DCS: AH-64D | Radar Air Targeting Mode

[@khaledassaf6356]

Ok, that's going to be interesting to play with. FCR is quickly becoming my favorite part of the Apache.

[@Tholozor]

Nice little teaser shot of Balad AFB there at the end!

[@MattWagner]

and Al Asad in thumbnail too.

[@dunbar555]

and now I really miss my stingers

[@ImpendingJoker]

Why? The Apache never carried them in the first place in DCS or IRL at least not the US Army version. Want FIM-92s? Stick with the Kiowa Warrior.

[@Eleolius]

@@ImpendingJoker The Australians had fox 2s on them. Also the turkish ones. Double mounts of Stingers per pylon. The USA decided that given helicopters really should NEVER encounter fixed wing enemies, they simply would use Radar hellfires that enemy helicopters couldn't flare off... or laser hellfire/gun them as fallbacks.

[@triangleenjoyer]

​@@Eleolius they need to let us lua hack them on

[@DoradoFever]

Saw the notification and thought it was going to be the Sniper pod video... hopefully soon!

[@hanswolfgangmercer]

I forget - what does the sniper pod do that's so good?

[@orleansjunky4074]

@@hanswolfgangmercer f-16 first. or only

[@Kid574]

@@hanswolfgangmercer in theory, if ED does it right, it should have better image clarity in all modes (TV/WHOT/BHOT), higher zoom, additional info on the MFD, possibility to predict weapons impact area with an overlay and more

[@BushidoDevilDog]

Two weeks… 😉

[@sedlo]

Nice! Cool updates for the Apache snd wow, that map looks good ;)

[@EagleEye1024]

Just I was about to fire up DCS and fly the Apache, this video popped-up!

[@Uploadvideoschannel]

glad to hear you are alive and kicking! @wags

[@bulletstop100]

I forgot about this mode!! Thank you so much, Wags. Can't wait! As always awesome video!

[@12b_engineer]

Every time I learn more about this bird it reinforces how happy I am these are on my side irl.

[@BFMwithStackhouse]

Hey Wags, I noticed you mentioned that you're only simulating the AH-64D in US Service and thus would not be including Stingers. I'm curious for two things, for one what was the purpose of including foreign skins with the US version of AH64D, Secondly, why not allow more freedom to mission makers to recreate real, plausible, and foreign scenarios with the current aircraft by adding features like that? It would really great with the BS3 imo while it never saw true service, it opens such a host of gameplay despite it not being period/year correct in every single way.

[@MattWagner]

We provide 'fantasy' skins as there is very little resources involved and appeals to an international audience. This is far different than modeling all of the cockpit, external, avionics, weapon, and sensor differences for foreign versions.

[@OzDeaDMeaT]

Thanks Wags, can't wait to have a crack at some Apache CAP missions.

[@crazyhorse18]

Great work DCS!!👌👌

[@Kifter1983]

Pretty cool addition. Nice 😎

[@cadet5126]

i've been waiting for this mode to be implemented and finally Apache gets a chance to defend herself without needing to call for help from friendly fighters or helicopters eguipped with A/A missiles

[@Mesusir]

So if I understand correctly, when you select primary target and it change altitude let say from 1000ft and then if move to 7000ft it will track automatically it or we well need adjust it manually?

[@MattWagner]

Elevation is only changed manually.

[@JakMath]

Please fix George Ai soon, so many frustrations with him! - one love, keep up the work!

[@MattWagner]

He's certainly being worked on, particularly with new commands coming. As always though, please use our forum with short, track examples.

[@leonardoetc3565]

@@MattWagner Great news! It would be awesome to give more complex orders like circling an area or automatically doing an evasion after the player destroys a target.

[@benwils0n]

Best livery in the game

[@utley]

not a single heli was harmed in the making of this video.

[@MattWagner]

Thinking about doing an attack employment video where harm will be done.

[@AndreiCeleste]

The Apache gets its AA teeth :P NOICE!

