DCS: AH-64D | FCR Prioritization & Weapons Engagement
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- NOTE. As always, these videos provide a preview of an upcoming feature to assist you in understanding a new feature. Later, it is quite possible that the feature will change, and the feature functionality has changed. As much as I’d like to, I lack the time re-record these videos.
Correction: Priority Scheme A: Stationary ground targets and airborne targets are prioritized above all others.
AH-64D FCR Fire Zones: • DCS: AH-64D | Fire Zones
In this DCS: AH-64D video, I’ll be going over how to configure the Fire Control Radar’s, or FCR, target prioritization and how to engage targets with our onboard weapons using FCR target data.
If you have not already, I strongly suggest you review the earlier videos on creating zones and understanding FCR pages and controls. I’ve included cards and links in the video notes.
Let’s first talk about target prioritization. In the previous video on FCR pages and controls, we discussed how to control where and when the FCR scans the battlefield. However, as mentioned in the FCR introduction video, the key aspect of the FCR is that it will automatically classify and prioritize all the targets it detects within its scan volume. So, before we initiate a scan, let’s go over the ways that we can set the target priorities for the next scan.
There are two ways to do this. The first is by setting the Priority Scheme on the FCR Utility page to A, B, or C. As mentioned in the previous video, the selected scheme is noted on the HAD
.
• Priority Scheme A: Stationary ground targets and airborne targets are prioritized above all others.
• Priority Scheme B: Stationary ground targets are prioritized above all others.
• Priority Scheme C: Moving ground targets and airborne targets are prioritized above all others.
What this means is that if there are many ground targets on the battlefield, with some moving and some stationary, stationary targets will be prioritized when selecting A or B schemes and moving targets will be prioritized when selecting the C scheme.
The other way to adjust FCR priorities is by activating Fire Zones on the TSD Battle Area Management, or BAM, page. When these zones are activated, they will also appear on the FCR page when a scan is initiated.
• Any targets that are detected within an activated Priority Fire Zone will out-prioritize targets outside the activated Priority Fire Zone.
• Any targets that are detected within an activated No Fire Zone will not be prioritized and excluded from the shoot-list, even if they are within an overlapping PFZ that is also activated.
What this means is that all the targets within an activated PFZ will be ranked using the selected Priority Scheme, A, B, or C. Once all targets within the activated PFZ have been ranked, then any remaining targets that are detected outside of the PFZ will be ranked using the selected Priority Scheme and added to the 16 target “shoot list” below those inside the PFZ.
We’ll look at a practical example of activated PFZ prioritization in a bit.
The bottom line is that there is no way to force the FCR to target a specific enemy vehicle on the battlefield, the system is not designed for that like in the F-16 or F/A-18 like a fixed target trackR; the crew can only configure how the FCR prioritizes the targets using the Priority Scheme or Fire Zones, or by narrowing the FCR scan size to a narrow sector of the battlefield using the FCR controls discussed in video #2.
Engaging a target with the FCR as the selected sight is very straightforward. Whatever target is designated by the Next-To-Shoot (NTS) diamond is the target that will next be engaged. This NTS target Range Source is displayed as the slant range in kilometers from the ownship to the NTS target.
• If missiles are actioned, that target will be handed off to the next AGM-114L radio frequency, or RF, missile.
• If rockets are actioned, the pilot will receive rocket steering to align to that target.
• If the gun is actioned, the gun will be given a computed firing solution to that target.
When an RF missile is fired, the NTS designation diamond will automatically advance to the next target in the 16 target “shoot list”. In other words, the Alternate Next-To-Shoot target will then become the Next-To-Shoot target and the next target in priority will then become the Alternate Next-To-Shoot target, or ANTS, triangle.
Selecting a target on the FCR page with the HOCAS MPD cursor will place that target at the top of the 16 target “shoot list”. However, if NTS (button L1) is pressed, this will advance the NTS designation through the 16 targets in a cyclic and repeating manner.
If the MPD cursor is on the FCR page when an FCR scan is initiated, the MPD cursor will automatically be moved to the NTS button label, allowing the targets to be cycled by pressing Cursor-Enter as soon as the first scan is completed. - Hry
NOTE. As always, these videos provide a preview of an upcoming feature to assist you in understanding a new feature. Later, it is quite possible that the feature will change, and the feature functionality has changed. As much as I’d like to, I lack the time re-record these videos.
