DCS: AH-64D FAQ

[NineLine]

Key Features of DCS: AH-64D

At Early Access release:

• Professional flight dynamics and engine modelling with high precision characteristics of the real aircraft in all ranges of altitude, temperature and speeds for different weights and flight configurations
• Two 6DOF highly detailed cockpits and external model
• Fully clickable cockpits with mouse interactive control
• Multi-crew. A second crewmember can be another player or the "George" AI
• Detailed modeling of the entire electrical, fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, fire protection, SCAS, hold modes, and radio systems
• Full modeling of armament and weapons systems with ability to use 30mm chain gun, 2.75-inch rockets, and AGM-114K laser-guided anti-tank missiles in Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) and selectable Direct, Low, and High trajectory modes for Lock-On After Launch (LOAL)
• External fuel tanks (ERFS) and internal auxiliary fuel system (IAFS)
• IHADSS, M-PNVS, and M-TADS/TEDAC systems and sensors
• Linear Motion Compensation (LMC) mode for TADS
• Tactical Situation Display (TSD) with moving map
• Defensive systems that include the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), Radar Warning Receiver, and chaff and flare dispensers.
• U.S. Army and other paint schemes
• Night Vision Goggles
• Early Access Manual
• Training Missions

At final release:

• Fire Control Radar (FCR) and Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI)
• Addition of the AGM-114L radar-guided anti-tank missile
• Datalink modem for sending targets and other information between flight members
• TADS Multi-Target Tracker (MTT)
• Laser Warning System
• Radar Jammer
• Anti-Ice System
• Advanced Damage Modeling
• Additional liveries and livery template
• Full English manual (full list of languages is TBD)
• Campaign by Eagle Dynamics

Where can I purchase the DCS: AH-64D?
The DCS: AH-64D is currently available in early access at a 20% discount:
DCS E-Shop :  DCS: AH-64D (digitalcombatsimulator.com)
Steam: DCS: AH-64D (steampowered.com)

Where can I find information on the latest updates on the DCS: AH-64D?
Follow this thread here for all the latest updates: https://forum.dcs.world/topic/280176-dcs-ah-64d-mini-updates/

Is there a development roadmap for the DCS: AH-64D?
The current roadmap for the module is posted here, and will be periodically updated as development progresses: https://forum.dcs.world/topic/318054-dcs-ah-64d-roadmap/

What version of the AH-64D is simulated within DCS?
DCS: AH-64D simulates an AH-64D Block 2 in service with the United States Army between the years of 2005-2010, with a specific equipment configuration that was common (but not exclusive) within that time period. The specific avionics version that is modeled in DCS: AH-64D is 9.1, which was fielded to U.S. Army AH-64Ds in 2005, along with additional equipment that was fielded to the U.S. Army fleet between 2005 and 2007.

What armament are available with the DCS: AH-64D?
The available weapon options include:

• AGM-114K (laser-guided) and AGM-114L (radar-guided) Hellfire anti-armor missiles
• 2.75-inch Hydra unguided rockets, with M151 and M229 high explosive, M257 parachute flare illumination, and M274 training smoke warheads
• 30mm Area Weapon System, with M789 high explosive dual purpose (HEDP) and M788 training round options

Is the IHADSS/HDU restricted to just the right eye in VR?
No, you can set it to left, right, or both eyes.

Is the DCS: AH-64D multi-crew capable?
Yes. You and another player can both occupy the same helicopter in separate crewstations.

Does the DCS: AH-64D have an AI crewmember option when multi-crew is not possible?
Yes. An AI crewmember, called "George" AI, is it included that simulates the procedures of real AH-64D crewmembers. George can operate as the Copilot/Gunner when you are in the Pilot seat, and can operate as the Pilot when you are in the Copilot/Gunner seat. George AI is available in both singleplayer gameplay as well as multiplayer (if another player isn't occupying the other crewstation of course).

Is there an Early Access Guide?
Yes. A guide is included with the DCS: AH-64D module, and is periodically updated as new features are released and existing functions are refined.

Are there instructional videos?
Yes. As the product matures, instructional videos are periodically released to summarize new features. You can see existing videos that have been released here.

