Slaving Radar to TCS?

[WelshZeCorgi]

I was wondering if you could keep tracking a target with TCS and using the slave mode to keep the radar pointing on a TCS lock?

 

When flying RIO, sometimes the radar drops the lock (notching or zero dop filter) but the TCS is still tracking the target. Is it possible to slave the radar to the TCS, then lock the target on the TCS back up in PDstt or PSTT?

[mattag08]

It is possible IRL. Not yet implemented.

[BonerCat]

It is implemented, but it's functionality is rather limited.

(Not by implementation, but by how it worked IRL, AFAIK)

 

DISCLAIMER

What i m about to write out is from what i remember from the manual, and what i think it'd do. It's possible i m wrong here. Take this with a grain of salt, and i'd reccomend testing this. If anyone sees a mistake in what i m writing, please correct me!

 

You CAN slave the radar to TCS, and it will illuminate the target. Pretty sure it works a lot like FLOOD mode. Doesnt give any info from the radar, as the target isnt locked by the radar, and only TCS, but It SHOULD guide your missiles in. You can see the radar beam being directed to the bandit on the DDD.

 

Again, i reccomend you test this yourself to be sure

Cheers

Edited April 27, 2020 by BonerCat

[eatthis]

how do you lock the tcs on a target without using the radar?

[QuiGon]

how do you lock the tcs on a target without using the radar?

By using the HCU (the RIO stick) in TCS mode. In that mode you control the TCS directly with your stick, meaning you can slew it around and lock onto targets.

[Karon]

This question pops up now and then, as others said, it is implemented and it works (or at least it used to) but its usage is rather limited.

 

 

 

I used it online to pick up helicopters through valleys for fun, for instance: the TCS would find a target and "drag" the radar there.

[captain_dalan]

This question pops up now and then, as others said, it is implemented and it works (or at least it used to) but its usage is rather limited.

 

 

 

I used it online to pick up helicopters through valleys for fun, for instance: the TCS would find a target and "drag" the radar there.

 

I'm assuming it works from the RIO's pit?

[QuiGon]

I'm assuming it works from the RIO's pit?

Yes, controlling the TCS and the radar is the RIO's job.

[r4y30n]

how do you lock the tcs on a target without using the radar?

 

 

I swear I got PAL to work via TCS after losing the INS in a fight... Unless Jester was working his magic without my knowledge.

 

Either way, from the front seat you’ll see the difference in the HUD. Diamond over the target indicates radar lock, crosshair over the target (without gun selected) indicates TCS lock.

[captain_dalan]

Yes, controlling the TCS and the radar is the RIO's job.

 

Oh yes, but what i meant is, can Jester be ordered to do it? Or does he do it at all?

[BonerCat]

Oh yes, but what i meant is, can Jester be ordered to do it? Or does he do it at all?

 

No. You can't tell jester to do it. The closest thing you can do, is get an STT lock, and then tell jester to break it. TCS will maintain the lock, sometimes even when you STT another target

[QuiGon]

Oh yes, but what i meant is, can Jester be ordered to do it? Or does he do it at all?

Oh, well, no, Jester doesn't use the TCS at all and just keeps it slaved to the radar.

[captain_dalan]

No. You can't tell jester to do it. The closest thing you can do, is get an STT lock, and then tell jester to break it. TCS will maintain the lock, sometimes even when you STT another target

 

I noticed that too, i just wasn't sure if the radar was in flood mode:

 

Oh, well, no, Jester doesn't use the TCS at all and just keeps it slaved to the radar.

 

Pity :(

That means, once an STT is lost, out sparrow is trashed.... i was hoping there is still a tiny chance the flood would pick it up

[draconus]

That means, once an STT is lost, out sparrow is trashed.... i was hoping there is still a tiny chance the flood would pick it up

You have to use it deliberately for it to work (BRSIT).

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/weapons.html#boresight-mode

 

If you lose the radar lock, the TCS can keep it sometimes but Jester doesn't relock it.

Edited May 4, 2020 by draconus

[r4y30n]

i was hoping there is still a tiny chance the flood would pick it up

 

I'm pretty sure it does revert to flood when lock is lost, unless that changed in the past couple months. I've splashed a bandit with a Sparrow after losing lock, it re-acquired as soon as I got my nose pointed at him.

[QuiGon]

I'm pretty sure it does revert to flood when lock is lost, unless that changed in the past couple months. I've splashed a bandit with a Sparrow after losing lock, it re-acquired as soon as I got my nose pointed at him.

That's how it's supposed to work indeed.

[captain_dalan]

You have to use it deliberately for it to work (BRSIT).

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/weapons.html#boresight-mode

 

If you lose the radar lock, the TCS can keep it sometimes but Jester doesn't relock it.

 

Ah, so that what that bright push button is for on the ACM panel :D

Just when i thought i had all the important functions mapped on my HOTAS :joystick:

 

I'm pretty sure it does revert to flood when lock is lost, unless that changed in the past couple months. I've splashed a bandit with a Sparrow after losing lock, it re-acquired as soon as I got my nose pointed at him.

 

That's how it's supposed to work indeed.

 

I guess i'll need to train for this then. Keeping the bandit on the datum line that is, after losing STT lock. I don't recall i have done it inadvertently so far. Thanks guys, more training is in order i guess :thumbup:

 

EDIT: first thing that comes to mind, use the TCS lock (if acquired previously) cross on the HUD to bring the bandit inside the flood zone. Any other techniques?