Purpose of TGP area track?

[Fred00]

I can't really find the answer to this: Is there any real purpose to TGP ATRK (area track) mode? As it seems now it works just as well to leave it in the slewable OPR mode. I can still use laser guided weapons by just designate the target point. What is the benefit of switching to ATRK?

[Hulkbust44]

First off, use the ATFLIR. AREA with the AT is a stabilized track of the pod image and is slewable. Slewing in AREA will update the TGT designation in real time as the the FLIR is the "tracking" sensor driving the designation.

As with the LITENING, ATRK is just that, it tracks the area image when a point track can't be achieved. IRL there are many more variables that make accurate designations and a point tracks more difficult. On of the reasons the offset exists it so you can track something that's not at the center of the image and slew the pod laser to the target. (IRL. Laser is fixed to FLIR/TV LOS)

Edited December 1, 2021 by Hulkbust44