COMING SOON

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In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we’ll discuss the semi-automatic and automatic dispense modes for the Countermeasure and Dispenser Set, or CMDS. This is a continuation of the earlier CMDS lesson that discussed setting up programs to release chaff and flares. Please see the linked card.

Programs 1 to 4 can be selected from the programs dial on the CMDS panel and initiated by pressing forward on the CMS switch, Program 5 is triggered from the slap switch above the throttle, and Program six is run by pressing left on the CMs switch.

Each of the six programs can be edited from the CMDS DED page. Select LIST and the CMDS button 7. From the main CMDS DED page we can set bingo levels and turn on and off the voice alerts for countermeasure release feedback and request counter when using the semi-automatic mode.

Dobber right brings us to Program 1 and we can cycle to the other Programs by pressing the Steerpoint rocker switch on the ICP.

Earlier, we just had the manual release mode as selected from the CMDS panel, and this would manually run the selected program. We now though have the semi-automatic and automatic options from the CMDS modes dial.

When set to semi-automatic and your aircraft has been locked, “counter” will be heard and DISPENSE RDY will be displayed on the CMDS panel. It up to you to manually initiate the selected program. Again, this can be Programs 1 to 4 as selected on the CMDS program dial with a CMS switch forward press, Program 5 by pressing the slap switch, and Program six by pressing CMS switch left. This gives you the potential for three different Programs at your fingertips.

When the CMDS dial is set to AUTO, the CMDS will automatically run the selected program on the CMDS panel. You will need to be careful with this though as it could quickly exhaust your countermeasures if not careful.

Also, on the CMDS mode dial is the bypass option. When selected, pressing CMS forward will release one chaff and one flare. This cannot be modified until we add the data cartridge option.

COMING SOON

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In an earlier video, we explored many of the air-to-air functions for the Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) of the Viper. In this video, we will review its air-to-ground functions that include steerpoint and sensor point of interest display; JDAM, JSOW, and WCMD cueing; Maverick cueing; and setting a Mark Point as a sub-mode of MUD Markpoint creation.

The Sensor of Interest (SOI) must first be assigned to the HUD and the weapons must be in Visual (VIS) mode. To move the designation to the HMCS, press Target Management Switch (TMS) forward for more than 0.5 seconds and release. To return the designation to the HUD, press TMS aft.

When the designation is assigned to the HMCS, TMS forward to ground stabilize and TMS aft to return the designation to the aiming cross if the designation has been slewed using the radar cursor slew switch

Dear all,

In addition to the ECM pod functions coming to the Viper, we will also be introducing jamming effects on the FCR. When the FCR can generate azimuth, range, Vc, etc. data for a target and the target is jamming, a yellow double-chevron symbol is placed over the contact. If, however, range cannot be resolved due to jamming, a yellow, double-chevron symbols is placed along the top of the FCR page along the detected azimuth angle of jamming.

The attached image shows examples of both of these conditions and a non-jamming contact.

Kind regards,

Wags

Dear all,

Since I created the Viper ECM video, we have been able to enable separate SPJ responses for the XMIT switch in Position 1 and 2. We hope to include this in the next update, but it will depend on testing results.

• When XMIT is in Position 1 we have Radar Priority. When in Radar Priority and the jammer is transmitting and ownship radar and HARM/HTS performance is reduced by 40%.
• When XMIT is in Position 2 we have ECM Priority. When in ECM Priority, the FCR and HARM/HTS are silenced unless an AIM-120 is the active weapon. In this case, it behaves the same as Position 1.

The overall jamming effect on hostile radars has also been substantially increased.

We plan to also implement this for the Hornet's jammer, but I do not have a time estimate yet.

Electonic attack will be playing a bigger role in DCS in 2022.

Kind regards,

Wags

Hey guys! This video is a quick and dirty look at the ALQ-184 ECM pod, in this video we go over the Pros and Cons of having the Pod on your Aircraft as well as a quick demonstration of the Switchology of using the Pod in Self Protection Jammer modes as well as a quick demo of some tactics for the best use of the ALQ-184!

It is not a magic shield but can definitely come in handy for getting you further in to the SAM launch envelope before it can fire, to ensure an increased destruction probability against the SAM radar your HARM was launched at!

Happy Hunting!

COMING SOON

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we’ll look at the dive toss, or DTOS, bombing mode. DTOS allows you to designate a ground location as the Sensor Point of Interest, or SPI, through the HUD or HMCS. This designation can then be used for a CCRP attack using unguided and laser-guided weapons.

DTOS mode can be selected as a bombing mode from the SMS page at OSB 2 or cycled to using the nosewheel steering / missile step button on the control stick.

With DTOS selected and the HUD as the Sensor of Interest, or SOI, a 10 milliradian box is slaved to the flight path marker. You can then either TMS forward to ground stabilize its location or use the radar cursor switch to slew the box and then TMS forward to ground stabilize.

Alternatively, you can set the HMCS as SOI and either ground stabilize the DTOS cue based on the aiming cross or slew and then TMS forward to ground stabilize.

