Buddy lasing issue with 2 F/A 18 hornets

[A A ron]

I was not able to get my aircraft to see my wingmans laser target designation. Laser code set to 1688 for both aircraft. A/g master mode to on and air to ground mode selected, set both bombs to code 1688, lst set to on and osb button pushed on atflir ddi to search for laser. I was using the atflir. Not sure what pod he was using but I don't believe it should matter. The only thing I can think of is I forgot to get the mode into snowplow and accidentally had it in vvslv mode. The jtac mission module I have no issues with for laser guided mavE version. I thought maybe because I don't have combined arms. Or more possibly I never had the targeting pod looking close to where he had the laser target designation.

[QuiGon]

A track file would really help in this case, so we can see what was actually happening.

From your description it all sounds fine, although I have the suspicion there might be some misconceptions on your side of how the systems work exactly, so let me clarify something: You do not need LST or even a TGP to be able to drop bombs on a buddy-lased target. A TGP and it's LST mode can be helpful to locate the target that your buddy is lasing, but it doesn't do anything to get the bombs where they need to go. You can just drop the bombs without acquiring the laser beforehand, if you know where the target is located (through datalink, coordinates or talk-on by your buddy). The bombs will acquire the laser on their own once released. A TGP and LST will not help with that. It's just useful to confirm where the laser is, but that's about it.

If you do want to use a TGP with LST to check on the laser fired by your buddy, then you have to make sure, that you set the LST code to the same code as the LTDR code of your buddy, because that's what your TGP should be looking for. Bomb code doesn't matter here. The bomb code is just for the bombs itself, so they can detect the laser and guide in on it once released.
Also, when using LST, make sure the TGP is actually looking in the general area of where the lased target is supposed to be before activating LST. Maybe that was the issue here?

[A A ron]

Thanks for the reply. I am on the same page/understanding with you on all the topics you brought up. I believe my pod was not looking where it needed. I did a practice run with a jtac through a single player mission and it worked great. I've done that mission quite a few times to get comfortable with putting mgrs coordinates in and following proper nine line protocall. I just wasn't staying patient to think that I could have used my hmd to target the convoy and get my atflir looking in the correct location or even get coordinates from the f10 map. I want to be clear on one subject. If I just put the laser code on the lgbs only and fuse them and drop them through ccip mode as an example you are saying that they will track the laser from my wingmans laser and I can have the pod off and the lst switch off as well( as long as my laser code and his laser code match). Correct? That makes sense to me.

[QuiGon]

5 hours ago, A A ron said:

I want to be clear on one subject. If I just put the laser code on the lgbs only and fuse them and drop them through ccip mode as an example you are saying that they will track the laser from my wingmans laser and I can have the pod off and the lst switch off as well( as long as my laser code and his laser code match). Correct?

Yes, that's the way it works. There is no connection between the TGP and the bombs.
In fact, some LGB equipped aircraft in DCS don't even have a TGP, like the F-5E or Mirage 2000C and can only drop them blind onto a offboard laser designation.

Edited June 29, 2022 by QuiGon