[@TheLandsea]

Greetings to Petrovic

[@British_Dragon-4K-Simulations]

Flying Choppers can be a pain with a spring loaded stick. I'm hoping to get the WinWing dampers so I can take out the springs in the base so the stick stays in place. FFB sticks are way out of my budget in this economy.

[@MattWagner]

I've been flying with the Moza FFB base the past few days... what a difference.

[@ImpendingJoker]

I got the Winwing Ursa Minor and I quite enjoy it. Very smooth and the vibrations in the stick let you feel the guns, bomb drops and landing gear thumps while flying for good tactile information. It comes with the dampners installed all you have to do is adjust them to your liking and take out the springs if you desire, a pair of small needle nose pilers will take it out pretty simply.

[@jayphi4095]

Using the trim i have no problem flying with spring I know only once trimmed I need to go back to central position….anyway as I have an AVA base I could remove the springs to check

[@British_Dragon-4K-Simulations]

@@ImpendingJoker I think I have the Orion 2 base. I didn’t buy the extra springs though. I may have a tinker and look inside to see if I remove the springs would it just flop around or stay in place? Only one way to know for sure. The stick trimming in the Huey feels quite awkward to me. Although it’s needed for spring loaded sticks.

[@h.y-chen]

MOZA has significantly reduced their prices, making it a good time to save up for an FFB base. that was night and day difference when you fly choppers

[@JSRJS]

Loved the last 1 minute of the video....

[@bjrnchrstn]

Would be a great game if I wasn’t losing all my gametime in setting up fir a decent VR experience or setup all the keybinds.

[@cipher8048]

Alpha Hotel One Whiskey :)

[@TheOscar31_]

That Air Base at the end of the video looks incredible, nice job on Iraq 🫡

[@MattWagner]

Balad airfield

[@Cailean556]

At the end there, given how long it was, I was expecting another aircraft, like a MiG-29, C-130 or even an F4U Corsair, to buzz the Apache. Missed opportunity there, Wags. :P

[@ZeSpektrum]

When you guys are fixing yaw SAS wobbles?

[@MattWagner]

We've already made some adjustments internally, but we want to further improve this before including in an update.

[@Kodiak3-1]

Does this help the radar hellfires track air targets any better than finding them in GTM mode? Or is this just simply a ~360° detection system with vertical scan zone readouts?

[@MattWagner]

You can also set NTS and ANTS and engage the target just like a ground target with Hellfire or gun.

[@2xKTfc]

And I thought the A-10 was already a mean little bird to get too close to 👀

[@orleansjunky4074]

OHHH thank god....didn't think this was going to come period

[@MattWagner]

forum.dcs.world/topic/318054-dcs-ah-64d-roadmap/

[@gregorydf5369]

Realism for the Apache, but a healthy dose of imagination for the Kamov.

[@MattWagner]

Apples and oranges. The Ka-50 was primarily a test bed whereas the AH-64D was/is a fully operational system.

[@gregorydf5369]

@@MattWagner Talking of prototypes, the ka-50sh with IR capability would have been more interesting than three-point wings.

[@MattWagner]

@@gregorydf5369 Perhaps for you, but a classic case of whatever we decide, someone will be unhappy or second guess us.

[@gregorydf5369]

@@MattWagner Don't get me wrong, I'm only saying this because I love DCS. It's a game that lets you get your hands on some magnificent equipment in a way that's second to none. Sometimes too much is the enemy of the good. Have a great day.

[@notsurejr4957]

When will the KA50 window spray be modeled?

[@ImpendingJoker]

Your final note on the Stingers is something I have been telling people since the module released. The US never used them operationally and only tested them along with the Sidewinder to prove that it could be done but neither have ever been utilized in the field.

[@JonBloor7]

Hi Wags! Just a question about how the ATM mode integrates with the Lima Hellfires; assuming you can NTS up a Lima Hellfire on an air target in ATM mode - is that Lima provided with an intercept course based on the targets azimuth and speed, or is it fed with coords based on the targets position when designated, and goes pursuit when active? Many thanks!

