Aligning GAU with target - any tips?

[schkorpio]

The answer to this will probably be "just practice" but I'm hoping there are some little tricks that might make aiming the GAU-8 a little easier.

 

For example one thing I've found when turning the plan, I've noticed that the maxium G's you can pull in a turn is between about 0.8-1.2% of your airspeed, the faster you go the higher the %. so if your air speed is 200 your turning G's can get up to about 2.5 before you get the warning beeps.

 

Is there any kind of simple indicator similar to that for aiming the GAU?

 

thanks :D

[HugePanic]

Generally there is a Cl_max value for any wing configuration.

Maximum lift with maximum speed will give maximum acceleration or g's.

 

Lift = cl * roh * 0.5 * v^2 * A

A = wing surface

Cl = coefficient of lift

V= speed

Roh = air density

 

There are many factors that change that.

-Wing configuration (load, flaps...)

-AC weight

-speed and mach number (not a big A-10 problem)

max wing loading

-temperatur

-air density and altitude

 

 

You will also loose lots of energy/sipped in high G curves. So you can pull a short high g-hook, or fly a long low-g curve unless speed es depleted.

The A-10 is pretty underpowered, compared with other fighters.

 

So generally:

It is too complicated to be calculated by the pilot. Since that we have the beeper, that tells us what to do. In real life you have an build in high performance g-meter in your body, that helps flying the plane with maximum performance....

Edited March 4, 2013 by HugePanic

[bn880]

In real life you have an build in high performance g-meter in your body, that helps flying the plane with maximum performance....

 

You mean those two things hanging between my legs? :pilotfly:

 

:doh:

 

One quick tip is try to stabilize your flightpath to where you don't need to use your rudders and other inputs, while your reticle is on the target or better just below it.

 

If you keep wrestling your plane while trying to aim, it won't be nearly as accurate.

[Home Fries]

Aiming with Gun PAC on is tough and takes a lot of getting used to. If you're going after a lightly armored target like a BTR, artillery, or a truck, I like to turn Gun PAC off (3 way gun switch in the down position). Then you put your pipper below the target, fire a quick burst and let the recoil pull your nose through the target. Then get ready to roast marshmallows!

[KLR Rico]

You'll probably want to chop the throttle and throw out some speed brake on the downhill of the gun run.

 

Oh god no!

 

I should clarify: that might work against targets that don't shoot back, but if they do, you're a sitting duck. That's why it's ill advised to make slow gun runs.

Edited March 5, 2013 by KLR Rico

[MTFDarkEagle]

Oh god no!

 

I should clarify: that might work against targets that don't shoot back, but if they do, you're a sitting duck. That's why it's ill advised to make slow gun runs.

 

Exactly. Slow = longer in aiming sight.

[Nerull]

Exactly. Slow = longer in aiming sight.

This works for the Hog but also for the nasty guys shooting at the hog (unles they're really suicidal :) )

[Cookie]

Also, speedbrakes cancel the PAC, so using them kind of defeats the point. ;)

[WildBillKelsoe]

the best reference is the gun bore cross. Turn so your G is between 1.0 and 2.3 G's. Next, when the TDC rapidl reaches the edge of the upturned HUD, snap the turn to level off. Target should now be within +/- 10 degrees of nose.

 

Lock throttle at 2/3 (don't move that is) and move ailerons to put the cross on target, then pull sharply while trimming to get the gun cross/reticle (DTS) or the 4000ft cross and slam your head to HUD to see the upper (AP) dot on target. one click nose down and counter with stick pull.

 

Engage PAC-1 at least 8 seconds without touching stick (keep the posture just above) and pull the trigger for 1-1.5 seconds one famous A-10 pilot says, when stabilized with PAC-1 after 8 seconds, loudly say:

"One Potato, One" quickly as a timing with gun.

 

I'll post a vid shortly for the aiming.