Map Used: DCS: Normandy 2 Map. www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/terrains/normandy_2.0_terrain/
Correction: Priority Scheme A: Stationary ground targets and airborne targets are prioritized above all others.
Wags, not expecting an answer here but it’d be awesome to hear in some other form, but my question is:
With all of your decades of experience in recreating realistic air combats sims, and the underlying SYSTEMS, such as the Apaches in this video. I’m curious if you have an opinion on where our current technology is, as in, do you think our ‘advanced weapon systems’ have outlived their namesake? - Moreso, if you were to do the opposite of what you do today, and create ultra modern combat systems from the SIM perspective first, with the idea that they would then make their way to actual military air combat systems; I’m curious if your ideas would still be pretty much inline with current systems today or if they’d be much more advanced than what is currently considered ‘the norm’
Thanks!
once we get fcr to it will be possible to send targets to others ah64 ? (via datalink or fcr )
Yes
@@MattWagner Cool, there will be any tutorial on this ?
@@MattWagner I understand that this function already exists?
reminds me of the good ol days spent in Jane's Longbow bobbing up and down and raining down hellfires; keep it up Wags and the rest of the DCS team.
I owned that game too. haha. Classic
Nice video and explanation. Can't wait to try and compare. Now if we could have the "all seeing ai snipers and tanks" not put rounds in our face/engines while setting up outside of their effective range in total darkness or behind cover we'd be in business.
WAGS thank you so much for making these videos. This would be daunting without your introduction. DCS is so incredibly amazing and gets better everyday.
Man the longbow just has tons of smart features, which most importantly, all talk with eachother, awesome!
This is just so cool and great to see that ED keep pushing their modules forward
This video is really about the fun part with FCR. Amazing work by ED I must say.
Thanks a lot for those very interesting videos! As I see there is a lot to learn on the FCR function.
The helo kill at the end was good timing. 🤓
I don't need no stinking Stingers.
Thx Matt & ED, when you think that you couldn't make one of the best DCS modules even better......then you just have.😊
Wow ! Super cool. I hope I can come up with a viable bindings strategy once I get some practice. I put the Apache on the shelf a long while knowing the FCR functionality was coming. Will be almost like starting over, but look forward to it.
These are the moments I like the most - exploring new advanced features. I remember that I had Apache on trial and it was not enough time to understand its systems. I was hooked and bought the module. After half a year I am pretty confident with using it in advanced missions, but setting up HOTAS and training muscle memory to operate it was steep lerning curve. Now it looks exciting to get yet another complex system to master.
This was SO useful!! The AH-64D is going to become my primary DCS module again this...next year! :D
Awesome. I sooo hope that the FCR arrives for Christmas! :)
To say I'm excited for these FCR updates would be a vast understatement.
Love it! This should add a whole other dimension to really "hide and seek" with the Apache, especially in very hostile environments with lots of anti air elements. Looks great!
Ok, so the Fire Zones / No Fire Zones make totally sense now! Thx. Looking forward to the FCR soon. Any chance it happens this year?
Certainly a chance for this year.
Can't wait for this. Thanks again Wags!
Today i was testing ah64d againt most sam sites and aaa and tanks at the same time and man it just blows things up even without fcr
This is where the Apache truly comes into being.
> Longbow's true power has manifested.
Awesome
I just did some practice with this today. OMG this will make it so much easier. i still managed to get shot down as gorge dont avoid missiles to quickly,
oooooh. LIked that one :)
this is awesome!!!, but sadly at the end I have never had any luck killing helicopters with the current Limas , they always miss :( (multiplayer only) I don't know how it is in singleplayer, might be lag related issue
First like. What's going on Matt? It's William C. Your A-10C instructor. 😅
Thanks @mattwagner I am so excited about this update!
You just squeezed a video out before friday update ;)
can you see the selected target on the hmd ihadds as a box? so you can see where it is when looking
Ending with a splash :)
Wags, not expecting an answer here but it’d be awesome to hear in some other form, but my question is:
With all of your decades of experience in recreating realistic air combats sims, and the underlying SYSTEMS, such as the Apaches in this video. I’m curious if you have an opinion on where our current technology is, as in, do you think our ‘advanced weapon systems’ have outlived their namesake? - Moreso, if you were to do the opposite of what you do today, and create ultra modern combat systems from the SIM perspective first, with the idea that they would then make their way to actual military air combat systems; I’m curious if your ideas would still be pretty much inline with current systems today or if they’d be much more advanced than what is currently considered ‘the norm’
Thanks!
