Receiving target data and locating that target

[TurkishxXx]

I've been playing for a while and I generally know how to fly effectively, but some of the more intricate workings of the warthog elude me.

 

One thing I've been struggling with is finding the easiest way to locate the targets that have been assigned for me to attack. I contact the JTAC, receive a lot of information (most of which I don't understand, like the coordinates), and eventually I receive the message displaying the target information. I also noticed it shows up on my TAD. I can use the TGP to eventually find my target, but its a lot of searching.

 

I was just wondering if there was a way to save this as a SPI or otherwise make it easier to track/locate any target assigned to me. I'm currently doing the mission where I only have mavericks with no TGP, and its very difficult to know exactly which targets I should be attacking.

 

Thanks for the help!

[WildBillKelsoe]

I've been playing for a while and I generally know how to fly effectively, but some of the more intricate workings of the warthog elude me.

 

One thing I've been struggling with is finding the easiest way to locate the targets that have been assigned for me to attack. I contact the JTAC, receive a lot of information (most of which I don't understand, like the coordinates), and eventually I receive the message displaying the target information. I also noticed it shows up on my TAD. I can use the TGP to eventually find my target, but its a lot of searching.

 

I was just wondering if there was a way to save this as a SPI or otherwise make it easier to track/locate any target assigned to me. I'm currently doing the mission where I only have mavericks with no TGP, and its very difficult to know exactly which targets I should be attacking.

 

Thanks for the help!

 

The easiest thing to do is hook your TGP to the TAD flashing red triangle. Then TMSFor'ard Long command to slew the TGP to that target. Just open the manual page 515-516/672 or in ED-glish Combat employment.

 

If you have trouble, post a track, so we can help you better.

 

As for the JTAC info, I did a mini-tutorial for inputting his coordinate whether MGRS (Mil grid reference system) or L/L (Lat/Long)

 

Here:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=55161&d=1313245193

 

Also read on the manual page 642/672 or JTAC engagement flow to understand the 9-line. Understand that not all the time will the info be full (not inaccurate, but FULL), that is for JTAC position, DLOS to targets, and other tactical USAF sh1t.... n00b-ily, just hook the flashing TAD triangle, and slew the TGP. You will then see your target.

Edited May 26, 2012 by WildBillKelsoe

[TurkishxXx]

Awesome, this helped a ton. Very timely response as well, thanks! :)

[shagrat]

The red triangle depends, sometimes in MP it does not appear. Also you may get coordinates from other sources, or the mission briefing, depending on what the mission creator decided to do.

I would advise to familiarize yourself with JTAC procedures where the part befoire your "ready to copy" message is to prepare the CDU to create a new waypoint with the coordinates.

 

A good source for tutorials is the DCS wiki: en.wiki.eagle.ru/wiki/DCS:_A-10C_Warthog

 

You need to train creating waypoints from coordinates, after you know how to do this, locating target areas through coordinates LL or MGRS is a piece of cake.

 

EDIT WildBill added this to his post as well, plus a nice tutorial :thumbup:

Edited May 26, 2012 by shagrat

[WildBillKelsoe]

Awesome, this helped a ton. Very timely response as well, thanks! :)

 

Ne probleme, dud!

 

EDIT:

 

For the quick saving of spotted targets location, I suggest using Overhead markpoint feature (LCtrl+Arrow Right= TMS Right short command)

 

Then incorporate into current flight plan or into a new flight plan in CDU duplicator on MFCDs..

 

Most of this is because of reprising a role of AFAC in multiplayer sessions, but chiefly, reading the manual over and over.

Edited May 27, 2012 by WildBillKelsoe

[TurboHog]

Ne probleme, dud!

 

EDIT:

 

For the quick saving of spotted targets location, I suggest using Overhead markpoint feature (LCtrl+Arrow Right= TMS Right short command)

 

Then incorporate into current flight plan or into a new flight plan in CDU duplicator on MFCDs..

 

Most of this is because of reprising a role of AFAC in multiplayer sessions, but chiefly, reading the manual over and over.

 

Small detail:

 

Overhead markpoint is created using the button (MK) on the UFC and creates a mark at your current location.

