ED Team Raptor9 Posted January 31, 2021 ED Team Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) Pretty simple wishlist item; the ability to toggle between the HMD monocle and Night-Vison Goggles. Similar to choosing between HMS and NVGs in the Ka-50, except in this case you can swap between them in-flight without the use of ground crew interaction. Flip helmet display unit to the side, drop NVG's down, and vice versa. Edited January 31, 2021 by Raptor9 3 Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
Chirpy. Posted February 1, 2021 Posted February 1, 2021 +1 for all modules i think we should be able to switch between which is in use during flight (not sure how realistic that is)
llOPPOTATOll Posted February 1, 2021 Posted February 1, 2021 The apache is able to use the HMD with the NVG similar to the A-10C. Other modules arent able to do this because the HMD needs to be removed from the helmet to add NVGs which you cant do in flight. 1
ED Team Raptor9 Posted February 2, 2021 Author ED Team Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, llOPPOTATOll said: The apache is able to use the HMD with the NVG similar to the A-10C. Other modules arent able to do this because the HMD needs to be removed from the helmet to add NVGs which you cant do in flight. This is inaccurate. The reason you can use the A-10C HMCS with NVGs is because the helmet display was designed to accommodate it. The Apache's Helmet Display Unit wasn't designed with this in mind, but you can swap between them in-flight because each has separate mounts (as seen in the picture); however you can't use them both at the same time. Some pilots in the past have modified how the goggles or the helmet device are mounted to facilitate this, but such modifications are un-authorized and reduce the FOV that you can see through the combined HMD and goggles. Edited February 2, 2021 by Raptor9 1 Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
vigilante87 Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, llOPPOTATOll said: Huh i guess i heard wrong. You may be confusing it with the PNVS/TADS. Those sensors display the image on your HDU when you select them as an NVS source. However, Apache pilots have mounts on their helmet to allow them to attach NVG's. There are a few benefits to mounting NVGs, examples being able to see IR lasers (since TADS and PNVS are thermal) and ground/ambient light much better. There are some obvious drawbacks however, like not having your symbology in your face while you fly. Edited February 2, 2021 by vigilante87
ED Team Raptor9 Posted February 3, 2021 Author ED Team Posted February 3, 2021 ☝What he said. You essentially have two choices for night flying. Use the HDU and fly with a thermal-based image via the PNVS or TADS, and all the symbology, without the need for ambient lighting like a partial/full moon. Or fly with NVGs without symbology, but you have binocular vision able to see IR strobes/IR pointers, but on nights without a moon or with overcast clouds the NVGs may not have fidelity of the terrain/trees around you. Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
bies Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) When AH-64 pilots started to use night vision googles? How it compared to PNVS? I mean using Apache exclusive PNVS connected to the eye would be cool. It would be a shame if generic NVG would be better in this timeframe. Edited February 3, 2021 by bies
vigilante87 Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 21 minutes ago, bies said: When AH-64 pilots started to use night vision googles? How it compared to PNVS? I mean using Apache exclusive PNVS connected to the eye would be cool. It would be a shame if generic NVG would be better in this timeframe. In the earlier days it was quite common. As far as differences, look at previous posts on this thread, its covered. Its not better, just supplemented what was used.
ED Team Raptor9 Posted February 3, 2021 Author ED Team Posted February 3, 2021 14 minutes ago, bies said: When AH-64 pilots started to use night vision googles? How it compared to PNVS? I mean using Apache exclusive PNVS connected to the eye would be cool. It would be a shame if generic NVG would be better in this timeframe. 64 pilots have been using NVGs for decades. They aren't better than PNVS, they are just a different method for enhancing your vision at night. As stated above, it depends on what spectrum you want to see in, and weighing the pros and cons of one method versus the other. At one point in the mission you might prefer to use FLIR, and at another point you might prefer NVGs. Or one crewmember up FLIR, the other up NVGs, whatever the preference. Another advantage PNVS has over NVGs is your field-of-view isn't obstructed by the cockpit or canopy frame, which can be useful during NOE flight; but so can binocular vision afforded by NVGs for enhanced depth-perception. Afterburners are for wussies...hang around the battlefield and dodge tracers like a man. DCS Rotor-Head
Sinclair_76 Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 2 hours ago, Raptor9 said: 64 pilots have been using NVGs for decades. They aren't better than PNVS, they are just a different method for enhancing your vision at night. As stated above, it depends on what spectrum you want to see in, and weighing the pros and cons of one method versus the other. At one point in the mission you might prefer to use FLIR, and at another point you might prefer NVGs. Or one crewmember up FLIR, the other up NVGs, whatever the preference. Another advantage PNVS has over NVGs is your field-of-view isn't obstructed by the cockpit or canopy frame, which can be useful during NOE flight; but so can binocular vision afforded by NVGs for enhanced depth-perception. The position of the sensors (PNVS/TADS) in relation to yourself also takes some getting used to. Furthermore NVG's are able to pick up IR lasers like the AN/PEQ-2 or IZLID. And that makes an additional item for the wishlist. Mounting IZLID on the gun for air-ground tgt handoffs and/or coordination. Not sure if you can find it in the -10 or if it was common as early as 2002.
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