Counter measures

[awdrgyjo]

As I understand, if the selector is on semi auto, the computer drops what is deemed the best selection, but you can initiate this, but if you select program A and change the quantity, this is only valid for that program, so if the computer selects program E its going to ignore the quantity I selected for A. now considering I don't know what the threat is going to be, and I don't want large quantity's of counter measures to be wasted, do I have to flick through all the programs, and change the quantity's, thanks in advance.

[nomdeplume]

Um... yes, if you want to use it in semi or auto mode then you'll need to modify the programs.

 

If your Google-fu is better than mine, you might be able to find a definite listing of which programs the game's CMS selects for different threats; so far I've found this post from Eddie which might be useful as a starting point.

 

Also it's generally better to use too many countermeasures than too few. :)

[JayPee]

Um... yes, if you want to use it in semi or auto mode then you'll need to modify the programs.

 

If your Google-fu is better than mine, you might be able to find a definite listing of which programs the game's CMS selects for different threats; so far I've found this post from Eddie which might be useful as a starting point.

 

Also it's generally better to use too many countermeasures than too few. :)

The info in the post you link is outdated. The game engine's using A, B, and L. It doesn't auto select any other programme. Little short on time now, but if you select all posts by me you can find a topic about it not too long ago (8 weeks or so).

[nomdeplume]

Thanks JayPee, that would be this thread.

[Mosley]

Keep this in mind as well. I have been locked up by a Shilka and semi auto was dealing with that. Not with the man pad that had been fired. For this reason I run manual all the time and switch between programs I and J and use accordingly.

[ralfidude]

I leave mine in Semi-Auto, and manually switch it to Charlie program.

 

This ENSURES I have the best countermeasures for the worst threat that might just appear out of nowhere, which are IR threats.

 

Charlie dumps an insane amount of flares, plus chopping the throttle ensures a good 50% chance of the missile breaking lock.

 

If you are heading into radar guided crap, then just swap to Bravo or Delta for a good mix, and that's that.

 

Jammers don't work so you never worry about that in DCS.

[Flagrum]

I leave mine in Semi-Auto, and manually switch it to Charlie program.

 

This ENSURES I have the best countermeasures for the worst threat that might just appear out of nowhere, which are IR threats.

 

Charlie dumps an insane amount of flares, plus chopping the throttle ensures a good 50% chance of the missile breaking lock.

 

If you are heading into radar guided crap, then just swap to Bravo or Delta for a good mix, and that's that.

 

Jammers don't work so you never worry about that in DCS.

Huh? "Semi-Auto and manually switch to C"? How do you do that? In Semi-Auto, the CMSP switches to a program that whatever it thinks is appropriate. How do you do then use your program C? You would have to

- switch from semi-auto to manual

- check what program is actually selected (after CMSP was messing with it)

- switch to C (don't miscount! and/or watch the dispay carefully!)

- activate

- profit? or rather already hurling down with burning engines? :o)

[JayPee]

We should get a mod going on for more useful and more realistic countermeasures. Currently I'm doing some preliminary homework for it.

[ralfidude]

Huh? "Semi-Auto and manually switch to C"? How do you do that? In Semi-Auto, the CMSP switches to a program that whatever it thinks is appropriate. How do you do then use your program C? You would have to

- switch from semi-auto to manual

- check what program is actually selected (after CMSP was messing with it)

- switch to C (don't miscount! and/or watch the dispay carefully!)

- activate

- profit? or rather already hurling down with burning engines? :o)

 

 

 

Apologies, I meant Manual. Semi is retarded for unknown threats. I think that what happens in Semi mode (Which will get you killed) is that, let's say you set it to a Delta mode, so you have some mix of flares and chaff, but very low amount and spread out quite a bit (So not a good amount for a quick getaway), and you are flying happily along, and then all of a sudden there is a missile launch without any radar contact. Well you press the CMS up button to dump chaff and flares, but the program selected is Delta and it hasn't changed from that because CMS doesn't have a goddamn clue what's shooting at you, it's the MWS system that's picked up the launch instead. So you die a horrible fiery death due to a lack of a proper countermeasure release.

 

 

Since I have started to use the Manual mode in Charlie by default, I have survived these surprise IR threat attacks MUCH better.

[Flagrum]

Apologies, I meant Manual. Semi is retarded for unknown threats. I think that what happens in Semi mode (Which will get you killed) is that, let's say you set it to a Delta mode, so you have some mix of flares and chaff, but very low amount and spread out quite a bit (So not a good amount for a quick getaway), and you are flying happily along, and then all of a sudden there is a missile launch without any radar contact. Well you press the CMS up button to dump chaff and flares, but the program selected is Delta and it hasn't changed from that because CMS doesn't have a goddamn clue what's shooting at you, it's the MWS system that's picked up the launch instead. So you die a horrible fiery death due to a lack of a proper countermeasure release.

 

 

Since I have started to use the Manual mode in Charlie by default, I have survived these surprise IR threat attacks MUCH better.

Hehe, allright, now it comes together and makes sense! :o)

[Xavven]

Apologies, I meant Manual. Semi is retarded for unknown threats. I think that what happens in Semi mode (Which will get you killed) is that, let's say you set it to a Delta mode, so you have some mix of flares and chaff, but very low amount and spread out quite a bit (So not a good amount for a quick getaway), and you are flying happily along, and then all of a sudden there is a missile launch without any radar contact. Well you press the CMS up button to dump chaff and flares, but the program selected is Delta and it hasn't changed from that because CMS doesn't have a goddamn clue what's shooting at you, it's the MWS system that's picked up the launch instead. So you die a horrible fiery death due to a lack of a proper countermeasure release.

 

 

Since I have started to use the Manual mode in Charlie by default, I have survived these surprise IR threat attacks MUCH better.

 

 

Thanks for the tip, Ralfi! I didn't realize semi-auto was so... dumb... I'm going to have to start trying this. I usually switch to program M because although I know preventative flares don't do jack in this game, I always run M on a gun strafe for realism's sake. Problem is, an Igla will launch and apparently semi-auto doesn't switch to a more aggressive program!

[ralfidude]

Well preventive flares do work, but it's that certain SAM units don't need a tail on aspect to shoot at you.

 

If you are flying in at full throttle and are flaring then the exhaust from your engine is still there.

 

 

For example, I have a 50% defeat rate with IR threats when they launch at me, my automatic response is to cut the engine to idle, and dump charlie program quick, which is the most flares in a short period of time. As I'm making my manouver and the missile gets closer I have already placed it at my 3/9 line and I pop one more Charlie CMS flare drop and do a High G turn, and this will either work for you making the missile miss and lose track, or kill you since missiles in DCS are super human in many factors. They are far too accurate.

 

Now there are people here who say that preventive flares work, and others who it hasn't worked for, I guess it's really up to you to decide, but personally I think it works.