JTAC target i/d and designation tutorial movie

[Bahger]

 

In this little video I use Nixer's AFAC scenario to demonstrate target identification and prosecution of the attack with JTAC and the TGP. Subtitles take you through it but please forgive all the acronyms. TGP is a huge force multiplier; in this run, I acquire the target location by hooking the JTAC-supplied datalink triangle in the TAD and making it the SPI, roll in on the assigned heading, slew the TGP cursor to the SPI and then refine the targeting by updating the SPI, first through the HUD on the smoke signal, then in the TGP, following the AFAC's direction re. location of target relative to the smoke. This enables me to get a solid point designation on the moving trucks from about 8,000ft. That's what you want.

I hope this might be of assistance. Let me know what you think.

[CrashEd]

Nice video. Thanks for posting.

 

Any chance you could post the miz too? I'm currently learning how to create JTAC mission in the ME, so it would be useful to see a few examples.

 

:thumbup:

[LordWolf]

could you upload a 1080p def next time? Nice vid tho!

 

Edit: Next time you engage, try turning instead of flying over... Much more healthy for the airplane :P

Edited December 4, 2010 by LordWolf

[sobek]

In principal you did quite well, although as already stated, your attack run is quite hazardous and also unrealistically executed. If you are aiming for realism, you might want to consider attacking from a bit higher in a steeper angle, as this makes it easier to hit from a greater distance and also increases the effect of the gun on armored targets. Also you should come off your attack run way before overflying the target area for several reasons, especially when employing the gun, as the ricochets might bite yourself in the ass if you overfly straight.

 

Attacking from further out and finishing your run earlier will also help you if the column has AAA protection (although if it's radar guided, you'd best snipe it with a mav or LGB from far away before getting close).

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Bahger]

Good advice, guys. I make no claims for my tactics here, especially as I am less practised with rockets/gun than with virtually any other weapon in the sim. The entire purpose of the vid was as a demonstration of JTAC target guidance.

 

CrashEd, I will post Nixer's JTAC mission a little later, stand by. Meanwhile you can find it on the SimHQ A-10 board.

[CrashEd]

CrashEd, I will post Nixer's JTAC mission a little later, stand by. Meanwhile you can find it on the SimHQ A-10 board.

 

Nice one mate :thumbup:

[Mirtma]

Finally I've made it. JTAC attack. I've been missing this: When laser on, make TGP as SOI and press DMS rigth long to start laser search. And everything is easy from that point. I've somehow missed that in forums or videos. Now I've found it in manual (pg 511). I'm sooo happy.

[Bahger]

CrashEd, with apologies for the delay, here is Nixer's AFAC test mission.

[CrashEd]

CrashEd, with apologies for the delay, here is Nixer's AFAC test mission.

 

Super! Many thanks :thumbup:

[Whippler]

i was hoping for a actual quide video when i saw this thread. from contacting the jtac and having all the radio chit chat explained and how to get the target. But just another show up vid, still nice tough, might get the mission. Still wanting on actual tutorial vid for jtac. track of that flight might also be useful.

 

Maybe i just need to try out jtac. Havent done a thing whit the radio yet.

[sobek]

Maybe i just need to try out jtac. Havent done a thing whit the radio yet.

 

Using the jtac is dead easy

 

Just tune your radio to the right frequency, contact him and do as he says.

[Bahger]

Well, I can do a JTAC tut vid with voiceover tutorial if there is sufficient demand. You are right to want to learn this aspect of the sim, it is what sets it apart from every other flight sim and it adds an indispensible layer of realism to the simulation of the A-10's ground support mission.

 

The best way for you to approach learning JTAC, in my opinion, is to use the easy radio options/assists for the moment so that all you have to worry about is using the right comms radio transmit button. Download Nixer's mission or Bulletproof's and start slowly, using Active Pause whenever you need time to do something or figure something out. Knowing the TGP in advance will make learning JTAC 50% easier. It's less intricate and technical than it looks.

[Whippler]

Well, I can do a JTAC tut vid with voiceover tutorial if there is sufficient demand. You are right to want to learn this aspect of the sim, it is what sets it apart from every other flight sim and it adds an indispensible layer of realism to the simulation of the A-10's ground support mission.

 

The best way for you to approach learning JTAC, in my opinion, is to use the easy radio options/assists for the moment so that all you have to worry about is using the right comms radio transmit button. Download Nixer's mission or Bulletproof's and start slowly, using Active Pause whenever you need time to do something or figure something out. Knowing the TGP in advance will make learning JTAC 50% easier. It's less intricate and technical than it looks.

 

 

Need to check that assisted mode, sounds nice. What comes to TGP, i know how it works. Still need some thinking on Hotas dms/tms/china functions. Played the new beta training missions, which I downloaded from lockon database.