[@MattWagner]

It's the same process for engaging a ground target. The FCR tells the missile where the target is; and if the target is moving (normally the case with air targets), the AGM-114L will attempt to lock on before launch. So the best bet is to wait for a large LOBL box in the symbology accompanied by the RF MSL TRACK message. Then fire.

[@JonBloor7]

@@MattWagner Okay awesome - so like when in GTM, would it be accurate to assume if the Air Target is moving, you'll likely (in ideal circumstances) get a LOBL box out to about 8km? Thanks again.

[@ufasdfasd]

That ending with 1 minute of just flying, was that for "just let it sink in?" for the no stingers will be coming? :D

[@zi0]

Is there any news at all on the MiG29?

[@DOGosaurus_rex]

mini rotary wing AWACS

[@MattWagner]

Well, at only one bar out to 8km

[@Fragalfnf]

Apachewacs

[@spitfire4sergi]

Can we get wing cannons for the 109? *ducks a barrage of shoes* I’ll see myself out

[@falcon1204]

What is the key to have these awesome external views you normally use on your videos @wags? I see its not the normal F2 view

[@MattWagner]

Earlier this year we added more free camera options tied to the selected unit. This was detailed in an earlier newsletter.

[@DanWolo]

What about the Radar Map Mode? Was it implemented? Haven't seen it in the latest change log.

[@MattWagner]

It's already available.

[@DanWolo]

@@MattWagnerthanks

[@go_rongor5975]

5:54 "CounterMeasure Warning System" sensors 😉

[@vaurtex1390]

So we have a BS3 in dcs but the ah64 can't have stingers ? As a mission maker, i hope you will change your mindset, it will be awesome to have A/A capabilities on the Ah64d...

[@Raptor_9]

There are no references for how the fire control logic would function or how the symbology would look like. Aside from the fact the AH-64D was never capable of such weapons in the software nor the hardware, such a feature would be pure fantasy.

[@vaurtex1390]

​@@Raptor_9 as i said, we have a BS3 in DCS, in the bs3 we have features coming from multiple prototype or some from Ka52, for me the ka 50 is a real good module for these reasons, we have a lot of very good things coming from multiple aircraft variants. Stinger are on some ah64 variant, if we have that on the BS3 why not on the ah64d ?

[@Raptor_9]

@@vaurtex1390 And as I already stated, there is zero reference documentation to model this, even if we disregarded the inaccuracy of it on US AH-64Ds. Only the AH-64DJP, which is an export variant license-built by Japan, is equipped with Stinger capability.

[@breakerhun4859]

Wags, but in Firebirds they had a stinger on the right wing with the US version... :)

[@MattWagner]

Not AH-64Ds.

[@TFT-bp8zk]

Also, it's a movie. A guy I worked with (20 years ago now) was actually in that movie. You can see him as the crew dog hanging out the side of the Black Hawk coming into the medevac PZ where Tommy Lee Jones gets shot down. They did all kinds of funky stuff that doesn't match reality because it's a movie for children of all ages and never let facts get in the way of a good story.

[@breakerhun4859]

@@TFT-bp8zk Yes, the reason I put the smiley at the end of the comment as I was reflecting it as a joke only :)

[@c.g.262]

Such a powerful weapons system...

[@Swatmat]

It’s why it shits all over the hind, havoc and ka52 the Russians use

[@samfoxley8972]

I really hope we get a veesion with the stingers

[@realQuiGon]

Please watch the entire video. It will address your wish.

[@spirosdelistavros2970]

you can fire the helfire to a jet like su 30 but the jet will always outrun them so i think its only used against helis

[@MattWagner]

In ATM use, helicopters would be the target for Hellfire, not fixed wing aircraft. The importance of ATM for fixed wing aircraft is more about detection of such threats and taking defensive action... run away and hide bravely.

