Ground Attack procedures/tactics

[rextar]

Cheers stubb!!!

[JEFX]

Thanks Jim, just ordered from Amazon a minute ago!

 

Jean-Francois

 

 

I have just finished "Fire Strike 7/9" by Sgt Paul "Bommer" Grahame, ISBN 978-0-09193-807-9.

I can thoroughly recommend this book for anyone that is interested in JTAC and CAS operations.

"Bommer" was a JTAC in Helmand Province.

What is different from many other books concerning JTAC operations is that "Bommer" explains in detail individual missions, why he used a particular ordnance, the line and height of ingress etc etc. Many of the missions involved calling in at very danger close! He operated with Apaches, A-10Cs, F-15s, F-18s, F-16s, Harriers, UAVs etc and explains the strength and weakness of the platforms/ordnance.

[ttaylor0024]

Maybe this is where the mission designers can help by creating realistic threat enviroments where the Hawg would actually do business? Or in a high threat scenario have a strike package to help peel the threats back so the Hawg can git-r-done.

 

Well, in real life you have planes like the F/A 18 taking out SAMs and other high priority threats. The A-10 wasn't designed to go toe to toe with all these SAM systems, but to take out tanks and provide CAS. Of course, they kept SAMs in mind, but in reality you wouldn't send an A-10 to take out 6 SAMs...

 

Now, if they make the F/A-18 model and integrate it with the A-10 and Blackshark.... pure awesome.

[636_Castle]

We could all request attack profiles and procedures from Wags for his next tutorial vid. :music_whistling:

[PlainSight]

I've found that after a while the jammer turns itself off (I suppose to avoid cooking the pilot).

 

-Stubboyo

 

I think it's to prevent "home on jam" lock.

[GGTharos]

No. It is so that it can listen for the threat signal again.

[ErichVon]

Hi,

 

Flying some of the older flight sims, like the "Stealth Fighter" or "Air Duel" in DOS for the IBM 386. My 1st thing I want out of the way is the radars and sam sites, AA guns, then the communications capability. Just like we did in Libya recently, but they do it everything at the same time to blind them.

 

Sorry, I have no book references, except jet dogfight tactics by Shaw and the sim world fighter book "In Pursuit" of WWII aircraft by Kylander.

 

This Warthog sim is a lot like the old Microprose helicopter sim, "Gunship"; the USA Apache, fighting in Russia from German bases. Maybe find its user manual on e-bay.

 

I am new to Warthog, too.

 

Erich

 

Hello all, I have been getting to know, learn and appreciate this great sim and the incredible A10C for what it can do and do well. Studying and reading the manual and watching as many videos as I can on YouTube and elsewhere on "How To" is fantastic and I learn something each time along with these great forums and good people. As much as watching and reading I have yet to really find material on ground attack procedures, what is the best approach, etc, etc. Can you all post good books you have read, websites that discuss ground attack, or anything that I can read to get a feel for entering a hostile area and making your bombs hit and getting home, I come from IL-2 (ww2) and also FC1&2 (pointy fighters) so I tend to "rush" the attack and not understand proper Ground Attack methods so any good reading would be great, thanks all.

Edited April 14, 2011 by ErichVon

[ErichVon]

If left on, jammers over-heat. At least that is how it works in other sims I have played. I have not played the LockOn/DCS series much. I think it is similar to a Sears radial arm saw motor overheating and it cuts off until it cools off.

 

I read in forums here that the laser pointer will also overheat if left on. I haven't got that far in the training tutes, yet.

 

Erich

 

I think it's to prevent "home on jam" lock.

[ErichVon]

You may be surprised what a USA public library "inter-library loan" can get you. You might need to pay a fee. Here in NY I have gotten books out of State. See the Reference Librarian.

 

I usually feel a book out by a library 2 week loan read before shelling out cash for anything relatively expensive.

 

Erich

 

I would love to read a book like this. I think it would help me a lot with imersion in the game. But again, it is not available in the US yet.... argg.

[JimMack]

CAS PILOT REALITY

Whilst DCS: A10C is a great simulator, and is thoroughly enjoyed, some of us may not be aware of the reality of flying a modern CAS aircraft in current operations. If you want to use DCS:A10C in real mode – read this.

