A-A Weapon Selection in CAA Mode

[SuperKermit]

I understand that in CAA mode the Pinky Switch alters the scan corridor. However, how does one change the A-A weapon whilst being in that mode then? 

[Panny]

16 hours ago, SuperKermit said:

I understand that in CAA mode the Pinky Switch alters the scan corridor. However, how does one change the A-A weapon whilst being in that mode then? 

the switch does both - so if you acquire a lock while having gun selected because you wanted a left scan corridor, ayou'll want to rock it back to the Sparrow, or you'll inadvertently fire the gun when you wanted to launch the Sparrow

[SuperKermit]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb Panny:

the switch does both - so if you acquire a lock while having gun selected because you wanted a left scan corridor, ayou'll want to rock it back to the Sparrow, or you'll inadvertently fire the gun when you wanted to launch the Sparrow

Now that’s smart: adding even more mental load in a close combat situation.  

[Panny]

And don't forget - if you get a bad lock in CAA you have to either get the WSO to leave air to air mode from the back seat, or rotate the weapon selector knob to 'B' before you can cage and hit CAA again

What could go wrong!

[SuperKermit]

vor 5 Stunden schrieb Panny:

And don't forget - if you get a bad lock in CAA you have to either get the WSO to leave air to air mode from the back seat, or rotate the weapon selector knob to 'B' before you can cage and hit CAA again

What could go wrong!

I guess “UI Designer” was not an existing job title back then 

Edited April 2, 2024 by SuperKermit

[Dragon1-1]

It had more to do with the fact that computers weren't very advanced back then, so every function needed to be physically wired to a switch. The switch was already an addition, making a more sensible control scheme would have likely made it even more of a crock than it already was.

[Smyth]

12 hours ago, Panny said:

And don't forget - if you get a bad lock in CAA you have to either get the WSO to leave air to air mode from the back seat, or rotate the weapon selector knob to 'B' before you can cage and hit CAA again

What could go wrong!

You only need to press the NWS button again to reject a false or undesired target. The system memorizes that range and eliminates it from the next few scan cycles (+/- 200ft), effectively forcing the system to switch targets. Leaving the cage mode with weapon select knob or AA button does not cancel the lock.

That is the well thought-out part.

The part that mystifies me is why they changed the software with 'OFP005' to require selecting a scan corridor using the weapon select switch. The original setup sounds like a pretty simple and intuitive system. Point plane at target, lock it, shoot it. Maybe if I was a real 80s fighter pilot this would make sense, but I just can't imagine how it is worthwhile to force the operator to select the wrong weapon in order to use the center scan corridor 90%+ of the time, then hopefully remember to switch back to the weapon that actually needed radar lock.

Honestly having read the IRL docs I was a little disappointed to learn that HeatBlur are implementing OFP005 on 'our' F4. The original version just seems better. Hopefully I'm wrong about that.

Edited April 3, 2024 by Smyth
NWS not ARR

[SuperKermit]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb Smyth:

but I just can't imagine how it is worthwhile to force the operator to select the wrong weapon in order to use the center scan corridor 90%+ of the time, then hopefully remember to switch back to the weapon that actually needed radar lock.

Does the corridor need to be actively chosen? What happens if you just enter CAA mode without touching the Pinky Switch? Wouldn’t the center corridor be selected as default?

[Smyth]

17 hours ago, SuperKermit said:

Does the corridor need to be actively chosen? What happens if you just enter CAA mode without touching the Pinky Switch? Wouldn’t the center corridor be selected as default?

I wouldn't say actively chosen, as much as directly selected by the current position of the switch. In the manual, there is no mention of any logic other than scanning based on the position of the switch. I would think any kind of default behavior would be called out specifically, however it would take input from the developers, or a real SME to be 100% sure.

[JNelson]

On 4/2/2024 at 3:53 PM, Panny said:

And don't forget - if you get a bad lock in CAA you have to either get the WSO to leave air to air mode from the back seat, or rotate the weapon selector knob to 'B' before you can cage and hit CAA again

What could go wrong!

You can hit cage on the throttle, to break the lock and go back to caged mode, you can then re-enter CAA again with the nosewheel steering button.