I am blind

[billyzero]

This is my first post on these boards.

 

First, a BIG thanks to the DCS community for all the answers, tutorials, and manuals that exist here. This is by far the most mature and helpful gaming community.

 

One thing I can't find is tips on target acquisition. I believe I have the mechanics down and my TGP pointed in the right place (I even turn on labels to ensure the TGP icon on the HUD is right on the tiny red dot). However, I can never find my target. I see trees, grass, buildings, but I CANNOT find the artillery, SAM vehicle, MBT if I cam further than 2 or so miles away. Getting so close to SAM vehicles usually ends up with me practicing 1 engine landings. I switch between all 3 TGP mode, I zoom in with narrow focus, zoom out with the standard focus, it just doesn't seem to help.

 

So, are there any tips/secrets from you vet players about finding those pesky targets with your TGP? Perhaps Lasic Eye Surgery?

 

One other thing, what altitude should I be attacking from? I started really low below 2K feet but that invites AAA fire. 12K just feels wrong but is that the best way to go?

 

Thanks for any help!

[SmokeyTheLung]

There's no question that it's not easy!

I tend to fiddle quite a bit with WHOT/BHOT while scanning for targets, not to mention gain/level adjustments and the occasional brightness/contrast tweek.

Also, zoom in on your display (and likewise use the zoom in the TGP itself), or use a snap view.

 

With the right settings and some practice, these's no reason you shouldn't be able to spot infantry from 20nm out... Unless you really are blind :D

 

I'd also recommend you set your "res of cockpit displays" in the options menu to the max value

[RodBorza]

One thing I can't find is tips on target acquisition. I believe I have the mechanics down and my TGP pointed in the right place (I even turn on labels to ensure the TGP icon on the HUD is right on the tiny red dot). However, I can never find my target. I see trees, grass, buildings, but I CANNOT find the artillery, SAM vehicle, MBT if I cam further than 2 or so miles away. Getting so close to SAM vehicles usually ends up with me practicing 1 engine landings. I switch between all 3 TGP mode, I zoom in with narrow focus, zoom out with the standard focus, it just doesn't seem to help.

 

billy,

First of all, welcome.

 

You can always use the boat switch to change from CCD (very weak) to the TGP IR modes - Black Hot or White Hot - (very good). They help you to see targets from very far away. I, myself, usually use Black Hot view. I find it is easier to find a black dot on a white terrain.

 

Also, you can use the DMS UP or DOWN while TGP is Sensor of Interest (SOI), so you can get a very powerful zoom. Much more powerful than the Wide/Narrow Field of view zoom.

 

Other thing is to get your coordinates right. Contact JTAC, wait for his data, and he will be able to show the right targets to you, where you can point the TGP very easily.

 

Look for ExcessiveHeadspace videos on TGP usage on You Tube, and for WarriorX's guides on JTAC and on how to manually input coordinates on the CDU to find targets.

 

One other thing, what altitude should I be attacking from? I started really low below 2K feet but that invites AAA fire. 12K just feels wrong but is that the best way to go?

 

Thanks for any help!

 

In this game, forget what you have heard about the A-10 being an low-flying aircraft: fly high. Altitudes from 10 k to 15 k will do the trick. This way you will stay out of MANPADS and AAA range and will be able to see targets from very far, since the Line of Sight (LOS) will be clear. Also, you will be able to stay out of most SAMs engagement range.

 

A procedure that I do is to get in a orbit in a safe distance (usually 10 miles out) and find the target. To get in a orbit you have to bank the aircraft left or right and set the Autopilot to Altitude Hold (ALT HLD) by pressing 4 + A on the keyboard.

Edited June 27, 2011 by RodBorza

[Nu-NRG]

Maybe you can adjust the gain and level setting with OSB19 and OSB20 when in BHOT or WHOT (manual p.333). Just earlier I was 16K high spotting three tanks and then some BMP's. I adjusted gain to 5 from 3 and I personally prefer BHOT, but depends on situation. Usually I look around with wide view and when I see something I use narrow or zoom in with DMS. I hope, I was at least a BIT helpful.

