Using the TGP during strafing

[Alexrey]

I'm sure you've all had the problems that I'm about to mention, but I'm wondering if anyone knows how to solve them.

 

The first is that the TGP diamond in the HUD disappears when the gun reticle is placed over it, but that little diamond can really help accuracy during low visibility or long range strafes. I have a partial fix which is to lock a maverick on the target and then use guns (the Maverick reticle does not disappear when the gun reticle is placed on top of it), but obviously if you've used all of your Mavs you'll be back to square 1.

 

Secondly, usually when going in at high speed for a strafe, the TGP diamond will move around and not stay on target when trying to adjust the plane to line up for the gun run (it'll also give a gimbal roll sometimes). I'm guessing this has to do with the TGP having a hard time tracking when negative Gs are encountered (i.e. when pushing the nose down), but I find this strange since the Maverick has no problems at all with negative Gs and can track perfectly every time with no movement whatsoever.

 

So, if anyone knows how to solve these two problems of mine, I'd really appreciate it.

[Nate--IRL--]

1) this is deliberate - and the real A-10 does this too. Try using the zoom if you are finding lining up your target difficult.

 

EDIT:- Try Switching to CCIP mode and use the gun cross, that should work. If it still doesn't work, there is a HUD setting to turn on and off the occlusion for the Gun cross.

 

2) Observe how the TGP head operates, it is not capable of looking up and down without swivelling its head at the midpoint.

 

Nate

[Cp]

I've found a really elaborate solution that I rarely use. (in fact I haven't used it in the latest couple of versions, so It might have changed)

 

First swing the TGP on to the target, then slave your mavs to the TGP (the mav page has to be open on one of the mfcds, but they dont have to be selected in the dsms.)

 

The gun pipper won't obscure the mav reticle on the hud, so now you can see where the target is whilst strafing it :)

[RodBorza]

 

The first is that the TGP diamond in the HUD disappears when the gun reticle is placed over it, but that little diamond can really help accuracy during low visibility or long range strafes. I have a partial fix which is to lock a maverick on the target and then use guns (the Maverick reticle does not disappear when the gun reticle is placed on top of it),...

 

 

That's a great tip. I've been having problems with this too. Sunset Sierra is an example of a mission where you can use that. Thanks!

[Laud]

Set IFFCC as SPI (TMS aft short).

 

???

 

TMS Aft Short is "SPI to Steerpoint" when HUD is SOI.

 

And how will slaving the TGP to the steerpoint solve the OPs problem??

[nomdeplume]

TMS Aft Short is "SPI to Steerpoint" when HUD is SOI.

It's TMS Aft Long to reset the SPI to the STPT (in all modes). In the manual (p87) it lists Aft Short when HUD is SOI as "Set SPI Submode". It can be used to set the IFFCC as the SPI as Hender said, which makes the position of the CCIP pipper (i.e. computed impact point) your SPI. I don't do it very often though so I'm fairly vague on it...

 

And how will slaving the TGP to the steerpoint solve the OPs problem??

I'm not sure if it'll solve the problem, but this sequence actually slaves the TGP to your CCIP pipper, more or less. Might help to avoid the TGP spinning crazily as it tries to point itself at a point in front of your jet that might be moving above and below the TGPs forward axis.

 

Edit: having just dabbled with it a tiny bit, the TGP does seem pretty good at keeping itself sane when slaved to the IFFCC. So, if your goal is to be able to see a nice close-up of what you're shooting at, it's an effective method.

 

When you pull off, the TGP will of course continue to track whatever your pipper is currently aiming at. However, it will revert to the STPT when your pipper is no longer valid, e.g. you're pointing up, or you've safed the gun or something. So if you have Mark Z set as your current steerpoint, when you finish your attack you can quickly get the TGP back to where you just fired so you can see the result of your attack.

 

Attached two screenshots showing it in action. The first was from a high altitude dive - if you're at very high altitude your SPI will remain as STPT until you get low enough for the IFFCC to calculate the point of impact.

Edited October 22, 2011 by nomdeplume

[Alexrey]

EDIT:- Try Switching to CCIP mode and use the gun cross, that should work. If it still doesn't work, there is a HUD setting to turn on and off the occlusion for the Gun cross.

 

Awesome stuff, that sorted it out. Thanks.

[Olgerd]

I'm not sure if it'll solve the problem, but this sequence actually slaves the TGP to your CCIP pipper, more or less. Might help to avoid the TGP spinning crazily as it tries to point itself at a point in front of your jet that might be moving above and below the TGPs forward axis.

 

Edit: having just dabbled with it a tiny bit, the TGP does seem pretty good at keeping itself sane when slaved to the IFFCC. So, if your goal is to be able to see a nice close-up of what you're shooting at, it's an effective method.

 

Just a note. I have seen a video from the real A-10C with TGP slaved to the gun pipper (IFFCC solution). I should say it is very jittery IRL, and is not used by pilots due to this. :)