Locating Targets

[JHzlwd]

I have been playing Black Shark for a long time in(almost) pure simulation mode and would welcome responses to this posting.

 

I fly some of the canned missions and many of my own, where you can ramp-up the challenge. Large objectives such as buildings and fuel tanks are not so difficult to find in the target zone but the smaller "gems" are practically invisible (launchers, for instance) unless you are practically on top of them in which case it is too late. Consider the "South Ossetia Pirates".

 

Similarly, convoy units and their dangerous escorts are almost impossibly difficult to spot so I find myself a "sitting duck" a lot of the time unless I cheat by ....

 

... turning on "Labels" which is a big help. This is not authentic but just about the only way to survive most missions.

 

Best wishes,

JH

[power5]

You really need to use the Shkval to zoom in and view the area you are intending to fly into. Shkval monitor resolution is not the best so identifying the things you see on it may be difficult. When you spot a target move in till you are just in range then take them out and scan the area again. Find another target and eliminate it. You can not fly over the target area in a Helo like you can in the A10. You will get hit in the BS if you do so. I do not know any personally, but I would assume the typical mission for a Attack chopper pilot is to fly to target area and hold at the perimeter. Then scan till targets are found or the area is determined as clear. Then slowly move forward scanning constantly. This is why the Chopper can trim and hold flight. It allows the pilot to scan the area with his eyes and the shkval. Should not be zipping in and taking out the enemy on a flyby. I learned the hard way that if you do not like picking off targets from far off, you do not want to be a helo pilot. I like doing it this way and consider myself to be drawn to the sniper style of combat vs the marines/infantry style fighting. After the most dangerous threats are taken out, I like to fly in and get close to the enemy and take them out with cannon and rockets. Its fun aiming at infantry as they try to take me out of the sky with their little AK-47s.

[Razorback]

Put your Shvalk view on a second monitor (10' or 12''), your image will be bigger and it will be easier to find the targets on the battlefield !

[Speed]

Actually, the Shvkal is not really the best way to go for locating targets. The problem is the Skhval FOV is so small that it is impractical to full search areas before you fly into them. It depends on what the terrain around you is like, but usually, your primary sensor is your eyeballs. You need a large monitor, and you need to be spending ALOT of time zoomed all the way in. It's actually pretty easy to visually spot targets in Black Shark out to sometimes greater than 8km. You shouldn't have a hard time spotting something inside 5km for sure. They look like dark spots.

 

Don't go quickly through hostile areas either, go slowly enough to search out the terrain you are going to fly in.

 

Alot of times you need a closer look at something; to search a cluttered village, to spot targets from really far away, to check if that little dot is a tree or a Shilka. That's when the shkval comes in useful in target searching.

 

Also you have to be aware of terrain contours, which will hide areas. Every time a terrain countour becomes unhidden, then search it.

 

No reason to get a separate monitor for the shkval, when you own like a 24" monitor and zoom all the way in, then the skhval is MUCH bigger than a mere 10 or 12 inches.

 

Also, being young and having good eyesight helps alot too. If you have poor eyesight, then you need to buy a bigger monitor to make up for it.

[Discosef]

I've just stopped using a second monitor due to starting to play online more and the NVG problem was really annoying me. I thought it would be more difficult to spot targets but it isn't much harder. Look for dust on moving vehicles and smoke and tracer from units that open fire.

 

I do use a 37" LCD HC TV and using Trackir also makes thngs a lot easier.

 

As others have said take your time, go in slow and don't enter an area unless you feel it is fairly secure. Your wingman is also a god send, use recon and listen to what he says, he's your best warning when a SAM is fired at you.

 

I've switched to the ARMA 2 sound mod as well as you can here when bullets are hitting you. I couldn't really tell with some of the other Mods.

 

When you are targeted by a laser make a note of where it came from break off and reposition then you can look for what was targeting you.

 

Switching labels off not only makes the game more realistic and challenging but it will improve your frame rates.

 

Have fun and keep it as realistic as you can:)

[Xxx]

I would use the wingmen to fly a recon in the area you need to check out.

 

From a safe hover:-:book:

 

Select the area you want to recon by Shkval Target Point Designation. Then input the TP into either the INU ( PVI-800) or the ABRIS.

 

Then decide which method to use to send the TP to your wingman/wingmen ( more wingmen the better ), either use the INU or the ABRIS TP position, or you can Data Link by a quick hand off.

 

The quickest way, would be to quick hand off TP data to wingmen, without creating a target on the ABRIS or a position in the INU. Just send your TP, by leaving the "target type" button on the Data Link panel unpressed, press the intended recipient button, or ALL and then press "Send/Memory" memory button on the Data Link Panel. The Coordinates on the ground, where your Shkval is locked, will be sent to the recipients.