In both HUD and HMCS cases, TMS Aft will slave the DTOS cue back to the flight path marker or aiming cross.

Once ground stabilized and designated, the location is designated as the SPI and standard CCRP steering is provided. When wishing to conduct a visual CCRP attack through the HUD or HMCS, this is the preferred method.

As this will also create a SPI, the targeting pod and Maverick would be handed off to it.

Key Commands:

Nosewheel Steering / Missile Step Switch: s
Target Management Switch (TMS) Forward: Right Ctrl + Up Arrow
Target Management Switch (TMS) Aft: Right Control + Down Arrow
Display Management Switch (DMS) Forward: Right Alt + ;
Display Management Switch (DMS) Aft: Right Alt + .
Weapon Release: Right Alt + Space Bar

Hi folks,

The DCS F-16 guide has been gathering dust since 2020, so there was a lot to catch up. Eagle Dynamics has provided many new toys, so I think it was about time I switched into high gear.

Changelog (25/01/2022):

• Added HARM Position Modes (PB, RUK, EOM)
• Added HTS (HARM Targeting System) and HAD (HARM Attack Display) section and tutorial
• Added HMCS (Helmet-Mounted Cueing System) section
• Added HMCS alignment procedure to the start-up section
• Updated FCR (Fire Control Radar) air-to-air section with fixes for performance, logic and symbology
• Added FCR DTT (Dual Target Track) and ACM Slewable modes
• Added FCR air-to-ground and air-to-sea sections
• Updated Air-to-Air missile symbology
• Updated HSD (Horizontal Situation Display) symbology and functionality
• Corrected INS Alignment procedure
• Added CBU-105 WCMD
• Added JDAM
• Added JSOW
• Added weapon procedures with FCR Air-to-Ground modes
• Corrected Maverick VIS Mode procedure
• Updated ECM (Electronic Countermeasure) section
• Updated Markpoint section
• Added MGRS Coordinate Conversion
• Updated Bullseye setup
• Added VIP (Visual Initial Point), VRP (Visual Reference Point) and PUP (Pull-Up Point) in Navigation section
• Added hyperlinks to the Table of Contents
• Corrected various typos and errors

The page count increased from 540+ to 720+ pages... but I know it will eventually keep growing as Eagle Dynamics eventually adds other much needed features. If you guys still have any suggestions, recommendations or corrections, please let me know.

Much of our Viper work is now centered on the Link 16/IDM interflight datalink. This is a very important and useful element of the Viper, and currently, our highest Viper priority. With this feature in place, you will be able to:

- Share Mark Points between flight members
- Share SPI between flight members
- Network the flight together for HARM HTS TDOA mode to more effectively triangulate emitter locations
- Sending SEAD contacts between flight members
- Assign air-to-air target sorting between flight members
- Support Primary Datalink Track (PDLT)
- CAS mission assignments and reception
- Battle Damage reporting support

We also wish to roll in EXP HAD and HSD support.

As you might gather, this is a very complex task, and we don't have a delivery date at this time. We look forward to updating you on this task as it progresses.

In parallel, other Viper items continue development such as the instantaneous turn rate / available G tuning, pilot model, bug fixes, and more.

Kind regards,

Matt

Link 16 SPI sharing was implemented today. I think this will prove a very handy feature.

With the HSD not SOI, pressing the COMM switch right (inboard) for greater than 0.5 seconds will transmit the player’s SPI to other Mission members. When a SPI message is sent, the XMT L16 label at OSB 6 will highlight for two seconds on the HSD.

The sent SPI is based on the current SPI sensor track. If there is no SPI sensor track, then the current Steerpoint is sent as the SPI.

When the SPI is sent, recipients see it as a large, white “X”, the same as a Mark Point. On the HUD, MKPT## will appear that assigns the SPI location to Steerpoints 71 to 70. “DATA” will be heard as a voice alert. As you can see, it is the same as receiving a Mark Point, but it based on a SPI location rather than a Steerpoint location.

One difference is that if the SPI is created by the TGP or A-G FCR, there will be a lock line between the sender of the SPI (Mission members 1 to 4) and the SPI “X” symbol/location on the HSD. The line will disappear after 30 seconds or by pressing WARN RESET on the UFC.

We look forward to adding this to an upcoming Open Beta.

Also, to answer the posed question, yes, we plan L16 and IDM.

Kind regards,

Matt

Today we completed internal integration of L16 and IDM sharing of HTS/HAD emitter contacts. This will allow you to designate and share emitter location between Flight, Team, and Donors. Additionally, sharing of emitter triangulation data between flight members is also internally complete as part of the TDOA option from the HAD page.

We've made further adjustments to SPI sharing regarding accurate HSD symbology that includes Flight/Team member ID.

Finally, we've made good progress on adjustments to the ITR and G-onset, and internal verification tests will probably start next week.

If testing goes well, we plan to have it included in the next Viper update.

Progress on datalink is going well, but we still have some significant items to still complete. Once datalink is complete, work will commence on the CRUS DED page.

In parallel to datalink and FM, DEST DED page, MAN bombing mode, and LADD bombing mode are in work.