[billyzero]

Excellent suggestions ! Thank you, I will try these tonight!

 

Update: Major improvements. The OSB 19 and 20 buttons while in IR mode make a REAL difference along with flying at altitudes that originally seemed too high. Thanks guys (the maintenance guys thank you too).

Edited June 27, 2011 by billyzero

[Speed]

One other thing, what altitude should I be attacking from? I started really low below 2K feet but that invites AAA fire. 12K just feels wrong but is that the best way to go?

 

IRL, I am aware of a few examples where A-10s have been either restricted to high altitudes or restricted from operating entirely when there is a considerable threat of AAA and/or MANPADs. The real-life tactic of staying high to stay alive also applies in DCS, so if you are in a mission where there is alot of AAA, MANPADs, and other kinds of SHORAD, you should be flying pretty high- above 15k feet.

 

Personally, I like to fly well in excess of 20k feet, betweein 24k and 30k, to stay above 2S6 range. Using this tactic, you will almost never get shot down- unless you get surprised by a pesky SA-15 or the like, or get bored. Usually when I get bored of flying high and destroying helpless SAMs and tanks from 25k feet, and decide to try out a CBU run in CCIP or gun attack, I'll execute my low altitude attack and promptly get blasted by an IR SAM. Really, it's not a good idea to fly at any altitude below 15k feet in a good number of the missions out there. I don't care how fun CCIP CBU attacks or strafing runs are, doing a cold restart and flying back (if that's even allowed in the mission) is a lot less fun.

 

Still, I see a lot of people arguing against a high altitude approach as not being realistic, in spite of the clear logic of it & real life examples. You know, I bet of they had to fly the A-10 for real, in these missions, I'd see them making contrails with me at 28k feet REAL fast :P

 

Just remember, at high altitudes, the A-10 makes a bus look agile. Don't rush your attack runs, bomb something, then fly at least 5 miles out away from it before you try to turn around on it again, and don't pull more than like 1.5 gs.

 

Anyway, if you want to survive in a high-threat mission, fly high and use zoom to your advantage. In fact, the game, IMO, does not allow you to zoom in enough, as I hear that real A-10 pilots carry binoculars. If you want to simulate binocular use, you should probably change the first number after the equals sign on line 126 of View.lua from 20.0 to like 5.0 or 7.0... just a guess though, I donno what kind of binocs A-10 pilots typically use. Gonna guess something like 10X40 image stabilized? However, typically, at high altitude, your primary sensor will be your targeting pod. It should also be noted that targets can be spotted visually by zooming in all the way even at 25k feet... the contrast has to be right, however, which is realisitic. I've picked up targets visually from 25k feet that were nine miles away on occasion. Your Mk1 eyeball is still a very valuable sensor even at high altitudes- and this is all without changing any Lua files to simulate the binoculars that real pilots use.

 

However, in a mission where there is not much enemy air defense threat you should fly lower, where the A-10 is intended to fly, below 15k feet. The A-10 is still primarily a visual aircraft, so if the enemy threats allow it, you should fly at like 10k feet. In Afghanistan, since the Taliban have like no air defenses, supposedly I hear that the A-10s fly pretty low most of the time, and supposedly, get to use their gun A LOT.

 

The problem is, DCS is better at simulating armored warfare, so we don't get a lot of Afghanistan-style missions. Instead we get a lot of missions with SA-13s and 2S6s in them.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Speed

[Nufsed]

billy,

 

 

In this game, forget what you have heard about the A-10 being an low-flying aircraft: fly high. Altitudes from 10 k to 15 k will do the trick. This way you will stay out of MANPADS and AAA range and will be able to see targets from very far, since the Line of Sight (LOS) will be clear. Also, you will be able to stay out of most SAMs engagement range.

 

 

To learn the meaning of "low-flying" try OP-Samson on the 74th Server.....I betcha 4 BUKS (yes that is a pun:lol:) you crash and burn if you venture too close above 1,000 feet...:joystick:

[bluepilot76]

Just read a couple of books, I can confirm extensive use of binoculars, apparently find the target with binoculars, focus in with TGP was a common way to go.

