DCS: AH-64D | Fire Control Radar Introduction
Posted Nov 30, 2023, 11:12 PM UTC
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COMING SOON
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.
This is the first of several planned FCR video and is intended as a simple overview.
In this DCS: AH-64D video, I’m going to introduce you to the Fire Control Radar, or FCR, of the Delta. The AN/APG-78 FCR was designed to enhance the target acquisition and engagement process of the AH-64D when faced with large numbers of enemy armor units moving across the battlefield.
More than just a sensor for detecting and engaging targets, the FCR is a target classification and prioritization system that automates and accelerates the process of acquiring targets and determining which of those targets should be engaged to have the maximum effect on the battlefield with the limited number of munitions on board the aircraft. The FCR turns the Delta in a true force multiplier.
It was developed in the 1980s for the Delta as the Airborne Adverse Weather Weapon System, or AAWWS, which was part of the Multi-Stage Improvement Program, or MSIP, to enhance the AH-64A. The AN/APG-78 is a millimeter-wave FCR target acquisition system that also includes a Radar Frequency Interferometer, or RFI. The FCR is housed in a dome located above the main rotor mast. The APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 128 targets and engaging up to 16 at once, and an attack can be initiated within 30 seconds. The datalink allows FCR data to be shared with other Deltas and allows them to coordinate attacks using fire zones.
It’s important to understand that performing a radar scan with the FCR can be thought of as taking a “photograph” of the battlefield. When multiple FCR scans are performed in succession, this is called a “scanburst”, which is like taking several photographs of the battlefield in rapid succession. It is during these photographs that the FCR is determining where the targets are, what targets are moving or stationary, and classifying each target within several target types, such as Tracked vehicles like tanks, Wheeled vehicles like trucks, Air Defense vehicles like a ZSU-23-4, or even fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
There are two types of scanbursts: a single scanburst and a continuous scanburst. A single scanburst takes several photographs of the battlefield and displays the state of the battlefield on the cockpit displays as a fixed, momentary snapshot in time. A continuous scanburst takes photograph after photograph of the battlefield and continues to update the state of the battlefield on the cockpit displays. Each time a new scanburst is initiated, all FCR data is deleted like throwing away the existing “photographs” and a new series of photographs are taken. This is very different than the air-to-ground radar modes that you may be familiar with like in the F-16 and F/A-18.
When a scanburst is performed, the FCR page will only display the 16 targets that have been determined to be the highest priority. It will never display more than 16 target symbols because the AH-64D can only carry a maximum of 16 Hellfires. These 16 targets on the FCR page can be thought of as a “shoot list”, with a diamond placed around the highest priority, “Next-To-Shoot”, or NTS, target, and an inverted triangle placed around the second highest priority, “Alternate Next-To-Shoot”, target.
The TSD can display more than 16 targets when set to the attack phase, but all low-priority target symbols will be displayed at half the size as the 16 high-priority target symbols.
The C-SCOPE and ZOOM functions on the FCR page are not currently implemented, nor is the LINK function on the Sight-Select switch. These will come later in early access, along with other radar modes.
That’s it for this introduction to the FCR. In the next video, we’ll explore deeper into setting up FCR pages and controls. Thanks for watching.
42
I too enjoy acronyms.
Seriously though, this seems really cool. I really enjoy the Apache as it feels very unique from the other modules I usually fly.
Even if I have to relearn how to fly it smoothly every time.
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Would love to hear more about how it's modelled and what are it's limitations.
Basic stuff like LOS doesn't need to be explained, but what about other stuff? I bet it's not 100% perfect IRL, hope that's the same way in DCS.
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Yes, I hope false returns/bad target id will exist, especially in urban environments
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Wonder if the radar is all seeing, like the AI that see's through tree's and buildings.
If no attempt has been made at ground clutter this is going to be as cheese as hell.
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If you are seeing AI that can see through buildings let me know what map and/or buildings, that doesn't happen as far as I am aware. As for trees its a balance of performance and modelling all the foilage. It is reported though that the AI sees through branches and trees much better than people.
On the topic of the AH-64D from our SME, it's performing well and mostly as expected, again taking what I said above into account.
-2†
Syria Map - and not just through buildings, but also AA guns tracking when below ridgelines (so for example North of Sanliurfa) and blasting shells above the heads of armour and destroying them. Tanks will fire at hostile tanks without true LOS and playing as a human tac command is now utterly pointless. You will die long before you can see the AI unit unless out in barren land.
