How do they ALIGN INS quickly during a scramble???

[CommandT]

Just curious, how does one scramble a jet because there's a nuclear bomber incoming, without waiting 8 minutes for the INS to align? Is there a more quick align procedure? Coz I am always set and ready to go way before the alignment is complete in the F/A-18...

[KarateCriminal]

When you first start your INS alignment, look at the bottom of your HSI page for an option that says STHDG. This performs a stored heading alignment that instead of 8 minutes takes about 1 and a half minutes

[QuiGon]

Unlike in DCS this function is usually not available in real life, as it requires the jet to be set up for this beforehand. This is exactly what would be done to jets on QRA duty though. I'm not talking Hornet specific here btw, as this is a function available in most INS equipped fighter jets (at least in the west).

[CommandT]

When you first start your INS alignment, look at the bottom of your HSI page for an option that says STHDG. This performs a stored heading alignment that instead of 8 minutes takes about 1 and a half minutes

 

Aaaah! Interesting. What is the procedure? You just press that and put the swtich into NAV? Also, does this work on a carrier?

[QuiGon]

 

Aaaah! Interesting. What is the procedure? You just press that and put the swtich into NAV? Also, does this work on a carrier?

 

You start your alignment (either GND or CVA depending on where you are) and then push the STHDG button. The alignment continues, but will now take 1.5 minutes instead of 8 minutes. After the alignment is complete you switch to NAV (if GPS is not available) or IFA.

[LTRMcrew]

QRF aircraft would be pre flighted by the pilot and the ground crew when they get on duty. Things like INS would be spun up already and sit on ground power. Mission cartridges (not simulated in DCS...) would be inserted. Everything would be setup to the pilots liking so all they have to do is jump in and flip on the apu.

[CommandT]

Got you, thanks guys! I see how this works now! I figured they must have a faster way of doing it in real life for QRA. Many thanks!

 

One side question, might sound stupid, but, is there some indication somewhere which shows if a GPS is available or not?

[Foka]

One side question, might sound stupid, but, is there some indication somewhere which shows if a GPS is available or not?

 

If you're blue, and mission date is aftewr 1986, there is a GPS.

[dorianR666]

 

If you're blue, and mission date is aftewr 1986, there is a GPS.

*1994

and if you are red then you too have gps, if mission creator didnt uncheck unrestricted satnav

[Foka]

THe date - maybe. But AFAIR Unrestrickted satnav is unchecked by default.

[bear.is.flying]

Depends on the level of alert. For the highest state of readiness you might have a couple jets idling at the departure end of the runway ready to go.

[CommandT]

Got you, cheers! I'm sorry to go off on a slight tangent, but another question - how do you set the squawk in the F-18? Not that it really matters all that much for flying and shooting stuff, but I'm still curious.

 

 

[Frederf]

Mode 3 and/or C is accessed with the UFC IFF button. The only thing you can interact with in DCS is to turn IFF on or off.

[TeamMaximus]

QRF aircraft would be pre flighted by the pilot and the ground crew when they get on duty. Things like INS would be spun up already and sit on ground power. Mission cartridges (not simulated in DCS...) would be inserted. Everything would be setup to the pilots liking so all they have to do is jump in and flip on the apu.

 

I worked on F-4E Phantoms in the 70's and 80's and our alert aircraft were aligned in place on the alert pad, and the position information stored. When they had to scramble for an intercept, the pilots used the HDG MEM mode during the INS alignment, which transferred the stored position information. The INS still had to warm up, but it normally took less than a minute, rather than the 3 to 4 minutes a normal alignment would take. By the time both engines were running, and all pins and down-locks were removed, the jets were ready to roll out of the alert pad and onto the runway. This was all with the AN/ASN-63, the same INS used in F-4D, F-4E, and F-4G Phantoms until the late 70's, early 80's, when the AN/ARN-101 Digital INS installations started with the F-4G's. I'm sure they had essentially instant (or nearly so) alignment.

[CommandT]

Mode 3 and/or C is accessed with the UFC IFF button. The only thing you can interact with in DCS is to turn IFF on or off.

 

Ah yeah I was wondering why it wouldn't let me change any of the numbers.

