Trying to figure out if this unorthodox procedure to target low-level helicopters is possible (slaving radar to TGP)

[key_stroked]

For those that don't know, you can pick up low level (or possibly high level? Haven't tested high level) helicopters using the ground moving target radar (GMT). They show up as very faint lines but they're there.

If you designate on a faint line, this will slave your TGP to the area and then you can visually pick out the helo using FLIR/TV.
At this point you can change to auto tracking and your TGP will track with a contrast lock.

What I want to know is if you can then:

1. Keep that contrast lock on the helo even when switching radar modes.

2. Switch to A2A radar

3. Slave the radar to focus on the TGP contrast lock

4. Acquire the helo with the radar in an STT lock

Is this even possible?

Up until now, I've been doing the GMT/FLIR trick to get a visual diamond on the HUD and determine where to point my AIM-120 circle for a maddog shot since I can't get an STT lock normally because the helo is so small and so close to the ground.
I've found the hit rate to be about 50/50 doing this.
An AIM-9X has better tracking, but is easily spoofed with the 50 million flares that AI helos pump out when you fire (magic all-seeing AI that knows I fired a heater missile at them from behind).

[Tholozor]

Not really possible, as MSI processing stops in A/G mode, there wouldn't be a trackfile for the radar to slave to.

[key_stroked]

3 minutes ago, Tholozor said:

Not really possible, as MSI processing stops in A/G mode, there wouldn't be a trackfile for the radar to slave to.

Can you get markpoints to show up on the A2A radar display?

[Tholozor]

AFAIK the only waypoint that can appear on the radar is the designated A/A reference waypoint.

[norman99]

Or take a couple LGBs and kill them F-15E style! 

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/that-time-an-f-15e-shot-down-an-iraqi-mi-24-attack-helicopter-with-a-2000lb-laser-guided-bomb/

Though to be fair, 2000lbs is completely overkill haha.

[falcon_120]

But shouldn't we have a TPOD search function through the AZ/EL display? As far as i know the flir in the hornet can work as a mini IRST looking for targets and showing them on the AZ/EL, totally missing now in DCS F18 hornet

[amalahama]

11 hours ago, falcon_120 said:

But shouldn't we have a TPOD search function through the AZ/EL display? As far as i know the flir in the hornet can work as a mini IRST looking for targets and showing them on the AZ/EL, totally missing now in DCS F18 hornet

I don't think your statement is correct. The Litening cannot automatically look for targets, it's not that 'smart', it needs to be manually (or via radar) pointed to the boogie and then perform a contrast gate lock to track it.

Edited December 14, 2022 by amalahama

[falcon_120]

1 hour ago, amalahama said:

I don't think your statement is correct. The Litening cannot automatically look for targets, it's not that 'smart', it needs to be manually (or via radar) pointed to the boogie and then perform a contrast gate lock to track it.

 

Check this page:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qOyE7L1CJ0R1x1kvUZQ4SlvxLsRVb-7RbW68ki1jgJc/edit

nullnull

[Tholozor]

The implementation of LITENING is pre-MSI; ATFLIR would have that type of functionality, but only in A/A master mode, as that's the only mode in which AZ/EL is available.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Tholozor

[amalahama]

1 hour ago, falcon_120 said:

Check this page:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qOyE7L1CJ0R1x1kvUZQ4SlvxLsRVb-7RbW68ki1jgJc/edit

nullnull

Thanks! I was not aware that ATFLIR had this option; I'm just familiar with the Litening integration in the RL aircraft.

 

In this case it will rock to have it some day in DCS

[idenwen]

On 12/13/2022 at 2:52 AM, norman99 said:

Or take a couple LGBs and kill them F-15E style! 

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/that-time-an-f-15e-shot-down-an-iraqi-mi-24-attack-helicopter-with-a-2000lb-laser-guided-bomb/

Though to be fair, 2000lbs is completely overkill haha.

I really hope that comes wit the the module as a training mission

[ORboarder]

Not exactly what you are asking for, but in these situations I use LAHQ (sensor select up long in AA mode) and point my head where the helo is.  If I have 9x’s I’ll also just use the seaker head to find them