ACM radar modes weirdness

[VC]

I have been having some issues with ACM radar modes in the F-18. I know how to select them but it doesn't always do it and I don't know why. I press Sensor Select Forward and I get default boresight mode, that's fine. But when I press Sensor Select Aft to get to Vertical scan... sometimes it doesn't do it. Sometimes I have to press Sensor Select Left, which also does nothing, then Aft will get me Vertical Scan. It happens the other way around as well, basically first or even second press of the button is not respected. Sometimes I have to spam around the Sensor Select button up/left/down before it finally lets me switch modes. As you can imagine, this is really frustrating in the tight situations you need these modes in. Am I missing something in how it should work or is this a bug?

 

Another issue I had is it locking seemingly random things. I thought it was only supposed to lock out to 10 miles, but when using it online last night it felt like I was getting locks way outside parameters. I would go ACM wide or vertical scan, wait for the lock, then start looking around with JHMCS for the target box... I would follow the arrow and in one case it was behind me! In another it was way high up on a target that was 40 degrees off boresight and 30+ miles away instead of the guy down low right in front of me. Again, not sure if this is lag or user error but it was confusing and frustrating trying to use it.

Edited May 17, 2020 by VC

[WOPR]

I have been having some issues with ACM radar modes in the F-18. I know how to select them but it doesn't always do it and I don't know why. I press Sensor Select Forward and I get default boresight mode, that's fine. But when I press Sensor Select Aft to get to Vertical scan... sometimes it doesn't do it. Sometimes I have to press Sensor Select Left, which also does nothing, then Aft will get me Vertical Scan. It happens the other way around as well, basically first or even second press of the button is not respected. Sometimes I have to spam around the Sensor Select button up/left/down before it finally lets me switch modes. As you can imagine, this is really frustrating in the tight situations you need these modes in. Am I missing something in how it should work or is this a bug?

 

Check the radar display. The range shown it it corresponds to the range of the ACM mode.

 

For vertical scan, the order of steps to enter it matters for reasons unknown. I think ED has stated that is correct as is. The steps are Sensor Select (SS) forward, SS left, then SS aft.

 

Another issue I had is it locking seemingly random things. I thought it was only supposed to lock out to 10 miles, but when using it online last night it felt like I was getting locks way outside parameters. I would go ACM wide or vertical scan, wait for the lock, then start looking around with JHMCS for the target box... I would follow the arrow and in one case it was behind me! In another it was way high up on a target that was 40 degrees off boresight and 30+ miles away instead of the guy down low right in front of me. Again, not sure if this is lag or user error but it was confusing and frustrating trying to use it.

 

JHMICS bore sight mode has 2 ranges, 10 miles and 40 miles. SS Forward long (2 or 3 seonds) triggers long range and SS fwd short triggers "normal" range. JHMICS info shows which mode you are in the lower right portion of the helmet display.

[Razor18]

And as of now, the long press logic is wrong for HMD and for FLIR/CCD switching too. After 0.8 sec it supposed to switch to the long press function (as in the A-10C), but now it doesn't switch until after you release the long press, no matter how long you keep it pressed.

 

It is being looked upon, as I reported it back then, here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=271577

[Griffon345]

Check the radar display. The range shown it it corresponds to the range of the ACM mode.

 

For vertical scan, the order of steps to enter it matters for reasons unknown. I think ED has stated that is correct as is. The steps are Sensor Select (SS) forward, SS left, then SS aft.

 

 

 

JHMICS bore sight mode has 2 ranges, 10 miles and 40 miles. SS Forward long (2 or 3 seonds) triggers long range and SS fwd short triggers "normal" range. JHMICS info shows which mode you are in the lower right portion of the helmet display.

It's odd logic but this works every time. Doesn't make sense though. Can anyone confirm this is how it's design in the real jet?

 

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[rob10]

ACM radar switching is a little weird. Can't guarantee this is 100% correct, but this is what I came up with to represent how you switch between modes.

I mostly do A-G, but from a quick test you should be able to go Bore direct to VACQ.

[VC]

Check the radar display. The range shown it it corresponds to the range of the ACM mode.

 

For vertical scan, the order of steps to enter it matters for reasons unknown. I think ED has stated that is correct as is. The steps are Sensor Select (SS) forward, SS left, then SS aft.

 

JHMICS bore sight mode has 2 ranges, 10 miles and 40 miles. SS Forward long (2 or 3 seonds) triggers long range and SS fwd short triggers "normal" range. JHMICS info shows which mode you are in the lower right portion of the helmet display.

 

Hmm, I was trying to do the left then aft sequence but even that wasn't working reliably. I'll try to follow it next time see if it works better.

 

I wasn't holding down the SS Fwd, but good to know that's a function!

[Razor18]

You should enter ACM mode with Boresight (SCS FWD) first.

[maxTRX]

It works fine on my rig for the most part. (2.5.6) Just verified few minutes ago.

 

After entering the ACM mode (other then A/A gun) Bore shows up fine, SS right - nothing (I guess AACQ is the only function) SS down - Vertical, SS left - Wide.

No problem going to any of them directly once in ACM mode. The ranges are a 'thing'. If the bandit is at a range > then 5nm and I switch to vertical scan - it won't lock until 5nm.

Bore and Wide are 10nm. (if I remember correctly)

When selecting the gun with WeapSel switch it puts the radar in GACQ, this part is fine. Castle switch (SS) works the same as described before except... once I select any other ACM mode (other then GACQ) I can't go back to it. I have to toggle WeapSel switch. The only way I could invoke GACQ is by re-selecting the gun.

There is more stuff... like having a L&S track and entering ACM mode. It is retained regardless of range, etc.

I would have to hit the books...