 

Mark point creates a mark at your SPI. Sources can be TDC, TGP, MAV and TAD (cursor).

 

Markpoint Z is always a weapon release markpoint. So if you do a gun run, switch to markpoint Z to navigate or slave your sensors to where your rounds impacted. There is also a small icon on the TAD with 'z'.

 

Page 465 in the manual.

[bluepilot76]

Take a paper and pencil with you, its hard to get the coordinates right when inputting them into the CDU. If you write down the coords and make a little drawing for the other stuff you can see what the 9 line needs you to understand.

 

I read some of the JTAC books; It turns out in RL its very important that the missile or bomb explodes in a certain direction. Away from the friendlies obviously, so you need to pay attention to the attack heading.

 

As a reminder for that I usually put the attack heading into the HSI. Then you have your target waypoint, the direction you want to come in from, and what weapon you are supposed to use. Thats the main stuff. He probably will go on about zeuses and SAMs etc, yes you understand someone is probably going to stop you doing what you want to do, but thats why your a combat pilot not a airline pilot right!

[Pikey]

Here's what i did to help teach myself:

 

 

-Start by reading through the above, jot notes on a piece of paper.

-Build a mission with a jtac spotting 4-6 very spread out single targets that dont shoot back. Pick a nice easy weapon with little ramp up time like a GBU-12.

-Get paper and pen

-Go through the process of data entry, TGP to waypoint, weapon release for an hour.

-Then drop in variations like;

-Night

-Laser search

-Different weapons

-Datalink provided/not provided

-Using your wingman's SPI

-etc

 

Takes several hours to get your muscle's remembering the keypresses but if you drill it in eventually you should be able to dance around the cockpit and do this as easy as making a cup of tea. At which point you can worry about things shooting back.

 

 

Problem is with this sim that there is more than one way to do most things and you need to force yourself to look and be proficient at each one until you can pick out the best method to prosecute an attack. And still sometimes you have choices.

 

 

Random Tip: after reading back and looking through the TGP and being unsure you are in the right spot try picking "CONTACT" from the JTAC menu. I spent 15 minutes circling above a BMP that was in a forest that I just couldnt see with JTAC telling me, "That is not your target, North East 40 metres" or similar. So they correct your SPI somewhat.

 

 

Another way of (sort of cheating) is to get the TGP pointed where they asked and telling your wingman to attack the specific target type. Switch to TAD and watch him as he goes in on the TAD. If he see's it, you will see his SPI appear. Simply make sure your TAD is the SOI and select his SPI!

[Humvee28]

As a reminder for that I usually put the attack heading into the HSI.

 

That is a really nice Idea. :)

[WildBillKelsoe]

Take a paper and pencil with you, its hard to get the coordinates right when inputting them into the CDU.

 

^^ that is soo true. Specially with comms. Extra special with Shark AFACs giving their coordinates and forgetting to do their thing in the heat of battle.

[3instein]

I am sure I had the manual for DCS A-10 but can't seem to find it in any of the folders associated with the game,I have looked here, C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Doc.

The one here is only about 238 pages long and mainly talks about the mission editor.

I know I have seen a larger one 500-600 pages.I need to figure out the CDU again but it's doing my head in trying to find the manual.

Anyone know where it's located in game?

Help appreciated folks,

Mick. :)

[algerad3]

See if it is in the start menu, Eagle Dynamics folder, module folder then documents. All the modules and their docs can be found under the Eagle dynamics folder.

[rob10]

I am sure I had the manual for DCS A-10 but can't seem to find it in any of the folders associated with the game,I have looked here, C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Doc.

The one here is only about 238 pages long and mainly talks about the mission editor.

I know I have seen a larger one 500-600 pages.I need to figure out the CDU again but it's doing my head in trying to find the manual.

Anyone know where it's located in game?

Help appreciated folks,

Mick. :)

 

Worst case you can download it from the DCS website here: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/

[cichlidfan]

<install path>\DCS World\Mods\aircrafts\A-10C\Doc

[3instein]

Cheers as always guys,found it in the start menu/Eagle Dynamics/world/documentation

Was starting to think I was crazy as I knew I had it once before. :)

Mick.