General Questions

What is the difference between an AH-64D equipped with a mast-mounted Fire Control Radar and an AH-64D without the FCR?
There is very little difference between these aircraft configurations. The presence, or absence, of the FCR mast-mounted assembly does not denote a different model of AH-64 but is simply a removeable sensor system (much like a targeting pod on a strike fighter). When the FCR system is removed, the AH-64D will still perform and operate the same, albeit with less overall gross weight and more limited sensor/targeting options to the crew. Further, while the U.S. Army has operated AH-64Ds with a mixed fleet of FCR and non-FCR aircraft, some countries have operated exclusively FCR-equipped AH-64D variants, such as the United Kingdom's Army Air Corps, or exclusively non-FCR-equipped variants, such as the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Is the AH-64 a Close Air Support (CAS) platform?
It depends on which nation's military this question is referring, and whether this is a question of CAS doctrine versus CAS procedures. In some militaries, the AH-64 is indeed considered a CAS platform by doctrine, which means that it requires a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) or Forward Air Controller (FAC) on the ground, or Forward Air Controller-Airborne (FAC-A) qualified aircrew overhead, to grant them clearance to employ weapons in close proximity to friendly ground forces; extreme or dire situations notwithstanding.

In U.S. Army service however, the AH-64 is not a CAS platform but is considered a "maneuver unit" akin to an infantry squad or a tank. This means that U.S. Army AH-64 Air Weapons Teams (AWTs), flight platoons, or entire flight companies can be employed anywhere on the battlefield like any other U.S. Army unit type. Doctrinally, this means U.S. Army aircrews can provide fires in support of friendly ground forces without JTAC, FAC, or FAC-A personnel present. However, this does not preclude U.S. Army aircrews from employing CAS procedures in coordination with JTAC, FAC, or FAC-A personnel to better integrate with friendly ground units on the battlefield; it is simply not a requirement to do so.

Navigation Questions

How do I enter a set of MGRS coordinates if a JTAC or other ground unit gives me MGRS in 4-, 6-, or 10-digit formats?
The AH-64D will only accept MGRS coordinates in an 8-digit format. If coordinates are entered using a 4-, 6-, or 10-digit MGRS format, the Keyboard Unit (KU) will not accept this entry and the KU display will simply flash to indicate an invalid data entry. If given a 4-digit or 6-digit MGRS location, simply append zeros to the easting and northing to achieve the number of required digits, such as 12001200 when given “1212” or 12301230 when given “123123”. Conversely, when given a 10-digit MGRS coordinate, simply remove the fifth digit from both the easting and northing to achieve the required 8-digit format, such as 12341234 when given “1234512345”.

Is there a setting I must change to enter coordinates using Latitude/Longitude?
No, coordinates can be entered in two formats: MGRS 8-digit format and Lat/Long Degrees-Minutes-Decimal format (DDD*MM.MMM). A TSD point can be entered using MGRS coordinates in one moment and the next point can be entered using Lat/Long coordinates without changing any setting. A TSD point can even be entered using one coordinate type, and then edited to a different location using the other coordinate type if necessary.

Why does the AH-64D use two different units for measuring distance on the TSD or the distance to the next waypoint (e.g., kilometers and nautical miles)?
The UNIT setting can be toggled between KM and NM on the FLT SET page. This provides a flexible avionics feature to AH-64D aircrews, allowing them to choose their preferred unit of measurement when operating in different types of airspace or when operating with ground or air forces from other military branches or nations. In a single flight, a AH-64D aircrew may communicate with civilian air traffic control using nautical miles, then an infantry unit using kilometers, and then nautical miles again when communicating with a fixed-wing fighter.

Sensor and Sighting System Questions

What is the difference between the Pilot Night Vision System (PNVS) and the Target Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS)?
The PNVS is a FLIR-only turret that is intended to aid the Pilot in the back seat while flying in total darkness. The TADS is a multi-sensor turret that is intended to allow the Copilot/Gunner in the front seat to target and designate enemy locations and vehicles for the AH-64D’s weapon systems. The TADS may also be used to fly in total darkness and serves as a backup to the PNVS in this regard. Either crewmember may select either the PNVS or the TADS FLIR sensors for flying, but neither sensor can be used by both crewmembers at the same time.

Can the PNVS be used to aim weapons?
The PNVS is simply a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor that provides a video underlay to the crewmember using it for flying at night; it is not a sight and it does not perform targeting nor aim any weapon systems. In such an instance where the Pilot is using the PNVS during operations at night, the Pilot’s selected sight may be HMD, and the HMD does aim weapon systems while the PNVS provides video imagery of the surroundings.

