ATFLIR vs Lightning

[Dangerzone]

Which do you prefer using, and why? 

[Shimmergloom667]

ATFLIR when flying Navy or Marines off a carrier and LITENING when flying Marines off a land base, because LITENING is not carrier approved

[Weasel]

This video may also help:

[Nipe2989]

I prefer the smooth zooming effect of the Lightning, but as a Hornet driver I try and stay true to Navy flight and use the ATFLIR.

8 hours ago, Shimmergloom667 said:

ATFLIR when flying Navy or Marines off a carrier and LITENING when flying Marines off a land base, because LITENING is not carrier approved

Why is it not carrier approved?

 

Curious.

[jaylw314]

8 hours ago, Shimmergloom667 said:

ATFLIR when flying Navy or Marines off a carrier and LITENING when flying Marines off a land base, because LITENING is not carrier approved

I know, I've been trying to do that, but I admit I've cheated a few times because I like the Litening a little better

[Wizard_03]

7 hours ago, Nipe2989 said:

I prefer the smooth zooming effect of the Lightning, but as a Hornet driver I try and stay true to Navy flight and use the ATFLIR.

Why is it not carrier approved?

 

Curious.

Too sensitive it can't handle traps. ATFLIR was designed specifically to give the aircraft a modern pod capability that is survivable in the harsh world of CATOBAR operations. 

[Nealius]

ATFLIR when Navy, LITENING for Marines when operating from shore.

I find it interesting that LITENING is too sensitive for carrier ops, while the previous generation LANTIRN wasn't. 

[OldFlyer]

I like the ATFLIR better but only because I can get the diamond that shows where the TGP is looking to show on the HUD - I can’t seem to do that with Litening. Is it possible? I’m quite probably doing it wrong!

[Wizard_03]

11 hours ago, Nealius said:

ATFLIR when Navy, LITENING for Marines when operating from shore.

I find it interesting that LITENING is too sensitive for carrier ops, while the previous generation LANTIRN wasn't. 

LITENING has a much better camera and gyro system compared to LANTIRN which is a second generation pod. But they intended it for the F-16 and other ground based aircraft. The advanced capabilities that made it better then LANTIRN also made it unsuitable for CATOBAR. LANTIRN also for the record had lots of problems related to cats and traps because it was also not meant for the boat. It just wasn't too concerning when seen in the light of greater maintenance issues with the tomcat. And the capacity was desperately needed for active conflicts at the time. But it was always seen as a bandaid solution. 

 

The navy wasn't happy that LITENING wouldn't work, because they were then forced to design a new a pod specifically and ultimately only for the hornet. ATFLIR. 

Edited April 25, 2024 by Wizard_03

[Tholozor]

3 hours ago, OldFlyer said:

I like the ATFLIR better but only because I can get the diamond that shows where the TGP is looking to show on the HUD - I can’t seem to do that with Litening. Is it possible? I’m quite probably doing it wrong!

The diamond is the TGT point, doesn't matter what generates it.

[Nipe2989]

20 hours ago, Wizard_03 said:

Too sensitive it can't handle traps. ATFLIR was designed specifically to give the aircraft a modern pod capability that is survivable in the harsh world of CATOBAR operations. 

Appreciate your concise and well spoken response.

PS - Would you like to play together online?

[OldFlyer]

On 4/25/2024 at 7:50 PM, Tholozor said:

The diamond is the TGT point, doesn't matter what generates it.

Sorry yeah my post was poorly worded. 

If you designate a point on the ground with the ATFLIR and then move the FLIR around with the TDC the diamond will move on the HUD so you can more easily correlate what you’re looking at through the HUD with what you’re seeing in the FLIR.

With the LITENING it seems like when you designate a target the diamond is fixed, even if you move the FLIR view around.

[falcon_120]

Sorry yeah my post was poorly worded. 
If you designate a point on the ground with the ATFLIR and then move the FLIR around with the TDC the diamond will move on the HUD so you can more easily correlate what you’re looking at through the HUD with what you’re seeing in the FLIR.
With the LITENING it seems like when you designate a target the diamond is fixed, even if you move the FLIR view around.

It is fixed until you designate again, then it jumps to the next location. I do normally a lot of designation or just use the JHMCS, much easier.

Enviado desde mi ELE-L29 mediante Tapatalk

[OldFlyer]

7 hours ago, falcon_120 said:

It is fixed until you designate again, then it jumps to the next location. I do normally a lot of designation or just use the JHMCS, much easier.

Enviado desde mi ELE-L29 mediante Tapatalk
 

Ah OK yeah thanks, I thought this was the case. Is why I prefer ATFLIR!

[Chaffee]

Prefer ATFLIR always, b/c it will display on the AMPCD.

[Kang]

I kind of prefer the handling of the ATFLIR myself, too, despite having been rather familiar with the Litening II from the A-10 and the AV-8 previously.

[AMEDooley]

I like the ATFLIR better surprisingly. I actually like the zoom function better on it and it feels more intuitive in the Hornet than the Litening. But both work great so it really is about where your taking off/landing or personal preference. 

[falcon_120]

What keeps me away from the Atflir is 2 things, with first one being more relevant:

1-Cannot take 2 amraams putting it in the centerline station.
2-Actually Spanish hornets use the litening (Hint: im Spanish :) )

Regards,

Enviado desde mi ELE-L29 mediante Tapatalk

[Tenkom]

Atflir takes an Amraam station. Also the Litening is in a better spot regarding masking. The Atflir gets masked by ordnance more easily.
So I prefer Litening.

[Raisuli]

I use Litening on the F-18 simply because everything else uses it also.  Makes it easier not to switch around and the skill set to employ the device carries, more or less, between aircraft.  It doesn't hurt that I keep buttons consistent between aircraft; my F-16 has NWS on the pinky, just like everything else, so the HOTAS controls for the TGP also remain mostly consistent.

Of course I have a custom hardened Litening that is certified for salt water, shock, and getting shot down and crashing.  I'm also not obsessive about selective realism.

I could stick it on the centerline but then I loose my only gas tank.  By definition if I'm using the pod I'm moving mud, and there's no point to have the pod if I don't have mud moving shtuff to go along with it.  Masking is something managed by being aware of the limits and maneuvering appropriately.  As for AMRAAMs, I get that the proper way to destroy a city-sized alien spaceship is to fire a whole bunch of A2A missiles with itty bitty warheads at it, but I've never been one to follow a crowd.

[Poptart]

ATFLIR because it looks better.