “silence” radar settings. I got the same result.

3. In case when Jester used data from AWACS it was not allowed to shoot AIM-54.

4. I could shoot the AIM-54 but in ACM/STP mode only. This missile missed and when I followed by it with F6 view I saw that the missile could hit the target but looks like their head didn’t activate. This missile passed near the target too close (less than 1 mile) but didn’t turn to the target on the final (continued flight without changed own trajectory). For it remained a mystery when AIM-54’s head should start to search the target in ACM/STP mode.

5. Then I tested few A2A scrambles and found that:

- AWACS connection as host for DL may be useful in case to hidden approach to the target with “silence” settings for own radar (you steel can see the target on TID and Jester continue to be giving to you detailed information about this target)

- Unfortunately, there is no chance to hit the target without your own radar activation (I’m not talking about AIM-9, but even AIM-54 didn’t hit the target from the close (less than 7 miles) distance.). I was sure that AIM-54 can hit the target as AIM-120 (locks it by own head when the missile is still carrying by an aircraft), but I couldn’t get it. Will try again later. I'm afraid that I do something wrong.

- In case when Jester lost the target from the radar he could to lock the target again very fast and without any problems. For AIM-7 (maybe for AIM-54 too) it is useless because they will miss, but there is not anymore a message from him (when he answers “unable to lock the target ahead” even you have visual contact with it). It is correct for DL connected to AWACS only. Without AWACS old story still repeated.

 

So, as I found for myself, this may be useful to use AWACS DL connection + keep my radar in silence mode to secretly go around the target from the side and attack from a short distance of AIM-54, when maneuvering to evade a missile is almost useless. However, it is necessary to recognize that this will require the presence of additional skills in order not to get in sight of enemy radars long before the start of the attack.

Edited March 28, 2019 by kievbsm

[Sam]

In the RIO cockpit, you can set the Phoenix to go active off the rail as GGTharos said. Did you mean that by doing so, it didn't work as well ?

[OnlyforDCS]

When firing in ACM mode you need to be within 10 miles of the target and have the nose pointed directly at it. (Put the little cross on the HUD on the target). The Phoenix should then be able to lock on to it and track as soon as it's off the rail.

 

Remember to flip the red ACM safe switch to UP, otherwise you will not be able to fire off the AIM54 without your own radar lock.

[deadpool]

When firing in ACM mode you need to be within 10 miles of the target and have the nose pointed directly at it. (Put the little cross on the HUD on the target). The Phoenix should then be able to lock on to it and track as soon as it's off the rail.

 

Remember to flip the red ACM safe switch to UP, otherwise you will not be able to fire off the AIM54 without your own radar lock.

 

In ACM mode the Phoenix should actually be active and lock the target before launch.

 

In RIO Active launch switch mode it would be like you described. Launch and the first command the phoenix would get *after* launch is to go active.

A slight but important difference.