Can the TADS be used by the Pilot in the backseat?
The TADS can be used in one of two ways: as a sight for targeting or as a sensor for flying. In the case of the former, only the Copilot/Gunner in the front seat can directly control the TADS for the purposes of targeting and aiming of weapon systems. In the case of the latter, the TADS FLIR may be used as a night-flying sensor using the NVS Sensor Select switch on the Collective Flight Grip. Therefore, either crewmember may select the TADS as their NVS sensor, but only the Copilot/Gunner can select the TADS as their sight for targeting.

What is the difference between the Pilot Night Vision System (PNVS) and night vision goggles?
The PNVS is a steerable Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) turret that follows the helmet movements of the Pilot and transmits a thermal-based video of the environment to the Pilot's Helmet Display Unit (HDU). This system displays the thermal environment through various shades of brightness to distinguish varying levels of heat emissions from objects within the FLIR's field of view. Night vision goggles on the other hand amplify light sources and reflected light from the environment to allow a human eye to distinguish detail and contrast.

Why can’t night vision goggles be used at the same time as the Helmet Display Unit?
The Helmet Display Unit (HDU) itself physically interferes with the proper wear of the AN/AVS-6 night-vision goggles. However, more importantly, the use of NVG’s and the HDU simultaneously can often present circumstances where the two devices are not properly aligned and can incur aiming errors when employing the helicopter sensors or weapon systems. For this reason, use of the two devices in such a manner is a prohibited practice for U.S. Army AH-64D aircrews.

Why can I see IR pointers when using night vision goggles, but I cannot see them when using the TADS or PNVS?
Typical night vision goggles (such as the AN/AVS-6 goggles simulated in the DCS: AH-64D) amplify visible and near-infrared light to a level that can be used by the human eye to distinguish detail and contrast. Therefore, devices that transmit light in the near-infrared spectrum (such as IR beacons or IR pointers) can be seen by individuals wearing NVG's; whereas some FLIR systems that operate on different portions of the IR spectrum, such as the AH-64D PNVS and TADS FLIR sensors, cannot be used to view such sources of IR energy.

Is an IR pointer and a laser designator the same?
No, an IR pointer is a tightly focused beam of light that continuously emits in the near-infrared spectrum, whereas a laser designator employs a coded pulse of laser energy that can be detected by compatible sensors or weapon systems that are scanning for that precise laser pulse sequence.

Why does the horizon line in the IHADSS symbology not coincide with the real horizon?
The IHADSS allows the crewmembers to maintain situational awareness of the majority of the AH-64D’s flight state, sensors, and weapon systems, regardless of where the crewmember is looking at any given time. Either crewmember can look independently of the helicopter's flight path or nose direction without losing key pieces of data necessary to fly and fight. This allows the Pilot on the controls to be looking back over his/her shoulder while in a steep pitch-back turn and still have full awareness of the aircraft's attitude and flight state; or be scanning out to either side of the aircraft for threats or obstacles while flying slowly at nap-of-the-earth altitudes just feet over the treetops.

When viewing the horizon line (and/or pitch ladder in Cruise mode), the Line-Of-Sight (LOS) Reticle – or central crosshairs – within the symbology represents the nose of the aircraft, much like the watermark on a cockpit attitude indicator. If the artificial horizon line bisects the LOS reticle, the helicopter's pitch attitude is level with the horizon.

What is a “sight” and how do I determine which one I should use in a tactical situation?
There are three possible “sights” that can be selected to directly aim a weapon or generate a targeting solution in the AH-64D. These selections are the Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD), the Target Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS), or the optionally-mounted Fire Control Radar (FCR). Any of these three sight selections may be used by the Copilot/Gunner, but only HMD and FCR are available to the Pilot. The sight currently selected by the crewmember will be displayed in the bottom-left corner of the IHADSS symbology.

Each sight used by the AH-64D has both advantages and disadvantages that must be known and evaluated for any given tactical situation. For example, the TADS is very useful for long-range target identification and designation for Hellfire missiles, however it may not be the quickest method for engaging a target that is at close-range. On the other hand, the HMD is very useful for rapidly engaging targets at close-range simply by using the crewmember’s helmet-tracking capabilities, but the HMD is less accurate than the TADS and cannot designate targets for missile engagement.

