Targeting Pod Troubleshooting

[rddaos]

I'm brand new to the targeting pod. I'm trying to learn how to use it to locate ground targets. I've been using the following steps with no luck:

 

1. start quick mission in easy mode airborne.

2. switch TGP to A-G mode

3. slew TGP to default steerpoint (in easy mode, i THINK this should be the location of hostile targets)

4. slew TGP around in general area to try to locate targets using BHOT or WHOT

 

My first problem is that after I slew the TGP to the steerpoint, the TGP is pointed at the sky (why??). The enemy would be on the ground, so I don't understand why the TGP slews to the sky.

 

Secondly, when I then manually slew the TGP straight down until I see land, and then slew around in the general area, I don't see any targets. Am I just not looking hard enough? Well, i DO see lots of buildings sometimes, are these my targets? I was expecting to see vehicles, rocket launchers, etc.

 

Is there a way to use the TAD page to verify that there are indeed hostile targets at the steerpoint? Because maybe I'm slewing to a steerpoint that contains no hostiles. But heck, I even tried slewing to every single waypoint and all I saw was gray mountains at each waypoint. What am I doing wrong??

 

One last thing, I was somehow able to get the TGP into a mode that caused it to automatically slew to the steerpoint, i.e. I could cycle waypoints with the UFC rocker and the TGP would automatically slew to each steerpoint. That's a nifty tool, but I'm not sure how I did that, anyone know?

 

Thanks!

[Elwin]

When the waypoint has elevation above the ground, TGP slaved to that steerpoint will end up in the air. Not sure what to do with that, try setting the elevation of that waypoint manually to 0, maybe it will then update to ground level? (just guessing)

 

Regarding finding the targets, well that's sometimes one of the hardest tasks in life of A-10 pilot. You have to search area around that point and spot the targets visually through TGP. No one said it is easy :-)

 

To the last question, you have to set steerpoint as your SPI (sensor point of interest) with TMS Aft long command. Then slave sensors (including TGP) to SPI using China Hat Forward long command. Then, as you cycle the waypoints, TGP should always show current waypoint (= steerpoint).

 

Edit: forgot to answer your TAD question. There isn't a way to verify there are targets at certain waypoint using TAD as far as I know. There are various ways how to locate targets and you should be informed about how/where you can find targets in mission briefing. Options are: 1) right at specific waypoint (best option), 2) JTAC unit that will designate the targets for you (second best option if you know how to work with JTAC), 3) rough description, such as "in the city", "at the river", etc... then you have to study the map before mission and simply look.

Edited August 15, 2011 by Elwin

[nomdeplume]

To the last question, you have to set steerpoint as your SPI (sensor point of interest) with TMS Aft long command. Then slave sensors (including TGP) to SPI using China Hat Forward long command. Then, as you cycle the waypoints, TGP should always show current waypoint (= steerpoint).

 

You can also directly slave the TGP (and only the TGP) to your current steerpoint using the China Hat Aft Long command. Note that when slaved (via either method), as soon as you slew the TGP or command an area/point track it'll become unslaved.

 

3. slew TGP to default steerpoint (in easy mode, i THINK this should be the location of hostile targets)

 

Easy/realistic avionics mode makes no difference, it's part of the mission setup. Different mission designers will do different things, so there's no universal solution. In the quick mission, I think target groups are marked with smoke, so just acquire them visually.

Edited August 15, 2011 by nomdeplume

[Lange_666]

Regarding targets: If you have a hard time spotting them, just turn labels on for a while. It makes target spotting very easy and it gives you a quick option to know where they are in relation to the surroundings. Then turn labeling off and re-run the mission and see if you can find them again.

[WarriorX]

There is one more important feature of the Targeting Pod (TGP) that will aid you in finding targets.

 

There are 2 field of view's: WIDE and NARROW, and you switch between them with the China Hat FWD Short or V key.

 

There is also a ZOOM for both WIDE and NARROW field of view by using the DMS UP/DOWN buttons.

[rddaos]

"Easy/realistic avionics mode makes no difference,"

I don't mean to go off on a tangent, but I the "easy" mode just meant fewer enemies with maybe less effective weapons, but you're saying the avionics are not functioning in a realistic way? Really?