Coming Soon

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Since the Early Access release of the -64, our focus has been on tuning the existing systems and fixing bugs. Today though, we’ll talk about a new feature coming to the -64, using Hellfire missiles in Ripple mode.

From the Weapons, Missile page, select RIPL from the mode button. When in this mode, the channel will automatically alternate between the Priority channel and the Alternate channel. When might you use this? The most common use would be when working with a flight member online in which he or she is designating on the Alternate channel, and you are designating on the Priority channel. In this way, you can alternate your shots as one for you and then one for them.

Naturally, if you used RIPL and just used self-designation, you would need to manually change the code each time to match the channel. As such, this would most often be used with a flight member.

It’s worth noting that if an Alternate channel hasn’t been set, in which case ALT at B2 says “NONE”, the RIPL mode option will remain “barriered”.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll explore both the Position (often referred to as Hover) and Velocity Attitude Hold Modes. For Position mode, you must first establish a stable hover between 0 and 5 knots; it is not a magic button that places you in hover. For Velocity mode, establish a stable airspeed between 6 and 40 knots. In both modes, first center the trim using the Force Trim Release (FTR) switch to center the control reference point. This allows the Flight Management Computer (FMC) the greatest flight control systems movement to maintain the hold mode. To release an Attitude Hold mode, press left again on the Trim switch on the Cyclic.

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll look at using the AI JTAC with the AH-64D. In this case, the JTAC will provide a target coordinate and an IR Pointer. From this, we’ll explore how to enter the coordinate as a Point and using the Night Vision Goggles (NVG) to see the IR Pointer and confirm target location.

Please note that the IR Pointer range was increased in the build this video was created, and this change will be coming soon to an update. Also note that the JTAC coordinates are in a 3+3 format but the AH-64D requires a 4+4 format. Simply add a zero to the E/W and N/S. For example: 123456 to 12304560.

Later when Laser Spot Tracker (LST) is added, the AH-64D will also be able to locate a laser designation spot. However, even now, the JTAC can lase a target and you can launch on the target coordinate using LOAL mode and the seeker tuned to the JTAC’s laser PRF.

COMING SOON

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https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/ah-64d/

Force Trim/Hold Mode Switch (Cyclic Stick controls):
- Altitude AL/Right
- Attitude AT/Left
- Cancel D/Down
- Set Trim U/Up

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll talk about the Altitude Hold mode of the AH-64D. Using either the radar altimeter or barometric altimeters, the Altitude Hold is a very useful function to automatically hold a hover altitude or keep the aircraft at a constant altitude in forward flight.

To engage radar altitude hold, the ground speed must be less than 40 knots, vertical velocity must be less than 100 feet per minute, and the altitude must be less than 1,428 feet AGL. It should be noted that the Radar Altitude Hold is NOT a terrain following mode since it provides a distance directly below the helicopter and not in front of it.

Barometric altitude hold will be active whenever the aircraft is outside the parameters for radar altitude hold, which is the case if the altitude is greater than 1,428 feet AGL or the ground speed is above 40 knots. To engage barometric altitude hold between 5 to 40 knots ground speed, the vertical velocity must be 200 feet per minute or less. The vertical velocity limit for engagement then scales linearly from +/- 200 feet per minute at 40 knots to +/- 400 feet per minute at 160 knots.

Regardless of which sub-mode it is in (radar or barometric), the Altitude Hold will automatically disengage if the rotor RPM (Nr) drops below 97% or exceeds 104%, either engine torque exceeds 100%, either engine’s temperature (TGT) exceeds 867 degrees C, or whenever the pilot displaces the collective more than half an inch from the original position at the time of the Altitude Hold was engaged.

Altitude Hold relies on the Flight Management Computer, or FMC, and is engaged by pressing right on the Force Trim/Hold switch. Once engaged, the FMC will automatically adjust collective pitch to maintain the altitude at the time the Altitude Hold was engaged. However, like other axis within the SCAS system, it only has a limited authority to do so. For this reason, before engaging altitude hold, ensure that you are first established in a trimmed state.

Combined with Attitude Position Hold, this can allow a 3D hold for a hands-free hover.

COMING SOON

Purchase DCS: AH-64D from:
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/ah-64d/

Useful Commands AH-64D Controls:

Axis Commands
- RHG MAN TRK Controller – X axis
- RHG MAN TRK Controller – Y axis

Right Handgrip
- RHG LRFD Trigger – First Detent
- RHG LRFD Trigger – Second Detent
- RHG Sight Slave Button

Left Handgrip
- LHG Linear Motion Compensation (LMC) Button
- LHG Weapons Action (WAS) Switches
- LHG TADS FOV Switches
- LHG Weapon Trigger Switches

In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll examine the addition of the Target State Estimator, or TSE, to greatly assist with engaging moving targets with the gun and rockets.

When using the TADS as the sight, TSE allows to determine actual target velocity relative to the TADS line of sight. Using laser-ranging, embedded INS and GPS systems, TADS slew rate, and the air data system, the TSE compares aircraft movement rates from target rates. Once the actual target rate is known, the appropriate amount of lead can be calculated to account for weapon time of flight and required lead. Naturally, this will be essential for accurate fires when using Linear Motion Compensation, or LMC. The most important takeaway is that TSE will provide accurate lead against moving targets when engaged through the TADS.

When using the IHADSS, lead is not calculated.

A very important item to understand is to avoid range jumping. This can happen when you switch between range sources, and it will appear as the TADS line of sight jumping away. This can easily happen if you do not establish an accurate range to target before initiating TSE. Therefore, it is important to use automatic ranging and perform a first detent ranging pulse of the target before to committing to a TSE/LMC track.

To use TSE, you will first want to set the manual range from B6 to A, or automatic, on the keyboard unit. Although a default, manual, or “stale’ range can be used, it is more effective to use AUTO ranging.

Make sure the laser and weapon system are armed and we’ll select the gun for this first demonstration.

Setting the TADS as the Sight, either slew or slave the TADS line of sight to the target area and perform a first detent laser ranging that sends a three-pulse ranging distance to the target area.

With the TADS over the target, engage the second detent of the laser for continuous ranging, enable LMC, and use the thumb force controller to track the moving target. The key is not to rush it and allow TSE to gather enough data to calculate proper lead. I handy tip is to say “T-S-E, catch up to me” with a steady LMC track and only then fire.

With the target in range and a good LMC track with TSE, fire the weapon.

Baron napsal:

Ahoj lidi, potrebujem poradiť: od predposledného patchu mi nejde označiť radarová ani barometrická výška. Rýchlosť fixne bez problémov (attitude) ale radarovú a barometrickú výšku mi neoznačií ani bohovy. Myslím taký ten obdlžnik na hodnotách na HUD. Pred tým patchom to šlo bez problémov. Zmenilo sa tam niečo, prípadne ako to označiť ? Na doplnenie - aj keď sa symbol na displeji pre R a B výšku neobjaví, mám dojem, že to funguje a výšku drží (možno iba môj placebo dojem). Vie niekto čo s tým?