Harrier EW MENU DISPLAY assets symbols

[Fri13]

I have a slight question, I didn't check this through the DCS as I don't use a EW page on Harrier, like ever (tested it back then when it got implemented) and the public NATOPS document from 2008 made me wonder what the EW MENU is showing.

 

On the "FIGURE 23-19." shows a EW with ground troops. There are the light infantry symbols, Marine / Naval Infantry (or Navy units operating ashore) symbol, artillery, SAM and their ranges etc etc.

 

And this is from 2008, when then in 2015 a Pentagon has asked 7.5 million to get a Link-16 datalink installed to AV-8B harriers. https://news.usni.org/2015/08/04/pentagon-requests-funding-to-accelerate-harrier-data-link-upgrades

 

And it says:

 

In a reprogramming request to Congress, the Defense Department wrote that “funding is required to begin Link 16 Tactical Datalink integration into the AV-8B aircraft for relevancy, safety improvements, and interoperability. Connection to the Link 16 network is vital to the ability of AV-8B aircraft to operate within command and control structures and operational plans, as well as providing the tactical capability for more effective and safe prosecution of both airborne and ground targets. Without Link 16, the AV-8B aircraft will not have access to the Common Operating Picture and will operate at a significant disadvantage limiting the joint capability of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force.”

 

“The Harrier currently has UHF and VHF radios, and one-way datalink for Litening Targeting Pod video, which can be received by ground stations,” he said in a statement.

“The range is limited. Link 16 will significantly improve the communication capabilities of the AV-8B. It provides a two-way continuous data network that allows for sharing of own-ship and other participant location information. Additionally, it allows for immediate sharing of targeting information.”

 

 

So from where does those symbols come from, mentioned in 7 years older NATOPS manual?

Are they stored to the Harrier flight computer when loading the mission cartridge or something?

 

What comes to that TPOD data-link part, that is what I am waiting that we would in future get a receiving handheld console on JTAC tasks for Combined Arms users, where they could pull out it and then receive that TPOD screen and see that what pilot is seeing.

 

That video is from 2016, but from a retired pilot, that likely has not flow Harrier with Link-16 (Funding request in 2015) and yet he talks about two-way datalink, where the marine on ground (JTAC in DCS) can mark on the TPOD video the target location, that the Harrier pilot will see on his TPOD screen.

 

And in his order of the presentation, that should be in the N/A variant before APG-65 radar upgrade.

 

And that again questions that EW page symbology? Is it there already? Is it coming there etc?

Does ED need to implement something first?

 

Edit: Added the forum rule reminder for someone who asks about the picture of that public NATOPS manual...

1.16 Posting images, file links, file sharing links, copying and pasting information, or referencing of military aircraft and related equipment documents, in any way, newer than 1980 is strictly prohibited on our forums. Such posts will be removed, a 20% warning and 1-week suspension will be issued.

Edited August 20, 2019 by Fri13