Hey wags I've got a question Will we be able to add/remove the FCR when on the ground Via radio menu or any other way? or will it be strictly a Mission editor option. Great work guys keep it up
It is planned.
Any target selected in the FCR can be handoff automatically over the TADS vision display so we can make visual recognition of units? Thanks!
Yes, later with LINK.
Awesome video, Wags! Can you use this with a LOAL style attack, either Low or High, to shoot over a hill from behind cover?
This is the entire idea behind the radar being mounted at the top of the mast. I can only assume that it will also be in DCS
Just watch the previous video of Wags for the FCR. In the beginning you see the upcoming mayhem behind a tree line. This is certainly going to be fun with 16 Lima Hellfires!
Just set your TRAJ as before.
@@MattWagner thanks, Wags! Our community is fortunate to have you.
Awesome, this looks extremely powerful! (if this was any other game, we'd already have about 10k comments crying for FCR nerfs :))
I am so excited for this! One question: Is the FCR capable of IFF, or is that what the Priority Fire/No Fire zones are for?
Nope, that is why you'll later have LINK with the TADS.
In your previous video, you mentioned the range to stationary targets is about 6km, while moving vehicles can show up at 8. Would it help if your own ship was moving?
Nope
If afv are parked next to buildings or trees can the fcr detect them?
Will the TADS be slewable to the radar to use it with AGM-114K's? + Will there be new George commands?
Yes, later.
Does the TADS slave to the target you are about to fire at for target validation, just thinking how you would utilize this with friendlies in the FCR arc at the same time.
Later with LINK.
Sorry if you said in the video, but will George be able to operate the FCR, with at least enough capacity to fire?
It is planned but the FCR must first be completed.
@@MattWagner fair enough! Thanks, Wags.
😎👍
Top👍👍
does this kind of engagement require an open line of sight? can you acquire and engage targets while hovering behind cover
FCR detection yes, engagement, no.
Pop the blob over the hill while keeping the rest of the heli behind it, scan, and drop back down. =)
Now I have to buy TEDAC grips.
I’m using a normal game controller with good effect
Can you guys try to do a complete how to video, broken up into shorts over the next week or two is a terrible way to learn.
Quick question - when I press (and release) the cursor on a FCR contact on the FCR page, it is not becoming the NTS as shown in this video. Am I missing something?
Without seeing a video of what you are doing, it's impossible to know. Please use our forum here with a video or track file. forum.dcs.world/forum/780-dcs-ah-64d/
How to get the radar ball over the rotor? I know how to do it before but everytime I finally learn something, they change it again.
Load it either in the Mission Editor or the Rearm-Refuel pop-up. Left-most slot (MMA).
@@MattWagner thank you very much
Looks awesome! Do you know if we'll have access to it this weekend?
Not this weekend.
@@MattWagner Two Week(end)s™?
WAGS, I appreciate your excellent work. I have a question about Lima's functionality against moving targets. Toward the end, you successfully engaged a halo. I'm curious about how Lima tracks moving targets. Does it operate similarly to Fox-3 missiles, or is there a different mechanism at play?
If you have moving targets or targets within 2.5km, the radar seeker will be active immetiately from the rail.
It's onboard MMW seeker.
Hi Wags, in the video it seemed that the left two ADU's were still on the shootlist, even though they were outside the PFZ, is that the case?
Also, is there a way to reset the shootlist's original priorities if you have cycled the NTS/ANTS manually?
A PFZ just sets the priority, targets can be outside the PFZ (but not in an NFZ) and still be in the shoot list, just at the lower priority than PFZ targets.
@@MattWagner Crystal, thanks Wags. Looking forward to the FCR, you all have done an amazing job on the Apache this year.
Hey guys, what map is this? The trees and bushes seem more photoreal than in other maps available..? Looks like good for choppers anyway.
Replying to myself: Cahagnes is in France, so it is Normandy and you own this map, fool.
