key_stroked Posted April 9, 2019 Posted April 9, 2019 I've checked both the HB manual and NATOPS, and I still don't fully understand some of these items. STEER CMD For the pilot, I understand the difference between TACAN and DEST steering modes. I also know that AWL/PCD will give you ILS bars, but what about the PCD part? The HB manual says: AWL/PCD - All-weather landing/precision course direction, selects glideslope guidance (ILS/ACLS) for landing or PCD for air-to-ground engagement directions as steering command source. I've tried using AWL/PCD while bombing (in both CCIP and CCRP modes), and I don't see any extra info on the HSD or any other display. What is the VEC mode specifically used for? And is the MAN mode just an extra mode where you can set your own course and heading carrots? ILS/ACL I know that ACL is automatic carrier landing, and it shows you the ICLS bars when in range of the ship, but ILS seems to also show the bars. I had my HUD AWL switch set to ACL, and my VDI AWL switch set to ILS, and both were showing the same bars on approach to the boat. What's supposed to be the difference between the two?
Ramsay Posted April 9, 2019 Posted April 9, 2019 (edited) I'm a newbie to the F-14B but will answer as best I can. What is the VEC mode specifically used for? The course vector is fed from the data link, i.e. from a Guided Missile Destroyer, AWACS, etc. to intercept a bogie. And is the MAN mode just an extra mode where you can set your own course and heading carrots? Yes i.e. takeoff from an runway without TACAN or steer point info, you might set the runway heading. ILS/ACL I know that ACL is automatic carrier landing, and it shows you the ICLS bars when in range of the ship, but ILS seems to also show the bars. I had my HUD AWL switch set to ACL, and my VDI AWL switch set to ILS, and both were showing the same bars on approach to the boat. What's supposed to be the difference between the two? ACLS steering bars are generated from the Stennis data link. ICLS localiser and glide slope are two coded micro-wave beams that the carrier transmits aft. In the F-14B the ACLS and ICLS bars look the same but are derived from different sources. With ILS on the HUD, ACLS on the VDI and TACAN on the HSD, the F-14B pilot has cross check and redundancy i.e. ACLS -> ILS -> TACAN Edited April 9, 2019 by Ramsay i9 9900K @4.8GHz, 64GB DDR4, RTX4070 12GB, 1+2TB NVMe, 6+4TB HD, 4+1TB SSD, Winwing Orion 2 F-15EX Throttle + F-16EX Stick, TPR Pedals, TIR5, Win 11 Pro x64, Odyssey G93SC 5120X1440
key_stroked Posted April 9, 2019 Author Posted April 9, 2019 I'm a newbie to the F-14B but will answer as best I can. The course vector is fed from the data link, i.e. from a Guided Missile Destroyer, AWACS, etc. to intercept a bogie. I'll have to experiment with that. Must be helpful if you can't pickup the target with your own radar and need a visual vector besides a bogey dope. Yes i.e. takeoff from an runway without TACAN or steer point info, you might set the runway heading. Not sure how this is different from setting a custom course/heading in TACAN mode. Manual sounds like the same minus the TACAN bearing carrot. ACLS steering bars are generated from the Stennis data link. ICLS localiser and glide slope are two coded micro-wave beams that the carrier transmits aft. In the F-14B the ACLS and ICLS bars look the same but are derived from different sources. With ILS on the HUD, ACLS on the VDI and TACAN on the HSD, the F-14B pilot has cross check and redundancy i.e. ACLS -> ILS -> TACAN So basically ILS is just a backup system and used for cross checking?
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