[@spirosdelistavros2970]

@@MattWagner thx matt for the reply great great job your modules are getting with each update more impressive and allso more difficult but they are like in real life at that time i cant think that there is any other company that does this. I would not call it a game anymore rather a training simulator

[@Refuse2Lose33]

👍

[@MrGameMeister]

So this means that when in active air mode the Apache will appear on the RWR of my fixed wing aircraft? What’s the code?

[@stal2k]

It's just an "O" next to a poop emoji.

[@MattWagner]

According to open source info, the following aircraft RWRs have these frequency coverages: A-10C ALR-69 - 0.5-20 GHz F/A-18C ALR-67 - 0.5-20 GHz F-16C ALR-56 - 2.0-20 GHz AH-64D/CH-47F APR-39 - 0.5-100 GHz Based on open-source info (including from the APG-78 manufacturer), the AH-64D FCR is in the Ka-band range, which is 26.5-40 GHz. Which means out of the 5 aircraft above, only the AH-64D and CH-47F would have the RWR frequency coverage. But the RWRs of the CH-47F and AH-64D wouldn't be programmed to display it since no enemy nations have AH-64Ds with FCRs.

[@SkyMaXX5]

Wow, that means the Apache crew can easily blink and lose sight of an air target, unless of course they constantly manually change the scanning altitude of the radio beam. That means it is quite possible to surreptitiously bypass it and shoot it down, for example, by a Gazelle. Well, it is not that impregnable.

[@MattWagner]

That would only happen if there was a rather significant altitude difference. Given that helicopters generally operate in a rather altitude band, it's not really an issue.

[@MD92ism]

When KA 50 flir? or MI24v?

[@zoun1memes]

Very cool

[@PiloTyaga]

Any A-10C updates? New pilot model meybe?

[@MattWagner]

New A-10C pilot is in work.

[@kmcnelley1981]

Really awesome video as always and clarifying the use of stingers. The Iraq map teaser looks mint. Pre purchased the Iraq map just this morning. 30% pre order + ED miles put the map under $50 AUD. Pretty amazing

[@MattWagner]

Thanks for the support.

[@Sinni64]

Hey Wags, will you make Videos on the Hellcat, when the time has come, or will Sunts do them, like he did with the Mossie? PS the first shot in the Video looks awesome!

[@MattWagner]

TBD, but probably me when it's at that stage.

[@Sinni64]

@@MattWagner okok, thank you

[@lars0323]

Not sure if the FCR has it but no IFF?

[@TFT-bp8zk]

Best slave the sensors to the radar target and VID before you shoot.

[@WillTimeAbility]

Is the FCR still scanning from the TADS point of view or has this been already addressed? Thanks

[@MattWagner]

It never was, rather it was an issue later resolved with how the FCR was scanning near and far bars.

[@WillTimeAbility]

@@MattWagner Oh, great to know! Thank you!

[@sigzauer]

Well. How the Ka-50 III will respond to that?

[@rubadubdubb]

mi24 will still be invincible

[@nexus888]

Amy updates to the FM?

[@MattWagner]

Yes, mostly regarding yaw/rudder response and AP modes, but still in internal testing.

[@777coletrain]

Any viper updates?

[@MattWagner]

Yes, for the next update.

[@Jafarnld]

That’s Balad airbase 👍

[@vwx1st]

hell yeah iraq :)

[@hsn1473]

show some love to the ka50 😢

[@silentone11111111]

Is that Iraq or Halfganistan in the background? very pretty.

[@MattWagner]

Iraq

[@WilliamDeanPlumbing]

Can you even engage fast movers with the Hellfires? 🤷

[@MattWagner]

That would never be the point for the AH-64D, that's the job of Air Force. This is the decision the Army came to.

[@WilliamDeanPlumbing]

@@MattWagner so pretty much just for other choppers.. Hmm okay.

[@MattWagner]

@@WilliamDeanPlumbing Yes, just like the real thing.

[@realQuiGon]

Well, you *can* engage fast movers with Hellfires, but if it is effective is another question.

[@user-gc1ky2rf3y]

Damn. Ever time Wags says ATM I think of A2M. I’m so ruined

[@MD92ism]

pls dont forget redfor :)

[@SkyCaptainITA]

Iraq map?