[Bahger]

The TGP is the "center of gravity" in learning the A-10's combat systems, I have found. If you can master the basic functions of the TGP like FOV/zoom and, most importantly, learn how to slew the TGP to both a waypoint and an SPI, you'll be more than halfway to being able to acquire and designate targets using JTAC. It certainly beats pixel hunting through the HUD.

[leobasil]

1.) thanks a lot! that really helped!

 

2.) how do I hook the tad to the location linked in the received message? I get the triangle and use it as a rough reference on the map to look where I have to fly/shoot at, but I can't set an actual way point or slave the Maverick/TGP to that location.

[Sarge55]

I'm at work but IIRC, slew the TAD cursor + onto the triangle and it is TMS up short to hook.

[leobasil]

Ok, so there is no direct 'make the red triangle my way point' button, right?... :)

[Bahger]

It's a little tricky because you will need to make the actual target your SPI so what's needed is a kind of intermidiate steerpoint. Hooking it in the TAD is the best policy, or if you are in the TGP, there is a little diamond symbol in the TAD that you can place on the red triangle; it corresponds with the TGP's POV and you can use it for reference in the HUD as you roll in.

[DocSigma]

Just make sure you make the MFD that's displaying the TAD your SOI. Just slew the + over the red triangle (data) point and you will see that it automatically hooks to the TAD. Then go up short on your DMS and it will now be your current SPI. Now you have a vector to the target area. China HAT forward long to slew your TGP on that SPI and now your TGP is looking in that general area where the target is ( you should see it.. if not zoom or use your boat switch to change to White hot or Black hot. Once you have it the TGP on your target DMS switch up long will stabilize and lock it as your steer point indicator.

 

Now if you are having the FAC laze your target you just need to hit the LSS OSB on the TGP and put it in search mode and your TGP will automatically search that area looking for the laser being painted on the target once you make the laser on call to the FAC. You don't need to go DMS up long to set is as your SPI.. just get in that area... LSS on... and Laser on call... and bingo the TGP will find it and get a perfect point laser track.

[nomdeplume]

2.) how do I hook the tad to the location linked in the received message? I get the triangle and use it as a rough reference on the map to look where I have to fly/shoot at, but I can't set an actual way point or slave the Maverick/TGP to that location.

 

Hook it on the TAD as said in the other posts, and use TMS FWD/UP LONG to make the TAD's hooked location the SPI. Then you can use the 'CHINA HAT FWD LONG' command to 'slave all to SPI' - this will point your TGP (and Maverick seeker) at the location of the hooked object, i.e. the triangle.

 

Then you can switch to the TGP (as SOI) and use TMS FWD/UP LONG to make it the SPI, and refine your targeting either visually or by laser searching.

 

Remember that if you're using guided weapons, they will be directed to your SPI. If the coordinates provided by the JTAC are precise (i.e. the triangle is directly on the enemy) then that's fine, you can attack solely based on the TAD hook; but if you need to refine the targeting then make the TGP your SPI and use it as normal.

 

If you're not using guided weapons or following CCRP steering cues, your SPI doesn't matter since the weapons will hit whatever you point them at.

[Bahger]

Excellent guidance, gents (if you'll excuse the choice of word). Successful laser-guided bombing in DCS A-10 using JTAC and a 9-line brief and lase from a FAC is one of the greatest experiences in flight simming. Especially when you can do it at night!

[leobasil]

thanks for the guides.

I'm actually amazed that I really understand what you're talking about. Especially the posts from DocSigma and nomdeplume... I think if I show these posts to anyone else in my office and try to explain my colleges what it's about, they will ask me if I'm mad. :)

[Count Sessine]

Nice vid, any chance we could get it in higher resolution and as a real tutorial? I'll admit to being somewhat daunted by the JTAC function :-)

[Bahger]

I'm happy to do a real tut with voice-over re JTAC. Maybe you can advise me about the resolution: Should I adjust this in FRAPS, in MS Moviemaker output choices, or in YouTube? It's a bit of a blind spot for me. I have FRAPS set to make the vids half-size, or it cripples my framerate, even on a very fast PC. The Moveimaker ouput choice I always go for is "Best setting for your computer". If someone can suggest a specific output resolution, I will set that next time.

[kylania]

Change the window size of the game to 1280x720. That will then record, full frame, in 720HD. Should make reading text a lot easier.

 

You could also use the trick of recording at 10 FPS and speed the film up 4x in post. You'll need to add back in all sound effects though. But recording size will be much smaller. Basically fly the mission, then playback at quarter speed (Alt-Z twice I think?) and record the track at full frame 10FPS. Then work magic in Vegas.