The reality is as follows:

You spend 2 to 3 hours in a pre-flight briefing, ensuring that you have noted all details, communications, other info, ROE, etc.

You take off in marginal conditions of visibility and weather.

You climb blind through the heavy overcast, until you get above the clouds, say 20,000 feet, hoping your wingman keeps in touch.

You get a call to go to a FOB (Forward Operating Base) under attack. Contact the JTAC.

You check all your avionics.

You make your calculations (and prudently backing up with old fashioned maps and dead reckoning), and let down through the cloud cover, which is meant to stop at 2,000 feet above the FOB.

You drop down to the FOB, which is in a valley, surrounded by high mountains.

Praying that your calculations are correct, and that the cloud cover stops at 2,000 feet above the FOB, and your wingman does not get wiped off by a mountain on the side of the valley, because you miscalculated the safe course, not allowing for his off-set.

You arrive safely above the FOB, circle, using sensor looking for Taliban.

Checking all communication channels all the while that there is a de-conflict with other aircraft (fixed, rotary and UAV) in the area. Also checking in with ASOC (Air Support Operations Centre).

Become very bored, nothing happening.

Divert to tanker to refuel. Tanker bouncing around in turbulence, just manage to refuel.

Recalled to FOB. Re-calculate course as to how to get down so as to be above the FOB.

Arrive safely above the FOB, 2,000 feet limit of the bottom of the overcast has not changed (a miracle!).

Circle, using sensor to identify possible targets.

RTB. Return to Bagram air base, which is socked in, low visibility, wet runway, cross-wind over limits, and they have turned down runway lights to low, whilst the surrounding city has all lights blazing! Difficult to identify the runway!

Land – debrief for an hour or two.

Go to sleep for 6 hours before the cycle starts again.

 

Of course : this mission took place at night!

 

This is all documented in the book “A Nightmare’s Prayer” by Michael Franzak.

Though Franzak was flying an AV8-B in Afghanistan in 2003, many of the issues apply to A10C operations now.

This is the most realistic, humbling and frank description of modern CAS operations that I have read.

 

There are many creative mission designers in the community. If they create this “Nightmare Mission”, I would hate to fly it because I know I would fail!

[Ells228]

CAS PILOT REALITY

Whilst DCS: A10C is a great simulator, and is thoroughly enjoyed, some of us may not be aware of the reality of flying a modern CAS aircraft in current operations. If you want to use DCS:A10C in real mode – read this.

The reality is as follows:

You spend 2 to 3 hours in a pre-flight briefing, ensuring that you have noted all details, communications, other info, ROE, etc.

You take off in marginal conditions of visibility and weather.

You climb blind through the heavy overcast, until you get above the clouds, say 20,000 feet, hoping your wingman keeps in touch.

You get a call to go to a FOB (Forward Operating Base) under attack. Contact the JTAC.

You check all your avionics.

You make your calculations (and prudently backing up with old fashioned maps and dead reckoning), and let down through the cloud cover, which is meant to stop at 2,000 feet above the FOB.

You drop down to the FOB, which is in a valley, surrounded by high mountains.

Praying that your calculations are correct, and that the cloud cover stops at 2,000 feet above the FOB, and your wingman does not get wiped off by a mountain on the side of the valley, because you miscalculated the safe course, not allowing for his off-set.

You arrive safely above the FOB, circle, using sensor looking for Taliban.

Checking all communication channels all the while that there is a de-conflict with other aircraft (fixed, rotary and UAV) in the area. Also checking in with ASOC (Air Support Operations Centre).

Become very bored, nothing happening.

Divert to tanker to refuel. Tanker bouncing around in turbulence, just manage to refuel.

Recalled to FOB. Re-calculate course as to how to get down so as to be above the FOB.

Arrive safely above the FOB, 2,000 feet limit of the bottom of the overcast has not changed (a miracle!).

Circle, using sensor to identify possible targets.

RTB. Return to Bagram air base, which is socked in, low visibility, wet runway, cross-wind over limits, and they have turned down runway lights to low, whilst the surrounding city has all lights blazing! Difficult to identify the runway!

Land – debrief for an hour or two.

Go to sleep for 6 hours before the cycle starts again.

