correct as is Cold'n'Dark Startup: CAT I & CAT III switch with Fuel Tanks or Bombs

[kotor633]

Hi,

I'm currently enjoying the F-16C with the updated manual. I noticed the following in the game:
You start a mission with the F-16C, cold and dark, via the mission editor. You attach external tanks to the F-16C and then start the mission. You notice that the STORES CONFIG switch is set to CAT I.
The same thing all over again, but you attach bombs instead of external tanks and then you start the mission with the switch set to CAT III. Is this intentional or unintentional on ED's part? Actually, it doesn't make much sense, does it?

[NytHawk]

I'm assuming when you say external tanks, you mean the underwing bags? As you only need CAT III for A2G ordinance or wing bags.

[Furiz]

This is correct as is,

Any stores with TGP or TGP and HTS are always CAT III, only 2 wing tanks are CAT I, ECM pod on center line are CAT I but if it is on wing station then its CAT III, any asymmetric load out is CAT III (even AA missiles after one is fired, eg. you had 4 aim-120 and you fired one).

Pilot needs to know which CAT mode should be selected for given situation.

I agree its weird at first.

[kotor633]

Maybe I didn't express myself clearly enough. If you attach rockets, bombs or AG missiles to one of the stores and then start the F-16C cold and dark, the CAT switch is preset to CAT III. If, on the other hand, I only attach external fuel tanks, regardless of whether they are on the wing or center, the switch is set to CAT I. The manual says something different:

To continue this consistently, during a cold and dark start, even if only 1 fuel tank (i.e. no additional armament) was attached, shouldn't the switch already be preset to CAT III?

Edited December 28, 2024 by kotor633

[Vakarian]

I would guess this is partly also related to what causes the master caution to yell at you when you've expended all AG ordnance, but the wingtanks are still on and you are in CAT III. IIRC centerline fuel tank is still CAT I

[SpecterDC13]

The only thing I have notice be a bug is if you start the jet in CAT I even with A2G stores the moment you switch MMC on the switch automatically flips itself to CAT III which is not correct. The switch is a manual flip switch not a magnetic switch, so it should do nothing until YOU flip the switch yourself. 

[Lord Vader]

Hi @kotor633

According to our references, wing tanks do not exclusively require CAT III, neither do all air-to-air configurations require CAT I. 
The DCS: F-16C manual has been updated recently, a very extensive update with lots of new items and correctios. However, some items may still require further corrections. Stay tuned.

[SpecterDC13]

On 1/3/2025 at 1:27 PM, Lord Vader said:

Hi 

According to our references, wing tanks do not exclusively require CAT III, neither do all air-to-air configurations require CAT I. 
The DCS: F-16C manual has been updated recently, a very extensive update with lots of new items and correctios. However, some items may still require further corrections. Stay tuned.

That is not what I said. I never mentioned anything about configurations. I specifically am saying the switch automatically SWITCHES ITSELF as if it is a magnetic switch, which it is not. It should not flip itself automatically when MMC gets turned on. That is not how the switch works mechanically. Not once did I mention configuration loadouts. 

[Raptor9]

4 hours ago, SpecterDC13 said:

That is not what I said. I never mentioned anything about configurations. I specifically am saying the switch automatically SWITCHES ITSELF as if it is a magnetic switch, which it is not. It should not flip itself automatically when MMC gets turned on. That is not how the switch works mechanically. Not once did I mention configuration loadouts. 

@SpecterDC13, the OP of the thread was inquiring about the inconsistency between the Category loading description in the DCS F-16 manual and the position of the STORES CONFIG switch in the game for a given loadout. The thread topic is what @Lord Vader was responding to with his comment.

If you wish to report another behavior you believe is a bug, please start a new thread to avoid generating confusion.

[kotor633]

Okay, this CAT I/III topic is a bit more complicated than the text in the manual suggests. And Furiz's contribution is already heading in the right direction. And the user Lord Vader said "some items may still require further corrections. Stay tuned." So I hope that this topic will be described in more detail in the manual in the (near) future.
And thank you for your feedback.

[Lord Vader]

On 1/4/2025 at 9:41 AM, SpecterDC13 said:

That is not what I said. I never mentioned anything about configurations. I specifically am saying the switch automatically SWITCHES ITSELF as if it is a magnetic switch, which it is not. It should not flip itself automatically when MMC gets turned on. That is not how the switch works mechanically. Not once did I mention configuration loadouts. 

I directed my reply to you by mistake. Error corrected. Thanks. 

[SpecterDC13]

On 1/6/2025 at 4:53 PM, Lord Vader said:

I directed my reply to you by mistake. Error corrected. Thanks. 

Ah ok. That makes more sense lmao all good.