What is an “acquisition source” (ACQ) and how do I determine which one I should use in a tactical situation?
An acquisition source can quickly orient a crewmember’s selected sight to either a point in space relative to the aircraft nose or a set of three-dimensional coordinates on the battlefield. The purpose of the acquisition source is to reduce the time needed to manually search and acquire a target with any given sight. In the case of the TADS or FCR, these sights will physically slew to the location of the selected acquisition source. In the case of the HMD, the crewmember will receive cueing indications in their helmet symbology of where they should look to point their head toward the selected acquisition source (in lieu of a robotic arm physically grabbing their head and forcibly turning it in the correct direction).

As is the case with sight selections, choosing the best acquisition source in any given situation is key to reducing the time it takes to search, acquire, and engage enemy targets.

Weapon System Questions

Do acquisition sources (ACQ) affect where a weapon system is aimed?
No, a crewmember's ACQ selection has no effect on how a weapon system will behave or where a weapon system is aimed. Only the crewmember's selected sight will affect the crewmember's actioned weapon.

It is worth noting that if a crewmember has actioned missiles, with the missile type set to SAL and the trajectory set to LO or HI, the missile Constraints Box will be displayed based which TSD point is set as the crewmember's ACQ. However, the Constraints Box only provides steering cues to the pilot in aligning the helicopter toward the TSD point set as the ACQ when set to LO or HI trajectory; it does not affect where the missile's flight path after it is launched.

Why is the AH-64D’s gun called the Area Weapon System?
The AWS was designed primarily as a close-in defensive weapon system when directed by a crewmember’s helmet sight to provide suppression against immediate threats to the aircraft or the team. However, the AWS can also be effectively used as an offensive weapon against light armor, soft-skinned vehicles, or personnel; especially when directed by the TADS as the sight.

Why does my range source keep switching to a Manual range when I action the gun?
As described above, the gun is designed to be used as a close-in defensive weapon system when employed by the aircrew’s helmet sights. As such, when a crewmember’s selected sight is HMD (Helmet Mounted Display), the range source will automatically revert to the Manual range (as set on the WPN page) whenever that crewmember actions the gun. This prevents an un-intended ranging value from being used when hasty, close-in fires are needed. As an example, if the crewmember had been employing a Navigation range to a target 4.0 kilometers away, and then needed to hastily aim the gun at a close-range threat using their HMD, the gun would attempt to elevate for a ballistic solution of 4,000 meters, and the rounds would impact a location much further than anticipated. For this reason, during start-up or during pre-combat checks, it is wise to set a Manual range value on the WPN page with which you are proficient in engaging targets at close range.

However, this does not prevent the crewmember from setting a different range source such as an Automatic or Navigation range after the gun is actioned.

Why does the Rocket Steering Cursor not behave as a conventional Continuously Computed Impact Point (CCIP) reticle?
The Aerial Rocket Sub-system on the AH-64D was designed to be employed as "aerial rocket artillery", making a team of AH-64Ds akin to a hovering MLRS battery. Since unguided rockets can only be employed using ballistic trajectories (like bullets), the accuracy of any ballistic munition is heavily determined by the sighting method that is used to generate a targeting solution. With CCIP targeting methods, the target must not only be visible to the naked eye, but any adjustments made to the aimpoint must also be precise enough and distinguishable to the crew in order for such corrections to ballistic trajectories to be effective. At longer ranges, the very thickness of any symbology elements of a CCIP reticle itself on a HUD or helmet display may be the difference of several hundred meters. For this reason, CCIP reticles are only effective at relatively close ranges, and within visual range of the naked eye.

In order to engage ground targets with unguided rockets beyond normal visual ranges on the battlefield, or to engage targets from behind cover without having a direct line-of-sight (LOS) to the target area, the Rocket Steering Cursor is employed to enable the crew in aligning the helicopter with the required targeting solution for rocket delivery. While used in Cooperative mode, a secondary advantage to the Rocket Steering Cursor is that the Pilot can use the symbology to align the helicopter with the required targeting solution provided by the Copilot/Gunner while the Pilot continues to scan the surrounding terrain for immediate threats, without ever looking in the direction the aircraft nose is pointed for rocket delivery.

Questions regarding feature requests

Why isn't feature “X” being developed for the DCS: AH-64D?
Although our goal is to deliver the most authentic AH-64D experience that can be achieved on personal computers, our development resources are finite. The features that we have chosen to develop for the DCS: AH-64D are what we believe will maximize the player’s experience in pursuit of that goal. Therefore, some aspects, functionality, or features of the real AH-64D may not be possible to simulate within DCS due to one or a combination of the following reasons:

• The resources required to develop a feature significantly outweigh its overall benefit or utility within DCS gameplay.
• There is insufficient documentation or references in the public realm to adequately develop a feature.
• The inclusion of a feature would not be accurate or realistic for the aircraft version or timeframe of service.

