Smerch hunt - locating zeus

[gmohr]

Hi all,

 

Working through my first mission, smerch hunt. I have a question for the crew. When told by jtac that there is a zsu just north of your datalinked target coordinates, what technique do you use to locate the offending AAA? I've been slewing around the tgp, but have never successfully located it.

 

That is of course until the tracers start flyin and i begin shedding parts, LOL,

 

Thanks,

George

[RodBorza]

gmohr,

 

Slewing around with the TGP is the way it is, but JTAC says somethings that help.

Here are some tips:

1) Change TGP mode from CCD to WHOT or BHOT. It helps spot targets from very far away;

 

2) When the JTAC gives you the remarks, he also gives you the location of the threates. Pay attention to when he says "Zeus northeast 1 nautical". On the TGP there is this very useful indication where the north is, so it helps locating the threat from the datalinked target;

 

3) it may be a little bit of a cheat, but send the wingman after air defenses. Make the datalinked target as your SPI, and then send the wingman to "engage air defenses on your SPI with missiles from default". This is the only thing that the AI at this state does right, and it is very good at it.

 

4) Also, if it helps and if you have patience, watch the video I made for the Smerch Hunt mission below:

 

 

[nomdeplume]

Don't forget you have Mavericks, so you might want to consider your tactical options and see if you can come up with a safer way of taking out your targets. Not that there's anything wrong with taking a more dangerous approach if that's your preference, just thought I'd mention it. There's no need to place yourself within range of the AAA in this particular mission, if I remember it correctly (it's been a while...).

 

For actually spotting targets with the TGP, I find it's best to scan the area while switching between WHOT, BHOT and CCD (if daytime) modes. Bumping up the gain (and adjusting the level to suit) for the IR modes can be very helpful, too. You can do that with the OSBs on the left side of the TGP display.

 

Also, periodically zoom in and out with the TGP. It can make targets a lot easier to spot. This is particular true in-game, since rendering 3D models from slightly shifting perspectives naturally results in a kind of 'shimmering'. Adjusting the zoom increases the chances of hitting the 'sweet spot' where this effect is very noticable, and can help you spot even small targets when they're against a background that hides them well.

 

The TGP's north indicator isn't always correct (I think this is slated to be fixed in the 1.1.0.9 patch), so you might want to double-check which way north is.

 

Finally, if you're new to the sim you could consider enabling labels to help you work out where to look. I think a big part of spotting targets in a video game is knowing what they look like in the game, i.e. the particulars of how the game renders them. Once you've acquired a sense of what it is you're looking for

[gmohr]

Thanks guys, extremely helpful. I see that just flying above the zsu's attack envelope is an easy way out. But also looking to learn the tgp more completely.

 

Rod, i watched the first three vids and noticed you entering wind info... Why? And where did you get the data for those various... Altitudes were they?

 

Thanks, -G

Edited June 30, 2011 by gmohr

[RodBorza]

gmohr,

 

I entered wind data in order to give the IFCCC and the LASTE (the firing computers) wind and temperature data so the computer can compensate for it when presenting the release cues on the HUD, resulting in a more precise attack. You set the wind for different levels (i.e. 00 for ground, 05 for 5k, 10 for 10 k and so on). Although this feature is not working in the 1.1.0.8 patch, I decided to keep it so others can use the reference in the future (i found that out AFTER making the mission...:doh:see the patch preliminary 1.1.0.9 change log: "- Wind entered on CDU WIND page is correctly accounted by IFFCC in aiming calculations now. The wind model was changed to account for wind fading to zero at negative 4000 feet.").

 

The wind data is given in the wind page. More on this, in a very simple and straithforward operation of the CDU can be found at this thread:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66422

 

More detailed info can be found in the manual, on page 206.

 

I also updated the videos and the video list on my YouTube channel (now the all 07 of them). You may want to check it out.

 

P.S.: Mid mission my wingie was shot down. I was trying to protect him by telling to stay in a orbit in a relativately "safe" place, but he got shot down by MANPADS, because when orbitig, the AI will get down to 5k feet. So watch out for this strange behavior.

Edited June 30, 2011 by RodBorza

[docehrenhoefer]

One question, why bother with the Air defenses?

I just made a CBU-3/9er dive attack shooting some flares and chaff from about 6000 ft, recovering at 4500. There were not even tracers to be seen.

The Manpads are located around the 3rd SMERCH (as my right engine noticed the first time I flew the miz), so either let your wingie take them down, or just let him kill artillery ignoring and trespassing the SAM.

[gmohr]

I think you could easily avoid the AA in this mission, as there's nothing keeping you from out climbing it. However, I was looking to get some SEAD practice in a "safe" environment, and found I couldn't really locate the ZSU's. I'll try again tonight using some of the stuff I learned from the above suggestions.

[gmohr]

I just look for the tracers...

 

I tried this, but then what? I now have a rough idea where the ZSU is, but no way to get the TGP on that point quickly and accurately, while dodging bullets. What's your procedure?

 

Thanks,

George

[159th_Viper]

I tried this, but then what? I now have a rough idea where the ZSU is, but no way to get the TGP on that point quickly and accurately, while dodging bullets. What's your procedure?

 

Extend and re-engage.

[gmohr]

Extend and re-engage.

 

I find it hard to mark the location of the target, even if I see the tracers. In other words, how do you go about capturing the location of something that you have visually located?

[159th_Viper]

I find it hard to mark the location of the target, even if I see the tracers. In other words, how do you go about capturing the location of something that you have visually located?

 

Depends where the target is.

 

If in a town/village, then I usually try and identify a specific building/structure and use that as a reference when attempting to track down the target.

 

If the target is rural, it's a wee bit easier in that I note the shape of the field or other geographical landmark and then track down the target from there once I have extended about 15-20nm.

 

Important not to press your attack - have patience, note the general heading of the target and extend 180 degrees. Once you are satisfied that you have regained sufficient altitude and range, turn back 180 degrees, throttle back to a slow crawl and start your search - use the FLIR of the TGP and not the CCD.

 

If you do not pick it up, extend and start again: Never Ever overfly the target area!

 

Most important - practice: After a coupla sorties it will start falling into place, you'll see :)

[Sarge55]

What I do is bank around while keeping my eye on the location (at a distance) and align the A/C with the location. I will then quickly slew the TDC in the HUD onto the spot and set it as SPI, then bank away again and slew the TGP to the SPI. Use WHOT or BHOT and most of the time I'm close enough that the tgt is visible.

If you are high enough you don't even need to slew the TDC just fly the A/C at the tgt and place the TDC over it and set it as SPI. Don't do this if you are low as you may find your self in range of hidden Manpads.