Targeting POD - FLIR Image not working properly

[Toni Carrera]

Hi All,

 

I am trying to learn how to use the AGM-65F in conjunction with the Targeting Pod. I have been watching various tutorials on YouTube, including SpudKnockers various videos on the subject.

 

There are a few things I do not think are right on my setup. I have the FLIR set to Image Mode FLIR, as appose to CCD, White hot. When I select 'WPDSG' the pod image clearly slaves to the waypoint location, but even at say 20m range to target, all I see is green. Apparently, I am supposed to be able to render an image at <42m. All I see is bright green, in fact all I see most of the time with the pod, even if I am slewing it manually with the TDC, everything is bright green until I am about 10m from the waypoint/target. 

 

Even when I first select FLIR, the image is bright green, like maximum green brightness, even though I am in Snowplough mode looking at the sea

 

I have replicated the mission in the same test area of the Marianas map, on a nice clearly sunny day at noon

 

Please could someone help me

[Recluse]

One thing to check is the WYPT you are slaving to. Is it at GROUND level or is it up in the air somewhere???

 

You can check the elevation of the WYPT in the DATA screen of the HSI, and, from there you can also EDIT the elevation with the UFC option.

 

Usually -0 (hit zero twice) works, but you can get the actual elevation from the F10 map as well and enter it in Feet or Meters.

 

Also, ARE YOU SURE you are in SNOWPLOW mode or WPDESG mode?

 

When the FLIR is first brought online it is Stowed.  Double click NWS brings you to VVSLV and another Double CLick brings you to SNOWPLOW.  (or you can use the buttons).   When stowed, it is all green with no imagery.  WPDSG will unstow and point to the Waypoint without the intermediate unstowage, but you might try it.

 

It would help if you posted a .trk file.

Edited July 30, 2021 by Recluse

[Toni Carrera]

Thank you Recluse, I will try what you have suggested this morning and if I can't make any progress, I will post a .trk file to here so you can see what I am rambling on about

 

Thank you again

 

Back shortly either way

 

[Toni Carrera]

OK, well setting the waypoint altitude change certainly made a huge change. I have also dropped the FLIR to the AMPCD, which I find easier to see through Black/White/Grey Scale

 

I will persist with it now that I know it is not something that I have missed on the setup

 

Thank you for your help Recluse

 

[Recluse]

38 minutes ago, Ice Rhino said:

OK, well setting the waypoint altitude change certainly made a huge change. I have also dropped the FLIR to the AMPCD, which I find easier to see through Black/White/Grey Scale

 

I will persist with it now that I know it is not something that I have missed on the setup

 

Thank you for your help Recluse

 

Great! Glad it is starting to come together.

 

I made a little video (rough, but it tells the story) in the Marianas using the various FLIR modes (VVSLV, SNPLW, WPDESG) and sometimes it is pretty GREEN and washed out when pointing directly at the cloudless sky or ocean surface, but that is expected. Once there is SOMETHING with a little IR contrast you start making things out (even if it is part of your aircraft when the gimbals are pointing there).

 

Still uploading to YOUTUBE, so I will link it when ready if you have an interest.

 

Meanwhile you can watch a .trk, but without the explanations.

 

- Take off (poorly)

- Head toward target area

-Unstow FLIR to VVSLV mode with NWS/Undesignate 2x (I said Sensor Control Switch in the video... that was wrong)

- NWS/undesignate 2x to SNWPLW mode (I said Sensor Control Switch again... WRONG!)

- Then WPDSG to slew FLIR to ground target

- Then turn FLIR off and start again to show that WPDSG will unstow automatically and point to target (In the TRK and VIDEO, I turned the FLIR all the way to OFF. I didn't mean to, I just clicked the wrong mouse button. Meant to just go STBY and then back ON)

- Engage with Maverick

 

 

FLIR_Marianas.trk

Edited July 31, 2021 by Recluse

[Toni Carrera]

Thank you Recluse, I appreciate the video, just watched it all. Also, I have download your provided .trk file and will look at that shortly

 

IR

 

[Toni Carrera]

Slight technical hitch on watching the TRK, I don't have the Module A-4E-C

 

I will track it down and purchase it or whatever, so I hope I can then watch the .trk

 

 

[AdrianL]

1 minute ago, Ice Rhino said:

I don't have the Module A-4E-C

Can download it here. https://github.com/heclak/community-a4e-c/releases/tag/v2.0.0-beta-5.1 

It is a free community module

[Recluse]

19 minutes ago, Ice Rhino said:

Slight technical hitch on watching the TRK, I don't have the Module A-4E-C

 

I will track it down and purchase it or whatever, so I hope I can then watch the .trk

 

 

Ahh sorry about that!! I forgot I had A-4's available in that mission and that they would be required to view the .trk  Not sure you will get any more out of the .trk than what is shown in the Video (other than seeing a terrible takeoff roll!).

 

As @AdrianL said, it is a FREE mod anyway (and really fun to fly).

 

[Toni Carrera]

Thanks for all your help Recluse, and your addition AdrianL. I found a mod that makes the screens Grey Scale, which I find a lot easier to see, I guess I am just getting old. As one great character said "It's not the years, it's the mileage"

 

Thank you

Edited August 1, 2021 by Ice Rhino