However, it is important to understand that these reasons are not absolute or ubiquitous when guiding our development decisions. It is important to limit the scope of a product to prevent "feature creep" over the development cycle; but in some instances, even if insufficient documentation exists, some features may be developed if we feel the positive impact to the gameplay will significantly outweigh the time and resources to develop. In other instances, we may include less accurate implementations for the sake of simplicity or to broaden the product access to more players. For example, even though real-life AH-64 pilots can only wear the helmet display over their right eye, DCS: AH-64D permits VR users to select the left eye or both eyes for those players that may have visual impairment within their right eye.

Why doesn’t the DCS: AH-64D have Stinger or Sidewinder air-to-air missiles?
The DCS: AH-64D is simulating an AH-64D in service with the United States Army. U.S. Army AH-64Ds (and AH-64As) have never been equipped or capable of firing Stinger or Sidewinder missiles, despite a small number of weapons tests conducted with such missiles, as described in the Aircraft History section of the DCS: AH-64D manual. There are several “growth” provisions within the AH-64D cockpit controls (such as an Air-To-Air weapon select position and a missile Cage button) to support future additions of such capability to the AH-64D; however the avionics of AH-64Ds in the U.S. Army fleet have never supported such weapons.

Will the DCS: AH-64D include additional variants of the AGM-114 missile, such as earlier SAL1 variants or the later M, N, or K2-series variants?
The differences between the AGM-114K and other laser-guided variants such as the M, N, or K2-series would not be relevant to DCS; the only difference that would be noticeable to the player would be that the nose of the missile’s external model would be labeled with an M, N, or some other designation. The weight differences would be negligible, and there would be no differences on the WPN page symbols nor the simulated weapon effects within DCS.

Although earlier SAL1 missiles would include slight differences on the WPN page symbols, and the AGM-114F would be a noticeably longer missile, the minimal differences compared to the already implemented AGM-114K does not currently justify their development. Therefore, additional variants beyond the laser-guided AGM-114K and radar-guided AGM-114L are not currently planned.

Why doesn't the DCS: AH-64D include the option to carry AGR-20 laser-guided rockets, also known as APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System)?
The DCS: AH-64D is a Block 2 from the 2005-to-2010 timeframe, but APKWS laser-guided rockets were not fielded to the AH-64 until late 2015. This would fall well outside the version of the AH-64D that we are simulating. As such, it is not currently planned.

Why aren't other AH-64D datalink types such as the Tactical Internet (TI), also referred to as Blue Force Tracker, included in DCS: AH-64D?
The real-life AH-64D indeed possesses additional datalink provisions, including the Tactical Internet (TI), Fire Support (FS), and TACFIRE/ATHS protocols. However, the majority of the AH-64D’s datalink capabilities are already implemented through its own AH-64D<->AH-64D datalink system. Early in the DCS: AH-64D’s development cycle, it was decided that modeling additional datalink types that duplicate many capabilities that would be already provided by the AH-64D<->AH-64D datalink would not have an appreciable impact on gameplay. Therefore, in addition to insufficient documentation being available in the public realm regarding these datalink types, we do not feel this would be an appropriate focus of our resources.

The DCS: AH-64D lacks the IZLID IR-pointer mounted to the 30mm gun. Doesn't this make the DCS: AH-64D less accurate or less realistic since U.S. Army AH-64Ds employed this equipment?
The AH-64D was indeed equipped with an Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator-Designator (IZLID) mounted to its gun turret later in its service life, including during the 2005-to-2010 time frame that DCS: AH-64D simulates. However, not all U.S. Army units were equipped with these devices during this timeframe. Even when a unit was equipped, not every airframe within a given unit had one installed or available.  Although as time went on they became more commonly fielded, it did not become a fleet-wide standard piece of equipment for some time. The IZLID is not currently planned.

Why doesn't the DCS: AH-64D have skis for snow operations in arctic environments?
Skis were not fielded to U.S. Army AH-64Ds until after 2015, well outside the version simulated by DCS: AH-64D. Further, skis were actually fielded to the AH-64 unit in Alaska to enable them to land in muskeg, rather than deep snow. Such a feature is not currently planned.