[@MattWagner]

Yes

[@MrFreakyTv]

When TPM mode or RFI ?

[@MattWagner]

After ATM.

[@TheCorbu1]

We saw Iraq map here in the vid?

[@MattWagner]

Yes

[@thebigX14]

Hind players shaking rn

[@NoRegret08]

In a live multiplayer PVP setting on Contention server, what would be the advantage of using this FCR over just spamming George button (without FCR for K hellfires ) to search for targets in front of me? I can't do anything about the planes anyway, only give out my position on their RWR when using FCR. Will I have better range to detect enemy helicopters?(FCR vs spamming George with no FCR) Won't I have a better chance of shooting down enemy helicopters with K hellfires by using George and actively looking outside the the canopy instead of fiddling with so many FCR buttons and having my head down in the MFD? On top of that, I have to use George to IFF them or use GCI or get a visual anyway. Plus the extra weight of FCR. I am very new to Apache and I genuinely would like to know. Thank you

[@MattWagner]

The biggest advantage of ATM is the 360 degree coverage, all weather, and using Limas.

[@NoRegret08]

Thank you for the reply ! I wonder if George has quicker acquisition and /or longer range to spot aerial.targets at 12 o'clock with this FCR mode over no FCR ( I am a pilot and George is CPG)

[@phlupple]

Spamming George like that is far too tedious for me but it's probably the most generally effective method for frontal target acquisition since he will spot targets at ranges exceeding 8km where the FCR will not. C-SCP + continuous wide scan + FCR>TADS link + TADS video underlay on FCR page + AGM-114L = most of my heli kills on Contention. There's no 'fiddling with FCR buttons' beyond initial pre-launch setup, and any time a heli wanders into my cone I instantly have him on my heads up symbology and my left MPD's video for rapid target ID. Then of course there's the benefit of fire-and-forget with the 114L so I can launch and then break line of sight to stay protected from return engagement. That's not unique to FCR deployment though, as you'll receive the same benefit should George laser-designate your 114L's targets.

[@NoRegret08]

@@phlupple Thank you for such a detailed response ! Can I get George AI fire more than one missile at a time ? I could not get to do it. I know how to fly the Gazelle, MI24P, KA50 and now learning the Apache. I only fly from the Pilot's seat and never get into CPG seat. Can I skip the INS alignment ? It takes so long and I get killed so many times on Contention while I am on the ground. Thanks a lot !

[@phlupple]

@@NoRegret08 I recommend you map 'Consent to fire' in Pilot controls so you can command George to fire at a specific moment instead of putting him Fire at Will mode, but no, if there's a missile in the air he won't fire another. You can put another one in the air yourself by WASing the missile and launching, and I believe he will maintain the lase on his target. You can also give him no weapon control but tell him specifically to lase the target and then you will control the missile launching process entirely by yourself. You can definitely skip INS alignment; I always take off as soon as the timer is done. Skipping alignment means your TSD and cruise symbology won't be functional for a couple of minutes but when they kick in they work fine. This is true of Contention anyway.

[@generalgrevous2458]

🙂👍

[@markthegamer5304]

Still wish we would get ATAS

[@MattWagner]

Interesting that the US Army felt different.

[@tymoteuszkazubski2755]

​@@MattWagnerwell, USAF has other assets enforcing flight restrictions 😂. Others aren't so lucky.

[@MattWagner]

@@tymoteuszkazubski2755 Absolutely! The point being that the US Army decided not to field ATAS, and we are doing our best to simulate this aircraft.