[CommandT]

 

I worked on F-4E Phantoms in the 70's and 80's and our alert aircraft were aligned in place on the alert pad, and the position information stored. When they had to scramble for an intercept, the pilots used the HDG MEM mode during the INS alignment, which transferred the stored position information. The INS still had to warm up, but it normally took less than a minute, rather than the 3 to 4 minutes a normal alignment would take. By the time both engines were running, and all pins and down-locks were removed, the jets were ready to roll out of the alert pad and onto the runway. This was all with the AN/ASN-63, the same INS used in F-4D, F-4E, and F-4G Phantoms until the late 70's, early 80's, when the AN/ARN-101 Digital INS installations started with the F-4G's. I'm sure they had essentially instant (or nearly so) alignment.

 

Sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[Foka]

If anyone is interested in airplanes ready condition on QRF I recommen reading answers here:

https://www.quora.com/When-a-fighter-pilot-is-%E2%80%9Con-alert-%E2%80%9D-how-long-does-it-take-him-to-get-into-his-aircraft-and-get-airborne

 

Very interesting material from different countries around the world.

[KittyVCAW-1]

One side question, might sound stupid, but, is there some indication somewhere which shows if a GPS is available or not?

 

 

check out bullet point 9

 

Hi all,

 

We have introduced some fixes and improvements to the Hornet's INS modeling in the 2.5.6.53756 Open Beta. Here's an overview:

1. Previously, in scenarios where GPS is not available, it was necessary to perform a fix (such as TACAN) to complete INS alignment. This is no longer the case - initial alignment position in GND alignment mode is provided by the position of waypoint 0 instead of GPS. Normally, waypoint 0 coincides with the aircraft's initial position at mission start, but it may be edited in the HSI/DATA subpage as necessary prior to alignment. In CV alignment mode, initial position is provided automatically via RF (CV SINS) or manually by the pilot (CV MAN).
   
2. Previously, INS alignment was not complete after 0.5 OK status was displayed in the HSI, and it was necessary to wait a little longer. This has been fixed: 0.5 OK status now indicates a complete and successful alignment.
   
3. Alignment times have been tweaked: GND and CV alignment take around 8 minutes now. Stored heading option has been introduced, which reduces alignment time to about 90 seconds. GPS alignment has been introduced which takes around 10 minutes and can be performed on the ground and in flight.
   
4. The stored heading alignment option can now be selected in the HSI when the INS switch is in the GND or CV position. As mentioned above, it reduces alignment time from about 8 minutes to about 90 seconds.
   
5. GPS alignment has been introduced. When GPS is available and INS quality is less than 0.5 OK, GPS alignment can be performed by placing in the INS switch in the IFA position and observing the HSI indicates IFA GPS and a countdown. This type of alignment takes about 10 minutes.
   
6. If the INS switch is moved to the NAV position without a complete alignment (ie status less than 0.5 OK), a crossed out ALGN advisory will be displayed in the left DDI.
   
7. POS/AINS (GPS aided INS) position keeping mode has been introduced. If GPS is available, once alignment is complete, the INS switch should be moved to and kept in the IFA position as per the normal startup checklist. This enables POS/AINS mode which can be verified in the top left corner in the HSI. In POS/AINS mode, GPS is used in conjunction with INS to provide the position of the aircraft. If GPS is not available, the INS switch should be moved to and kept in the NAV position.
   
8. If the INS switch is placed in the IFA position before INS alignment is complete, in-flight alignment mode will be entered. IFA GPS (with GPS available) or IFA RDR (with GPS not available) will be displayed in the HSI. In the first case, once alignment is complete, the IFA GPS legend will disappear and POS/AINS mode will be entered automatically. In the second case, once alignment is complete the INS switch should be moved back to the NAV position.
   
9. If GPS is available and the INS switch is in the NAV position, a P/INS advisory will be displayed. This notifies the pilot that GPS is available but it is not being used to augment the INS because the INS switch is in the NAV position, and that it should be moved to the IFA position to enable POS/AINS mode.
   

 

 

[CommandT]

Awesome thank you!

[basto40]

Very useful...Many thanks for the initial question and for all answers !!