Datalink Symbology

There have been questions recently in various DCS forums concerning the Su-27's HDD datalink symbology. This is quick and dirty "show and tell" on the subject. It's not meant to be a comprehensive survey of the HDD (Head Down Display) itself.
And before anyone asks, there is no datalink capability between online human players at present. There is only datalink capability with either AI aircraft or ground based EWR.

[@roobarbx5255]

This is epic. Ironhand: the voice of LOMAC returns. The original F-15C videos were how I got into LOMAC about 9 years ago. Please don't make us wait another decade for more new videos.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

:) Thanks! Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the next one. I'm working on it now. With my limited time to devote to this these days, I think the secret is to keep them short and relatively uncomplicated. I can no longer afford the 40 or so man hours I used to put into these.

[@Cole.Varial]

As someone who is New to DCS I can not explain how helpful your videos have been, I was sad to see you had gone inactive, Glad to see you back!

[@fsxyokappie]

continue with your explanation about the flanker, it helps me a lot, thanks

[@Flankertrainingcom]

:) I'll do that.

[@Rich_828]

Wow, nice to see you're back, albeit I'm late a few months! Started playing DCS world around 1 year ago and then one day I found your F-15c and Su-27 training videos for lomac and they helped me so much!! They're the default videos I share with people who ask me how to use FC3 fighters

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Glad you found them helpful and thanks for taking the time to let me know. It makes it easier to justify the time some of these take to create.

[@gregpugliese]

Yes, good to see you back, Rich. Many of us sort of "grew up" on your tutorials.

[@Dcs-Brasil]

Very good. I am learning with you as usual. After ALL this years. Thx.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Thank you! ...to all. I really wasn't expecting this reception. Again, thanks.

[@tonygibson1969]

6yrs later and still helping DCS noobs

[@dvd6861]

hi sir long time no tutorials from you...your vid is one of the best I ever see 😃

[@rudelchw]

Thanks for this video ... I hadnt realized that the Su-27 had datalink capabilities :)

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Unfortunately, at present you can only datalink with the AI.

[@sprite8828]

Great video, extremely helpfull!

[@weltensegLA]

HE IS BACK! :) good tutorial Sir!

[@saeidyazdani]

Glad to see you back :P

[@macmusica]

I wondered about solid shapes and numbers but what are the numbers that appear on our own plane? I have seen 1, 2 and even 3 and this is with no Wingman.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Are the numbers to the right of the returns? If so, those seem to be the order in which the radar detected them. At one time they indicated threat magnitude. They no longer seem to serve that function.

[@shydncrumph8119]

thanks a lot! excellent vid, as always!

[@grasshair7266]

Great videos thoroughly enjoy your explanations. I would like however to ask if you could do more tutorials on the SU33 or SU27 Fab and cluster bomb use on land and sea. There is one mission in FC3 I struggle with and it has to do with the 2nd or third mission where you have to take out the speed boats before they get to your carrier squad. I have looked online and have found limited information about the cluster bombs use and best use of the FAB bombs approach speed altitude and hitting moving targets.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

I haven't flown A2G myself in years. That being said, the RBK cluster bombs used to have a simple fixed time delay after release in the sim. So they had to released at a fairly low altitude (>1000m ?). Otherwise they released their submunitions at much too high an altitude to be effective. As for iron bombs, release points vary with the situation. But I'll see if I can some up with something short and sweet. Which mission exactly were you referring to? I might use it as the example. And to everyone else who has taken the time to comment, thank you. Much appreciated.

[@grasshair7266]

Thank you for the reply from what you are saying it sounds like I have been approaching too high. The mission I mentioned is DC3 Sea Dragon SU33 and the second mission the name of which escapes me as the campaign reset for some reason. In the mission the load-out comprises of a selection of FAB munitions, however I find it hard to hit such small fast moving targets and always have to return to the carrier for reloading. Even with my wing-man dropping his audience on the enemy the accuracy required seems to be insane. But generally speaking deciding on which bombs are most effective during different scenarios would be great. I have a great deal of questions about bombing runs in the Flanker. For instance can you use Cluster bombs on the waters surface? Thanks again for your help I appreciate any information in this area cheers.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

I don't think I've ever actually tried cluster bombs against sea-going targets. I imagine against soft targets like those in that particular mission, they would be more effective than the FAB series. But I've never actually tried it. I'm working on a quick tutorial for the RBK series right now. I might try moving it out over water just to see what happens. :)

[@grasshair7266]

That would be an interesting scenario to see I cannot wait to see how it turns out. It would also be interesting to know how true to life it would be. cheers

[@Flankertrainingcom]

The thing about FC3 weapons is that they are less "programmable" than in real life. The FC3 FAB series explode on impact and only blast radius (for now) is factored in. Fragmentation isn't factored at all. And there is no option for fusing to explode at a certain height above the ground, etc. Otherwise iron bombs would be far more effective than they actually are right now. Altitude matters with iron bombs against moving targets simply because the lower you release, the less distance they have to travel, and the less you have to lead a moving target. If there is wind in the mission, the less that becomes a factor as well.

[@ptrisonic]

Quick question, if I may. Can you datalink to ground radar facilities (and how do you do it)? Thanks, Pete.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Yes, assuming we're talking about the Su-27 & -33. They link automatically just as AWACS do. They just need to be on the map, have LOS, and the aircraft within the EWR's range.

[@ptrisonic]

@@Flankertrainingcom Many thanks! I was bought up on NATO planes but just love the Su-27 (and all the variants). What looks good generally is good... Best, Pete.

[@Flankertrainingcom]

ptrisonic , :) Enjoy! These days I fly the Russian birds 99% of the time. Come to think of it, I’ve been doing that for a long time now.

[@sebywest3736]

exellent,tnx...bro

[@dadansaepulohchannel3918]

Mantap 👍👍👍

[@Rich_828]

On the HDD, what does the bottom left number represent?

[@Flankertrainingcom]

Sorry for the delayed response. I've been away fro awhile. That number is the HDD range scale.

[@kazansky22]

I wish ED would fix this for DCS multiplayer....