[NhiTrac]

Hi all,

 

Complete noob here to both the forums and DCS A-10. Hoping to not go O/T too much, but I am struggling to get my X-52 Pro Stage 1/2 Triggers to work in-game.

 

Currently have Stage 1 Trigger mapped to "Shift + Space" which should enable PAC.

Stage 2 Trigger is mapped to "Space" which should fire the GAU-8.

 

Both are just key presses. However nothing will happen in-game when pressed.

 

If I map Stage 1 Trigger to "Space" ie Guns, then it'll work fine but obviously without PAC enabled.

 

Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

 

Thanks

 

:helpsmilie:

[Giant2111]

I dont own a Saitek Stick,......

 

but you may look here: http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/wiki/DCS_A-10C_Guides,_Tutorials_and_Reference_Documents

 

There you find decent profiles for the Saiteks.

 

Hope this helps!

 

For me personally best thing working on a gunrun, is to attack from behind the target and 1,5nm out, confirm target by jtac, level it, speed up, hit pac1, hear the autopilot warning, pull the trigger, say "21", release, turn away.......do not try to overfly the target zone.

Edited March 5, 2013 by Giant2111

[159th_Viper]

Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

 

 

PAC-1 = Keypress 'P'.

[NhiTrac]

PAC-1 = Keypress 'P'.

 

Mate, you have indirectly solved my problem!

 

In summary, I'm using an apple keyboard so don't have a "Pause" button so I remapped that to "P", and Stage 1 Trigger to "Shift + Space".

 

However it seems that DCS does not like the "Shift + Space" combination and therefore doesnt work.

 

Just defaulted everything and remapped the pause to something else, and whatdoya know... It works!!!

 

Thanks for that. Now I can get on with the other basics.

 

:beer:

[159th_Viper]

Jolly good, glad you got it sorted :)

 

Any other issues just shout.

[Drippy]

Not sure if you have trackIR but zooming in really helps. During a gun run I zoom all the way in so I just see my HUD. That way the pipper is nice and big and you can see your targets really well. After I fire the GAU8 I zoom out as I break off my attack. Also if using labels I would suggest mapping a button to turn them off. On my X52 I use one of the toggles. The red or blue dots on the labels is not allways where the enemy is. My gun runs got SUPER accurate when I could actually see my target and knew my piper was right where I wanted. When your done with your strafing run your can turn back on the labels so you can find your next target. I have not seen this on many youtube vids. So I dont know if its common or not.

[NC_Cyborg]

Not sure if you have trackIR but zooming in really helps. During a gun run I zoom all the way in so I just see my HUD.

 

You can also press 'CTRL + Keypad 0' and then 'Keypad 5' and you center the view on the HUD. This is also great for setting up radio 'Keypad 1' and inputting coords into the CDU 'Keypad 2'.

[Sgt_Baker]

I personally activate a little-known cheat, which is accessed by typing LSHIFT+LCTRL+LWIN N O S E D O W N.

 

More details can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goalkeeper_CIWS

[WildBillKelsoe]

[Nealius]

Awesome processing effect on that video. What is it? The only two ways I could tell it wasn't real were a) the clouds and b) the HUD data tilting when in a turn.

[Whisky One]

 

nice one. Is it better to go upside down, pull on the stick and then level off and track the gun cross towards the target?

[Eddie]

The only two ways I could tell it wasn't real were a) the clouds and b) the HUD data tilting when in a turn.

 

As well as the negative G pushover dive entry and incorrect safe escape, to name but two that call out to me. There is also no reason at all to use the gun bore cross for aiming if you have a functioning IFFCC.

 

Examples below of all 4 types of strafe that can be performed in the A-10 (or any other airframe for that matter).

 

 

 

 

[Whisky One]

nice videos Eddie. that confirms my question. must be helpfull for the topic starter also.

[Nealius]

The thing that stands out to me most on those videos is the dive angle. How do you hit those dive angles so precisely?

[Eddie]

Practice. ;)

[schkorpio]

wonderful info here thank you everyone :)