Using SKVAL at night

[fighter1976]

Hi! can anyone tell me how to use SKVAL at night? I tried the regular way(like for daylight),but it's almost impossible to see something on a field few klics away,even with NVG.Is there an IR sensor I don't know about, or something else?Thanks!

[STP Dragon]

Hi fighter1976,

 

This is the How-To of my mission "Operation Umbrella".

You can find the PDF-How-To and the Missions itselfes here:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=43361

 

The important thing is that you have to adjust the contrast and brightness of your computer-monitor!

If you'r sitting in the cold&dark cockpit and you can't see the contours of the switches, your settings are wrong!

 

 

How-to Operation Umbrella [ENGLISH]

You start the mission in complete darkness!

Your first challenge therefore is to find the switches for batteries and cockpit-lights.

Depending on the contrast-settings of your display, this can be quite difficult.

Therefore the necessary hotkeys to activate them via keyboard will be in the mission-briefing as well as they are shown right after the mission starts.

Battery 2x [L.Ctrl - L.Shift - E]

Cockpit - lights [R.Shift - K]

After that you should be able to see the switches you need and can start up your Ka-50 normally.

As soon as you are ready for takeoff you should adjust your instruments and displays for the night mission.

- Activate the NVG and increase brightness as much as possible. You can do that by turning the knob directly behind the cyclic.

- Deactivate the cockpit- and instrument-lighting, so you can see them with your NVG.

Once that's done the HUD will also be clearer, as there are no longer reflections from any in cockpit lighting.

- Switch the HUD to Night-setting or tune down brightness until the remaining greenish reflections on the HUD are gone as well.

- You also have to tune down the brightness of the ABRIS with the tuning knob at the lower left of the ABRIS.

After adjusting this setting, you should be able to read the ABRIS with your NVG.

- Activate the Shkval and look at the landscape around.

Adjust the contrast to achieve a setting that allows you to see as good as possible.

The right turning knob behind the cyclic can be used for that.

After these adjustments you should be able to see the surrounding terrain as well as the cockpit instruments.

You should also be able to detect and ID your enemies.

You've got S-8OM Illumination-rockets attached to your pylons.

They can light an area of 4-5 Km.

You have to fire them 20 degrees upwards into the night sky.

It will then travel for about 6-7 Km, deflate a chute and sink slowly to ground.

Be advised, though, that you have to deactivate your NVG before utilizing the S-8OM,

because their light is so bright, it will blind your NVG and you won't be able to see anything, especially through your Shkval.

If you deactivate your NVG though, the cockpit will be dark again.

So be sure to switch on cockpit lighting again.

Over the battlefield, it's advisable to switch between both settings according to the situation.

If it's dark all around, switch lighting off and NVG on.

If an S-8OM has been deployed, switch NVG off and cockpit lighting on.

Okay, let's start with the mission description.

Once you managed startup and take off, you can fly towards the target area.

You should stay low over the treetops, so the enemy radar won't be able to get a lock on you.

Just before you reach the Umbrella-Radar-stations you'll see a ridge where you can take cover.

From this position you can slowly pop-up and scan the area.

Move your cursor directly on the marker on the ABRIS.

This way you should quickly find the targets.

It's advisable to first destroy the three Strelas and three Shiklas.

You primary target of course is the large antenna as well as both S-300 radar-installations.

Note: You can't lock up targets in completely darkness (TA).

You have to manually lead the Vikhrs to the target by decreasing the size of the target-box as much as possible

and keeping them manually on the target until impact.

Once you destroyed the radar-installation and all three of the Umbrella-installation and it's defense, you can advance cautiously.

Illuminate the area behind the radar-installations.

There's a restricted area, so keep your eyes open for checkpoints.

Additionally, 20 Shilkas are scattered over the area, 5-7 are triggered randomly.

If you don't find any more enemies, you can decide to make a quick high-speed pass.

If there are enemies remaining, their tracers will be easily visible in the darkness.

Inside the restricted area with the checkpoints you'll also see an enemy camp with tents that will have some surprises for you.

Once you cleared your way through, you're almost at the main target.

The base should be already in range of your illumination-rockets.

Stay alert - there are three Strelas located in the area that will engage you from distances up to 6 Km.

Your top priority is the T-80 tank division, nicely lined up targets, but you will need a lot of Vikhrs, so you shouldn't just waste them.

Once all T-80 have been destroyed, your mission is accomplished.

Edited October 24, 2011 by =STP= Dragon

[fighter1976]

thanks,dude!:thumbup: