RIO, TCS, and A/G Mode

[sidekick65]

I apologize if this topic has been covered elsewhere.  I am a recent convert to the Tomcat - and specifically the "Bombcat" so I am not completely familiar yet with the model.

I have, however, dropped a lot of iron bombs in DCS.  I am trying to explore the edges of that envelope in the F-14

I am interested knowing how the RIO can contribute to ground attackin multicrew.  I understand about using LANTIRN with GBU's.  Are there other possibilities?

For instance, can the RIO identify, track and designate targets wit the TCS that the pilot can then attack in CMPTR-TGT mode - rather than the pilot having to designate the target himself?

Similarly, can a target designated with LANTIRN be attacked using unguided bombs in CMPTR-TGT mode?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[KoN]

Best look at YouTube there are lots of videos on there . Maybe your find what you look for. 

 

 

[draconus]

On 11/23/2023 at 7:25 PM, sidekick65 said:

For instance, can the RIO identify, track and designate targets wit the TCS that the pilot can then attack in CMPTR-TGT mode - rather than the pilot having to designate the target himself?

Similarly, can a target designated with LANTIRN be attacked using unguided bombs in CMPTR-TGT mode?

Afaik, no, CPTR-TGT is operated by pilot. RIO sets the mode and weapons. There is not much data connection between LANTIRN and WCS - you have to use either one or the other for aiming/steering.

[QuiGon]

On 11/23/2023 at 7:25 PM, sidekick65 said:

For instance, can the RIO identify, track and designate targets wit the TCS that the pilot can then attack in CMPTR-TGT mode - rather than the pilot having to designate the target himself?

Nope, the TCS doesn't contribute to to CMPTR-TGT. It's not even capable of getting a range to the target anyways (no laser rangefinder on that thing).

  

On 11/23/2023 at 7:25 PM, sidekick65 said:

Similarly, can a target designated with LANTIRN be attacked using unguided bombs in CMPTR-TGT mode?

Not in CMPTR-TGT mode (LANTIRN doesn't provide data for that), but a RIO can designate a target with LANTIRN and then let the pilot drop a bomb on it just like with LGBs. It's basically CCRP with manual release.

  

On 11/23/2023 at 7:25 PM, sidekick65 said:

I am interested knowing how the RIO can contribute to ground attackin multicrew.  I understand about using LANTIRN with GBU's.  Are there other possibilities?

Out of my head I can think of two additional things the RIO can contribute to A/G:
1) When doing A/G attacks with guns the RIO can enable an A/G gun pipper for the pilots HUD by switching the A/G guns switch to off.
2) When doing CMPTR-IP attacks it's the RIO's job to enter the required data into the system.

Edited November 27, 2023 by QuiGon