Map doesn't really matter, it seem's to be all - something changed during 2023 in this regard. I would make a post on the forums nineline but i think we both know that has become largely pointless if feedback that goes against the direction of a mod or a dev doens't agree with them they just issue warning points these days and well frankly i have better things to be doing than highlighting genuine mistakes for them to be ignored or dismissed because my perspective doesn't align with a moderator (even though i know the dev's/mod is wrong otherwise again i woudn't waste my time int he first place).
It will be interested to see how the FCR tracks units (does it just ask the game engine is a unit there) Simple tests like parking armour behind dense tree's and buildings will be a quick test on release week.
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Well if you don't want to make a post on the forums that is fine, but your take on how warning points are handed out is wrong. There are plenty of posts on the forums pointing out errors or mistakes. So I am not sure what you mean. If you have been given warning points unfairly I would be happy to look, but I know you guys don't like giving me your forum names as you think we would do something to your account.
As for your concerns, I know there was one issue with fences/walls in Syria but I have not seen anything with buildings not blocking LOS. I will do a run-through again.
As I said as well, trees are still an issue, if they are fairly dense you should have no issues, but if they are more sparse then the AI is too good at looking through them. This is reported but again we have to watch performance vs blocking LOS for every leaf and branch. Its something I really want to see improved overall it affects many aspects of combat vs AI.
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No, you guys don't like any criticism. There is a reason a lot of SME's and knowledgeable customers have left the forums and have been banned. It's just a place for ED dickriders.
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Can't wait to try this when it comes out. Waiting for that Apache campaign I heard that's just waiting for FCR to finish.
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To be honest I've been away from DCS a long time playing MSFS. But I will come back for a solid campaign for the Apache.
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It is the flippin FCR...
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Oh boy. Time to get myself a rudder pedal so i can fly this without getting carpal tunnel.
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Daddy Waggy don't need no pedals, neither do you!
Though he has a slightly better reason than most for not using them...
Just kidding, I heartily recommend pedals for helicopters, especially if you can mod them to be unsprung.
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Honestly I dont know how Wags does it. I've tried using a variety of curve on the pov hats of my hotas but cant get the feel of it.
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In one of his vids he said that he uses one of the POV hats on his HOTAS for rudder. Truly a giga chad simmer
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Honestly I dont know how Wags does it.
You eventually get used to it. You find a method that works.
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Yep, practice, exposure and muscle memory.
I remember back in the day before getting my set-up I was able to fly my full fidelity 747-400 and 737-800 sims with an Xbox controller that had a billion binds that I could remember with my eyes closed. Hell the muscle memory is still strong I STILL remember those binds years later.
I remember getting my stick finally and hating it for a few days because I was so used to my interior controller, it's crazy just how much you get attuned to something with repeated use.
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I bought pedals specifically to fly heli's. Ive been on a major heli kick in DCS lately, Apache, MI24, Huey and UH60. So much fun and a whole other world. They're way more controllable with pedals. highly recommend.
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Seems like FCR/RFI correlation is already in if I’m not mistaken. Nice!
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Wag's buttery smooth DCS while the rest of us have constant stutters.
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IT'S HAPPENING!
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What map is being used in this?
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Looks like The Channel or maybe Normandy 2, and then later maybe PG?
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"A rift in spacetime has opened up and you and your combat aviation brigade find yourselves in Normandy on d-day. Support the allied forces by inflicting maximum damage upon the enemy. Plan your sorties carefully, your resources are limited."
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Hey stop stealing my mission ideas!
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lol I just got Normandy 2.0 and WW2 asset pack couldn't resist the idea
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There's a pretty nice Final Countdown II Liberation campaign if you fancy Tomcatting against the Axis in Normandy II.
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Lower detail quality on the buildings tells me Normandy 2.0.
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Holy shit. This is amazing.
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Gawd DAMN... as if the apache wasn't deadly enough already.... this is pretty nuts. I can't wait.
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Woo hoo
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FCR would be a nice christmass present for sure
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fix big broad shit ED... not detailed shit... learn from SC
1†
Aside from this being excellent news for apache pilots, as I listen to it, I can't help but think that I want wags to record his own version of the Retroencabulator video.