IR Mavs poor tracking

[ST0RM]

I've done a few searches to see if this has been asked, so pardon me if it's a repeater. 
Last night I flew the stock NTTR Maverick mission. Its an air-start over Thunderbird lake, with 6 AGM-65Ds. Ran through the 3-minute warmup and got the seeker fine. But the issue I'm having is with the seeker actually picking up the targets. I ran all the way in to just beyond a mile and was finally able to get a lock after 3 dry passes. I tried to cycle between Black/White Hot (switch besides throttle) but it didnt help. In other modules, I dont have the same issue with the IR Mavs. They pick up targets easily at 5+ miles and track true. 
What am I missing? The TV A & B model -65s are fine. 
Thanks

[Zabuzard]

5 hours ago, ST0RM said:

I tried to cycle between Black/White Hot (switch besides throttle)

That switch is not implemented until the DCS engine provides a way to influence the IR locking polarity.

Try changing your approach angle to improve how the scene looks like to the seeker. Sun exposure also plays a high role.

If you genuinely think there is a bug, please provide a working track file (singleplayer, sub 5min ideally). We can then usually tell immediately whats going on by having our debugging tools running while it plays. Cheers

Edited September 18, 2024 by Zabuzard

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

On 9/18/2024 at 6:05 AM, ST0RM said:

I've done a few searches to see if this has been asked, so pardon me if it's a repeater. 
Last night I flew the stock NTTR Maverick mission. Its an air-start over Thunderbird lake, with 6 AGM-65Ds. Ran through the 3-minute warmup and got the seeker fine. But the issue I'm having is with the seeker actually picking up the targets. I ran all the way in to just beyond a mile and was finally able to get a lock after 3 dry passes. I tried to cycle between Black/White Hot (switch besides throttle) but it didnt help. In other modules, I dont have the same issue with the IR Mavs. They pick up targets easily at 5+ miles and track true. 
What am I missing? The TV A & B model -65s are fine. 
Thanks

Could you provide a track file so we can watch? I'm not having issues with the AGM-65Ds at all, personally, so I'm curious to see if I can reproduce this issue.

[jubuttib]

On 9/18/2024 at 7:18 PM, Zabuzard said:

That switch is not implemented until the DCS engine provides a way to influence the IR locking polarity.

Does DCS even support actual contrast locking if you (or another 3rd party) wants to implement it? Most of these kinds of weapons lock on targets, not contrast, to the extent that they won't lock on destroyed targets that show up with MUCH higher contrasts.

[ST0RM]

23 hours ago, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

Could you provide a track file so we can watch? I'm not having issues with the AGM-65Ds at all, personally, so I'm curious to see if I can reproduce this issue.

I can, but it's the default NTTR Maverick Training Instant Action mission. No mods. The tiny signature from the jeeps against the bright background might be the issue. Not enough to stand out. I'll try and build a mission against a darker background and test again. 

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

On 9/20/2024 at 8:28 AM, ST0RM said:

I can, but it's the default NTTR Maverick Training Instant Action mission. No mods. The tiny signature from the jeeps against the bright background might be the issue. Not enough to stand out. I'll try and build a mission against a darker background and test again. 

Ok, I'll give it a swing and report back to get another player's input in here.

Update: there's an unexpected challenge to using the IR Mavs against targets on sand like that. I was launching from a respectable distance, but once in a while? I got close. I'll have to try it again at higher angles and lower angles to see  if it helps. I found myself having to compensate. I set my sight to 35mils in A/G, place the pipper on the target, then glance down at my TV scope and kind of 'scan' the area with the Maverick's seekerhead by moving and letting go of the AAR button. I can force a lock that way.

Messing with screen contrast can help, too.

Edited September 22, 2024 by MiG21bisFishbedL

[av8orDave]

I’m having the same issue. The D-model Mavs don’t want to lock against a sandy background. Not sure if a bug or “working as intended” but very annoying.

[G.J.S]

Have not tried the mission mentioned, but what could be the issue is sun positioning. Are you lining up with the sun at your back? Ideally you need some target shadow visible for the Maverick to chew on in a warm scene, so coming out of near sun could hinder you.
At night the generally cooler scene will allow a more significant target stand out.

Daytime you need to help it by orientation, giving the seeker the best possible.