F-18 A/A Radar Resources?

[JSal16]

Hi All, 

I'm getting pretty comfortable with the Hornet's basic navigation, A/G modes, start up, etc .... but really struggling to get a grip on A/A.  What are some good resources to learn how to work the radar?  What about learning A/A BFM?

 

Thanks!

[Ala13_ManOWar]

You aren't alone, radars are complex and deeply modelled modern ones even more. Hornet radar can be tricky to master despite many tutorials and info everywhere.

Give this a try, but there're plenty of them on YT,

 

[Dangerzone]

On 3/28/2023 at 10:29 AM, Ala13_ManOWar said:

You aren't alone, radars are complex and deeply modelled modern ones even more. Hornet radar can be tricky to master despite many tutorials and info everywhere.

Give this a try, but there're plenty of them on YT,

 

Yes, there's plenty on youtube. That's part of the problem.   Many go over the same basic functions but there's hours to watch to find some of the other 'extra's out there, which is where good recommended come in to save many hours of watching youtube video's that repeat the same basic stuff. 

So - thanks for posting that video!

That's definitely one of the better ones that I have seen, that includes many missed things in other video's such as PRF, time-out time, saving (SET), and especially the undesignate/NSW switch! It was also a timely answer to my question as to why I couldn't change my radar elevation (I was switching from TWS to RWS and back to TWS again - but I see it could be because I didn't switch from Auto to Manual tracking again!) .

I do wonder though - what is the benefit of RWS at all and when would it be used over TWS. Also whether we must keep TWS lock on until the missile goes pitbull, or is it OK to turn away and defend in anticipation and the missile will still find it's target provided the target hasn't done anticipated evasive manouvers as well?

Edited April 4, 2023 by Dangerzone

[GGTharos]

RWS will give you a higher search volume if you want it.  TWS requires a constant time to scan its volume in order to work correctly and IIRC there might be some automated things happening with the beam size definition and PRF that aren't modeled in DCS, but would potentially differ between RWS and TWS.

Also, TWS has automation to maintain a search volume with as many targets as it can fit in it given the circumstances, RWS just looks where you told it to look.

And yes, you should keep the lock until pitbull.  If you launch and crank according to a good timeline, a crank is all you need in order to get your missile into pitbull range before you defend.  If he defends really hard too, there's also no need for you to take unnecessary risks, so at that point you can cut the missile loose.

Edited April 4, 2023 by GGTharos

[Dragon1-1]

Also, RWS goes directly to STT, which is somewhat more reliable IRL. In the sim it's less important, but IRL, you don't use TWS unless you need to engage multiple targets.