TPOD - point track mode

[Jascha]

Hi

 

I'm currently learning to use A/G TPOD(s) and I have 2 questions regarding point track mode on moving targets. This applies to both - LITENING and ATFLIR.

 

1) Increasing FOV in point track mode causes it to lose track of the moving target. This is very annoying because I often use maximum zoom when searching for target at greater distances and later I'm unable to switch to wide FOV to get a better view when close or above the target. It loses track so any laser guided ordnance will miss if already in the air. Am I doing something wrong / is it a bug / or it works as it should?

 

2) Ironically, exceeding the TPOD gimbal limits does not cause to lose track of the moving target in point track mode. When I turn around and the target is visible on DDI again, it's still being tracked. Is this realistic?

 

[Foka]

2. No, It's an obvious bug.

[Harker]

2. should be possible, but in limited cases only, where the target continues moving with the same speed, heading etc. I don't know if this is applies to the ATFLIR specifically, but it's entirely possible for the pod software to extrapolate the target's path.

If 2. occurs for a "maneuvering" target, then of course it's wrong.

I'm also concerned about the fact that pod LOS is not accurately simulated, since the pod will enter INR SCENE and INR AUTO only if it reaches the MASK limits, but not when a wing or a store blocks the LOS to the target. Right now, it'll track, and even lase, perfectly fine, through a wing.

It's also weird to me that the wings are not part of the MASK zone, considering that the ATFLIR can only be mounted on one position on the Hornet. Seems that only the fuselage is actually causing a masking condition.

[Hulkbust44]

2. No, It's an obvious bug.

Not really. It just shouldn't be as perfect as it is right now. If the subject hasn't changed course then yes the pod should be able to predict the path based on the target's last know data.

Mobius708

[Jascha]

Ok, the theory that TPOD could predict the moving target location during the off-limit time is interesting, but for me rather unlikely. Does TPOD even has information on targets heading and speed? Because you don't get this kind of data on the FLIR feed afaik (like in case of the A/G radar).

 

1 hour ago, Harker said:

I'm also concerned about the fact that pod LOS is not accurately simulated, since the pod will enter INR SCENE and INR AUTO only if it reaches the MASK limits, but not when a wing or a store blocks the LOS to the target. Right now, it'll track, and even lase, perfectly fine, through a wing.

 

This! I have not thought of that while making this thread, but yeah it makes sense. I mean... it doesn't make sense.

 

Regarding problems with losing track when changing FOV, here are videos I recorded:

 

ATFLIR: Losing track when changing from NAR to WFOV. Note: Also - changing zoom within NAR does not affect tracking.

 

LITENING - losing track when changing FLIR view from NAR to WIDE. It doesn't occur always like in case of ATFLIR.

 

ATFLIR for static targets. Firs target in scene track - no problem with changing the FOV. Second one - static - in point track, the same problem occurs.

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Jascha