Quick noob question about SPI generator

[twistking]

Hello,
i'm very familiar with the a-10c and f-16c SPI methology, however i am still unsure about some aspects of the hornet's SPI workings...

Basically i'm not sure how i can be sure, what generates my SPI and therefore where my SPI actually is. I think that has do to with the fact that the TGP can be SOI and generate a SPI, but look elsewhere (weird!) and secondly the fact that JDAMs (and other?) in TOO will only refresh their targeting data on pressing designate and will then ignore SPI changes.

After some hours in the cockpit, i can now drop all weapons reliably, but i'm pressing designate very often, just to be sure. I assume there must be a way to know exactly where the SPI currently is or where a JDAM will go. How can i quickly check if the TGP is actually pointing at the JDAM TOO target, or if the TGP is looking at SPI currently.

I mentioned that i'm familair with Viper and Warthog, because their specific differences might explain my confusion regarding SPI.

Thanks.

[twistking]

i think i figured it out by myself. so, it is basically only that one mode on the TGP ("auto" i think it was) that allows you to designate a different SPI from where you are looking and it requires you to hold the designator to slew, so you cannot do it by chance actually.

for the JDAM TOO i haven't found a better way than to press designate a second time, if in doubt. seems doable...

anything i missed?

[Dragon1-1]

Hornet doesn't really use the SPI concept. It uses a target designation, which can come from many different sensors, and the last designation dropped takes priority. With the SPI, you always have one, and you can slew it around at will, while designation stays put until you designate somewhere else.

You should be able to slave the TGP to the current designation, I forgotten which button does that (currently flying the Mirage), but it should be on the HOTAS.

[Ephedrin]

The TGP and designated target was seriously bugged at the time you posted, assuming you use the beta. Now after the latest update it‘s fixed apparently, I haven‘t tried yet.

 

the problem was that the TGP target designation slewed the waypoint with it so it would become hard to understand how it‘s supposed to work.

 

As Dragon said, there is no SPI comparable to A10 and F16. Using the ATFLIR or Litening Pod you‘d be able to designate a Waypoint on the HSI or SA page to slew the TPG then depending on the pod you‘d use one of their areal stabilization modes and slew them about. Once on your target you would just leave it there and cross check that your JDAMs have that coordinates showing in the top right of the page and mavericks would slew there automatically when selected and uncaged. 
 

compare it with the Walleyes attacking ships, it‘s simpler to understand: you‘d use the ground radar in sea mode and bump the castle switch the the direction of the MFD in use to designate a target, then move to the side of the weapon and uncage it, it will look there itself. There is no spi. The TGP works the same way but with the difference that you can slew it around. 
 

if you don‘t want to use a waypoint you can use the HMD or TDC in the same way. You just have the TGP to be ground stabilized, bump it to AUTO or Point track depending on the Pod and you have your coordinates for JDAM, Mav or laser. 
 

please note that this was written from memory and there could be some inaccuracies so it‘s the rough principle, the way to get there might be slightly different

 

oh and… as there is no SPI you lose your target if you move the tpod away. To store it you need to use markpoints. At least I‘m not  aware of any other method

Edited July 22, 2022 by Ephedrin

[twistking]

thanks to both of you!
i think i got it now.