 

Then you assign the recon to any of your wingmen ( they already have the TP in their ABRIS) by radio command. You will order them to recon at the Data Link Point you have just sent them.:pilotfly:

 

Any information on detected targets will be returned to you via Data Link.:thumbup:

 

When you receive the Data from the recon, the VMU will announce "Received Target Data". Then the Data Link Panel will display target type buttons and the sender's flight number. Save this data by pressing the "Send/Memory" button on the Data Link Panel. Your ABRIS will then show a non-blinking target marker and the Data Link Panel buttons will stop blinking. There's your enemy!

 

You could order you wingmen to attack or return to your position and then plan whatever assault would work ( Pincer etc.)

 

Combat proceedures using Data Link and wingmen!:thumbup:

 

 

Best regards.

Edited February 20, 2011 by Accipiter

[Bucic]

I sometimes used to have Shkval display zoomed so that it was taking the whole area of my 19 inch monitor and it still was ridiculously difficult to find targets most of the time. I'd suggest that apart from investigating possible investment in a separate displays you should at least read something about the transparency issues for LO FC2/DCS displays http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=58105&page=2

[Xxx]

Interesting subject, the "transparency issue". Would spoil your day if you can not eyeball the enemy. However, your AI wingmen can! Digitally, so to speak!

 

 

To locate targets efficiently on the battlefield, I would recommend using the wingmen on recon tasks. The advantage is mainly twofold. Firstly he/they will send back information of all units in the recon area. This is achieved via data link, you just accept the data in to your ABRIS. Giving you a good tactical set of positons on the map. It is very fast and efficient, provided the wingmen are adept enough not to get shot down:doh:

 

Seconly, they will engage any targets you prioritise. If you want them to destroy AAA, they will.....Provided they have the weapons and skill:smilewink:

 

If you want to take out the targets yourself....and with the weapons on the Kamov, why wouldn't you? You now know their position, you know where to look, recall your team..and take the shots yourself :D

 

However there is always the old saying....:-

 

No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy. — Field Marshall Helmuth Carl Bernard von Moltke:surrender:

 

Regards.

[213]

basically, your targets are relayed to you via forward air controllers. this is simulated by the aerial photographs in mission briefing. then it's your job to find a good location to safely engage the enemy.

[power5]

Put your Shvalk view on a second monitor (10' or 12''), your image will be bigger and it will be easier to find the targets on the battlefield !

 

Razorback:

Is there a write up on your pit or more pictures? Looks amazing. I see glass windows and other control panels. That picture is too dark to make everything out though.

[Bucic]

Razorback:

Is there a write up on your pit or more pictures? Looks amazing. I see glass windows and other control panels. That picture is too dark to make everything out though.

+1

[KosPilot]

There are several methods to heighten your situational awareness.

 

1. Put SHKVAL on second monitor, the bigger picture and high resolution is a big help.

2. Get TrackIR (no affiliation what so ever, it just works.)

3. Use HOTAS setup to improve reaction time

4. Take up safe position and use auto-hover and track-to-target when scouting for targets. Flank your way to your next position.

5. Use high ground for scout, cover and stand-off range, the chopper is not a tank restricted to the bottom of valleys.

6. Look for signs of enemy activity/movement (muzzle flashes, smoke trails, dust clouds, tracers)

7. If lased or shot at, take note of direction, make evasive manoeuvre and fall back to safe distance. (Do not push forward!)

8. Send wingman to do recognisance. (Trick: call him back to formation before he reaches the range you set for him. He will now send datalinks continuously when in formation.)

9. Use datalink to acquire reported targets (this procedure works for me: )

-LASER standby to OFF

-Reset SHKVAL

-Click target type on datalink panel until correct target is selected on ABRIS

-Press DL TARGET (middle yellow button on datalink panel)

-Uncage SHKVAL [O]

The SHKVAL should now track directly to the selected target

10. Clear dead targets from ABRIS!

11. Fly sideways to easier spot incoming fire (Especially useful when facing Stryker ATGM and equivalent Russian units). Never stand still if you think something may be targeting you.

12. Never fly straight towards or away from an enemy that is firing at you.

13. Use F10 map. If enemy units are visible there, program their coordinates into the PVI-800 target points (You be the one to decide if this is cheating or utilizing good intelligence. You may adjust your F10 map setting in the options menu). Note that the SHKVAL will always automatically track towards your Target Point (PT) when selected on PVI-800!

14. Read you mission brief to learn about your opposition. You may be able to adapt your flying style accordingly.

 

I know; not all of this points are directly related to your question, but it may improve your survivability.

 

Have fun :thumbup:

Edited February 23, 2011 by KosPilot
Added info

[JHzlwd]

Thanks for the interesting replies and discussion. It boils down to the fact locating many types of targets is just plain difficult, as it must be in real life. I have discovered usefulness of the wingman for this and sometimes send him in first while covering him. Many threats leave a clue as to location. For example, the trails produced by MANPAD launches clearly locate the culprit.

 

Best wishes,

JH