Silly INS question

[VC]

I've been assuming for ages that the Hornet INS alignment isn't implemented. Maybe I missed a patch note or something but I've now noticed there's a procedure for it. Thing is, I've just been throwing the switch straight to NAV and haven't had any issues. Admittedly I've only done a bit of PvP air to air that required cold start like this, but navigation is fine, moving map is in the right place, I can get back to base etc. all without aligning. Is the INS alignment placeholder? Is it needed for accurate air to ground delivery?

[QuiGon]

It's WIP at least, but I'm also wondering about it's exact development status. :dunno:

[VC]

So am I right then, that aside from practice and immersion it doesn't need to be done for you to be able to go about the rest of your sortie effectively?

[QuiGon]

So am I right then, that aside from practice and immersion it doesn't need to be done for you to be able to go about the rest of your sortie effectively?

AFAIK it needs to be done, if you want proper navigation (and JDAM employment). If you watch your HSI during startup it will either show no map at all or a totally wrong part of the map before alignment. After about 01:00 - 01:20 into the alignment this will then correct itself and a map will appear and it will show the correct position. That is if GPS is available (by default GPS is not available for REDFOR or missions dating before 1994). If GPS is not available you will have to perform a NAV FIX on waypoint 0 after the alignment.

 

That's the way it currently works, but there are a lot of things that seem wrong, odd or missing (e.g. 1min 20 sec seems very quick for an INS alignment, Drift isn't modeled at all, ....).

[VC]

So when I just flick it straight to Nav without waiting and my map is immediately correct, is that using GPS?

[QuiGon]

So when I just flick it straight to Nav without waiting and my map is immediately correct, is that using GPS?

No, it shouldn't. Even with GPS it would require at least an In Flight Alignment (IFA) in order to work correctly. In my experience the INS of the Hornet is quite a bit off if you just flick the switch straight to NAV. That was different in the past, when there was no INS functionality at all, but for the past few months this doesn't work anymore in my experience.

 

But yeah, the entire development status of the Hornets NAV system is quite a mystery :(

Edited January 8, 2020 by QuiGon

[VC]

Thanks! I shall start paying more attention to it then!

[LastRifleRound]

The standard position for the switch when alignment is complete is IFA, not NAV. They need to update the training but have acknowledged this.

 

IFA gives GPS coupled flight with the INS, whereas NAV is INS only and will require position updates.

 

I don't think inertial drift is modeled yet, but when it is, you'll want to know about this.

[bart]

The standard position for the switch when alignment is complete is IFA, not NAV. They need to update the training but have acknowledged this.

 

IFA gives GPS coupled flight with the INS, whereas NAV is INS only and will require position updates.

 

I don't think inertial drift is modeled yet, but when it is, you'll want to know about this.

 

Good info to know!, thanks for sharing this.

 

I try to do stuff the right way even if a particular system isn't modelled yet, that way it becomes muscle memory so to speak, so when the system is fully functional I don't have to keep amending my start up procedure.