Offset coordinate points possible?

[Gideon312]

Hello Hornet drivers, trying to get into CAS missions and setting up my cockpit.

Couple of Q’s which I couldn’t find an answer via “search”.

1) Is it possible to rename waypoints? (For example waypoint 7 to TGT1)

2) Can we create offset coordinate points with bearing and distance? Not an offset aim point but more a holding point to anchor when using a keyhole (point Echo) coordinate. Hope the question make sense?

3) Do you have any tips and or tricks to be more effective in the cockpit to receive the 9-line and put it in effect? For example already make blank waypoints, use of scratchpad to note the 9-line etc.

[Harker]

Hello Hornet drivers, trying to get into CAS missions and setting up my cockpit.
Couple of Q’s which I couldn’t find an answer via “search”.
1) Is it possible to rename waypoints? (For example waypoint 7 to TGT1)
2) Can we create offset coordinate points with bearing and distance? Not an offset aim point but more a holding point to anchor when using a keyhole (point Echo) coordinate. Hope the question make sense?
3) Do you have any tips and or tricks to be more effective in the cockpit to receive the 9-line and put it in effect? For example already make blank waypoints, use of scratchpad to note the 9-line etc.

1) Not possible to rename WPs from inside the cockpit, unfortunately.
2) For keyhole CAS, I tend to make a WP on Echo and set up an Offset for holding. Is that not what you're asking? Or you can just drop down a WP on Echo, plot a courseline from the A/B/C/D direction to use as a visual reference on the HSI and and make sure you're at the correct distance.
3) Before asking for a 9-line, I put myself in a stable orbit and prepare an empty WP. I use a notepad to write down the info, read it back and then input it in the jet. Don't try to get everything done in 1 minute, do it at your own pace. I found out that it helps if you have a consistent way of noting down info, so you can easily abbreviate some things for yourself and also easily reference the info you've taken.

[Gideon312]

50 minutes ago, Harker said:

 

 

1) Not possible to rename WPs from inside the cockpit, unfortunately.
2) For keyhole CAS, I tend to make a WP on Echo and set up an Offset for holding. Is that not what you're asking? Or you can just drop down a WP on Echo, plot a courseline from the A/B/C/D direction to use as a visual reference on the HSI and and make sure you're at the correct distance.
3) Before asking for a 9-line, I put myself in a stable orbit and prepare an empty WP. I use a notepad to write down the info, read it back and then input it in the jet. Don't try to get everything done in 1 minute, do it at your own pace. I found out that it helps if you have a consistent way of noting down info, so you can easily abbreviate some things for yourself and also easily reference the info you've taken.

 

Thank you for your answers.

1) Too bad it’s not possible. I guess I’ll have to remind them by head.

2) Yes I meant an offset point from point Echo. As far as I understand now I have to create a new WP for echo point, and make use of the course line from that point —> visually fly at the correct distance, altitude, and direction (course line) on the HSI 

Is there another possibility as well? Not sure if there is one now!?

3) I think I’m too hasty to put ordnance on targets. Especially when they are moving and / or Troops in Contact. Already using abbreviations and autopilot in orbit. But it always feels like I’m losing the fight taking my time to setup stuff. That’s why I’m looking for shortcuts to achieve a quick and swift reaction when someone needs CAS.

Any more help much appreciated!!

[VDV]

No.

[Harker]

Thank you for your answers.
1) Too bad it’s not possible. I guess I’ll have to remind them by head.
2) Yes I meant an offset point from point Echo. As far as I understand now I have to create a new WP for echo point, and make use of the course line from that point —> visually fly at the correct distance, altitude, and direction (course line) on the HSI 
Is there another possibility as well? Not sure if there is one now!?
3) I think I’m too hasty to put ordnance on targets. Especially when they are moving and / or Troops in Contact. Already using abbreviations and autopilot in orbit. But it always feels like I’m losing the fight taking my time to setup stuff. That’s why I’m looking for shortcuts to achieve a quick and swift reaction when someone needs CAS.
Any more help much appreciated!!

2) Yes, you need to drop a WP on Echo. If you acquire it visually (or via the FLIR or Radar), you can also designate it and instantly drop a MK (Markpoint) on it, which is much faster.

You can then either create an Offset with bearing and Range or just set up a courseline and anchor using that. Keep in mind that the Offset symbol drifts on the SA page (reported bug), so use the HSI for position keeping.

3) Keyhole CAS is complicated, no other way around it. It also takes us a while until bombs are delivered, in my group. A couple of points, the situation is unlikely to change between successive runs, so it's fast to adjust to the next target. And you can already start taking the 9-line on the way there, if time is of the essence. I don't know how it would go in a real world situation, but I'm guessing the JTAC/AFAC would handle available assets according to the situation.

[Gideon312]

 Thank you Harker, super helpful!!

[BuzzLine]

10 hours ago, Harker said:

I use a notepad to write down the info, read it back and then input it in the jet.

For the sake of completeness and exactitude, note that in real life and in the case of bomb-on-coordinates attacks (i.e. not talked on the target through TGP, etc) the readback should be *from the plane's systems*. To ensure there is no error when entering data from your notepad to the airplane/bomb, you readback exactly what the plane/bomb received.

Source: Joint Publication 3-09.3 "Close Air Support" 25 November 2014, p115  (<= not sure I can post a link here but you'll find it on Google)

(not trying to be pedantic, that's just for some additional color and insights into real-life procedures)

On being hasty, something we do in my squadron (but I'm not sure it's official standard procedure) is to setup several 9-lines for alternate situations, and give them names, so that the JTAC can say "use 9-line Batman/Alfred/Robin", adjust the few things that may have changed, and off we go with less time wasted in transmitting the full brief. 

HTH and happy bombing,
Buzz