TWS - AUTO/MAN

[QuiGon]

21 hours ago, Hulkbust44 said:

and has much better logic overall

I disagree. I find the interaction with the Hornets radar and especially the TWS much worse than that of the Viper. Especially since the Viper has all the necessary commands on the HOTAS, while with the Hornet you have to move your hand away from the stick to push buttons on the DDI.

[Harker]

I disagree. I find the interaction with the Hornets radar and especially the TWS much worse than that of the Viper. Especially since the Viper has all the necessary commands on the HOTAS, while with the Hornet you have to move your hand away from the stick to push buttons on the DDI.

Right now, in DCS, the Hornet's TWS AUTO doesn't work at all like it should and it only takes radar trackfiles into account.

IRL, TWS AUTO is completely automated in that it optimizes the scan pattern to cover as many MSI trackfiles (including ones from datalink and FLIR) as possible, while prioritizing the L&S, DT2 and targets under AMRAAM attack and going down ranks.

You can also select options with the TDC, no need for button presses. Which is also easier IRL, due to the higher max slew rate of the TDC.

If we get a fully working TWS AUTO, with MSI, then it'll be very hands free.

[Tango3B]

7 hours ago, Harker said:

Right now, in DCS, the Hornet's TWS AUTO doesn't work at all like it should and it only takes radar trackfiles into account.

IRL, TWS AUTO is completely automated in that it optimizes the scan pattern to cover as many MSI trackfiles (including ones from datalink and FLIR) as possible, while prioritizing the L&S, DT2 and targets under AMRAAM attack and going down ranks.

You can also select options with the TDC, no need for button presses. Which is also easier IRL, due to the higher max slew rate of the TDC.

If we get a fully working TWS AUTO, with MSI, then it'll be very hands free.

I fully agree. Also, documentation on the working principle is readily available which backs your explanations to the fullest. And since the current implementation of TWS-A does not represent the realistic version of the APG-73 I´d like to directly ask the ED team here. Will we see a rework of TWS-A and if so, when? A rework is not only necessary because ED normally has a high standard concerning realism but it is also because of the complete inability to use MSI to it´s full potential. Me normally being a Viper guy I do fully understand and appreciate that the Viper is progressing at a steady and very nice pace but this TWS-A issue is just too important to be overlooked because it will drastically change the effectiveness of the Hornet´s radar. The Hornet surely deserves a bit more love, I guess...

Edited March 9, 2022 by Tango3B

[MARLAN_]

An absolutely huge part of MSI is being able to designate (L&S) offboard track files, I hope they at least can implement this.

[Harker]

An absolutely huge part of MSI is being able to designate (L&S) offboard track files, I hope they at least can implement this.

True, but it also goes beyond being able to designate them. MSI trackfiles are treated the same, regardless if the radar is a contributing sensor or not, with few a exceptions (most notably, the ability to launch an AMRAAM requires radar contribution, unless I'm mistaken).

So, both ownship and offboard trackfiles will be ranked, be included in the stepping process with the Undesignate button, be considered in the TWS AUTO scan and you should be able to command the radar to attempt STT on them with FACQ (via SCS with TDC on the track or by having it as L&S).

[MARLAN_]

Just now, Harker said:

True, but it also goes beyond being able to designate them. MSI trackfiles are treated the same, regardless if the radar is a contributing sensor or not, with few a exceptions (most notably, the ability to launch an AMRAAM requires radar contribution, unless I'm mistaken).

So, both ownship and offboard trackfiles will be ranked, be included in the stepping process with the Undesignate button, be considered in the TWS AUTO scan and you should be able to command the radar to attempt STT on them with FACQ (via SCS with TDC on the track or by having it as L&S).

100% There's a lot missing, I just meant to identify a single big piece I feel is very important.

[Harker]

1 minute ago, MARLAN_ said:

100% There's a lot missing, I just meant to identify a single big piece I feel is very important.

yeah, gotcha

[Tango3B]

40 minutes ago, Harker said:

True, but it also goes beyond being able to designate them. MSI trackfiles are treated the same, regardless if the radar is a contributing sensor or not, with few a exceptions (most notably, the ability to launch an AMRAAM requires radar contribution, unless I'm mistaken).

So, both ownship and offboard trackfiles will be ranked, be included in the stepping process with the Undesignate button, be considered in the TWS AUTO scan and you should be able to command the radar to attempt STT on them with FACQ (via SCS with TDC on the track or by having it as L&S).

No, you´re not mistaken. That´s actually how it works. So again, this´d be a huge increase in effectivenes for the APG-73...

[Hobel]

9 hours ago, Harker said:

IRL, TWS AUTO is completely automated in that it optimizes the scan pattern to cover as many MSI trackfiles (including ones from datalink and FLIR) as possible, while prioritizing the L&S, DT2 and targets under AMRAAM attack and going down ranks.

 

9 hours ago, Harker said:

If we get a fully working TWS AUTO, with MSI, then it'll be very hands free.

 The question about the function was asked 1-2 years ago?

Is there any news about it yet?

Edited March 9, 2022 by Hobel

[QuiGon]

19 hours ago, Harker said:

Right now, in DCS, the Hornet's TWS AUTO doesn't work at all like it should and it only takes radar trackfiles into account.

IRL, TWS AUTO is completely automated in that it optimizes the scan pattern to cover as many MSI trackfiles (including ones from datalink and FLIR) as possible, while prioritizing the L&S, DT2 and targets under AMRAAM attack and going down ranks.

You can also select options with the TDC, no need for button presses. Which is also easier IRL, due to the higher max slew rate of the TDC.

If we get a fully working TWS AUTO, with MSI, then it'll be very hands free.

Interesting, I wonder if ED is aware of this and plans to properly simulate this?

[Harker]

Interesting, I wonder if ED is aware of this and plans to properly simulate this?

Definitely aware, considering the number of threads and bug reports on the matter. As for the second part, no idea.

[wilbur81]

I've been compiling a list of Radar bugs (air to air stuff only) that are already marked "reported" or "investigating" that I've been considering asking ED about the possibility of either:

a) Creating a separate "Radar" subsection in the bugs area of the forum.

or 

b) Allowing for a sticky thread of marked -"reported" links to each and every Hornet Radar bug. This would merely be to keep important radar bugs from getting more and more deeply buried. (i.e. the TWS/MSI "jump around" bug, enemy missile lock bug, ghost TWS track bug, etc. ending up on page 6 or 7 of the bug tracker forum section.)

The purpose of the thread WOULD NOT be for bitching and whining about the current state of things, but just to prioritize a bit and allow new reports of old or new radar bugs to get filtered to their appropriate place and, ideally, get addressed more promptly. (I'm sure ED has their own in-house bug tracker.)

The conviction here is that the radar is the heart and soul of this awesome Navy fighter and it should (in my mind) be prioritized over other sensors that are a bit less complex. FLIR is awesome, but it doesn't have all the same complexity of the Radar and it's implementation. I would LOVE to see a real focus on our APG-73 and cleaning it all up. Again, on an entry level... it is an AMAZING achievement that ED has going with our current radar. But as you drill down a bit into multi-bogey, maneuvering engagements, flowing in and out of various modes, settings, and weapons...you notice all kinds of craziness that is hair-pulling-ly frustrating. To ED's credit, these are mostly acknowledged and, again, marked as "reported." Just wanting to see those marked as "fixed" in the nearer future if possible. 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2022 by wilbur81