Problem with HARM SP Submode?

[bonesvf103]

So there is the HARM SP submode where even if you have another weapon or master mode selected, it allows you to fire a HARM at a detected target.  By default, this is overriden unless you press PB16 in the MFD. 

I used to have that working but now it seems weird.

This is using the stock Weapon Qualification AGM-88C HARM Caucasus mission.  When I start, I verify that PB16 has "SP HRM OVRD" boxed.  I press the HARM button on PB5 to bring up the HARM MFD.  HARM at PB5 is now boxed and X'd, and it is in SP mode.  I select TOO mode.  I get spiked.  PLBK is in the HUD as I would expect since the override is on.  I pickle--nothing launches.  I try to cycle to the SAM and hand off.  It cycles but does not hand off.  I am in nav master mode so I hit A/G.  Stores page shows up with HARM boxed and X'd in PB5.  I press PB5 and HARM is boxed.  I press PB5 again, it goes to the HARM MFD and TOO is still boxed.  I hand it off and pickle.  PLBK in the HUD and MFD turn onto HARM but X'd out but the missile launches.

OK, next test.  I remain in A/G mode, in TOO mode.  HARM in PB5 is boxed but X'd.  This time I press PB16 tu turn off the override, so now "TOO HTM OVRD" is not boxed.  I get spiked.  HARM shows up in the HUD and MFD but when I pickle it is X'd out and no launch occurs.  I press PB5, bringing it back to the stores page where HARM is not boxed, then I hit PB5 again and it brings it back to the HARM page with HARM boxed and X'd ,defaulting to SP mode.  I select TOO mode and pickle.  No launch, HARM in MFD and HUD X's out.  I switch to SP mode.  It says uncrossed-out HARM in the MFD and HUD and a target is boxed in the HUD and I'm able to fire, but when I do, the HARM in the MFD and HUD crosses out.  I pickle three more times and every time I do the HARM in the MFD and HUD crosses out but I get good launches.

So I'm really confused.  From my understanding if you have a HARM powered up and the HRM OVRD is boxed in PB16, then if a radar threat is detected and you pickle, a HARM will not launch because it is overridden.  So if you unbox it, then there is no override, so when a radar threat is detected, it should launch when you pickle.  Mine did not.  It only did when I changed the mode in the HARM MFD to SP by pressing PB5.  But then what is the point of the SP submode?  I might as well just leave it in SP then. The whole point of leaving the override off is so that if I'm say attacking with a Meverick and I get spiked, I can fire the HARM without having to select it.  But as in the above, it won't fire unless I press PB5 for SP.

I seem to recall it working properly before, is it not working now?

Track attached.  Video is here:

 

Thanks!

v6,

boNes

HARM SP.trk

[pokeraccio]

27 minutes ago, bonesvf103 said:

The whole point of leaving the override off is so that if I'm say attacking with a Meverick and I get spiked, I can fire the HARM without having to select it

This seems a correct statement, and if I remember the correct sys behavior.

 

28 minutes ago, bonesvf103 said:

But as in the above, it won't fire unless I press PB5 for SP.

 I did not see in your video "another weapon" selected as you are carring just Harm, it's a bit I do not test this submode, I remember this is the point of it (another weapon must be selected)

[bonesvf103]

Sorry if I was being misleading...I was just using the Maverick as an example of a situation.

But yes in the video I am carrying all HARMs.  But even if the HARM was my "other weapon," when HRM OVRD is boxed, it should still fire since the only thing overriden is the PLBK submode...

I tried it again.  This time I went to A/A mode.  The HRM OVRD unboxed when I did.  So the PLBK should work.  I got locked, HARM came up in the HUG and AA stores MFD, no X's.  The HARM fired even though Sidewinder was selected.  So that worked as advertised.  I next tried, while in A?A mode, to hit PB16 to turn the override on.  It won't.  If I turn off A?A (nav mode), I can turn on the override.

EDIT:  Tried the same mission but put on 2 Mk82s.

Selected Mk82 is A/G mode.  TUrned off override.  Got the spike, HARM appeared in MFD and HUD, no X's.  Pickled.  The BDL flashed, but the HARM launched.

Tried again, this time with HRM OVRD boxed.  Selected Mk82s.  Got spiked, PLBK in HUD and MFD.  Pickled.  Mk82 came off, HARM did not launch.

So with another weapon, worked as advertised.

I'm thinking it has something to do with when carrying all HARMs in A/G mode.

v6,

boNes

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by bonesvf103

[pokeraccio]

From min 9:55 some infos on this SP submode:

 

[Tholozor]

The PLBK indication in the HUD represents that the Pullback condition is met, but not ready to fire. PLBK should switch to HARM when firing a HARM under Pullback condition is possible.

The HRM OVRD option controls if the pilot is able to Override the Pullback condition. If boxed, the pilot is in total control of selected weapon release (HUD will indicate PLBK). If unboxed, HARM SP Pullback condition is possible (HUD will indicate HARM).

HARM Pullback (HRM OVRD unboxed) is always active in A/A mode, as all A/A weapons are fired with the trigger as opposed to the weapon release button.

[bonesvf103]

So after extensive testing I determined that when carrying other weapons with the HARM, the SP submode works as advertised.  You can even have the HARM set to say TOO and if your active weapon is say a Maverick and you have HRM OVRD unboxed, the HARM will automatically go from TOO to SP.

The only time you have to be mindful of the HARM when in this mode is when all you have are HARMs and have it selected.  If your HARM is in TOO or PB mode and HRM OVRD is unboxed, when you are spiked, it will not let you fire the HARM unless you select and handoff the target if you are in TOO mode or select SP mode if you are in PB (or go to TOO mode from PB but then you have to select and handoff).  It will not switch to SP mode automatically like it would if you had a Maverick selected.

v6,

boNes

Edited April 6, 2023 by bonesvf103