A/G Radar and Updates

[TBone]

Are DCS module updates checked for and installed automatically on startup?

 

Also, is the A/G radar implemented yet? If so, I can't seem to get it working. I switch to A/G mode and it doesn't change the radar from A/A mode nor can I box "surface" on the MFD in order to switch radar from A/A to A/G.

[RaisedByWolves]

If you’re using open beta they typically check once a day iirc. It’s only in the open beta module as of now. It does work.

[Fri13]

Also, is the A/G radar implemented yet? If so, I can't seem to get it working. I switch to A/G mode and it doesn't change the radar from A/A mode nor can I box "surface" on the MFD in order to switch radar from A/A to A/G.

 

The MAP mode is implemented. And if you have a radar screen on one DDI, then if you enable A-G master mode it will automatically switch to Surface mode, and you are first in the MAP mode.

 

The EXP1, EXP2 and EXP3 are implemented later on.

 

6fxXnRm1xEs

 

And no, it is nothing special really. If you are flying on example NTTR map and you have a completely flat desert where middle of it is a larger compound (dozen buildings or so) in tightly packed location, then you can detect it with MAP mode if you stare enough the map, increase the gain couple steps (Data > Gain). Basically meaning that you will know it is there and you are going to engage that location anyways.

 

In a good angle (altitude) and again flat terrain, you have fairly good possibility to detect a tank at couple miles distance, if you again know it is there and you are staring the radar scope as it will slip in and out there with very faint echo line.

 

But get to Caucasus and you are basically blind. Usable only for detecting larger ships on the sea. And that will be getting better when we get SEA1 and SEA2 modes.

 

So in future you could be looking something like this:

 

 

So there you have a airfield in EXP3 mode.

 

 

Here is the future about the A-G radar development:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=276224

 

So priority is now on the flight model fixes, secondary is A-G radar modes, then thirdly comes the JHMCS capability to designate ground targets by looking at them (now you have the A-G mode visible and its cross, but in future you can just look at the target and designate it and get TPOD and radar pointing at it, and so on you can just get radar EXP3 there to look at the area better if flying toward it in good angle).

[TBone]

Thanks for the quick answer! I've been a P3D and MSFS guy forever, this is all pretty new to me. Just to confirm I'm understanding what you are saying correctly;

 

I run the stable version, not open beta version of DCS World so the mapping radar is not available to me yet? I would need to be using open beta DCS?

[Fri13]

And if you want to know what that EXP3 screenshot is and how accurate it is, here is a overlaid that same place in mission editor:

 

 

So you can compare those two to see what the "radar sees".

 

ED clearly went to little short route, by likely using a new "A-G radar map" that is overlaid the visible map, and then when you enable the A-G radar, it will measure by the angle the area it sees from that perspective on that new "A-G radar map" and then snaps a image of it from above. This way they get the "height map" as well to render what is "shadow" as the radar is "the sun" for it, so they can easily build a new lighting effect to simply reveal or hide areas that are not suppose to be there.

 

And then simply add objects as echoes to that radar map as simpler 3D models for "pings".

 

You can as well easily see that the A-G radar doesn't see any trees. There is no line of sight calculation for trees. So if the unit is inside forest, it will not be hidden. And trees are not shown as echoes on the A-G radar scope as should.

 

I noticed this on first time flying with lower altitude, where the A-G radar clearly captured the river in Caucasus perfect manner, while the whole river was obstructed by trees visually. So the A-G radar should have shown river only from couple small areas and rest should have been blocked by trees and so on terrain as "green blobs", but no.... It is very simple A-G radar mode modeling.

 

But A-G radar is WIP, and hopefully what we have now is just very very early and rough phase of it, and in future we see a far more advanced version that would truly start to show the limitations of the A-G radar mapping.

 

So comparing now the Hornet to Viggen A-G radar:

 

 

 

It is clear that Viggen has a better A-G radar capabilities. :megalol:

 

And if we compare to the real APG-76 radar in DBS mode for a similar airfield:

 

 

It is clear that the Hornet version has clinical clear vision, with far higher resolution than should. So we are going to see people likely being able to spot targets that they shouldn't be able. Like in the real imagery, you can see clearly even patrol routes on side of the top runway, curving. But you have difficulties to identify a large C-130 type cargo aircrafts on clear flat surface. And trying to find a vehicles or other obstacles just bottom part of the radar screen where hangars and other buildings are, it becomes difficult.

 

But anyways, at that expanded mode, you are already in such situation that you shouldn't have any difficulties to use a targeting pod to spot objects in DCS, as we do not have simulation for the atmospheric conditions for low contrast at given directions and altitudes.

 

But getting firing solution for a JDAM delivery for a 50-100 meter accuracy is not a problem for such targets as airfield hangar or other very clearly well known location.

 

The real challenge is to actually gather intelligence of the enemy location in first place, so you shouldn't be able to fly around with A-G radar on with Hornet and start just spotting targets to be attacked. On sea maybe for larger targets from cargo ships to frigates and carriers.

 

Hopefully ED gets the A-G radar visual effects sorted out, that there would be more clutter and especially trees and such would be as well included, as otherwise ground units will be there like a Christmas lights at night, again....

[Fri13]

I run the stable version, not open beta version of DCS World so the mapping radar is not available to me yet? I would need to be using open beta DCS?

 

Yes, Open Beta required for it. The Stable got the update for 2.5.6 for the new lighting effects etc, but not for the A-G early features.

 

But anyways I would still wait in stable for the A-G features to come, as while it is really highly expected feature, it is really nothing yet.

 

If it would be possible in Hornet, I would more likely see this in it than A-G radar, if our Hornet just would model it....

 

 

With a TAD and realistic map tiles of choice, we could fight far more effectively.