[@tymoteuszkazubski2755]

@@MattWagner ATAS or AIM-9 would make a great addition as they would allow playing other nations' AH-64Ds. I bet that the crowd complaining about something being in the wrong place in the cockpit would be much smaller than the crowd that will be asking for ATAS or AIM-9 😁. (Re)move the missile warning sensors, put INOP sticky on the MWS display if necessary, add minimal plausible UI (or whatever came up in testing) and call it experimental capability 😁

[@markthegamer5304]

@@MattWagner And I am still sad about that to this day lol. I hoped that maybe the simulation would be broadened slightly to allow some non US systems to be implemented but I of course understand that that would be a lot of work for a small thing, and if that small thing is allowed the flood gates for other non US systems to add would open

[@666okano]

Cant beat some ATM

[@Tuuvas]

Hey Wags! Any desire to work on a DCS AH-1 of some kind one day?

[@MattWagner]

The Whisky would be a great addition someday.

[@TheCorbu1]

Yes, please! Do an AH-1W! We need the Marines Cobra!

[@DoradoFever]

@@MattWagner PLEASE! Wish we could do the 4 blade and extra stations of the Z, but understand limitations.

[@leonardoetc3565]

@@MattWagner ah-1w + iraq map = perfection!

[@MattWagner]

I would not hold your breath as there is no required public references. Sorry.

[@flightsimulatoradventures7246]

We still want stingers darn it. But hellfires can work. New tools.

[@MattWagner]

Please watch the full video.

[@ImpendingJoker]

This is the US Army version of the Apache, and it never carried FIM-92s in operational service only for testing and training(and only briefly at that), and the current CMWS sensors are actually installed between the lobes that would carry the FIM-92 launch rails making it impossible to care them because the CMWS is not a field modification that can just be removed, it is fully integrated into the airframe.

[@flightsimulatoradventures7246]

I know…. And did.

[@alcmann]

Just read two attack helicopters in Israel were responsible for taking out two of a set of three drones from the north last week. Wondering if they were using FCR ATM mode. Will be looking forward to this functionality.

[@Ovrheat]

Is the Stingers for the apache coming any time soon?

[@MattWagner]

Perhaps watch the full video?

[@Hairysteed]

@@MattWagner I don't get it! ED says the modules are only modeled after those in US service, yet they're released with textures of foreign militaries.

[@ImpendingJoker]

@@Hairysteed Textures and model are two totally different things. They are modeling the version that have the best information on just be glad they didn't model the UK version with its horrible engines.

[@MattWagner]

We provide 'fantasy' skins as there is very little resources involved and appeals to an international audience. This is far different than modeling all of the cockpit, external, avionics, weapon, and sensor differences for foreign versions.

[@MazurPajlot]

Thats not an excuse with those stingers, just give us other AH-64D versions even as sub-dlc

[@MattWagner]

If we did a fantasy-pack DLC someday, we'll certainly consider this. Although, I would not hold my breath as I'd buy stock in in pitch forks and torches if we ever did a weapons DLC.

[@terryrsh8927]

@@MattWagner LOL

[@Ventura60kts]

So no AA missiles? Why bother with the radar then?

[@MattWagner]

Explained in the video. Feel free to send a strongly worded email to the US Army.

[@Ventura60kts]

@@MattWagner I flippin will! They need to buck their ideas up I want sidewinders dammit!! 🤣

[@kcthba6408]

@@MattWagner 🤣

[@MattWagner]

@@Ventura60ktsgood luck!

[@emily_the_bruh_moment_creator]

i m sad that we wont get A/A missiles on the apache ;~; she cant defend herself.....

[@joshuagarcia874]

You have radar hellfire missiles

[@wunderlicheralter2961]

I believe the helicopter needs to have better weight physics🤔

[@MattWagner]

If you have evidence of this, by all means please share to our forums. That would contradict available data.

[@wunderlicheralter2961]

@@MattWagner I am not an expert, it's just my opinion. To be honest real one looks more stable and solid.

[@MattWagner]

There is a stability issue, but not weight physics.

[@wunderlicheralter2961]

@@MattWagner ok, I thought it was because of weight physics. Anyway, I really enjoy both Mi24 and Apache. Thank you.

[@alccoam]

@@MattWagner Hi Matt, What is the issue stability? error programming...?

[@Lovi07]

blablabla razbam blabla

[@thetristians]

Shut up

[@necondaa]

Cry about it you bum