Also I read about harrier pilots having a little laser device attached to their finger with a range of 2-3miles (IRC). Then all he needs to do is physically point at the target and his wingy can see it and acquire with TGP. How useful is that!

[billyzero]

Thanks for all the help and great information. Between the suggestions above and the confirmation that finding the target is just plain difficult, it makes me feel I am not as far behind as I thought I was. It's definitely challenging and it's definitely fun.

 

I have no idea how you guys play without labels. I guess it's just patience, persistence and practice.

[RAF74_Raptor]

IRL, I am aware of a few examples where A-10s have been either restricted to high altitudes or restricted from operating entirely when there is a considerable threat of AAA and/or MANPADs. The real-life tactic of staying high to stay alive also applies in DCS, so if you are in a mission where there is alot of AAA, MANPADs, and other kinds of SHORAD, you should be flying pretty high- above 15k feet.

 

Personally, I like to fly well in excess of 20k feet, betweein 24k and 30k, to stay above 2S6 range. Using this tactic, you will almost never get shot down- unless you get surprised by a pesky SA-15 or the like, or get bored. Usually when I get bored of flying high and destroying helpless SAMs and tanks from 25k feet, and decide to try out a CBU run in CCIP or gun attack, I'll execute my low altitude attack and promptly get blasted by an IR SAM. Really, it's not a good idea to fly at any altitude below 15k feet in a good number of the missions out there. I don't care how fun CCIP CBU attacks or strafing runs are, doing a cold restart and flying back (if that's even allowed in the mission) is a lot less fun.

 

Still, I see a lot of people arguing against a high altitude approach as not being realistic, in spite of the clear logic of it & real life examples. You know, I bet of they had to fly the A-10 for real, in these missions, I'd see them making contrails with me at 28k feet REAL fast :P

 

Just remember, at high altitudes, the A-10 makes a bus look agile. Don't rush your attack runs, bomb something, then fly at least 5 miles out away from it before you try to turn around on it again, and don't pull more than like 1.5 gs.

 

Anyway, if you want to survive in a high-threat mission, fly high and use zoom to your advantage. In fact, the game, IMO, does not allow you to zoom in enough, as I hear that real A-10 pilots carry binoculars. If you want to simulate binocular use, you should probably change the first number after the equals sign on line 126 of View.lua from 20.0 to like 5.0 or 7.0... just a guess though, I donno what kind of binocs A-10 pilots typically use. Gonna guess something like 10X40 image stabilized? However, typically, at high altitude, your primary sensor will be your targeting pod. It should also be noted that targets can be spotted visually by zooming in all the way even at 25k feet... the contrast has to be right, however, which is realisitic. I've picked up targets visually from 25k feet that were nine miles away on occasion. Your Mk1 eyeball is still a very valuable sensor even at high altitudes- and this is all without changing any Lua files to simulate the binoculars that real pilots use.

 

However, in a mission where there is not much enemy air defense threat you should fly lower, where the A-10 is intended to fly, below 15k feet. The A-10 is still primarily a visual aircraft, so if the enemy threats allow it, you should fly at like 10k feet. In Afghanistan, since the Taliban have like no air defenses, supposedly I hear that the A-10s fly pretty low most of the time, and supposedly, get to use their gun A LOT.

 

The problem is, DCS is better at simulating armored warfare, so we don't get a lot of Afghanistan-style missions. Instead we get a lot of missions with SA-13s and 2S6s in them.

 

 

When I was over there the only threat's the Taliban used against allied air power was RPG 7's so there was no real danger to jet aircraft. Helicopters though are a much different story

[MemphisBelle]

Look for ExcessiveHeadspace videos on TGP usage on You Tube, and for WarriorX's guides on JTAC and on how to manually input coordinates on the CDU to find targets.

 

Most of them are gathered in this tutorial Collection, but you may already been stumbled about this...:D

[theghost]

It works differently in israel :)

 

It really depends on the Doctrine of warfare, there are various methods to attack ground targets, the Israeli pilot want to see the white in the eyes of the enemy's , (this expression) In most cases the pilot using electronic warfare to disable radio detection and Then Low-altitude bombers targets.