Spotting Targets what’s the secret?

[Ebphoto]

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new the the A10 and DCS and have been flying some online stuff with some friends. What’s the best way to find or spot ground targets like vehicles? I fly right over them and can’t seen to find them. What’s the deal? Thanks,

 

E

[Ziptie]

4 minutes ago, Ebphoto said:

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new the the A10 and DCS and have been flying some online stuff with some friends. What’s the best way to find or spot ground targets like vehicles? I fly right over them and can’t seen to find them. What’s the deal? Thanks,

 

E

 

Are you using VR or are you using a flat screen?

I use VR, so my suggestions/methods might not be the same for you if you aren't using VR:

 

#1.  First, bind zoom and VR spyzoom.  Sometimes it can be tricky spot targets with your Mk I's (eyeballs).  If you don't use VR, there is a zoom function for flat screeners but I do not know what it is labeled as in the controls menu(s).  Start your ground scanning and just look for things that "don't fit" (very uniform shapes in open fields for example).  This is obviously very dependent on what altitude you are operating at.  If you are not going against a SAM threat, get lower (try 6,000 feet).  You might even be able to spot tracer fire from enemy ground units shooting at you.  If so, quickly jump to suggestion #2.

 

#2.  Eyes out the canopy allows you to get a bigger picture, compared to looking at the TGP soda straw display (narrow field of view comparable to looking through a soda straw).  If you are using the A10C2 have your HMCS enabled, when spot a target - DMS right long to slave the TGP to the HMCS HDC.  Make sure the crosshair in the HMCS looks like a Maltese cross, as when the HMCS is SOI you can use the HOTAS slew to move the HDC (box) off the HMCS LOS indicator.

 

#3.  While you are entering the AO - put the TGP over the suspected target area and switch to BHOT/WHOT if necessary to gain enough of a contrast of the ground picture.  This can give you more time to VID a target.  If you find one, I highly recommend TMS right short (with TGP SOI) with the crosshair over the target.  This creates a mark point (you can create 25), which can make it easy to get your sensors/weapons back to this point if you encounter a gimbal roll scenario (or make a mistake and TGP comes off target).  CDU switch to MARK position, now STEER +/- on the UFC (or CDU) will cycle between those created mark points just like it scrolls through your waypoints when that switch is in WYPT position.

 

Ability to spot ground targets can also be affected by your graphic settings in DCS, visibility range primarily.  If this is set low, you will be able to see a shorter distance, which can lead to situations like you are describing.

 

If the ground targets are hiding in trees, orchards or in a town - they can be incredibly difficult to spot and are most successful when getting a talk on from a friendly that has tally on the target(s).

 

 

--Tried to be basic here, explain a few of the acronyms and not get into any advanced maneuvers or tactics.  If you'd like or need any expansion on anything I've said above, feel free to message me privately - or here in this thread.  Always happy to help an aspiring Hog driver.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie

[Taz1004]

40 minutes ago, Ebphoto said:

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new the the A10 and DCS and have been flying some online stuff with some friends. What’s the best way to find or spot ground targets like vehicles? I fly right over them and can’t seen to find them. What’s the deal? Thanks,

 

E

 

Put the area you want to look for at around 2 o'clock position and scan the area with TGP.  Bank slightly so TGP has better line of sight.  Once you find target, mark them with markpoints.

 

Another way is to study the mission in Mission Editor.  Put waypoints on the targets or suspected target area.  Make sure you put the waypoints on ground.  Then slave TGP to waypoint.

 

Another way is to use your wingman.  Tell him to engage and his targets will show up on your HMCS as blue hat symbol.  Search that area with TGP.

Edited December 24, 2020 by Taz1004

[Ebphoto]

I’m using my Track IR and a 15” screen on my laptop. I don’t have a large screen yet and fly using my TM Warthog HOTAS with the zoom function mapped to the slider on the throttle. I need to learn how to make waypoints or mark points because flying around without them and using the F10 map is extremely hard! I fly right over them or very close at 8,000 ft or maybe higher and can’t seem to locate them zoomed in with the HOTAS.  Very frustrating! I am a disabled veteran and cannot sit at a desk because of back pain, so I have my laptop and everything setup on my bed and fly laying/ sitting up in bed. I know it’s not the best setup but it’s the only way I can do it with my back. Thanks...

[Madone]

@EbphotoI understand you're not in optimal conditions to play, a bigger screen would obviously help a lot in your case!

 

Btw sidenote : It's important to build a good situational awareness during the planning AND flying, you should be able to navigate without waypoints, using the navigation system will only be easier once you have the basics down, that's using a compass, the map and a time watch, look for terrain features to set up wheel orbits and reference points, it will develop your sense of observation, a lot of pilots in DCS even advanced ones lack this skill, example: you ask them the orientation of a building and it takes them 2 minutes to figure it out because they don't have cardinal references on the ground.

 

To get back on your question, @Ziptie scratched the surface on his first point, you need to look for hotspots, in a lot of missions, the enemies are in ambush setups, around bridges, main intersections, treelines... looking for a team sized infantry in a wooden area will clearly put you at a disadvantage as you probably already know!

During day, for vehicles you want to scan roads with your own eyes, don't wander and stick to 25m each side, give yourself a limit to not cross (Forward Line of Own Troops f.e), fly around 10000ft AGL, it should give you pretty good view with the zoom, once you see something suspect that's when you want to use the TGP, if it's nothing then back to your eyes. That allows you to avoid screen fascination or soda straw view.

During night, it's more about how you feel comfortable, I like to use the NVG's to work the same way I'd do in day, but if not I use the thermal imagery.

 

Obviously this works when you know where/what to look at, if you have no idea, then it's good to stay high (SAM threats) and use thermal imagery in general areas and zoom in on the hotspots.

[Sr.]

20 hours ago, Ebphoto said:

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new the the A10 and DCS and have been flying some online stuff with some friends. What’s the best way to find or spot ground targets like vehicles? I fly right over them and can’t seen to find them. What’s the deal? Thanks,

 

E

My "secret" is VR zoom 

[Ebphoto]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the help! This happened to be what was left of a convoy that had scattered. I found the old crater pits from the pilot before me but took forever to find the leftover vehicles. I think the reference points and ground observations is a really great idea and something I’ll have to work on. It’s definitely an art form, so to say! Thanks again...E

[Tiger-II]

Study the map/area you'll be flying.

 

Pick landmarks like rivers, hills, built up areas, etc. and say "river NW running south to the west side", "town east of the main road", etc.

 

If you've recon'd sufficiently, when you get over the target area you'll recognize your visual waypoints.

 

Also, "fly" the route in your mind, and as you approach the target area, look for things you can use to ID your ingress, such as "bridge on left side, over the hill, past town on right, left over the river, target".

 

That kind of thing.

 

Takes a little practice, but once you get in the rhythm it's second-nature.