Does anybody know what differences in performance you get from getting FCR data to the missile instead of TADS data? Does it have the same limitations? Is it more accurate? (Hit a particular tank in a group)
I believe it's faster, more accurate, and passes target type data
I think the accuracy is the same. Remember: the FCR does not guide the missile to the impact (nor does the TADS). The missile gets only the target coordinates transmitted - terminal guidance depends on the optical seeker in the missile itself. The main advantage of the FCR is of course the automatic target classification and possibility to fire in quick succession up to 16 Lima Hellfires behind cover. That is a huge force multiplier!
Yes. There is at least one old article stating that gunners prefer TADS for identification of targets. There is ghosting problems with the real FCR, but ghosting might confuse DCS players. Ghosts are when the radar duplicates targets and sometimes even invents targets. This is where a lot of UFO stories come from. The ghosting effect is exploited in electronic warfare by creating a lot of false positives on the opponent's radar screen.
The real world failure rate of the Hellfire in Operation Desert Storm was 20% and those were laser guided missiles. The three possible failures were failure to fire, failure to track and failure to explode. I don't know if DCS has a failure rate for weapons.
@@orlock20 I assume the failure rate of George is pretty high and intentional 😂
@@Tepnox It's possible that George could be modeled after a real person or a combination of people. There have been some Florida man style stories with Apache crew members while operating the Apache.
Does TADS slave to the radar target that is set to Prio 1?
Wags answered about TDAS slaving in another comment, this seems to be using the LINK functionality so would come later.
Will Gorge be able to use this, or equally as cool can this be done in the back seat?
Should be no reason why you couldn't do this from the back seat, all the actions can be done on the MPDs and the pilot is able to select the FCR as a sight.
Is this the new Kola map? Or have the trees on Caucus been redone a bit? Forest looks a bit more birchy than I remember. :D
See pinned comment.
And if you're bad at reading pinned comments, it's Normandy 2.0. =)
need to know how to distinguish friend from foe and dead targets
TADS
Amazing. Do you think the link function will be ready for the patch ?
No, as mentioned earlier, GTM at first.
Will George be able to use the FCR? How will that work?
Yes, once the FCR is first complete.
Any change the radar can pickup manpads?
Nope
Considering it is an active radar seeker against an air target, would that last shot against that helicopter be a "fox 3" or a "rifle" call out? There is probably no right answer but this could be a fun debate.
Can the radar tell if a target on the list is destroyed or will it just continue to show all the target and the pilots will have to visually tell what condition the target is in?
The latter.
@@MattWagner Oooh, this is an upgrade! So far most of the sensors in DCS have not had the capability to lock onto destroyed targets, a good way to distinguish between dead and alive targets with the Mavericks for example was trying to lock onto them. =)
Can you do a continuous search and track?
czcams.com/video/TLRC7paCeVA/video.htmlsi=sJGUMgJGnjwwjPsq&t=100
Matt how to put automatic rudder? It's a pain for who doesn't have the pedals to pilot this thing
There is no auto rudder at this time. I do not use rudder pedals, just an axis hat.
@@MattWagner ok 👍🏻 nice idea I will try too
😯
TOPMOUMOUTE ;)
FCR page says FCR NOT INSTALLED. ?
It needs to be installed from the Mission Editor. We will be adding the ability to mount/dismount the FCR via the ground crew rearm screen next month.
Thanks for the great videos. I would love to see an APU crew and/or external power crew implement. Any chance that is in the works?
Just wait in multiplayer, I get shot down all the time by AA i never see...now we will see who will have the last laught!
Autopilot looks much better in your test build
No difference.
Seriously hoping for ATT hold fixes soon.
Haha great joke mate - you are such a jester@@MattWagner current beta build George flies like he is on meth and then jams up the RHG controller stick
Which map is this??
See pinned comment
First!
is this a new map?
Please see pinnned comment.
Will we ever get realistic rearming? like people putting on the amraam's and what not
Lol do you want to sit there for 30min while they load everything?
Haha. Next thing is we get realistic maintenance service times. Sorry, you can't fly now - the maintenance is complete in 10 hours. Come on guys. Don't be silly. Join the Army to get the real thing.
doesnt have to be real timing. eeven a version where the ground crew are speed up would be cool#
@@Tepnox
yeah with radar on he is massive, goodbye tanks
hah what map is that
See pinned comment.