 

Of course : this mission took place at night!

 

This is all documented in the book “A Nightmare’s Prayer” by Michael Franzak.

Though Franzak was flying an AV8-B in Afghanistan in 2003, many of the issues apply to A10C operations now.

This is the most realistic, humbling and frank description of modern CAS operations that I have read.

 

There are many creative mission designers in the community. If they create this “Nightmare Mission”, I would hate to fly it because I know I would fail!

 

Excellent read Jim.

I also have another recomendation for a book of a similar read:

"Joint Force Harrier"

The inside story of a Royal Navy fighter squadron at war

By Commander Ade Orchard

ISBN: 978-0-718-15399-1

[shu77]

I would recommend Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis. Helos rather than Hawgs, but very similar operating environment, and a lot of gear that is relevant when you start flying low.

[Geraki]

F-16 vol 5 have nice a/g tacticks which could be used ...

 

like spit attack ... pop up ... delay 90 ...

[rextar]

Erm am I missing something here?

Jammer where is it in cockpit!!!!

Ever wonder I've had no luck with these SAMs !

[Pyroflash]

You can both see the status of your jammer as well as set its operation modes in your up front CM panel. It is located just below your UFC and shows what state your jammer is in.

 

Also, make sure you read relevant pages in the manual before asking questions like this. People will still answer your questions if you ask, but the manual has so much to offer, it would be pretty ignorant not to make use of such a resource(Once again, nothing against you, just saying it is there, might as well use it for what it is worth).

Edited April 30, 2011 by Pyroflash

[Zenra]

The jammer is activated by pressing the CMS HOTAS switch (z axis). It works by default if you use the TM Warthog; you will want to map it if using another system. The other option is to put the system on automatic, but that will go through stores rather quickly...

[bob_baer]

Actually I use to fly at 20.000 but Sam shoot me and they usually kill me everytime. Moreover I can't see the targets... Are you sure that high altitudes is the correct strategy? What am I missing?

[kharne]

How about in a mission like Overwatch? After several waypoints, the convoy you're escorting stops while you clear the area. There are two groups of infantry, and two AAA guns.

 

I thought I would try to clear the AAA first, but I can't get both without taking damage.

[Sinky]

I thought I would try to clear the AAA first, but I can't get both without taking damage.

 

If the situation permits I'd say use the cannon on ZU-23's and ZSU-23's. From an old video in Lomac I heard that the A-10's cannon was also designed to just out-range the ZU's, line up and fire at 2.0 slant then break and jink.

[Bushmanni]

I usually engage Zeus at 1.5-1nm range as it saves ammo. If the AAA is average skilled you can get to the firing range before he reacts to you. If that's not the case you have to dodge the first burst which is not too hard to do as the excellent skilled AAA will not miss the correct point of aim and makes the dodge maneuver reliable. With less skilled AAA gunners dodging can be a bit iffy as they don't always shoot where they are supposed to. The attached track demonstrates the dodge maneuver. Basically you alternate flying over and under the stream of bullets. When doing attack run the easiest way to dodge is to fly over the AAA and when he fires push under the bullet stream and at the same time pipper on target.

 

edit: The first Zeus gets killed according to plan but the last one doesn't fire according to my plan ie. soon enough so I break and do some dodging before going for it again.

AAA_gets_some.trk

Edited May 9, 2011 by Bushmanni

[Sinky]

I usually engage Zeus at 1.5-1nm range as it saves ammo. If the AAA is average skilled you can get to the firing range before he reacts to you. If that's not the case you have to dodge the first burst which is not too hard to do as the excellent skilled AAA will not miss the correct point of aim and makes the dodge maneuver reliable. With less skilled AAA gunners dodging can be a bit iffy as they don't always shoot where they are supposed to. The attached track demonstrates the dodge maneuver. Basically you alternate flying over and under the stream of bullets. When doing attack run the easiest way to dodge is to fly over the AAA and when he fires push under the bullet stream and at the same time pipper on target.

 

edit: The first Zeus gets killed according to plan but the last one doesn't fire according to my plan ie. soon enough so I break and do some dodging before going for it again.

 

Thanks, I used to fire at 1.2 and break at 1.0 but I got tagged badly once and have started firing from further out.