Air to Ground Radar Update?

[Notso]

Preplanned precision strikes done by things like the f-111, f-15e, a-6, etc... are what did this stuff all weather up until the f-111/a-6 were retired. The f-16/18, were daylight visual bombers primarily until the advent of JDAM. While they had a/g mapping and targeting it has never been their role for that kind of targeting until GPS/JDAM arrived. Their systems do not provide the fidelity, nor is it easy for a single seat aircraft to effectively do this. This is part of why the f-15E exists, its really the only thing that does this anymore.

 

Keep in mind per the earlier post, it’s not like you just roll around with the a/g radar and find bridges or weapons depots. There is targeting, planning, and intel that goes in before you go use this stuff. IE you already have a target specifically and have studied the target area and know what you are looking for. If you have precision coordinates to something like a bridge, and JDAM, ( and GPS is working) why do you need A/G radar. If GPS. Is denied, bring the specialists (F-15E) in and they will hit the target. F-16’s and f-18’s will have other jobs that they are the specialists at (SEAD, boat/naval things).

 

Yep.

[Notso]

I would further add that A/G radar is not insignificant in the combat fight in current gen Ops. But its been offloaded mostly to other platforms such as the RQ-4, MQ-9 and JSTARS. Their ability to offer persistent radar coverage, along with other sensors, gives targeting information to the strikers - i.e. the bombers and fighters. So the SAR strip maps that the ISR platforms gather to see change detection and such will get passed to the planners who then build the strike packages for the fighters to execute.

 

As KlarSnow correctly said, the single seat fighters in the Mid 2000's (that DCS is modeled on) would use those offboard collection platforms to be able to strike their targets using GPS and TGP. The chances of them using their onboard radars to find, fix, target, track engage and assess (F2T2EA) is remote at best. Sorry, but it is what it is.

 

If ED had driven the stake in the ground in the mid 90s as the evolution of their F-16c and F/A-18C modules....... you might have had a case for the need for A/G radar functionality. Again, please don't get me wrong - I think in terms of absolute technical realism of the modules, this is absolutely a capability/feature that should be modeled in a perfect world. But in terms of priority of things that need to get done, I would place it far down the list.

[DBFlyguy]

Whether or not real pilots use the A/G radar in the Hornet or Viper is absolutely irrelevant. We purchased modules that were advertised to include them, they need to be implemented as advertised, full stop.

[MBot]

I would say the A-G radar of the Hornet remains pretty essential for ASuW though.

[KlarSnow]

Not saying at all it shouldn't be implemented, just I don't think its really a huge priority, would rather have the systems that are currently half implemented working 100% first rather than a half-implemented A/G radar system along with a half implemented TGP, no SLAM, no working HARM/HTS, A/A radar that is buggy, more functionality added to the datalink etc...

[KlarSnow]

Even for ASuW, hornets nowadays don't really use the A/G radar too much, something else like a growler/P-3/P-8/E-2 is much more likely to pass of the coordinates of the target for the strike after locating the targets.

 

Again, not saying its not useful and shouldn't be added, just its not a super "core" feature to realistically employing these aircraft in the mission sets that are most common in DCS and should be on the front of the burner, and its better IMHO if it cooks long enough to be done really well, rather than half done, like everything else in the hornet and F-16 feels right now.

[Notso]

Whether or not real pilots use the A/G radar in the Hornet or Viper is absolutely irrelevant. We purchased modules that were advertised to include them, they need to be implemented as advertised, full stop.

 

Totally agree. And in a perfect world, the modules would be released on day 1 with 100% of the features that the real jets have, be fully tested and have no bugs. However, DCS obviously doesn't work that way - so given that systems and features come out in dribs and drabs and improve slowly over time - I would much rather see stuff that is absolutely essential to the other 99% of daily ops get worked on and finished first.

 

Now if the F-15E that is about to be released any day now doesn't come with a fully functioning APG-70 with SAR mapping - I'll be REALLY pissed. :smilewink:

Edited March 8, 2020 by Notso

[Gierasimov]

(...) any day now (...)

 

Lol!

[Notso]

Lol!

 

Ha, I wondered if anyone would pick up on that. ;)

[Fri13]

I certainly didn't imagine western airforces would just "go-home" if it rains (assuming a no/degraded GPS environment)

 

Lots of action is done in bad weather and at night. But that doesn't mean it is easy, preferred or even effective.

 

That is nice thing in DCS to try to fight the exact same scenario, but only at different weather or time of day. It becomes very challenging to fight when good conditions turns to terrible.

 

That is why I am very much waiting the new weather engine, as it should affect many of the things. Same thing for new AI, new FLIR system etc...

[Fri13]

and its better IMHO if it cooks long enough to be done really well, rather than half done, like everything else in the hornet and F-16 feels right now.

 

:thumbup:

 

I have not purchased early access modules to whine about them. But same time I am investing to future of the products. I am ready to wait, but I can't ignore the feeling that sometimes I get, that is like being a kid in a candy store.

 

It is nice feeling to have a nice relaxing hobby, to see new update news to drop out and then find something new nice.

 

But I might be odd as I get the same kicks in other hobbies too, and even in jobs.

 

How many remembers the time they were Kids and the Christmas/birthday or other important event was to come on next day, but all you could do is try to sleep over night and dream about things to come?

 

I can't wait to see A-G radar to come, same way a Mi-24P to get released. But the waiting time is as fun as receiving a nicely done and performing new things...

[BIGNEWY]

Air to Ground radar needs to be implemented with the systems of the aircraft, it is not an easy task, and it was lower priority than other tasks.

Early access takes a lot of time, you will need to continue being patient as we push towards completion this year.

 

Thanks