Recluse Posted November 1, 2022 Posted November 1, 2022 (edited) In the F/A-18 (DCS anyway) it is possible to set two different Laser codes on the Litening pod, one for the DESIGNATOR and one for the Spot Search/Tracker. I've used this in the F/A-18 in multiplayer where a Wingman could laser designate a target with their code, then, once the target was spotted and locked, it could be prosecuted with my own Laser guided ordnance, while the Wingman was free to go attack another target. In the Harrier, we can only set a SINGLE code (and that code ends up getting set through the DMT!). In addition, we have TWO different LSS sensors, one as part of the DMT and one as part of the TPOD. Shouldn't it be possible to set them differently? Would be useful for different JTACS with different Codes to be able to set DMT and TPOD search codes differently, and useful to have a different LSS and Designation code so you could e.g. set your different Laser Guided Weapons to different codes on the ground. GBU for FAC targets, APKWS for ownship designation for example. This always bothered me as it is very handy to have a different code for your OWNSHIP designation vs. the Laser Spot Search. I realize that once you have found the laser spot, you can designate it, then change codes and use your own laser, if the FAC or other source can not continue designating) but that seems a bit too much switchology. Don't know if the single code in the Harrier is a real life limitation or a DCS/RAZBAM ism. Either way is fine, I'm just curious Edited November 1, 2022 by Recluse
Dragon1-1 Posted November 1, 2022 Posted November 1, 2022 It's a limitation IRL, the Harrier's TPOD integration is a bit of a crock, since it was retrofitted to it. As such, it's operated in a weird way and has some limitations, such as being unable to self-lase Mav Es and having only a single LST code.
Recluse Posted November 1, 2022 Author Posted November 1, 2022 38 minutes ago, Dragon1-1 said: It's a limitation IRL, the Harrier's TPOD integration is a bit of a crock, since it was retrofitted to it. As such, it's operated in a weird way and has some limitations, such as being unable to self-lase Mav Es and having only a single LST code. Thanks for the info! I assume the TPOD integration kludge is also why the LST code can't be set separately for the DMT?
Dragon1-1 Posted November 1, 2022 Posted November 1, 2022 Probably, it was such a kludge that it's in no way surprising (what is surprising is that it works at all). Our Harrier is more or less a 2012-ish aircraft, but in truth it's more like a mid-90s aircraft that the USMC managed to strap a targeting pod and some modern weapons to. Its upgrades were a lot less extensive than those other aircraft got.
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