Kind regards,

Matt

In our next open beta update, we’ll be adding many new features to the Viper. In this video, we’ll go over the more visible items, but please consult the change log for the full list once released.

One of the biggest items in the update has been tuning of the G onset and instantaneous turn rate, or ITR. These have been adjusted to better match public data, and we feel more accurately depicts the performance of the Viper. Please note though that you can’t simply pull 9 G in any situation, it is highly dependent on your gross weight, drag index, altitude, airspeed, and more. To provide an impartial view on these changes, we invite you to check out Growling Sidewinder’s video on these changes.

Okay, let’s start talking about the more visible changes coming to this update.

We have adjusted nose pitch at takeoff. It will no longer continue to rise on you un-commanded when the gear and flaps come up. To best see this, keep an eye on the boresight cross, and not the flight path vector. against the pitch ladder.

When in an Air Combat Maneuver, or ACM, radar mode and you lock a target, you will now hear a “Lock” audio message.

Also, when in ACM mode and you command the Slew sub-mode, the Helmet Mounted Cueing System, or HMCS, will now display just the aiming cross.

If in Dive Toss Bombing mode, you can now designate the target by also depressing the weapon release button on the control stick.

We’ve added three more types of inert training bombs. These include the BDU-50LD low drag training bomb, BDU-50HD high drag training bomb, and the BDU-50LGB laser-guided training bomb.

We have added the final Markpoint option, an overfly Markpoint. To create an overfly Markpoint, select AA master mode, select MARK from the ICP, select the OFLY option, and press TMS forward twice to set the location to the next available Steerpoint in the Markpoint range of Steerpoints. The location is marked with a small yellow cross on the HSD.

Related, to Markpoints, we have also corrected a Markpoint location sometimes drifting on the HSD.

Although not complete, we have added several new datalink functions in this update.

With the HSD as your Sensor of Interest, or SOI, indicated by the box around the periphery, and the COMM switch on the throttle is held to the right for greater than .5 seconds, your current steerpoint will be sent to all your flight members. Your flight members will hear a “data” message and see Markpoint and the Steerpoint number that the location was saved to, 71 to 80. They will also see a large, white cross on their HSD at the sent location. To remove, press the Warning Reset Button on the ICP. You can then slew your HSD cursor over the point and TMS forward over it to set it as your steerpoint.

When the HSD is not SOI and you press long right on the COMM switch, your Sensor Point of Interest will be sent to your flight members. They will see it as a red tringle with a line and the reference number of the flight member. You will also see a dashed, blue line between the flight member and the target.

With a HARM Targeting System, or HTS, pod loaded, you can also send detected locations of radar emitters to flight members. With the HAD as your SOI, designate a contact and press the COMM switch long to the right. Your flight members will see the datalinked location as a yellow sysmbol with a strike through it.

Also, on the HAD, we added the cursor bullseye location.

In this video, we will explore use of the Destination DED page to create and edit existing steerpoints and learn how to use Offset Aim Point through the targeting pod.

COMING SOON

Hey everyone, Wags here from Eagle Dynamics. In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we’ll look at the Primary Datalink Track feature, or PDLT. PDLT allows you to designate a datalink-only or a correlated track on the HSD and have an octagon symbol around it on the HSD, FCR, HUD, and HMCS.

This is a useful tool to maintain situational awareness on your wingman, element lead, or a target.

You may notice that this is not as fancy as the Hornet HUD and helmet datalink. Although both our Viper and Hornet are based in mid-2000s jets, the Viper is rather ghetto compared to the Hornet in this regard.

To assign the PDLT to a datalinked contact, the HSD needs to be SOI, and the HSD cursor is slewed over the datalink-only or a non-designated correlated contact, and TMS Forward is pressed to assign it. An already designated (bugged) contact cannot be assigned as the PDLT, assigning it would make it a designated contact. If a PDLT contact becomes the designated contract, the PDLT octagon is removed.

If there is a PDLT assigned contact, and a different contact is assigned to be the PDLT, the PDLT assignment is moved to the newly assigned contact.

If there is an assigned PDLT contract, pressing TMS Right will cycle the PDLT through the undesignated datalink and correlated A-A contacts. The step order is from the bottom of the HSD to the top. If of equal distance on the HSD, then left to right.

TMS Aft, with HSD cursor over the PDLT, removes the PDLT assignment. If the PDLT is also over a threat ring, the first TMS Aft removes the threat ring, and the second TMS Aft removes the PDLT assignment. If the datalink track is lost on the PDLT contact assignment, the PDLT symbol is removed.

DCS: F-16C Viper | Visual Initial and Reference Points

COMING SOON

Hey everyone, Wags here from Eagle dynamics.

In this DCS: F-16C Viper video, we’ll discuss Visual Initial Points, or VIP, and Visual Reference Points, or VRP. As we discussed in a previous video about Offset Aimpoints, each Steerpoint can be assigned two offsets, or OA, points, a VIP, and a VRP. These are all valuable tools for setting up your attack on a known location or an offset location from it based on a bearing, range, and elevation.