Well, I’m sorry Eagle Dynamics - I wrecked one of your Hornets.
I fired up one of the free flight quick missions - this time for the Persian Gulf map. After performing a cold start I headed north out of Al Dhafra up to the tiny island of Sir Abu Ny’air out in the Gulf…
I didn’t actually plan to land there…but hey…there’s a runway! Later analysis on Google Maps shows it is only around 2,700’ or so…probably not NATOPS approved eh?
Plus I’m probably a wee bit heavy with the default fuel load…but man, the sun is going down and I’m a nervous night flyer…so let’s do this! Err…kinda looking short from this perspective…
I hit, bounce back up into the air…and slam back down. On the brakes fully…letting the anti-skid modulate them…and the end of the runway is coming up fast. It looks like I’m going to go off the end at about 40-50 knots so I pull the ejection handle because who knows what is beyond the pavement…
Fortunately, the jet rumbles along in the dirt and comes to rest a few hundred feet off the end of the runway…undamaged except for that whole ejection thing.
Well, don’t take any of what I’m going to show as anything worthwhile since I still haven’t cracked the book…but I did run the Weapons single mission (there are a bunch) which gave me a chance to push some buttons.
Looks like some high drag bombs, a big regular bomb, some MK20 types (?) and some rockets…
This one…center store…maybe an MK83 slick I suppose…and I switched mode to AUTO figuring it would be something were I could put the pipper on the target from afar and it would be similar to CCRP mode but when I hit and held the pickle button the pipper didn’t latch to a point on the HUD and there was no change to symbology. So it doesn’t look like I did that right…
This is the Hornet’s equivalent to CCIP/RP in the A-10 and F-16. When you pressed the pickle button it designated the point underneath the pipper. From there you can either continue the dive, wait for the release cue, and hold down the button. Or you can pull back on the stick, apply G to the get, and transition into a toss delivery. This allows you to get out of dodge quicker, at the cost of accuracy.
The common thread through all of this though, is that AUTO will give you release cues on your current designation. There are a couple of ways to create a designation.
As you already figured out. If you enter AUTO mode without a designation, a pipper will appear in the HUD. When you hit the pickle button the position under that pipper will be designated
If you select the HUD as TDC priority, you should be able to slew a diamond around the HUD using your TDC axes. Once it’s over something you want, hit designate, that position is your target.
In CCIP mode, you should (if it’s in there yet.) see a horizontal line well above the bottom of your HUD. This is the reflected impact point, which is exactly what it says on the tin: the point of impact reflected above the hud, the distance it is currently below the HUD. As you continue your dive, it should creep lower and lower until the actual bomb impact pipper appears. If you hit the pick button while the reflected bomb impact point is visible, your MC should designate that point and enter AUTO mode.
On your MPCD there should be a WDSG option. hit that, your waypoint is now designated.
Yes, you need that. That’s extremely important to making jet work.
I see where I was having a problem. I still haven’t mapped the TDC (Sensor Control Switch) so I need to do that. Looks like Assign TDC to HUD, place reticle over target and designate using the weapons release button, then I should get the symbology I was hoping to see (Azimuth Steering Line)…
If you slew around the diamond with the TDC, that is your designation. Shouldn’t have to press the TDC. I’ll reply with a few other comments when I’m back on my computer
To use this Early Access version, you have to download a separate Early Access version of the base game. It installs only the Hornet, Caucuses, and Persian Gulf map. My total install size is 71.6 GB with those three things. Of course, it also includes the TF-51 and Su-25T.
Roger. I’ll give it a whirl this morning. Had to catch up with some reading with the kid last night and he didn’t find the F/A-18C Hornet manual a fun bed time story. Kids these days.
Yes, I think it was a surprise to all that received the Hornet press copies. Probably a smart move by ED since I’m guessing the two of them will be ready close to each other (or concurrently?)…so best to market them together maybe (?).
