DCS: AH-64D | TADS Part I

Questions? Please see the FAQ here: forums.eagle.ru/topic/283298-...
In this DCS: AH-64D video, we’ll talk about the primary sensor of the AH-64D: the Target Acquisition Designation Sight, or TADS. The TADS is divided into two sides: The Day side, located on the left side of the turret, contains the Day Television, or Day TV, Laser Range Finder Designator, or LRFD and Laser Spot Tracker, or LST. The Night Side, located on the right side of the turret contains the Forward Looking Infrared, or FLIR. All controls discussed in this video are found in Options, Controls, AH-64D CP/G.

[@MattWagner]

Lots of questions about controls. I can only speak for myself, but for the AH-64D, I use the Virpil Constellation stick and CM3 throttle with no problems. When in the CPG seat I have them mostly mapped to the TEDAC controls, and when in the pilot seat, they are mostly mapped to the cyclic and collective. Please see: forums.eagle.ru/topic/280176-dcs-ah-64d-mini-updates/#comment-4888214

[@swango1]

This is great news here. I was unaware that the pilot and CPG had different maps! I was starting to think how I'd be able to work all the systems in the Apache with one map...haha

[@Crytic_Music]

I was curious about the tads, i get the autoslew function, but is theres completely no ground stabilization optionality? Apart from using the acq source

[@eyemack]

Wags, there is more than one Constellation grip from Virpil. I assume you are talking about the Alpha.

[@Shrike200]

This is so military....I mean the 'nested' TLA's (three letter acronyms). So, we have the TDU (for TEDAC Display Unit), but TEDAC stands for TADS Electronic Display And Control, but TADS stands for Target Aquisition and Designation system. A three-deep nested acronym-fest. Love it!

[@michalkrw]

So: Target Acquisition and Designation System Electronic Display And Control Display Unit. Easy.

[@OLIV3R_YT]

LOL 😅

[@anthonymoloney3671]

Acronym inception!

[@sinepilot]

TADSEDACDU

[@kenevans7286]

I spent my 20 year Army career flying, fighting, and mastering the Longbow. It is an amazing aircraft with phenomenal capabilities. Mr. Wagner has done a great job breaking down the TADS for the hobbyist. There is an entire appendix in the operator’s manual (pilots commonly refer to this manual as the-10 pronounced “dash ten”) that lists and defines probably 100+ acronyms that pertain to this aircraft. I never bothered to count them all, but there’s a lot of them and we all knew them and spoke using the acronyms as normal communication since everyone understood the meanings. Most acronyms just became normal words to us.

[@sloppydog4831]

Now over to Casmo's channel to see his take on it.

[@tonicarrera9647]

Whilst I am sure Wags was talking about an intersting topic, initially I was just fixated on how damn good she looked

[@nunyabiz6952]

Same here, it's going to be crazy 👍

[@flushnikov6305]

I was listening to the other ones startup sound😍

[@NR-qo1xn]

Join the club lol

[@devla]

Wags is a "he"

[@NR-qo1xn]

@@devla We're talking about the Apache here, not Matt.

[@yappydawg8985]

This is going to be an amazing module but watching these videos makes me appreciate the relative simplicity of the Hind. I am not sure I really have the brainpower or time to really make the Apache dance. I am still gonna try however.

[@LongTran-em6hc]

Same, I am about as bright as Forrest Gump

[@edgi55]

I second that! I can't wait for AH-64D to come out but now I'm realizing just how complicated it is and as you said it makes me appreciated too how simple the M-24P Hind is and like you I don't think I will have time or the brainpower to lear it all lol.

[@delayed_control]

This is why I wish we got an older Cobra instead, we'd have all we need for a cold war helicopter scenario, Cobra is the last missing piece now that the Hind is out. And Apache Delta is a modern aircraft that doesn't fit.

[@edgi55]

@@delayed_control Man you are absolutely right! I too have been dying for the AH-1 Cobra which as you said would be a perfect match for the old cold war version of the Mi-24P Hind in DCS. I'm not sure if DCS has it in their plans but if they don't they should.

[@fastindy]

If Jake Preston could do it, surely you can too!

[@CoyoteOne]

I know Wags is telling me very important things... But all I heard was: The TDL can slew the RTT on the STI function of the MPADS drift operational test. You can easily correct the side fumbling of the PNV within the FTR submenu. This allows easier use of the TAT system by the pilot OR the gunner by ways of modial axis controls. This in turn reduces the wear and tear on the prefamulated amulite panels. This is going to be so much fun :D

[@NR-qo1xn]

This is just incredible. Are we even talking Sims? This is a millimeter from being reality. I pre-ordered this amazing mod from the get go. Can't wait. Thank u ED. Thank you so very much.

[@foilwhat]

Pew! Pew! Nice demo. The front seat looks more complicated than the F-14 back seat.

[@RedKiteRender]

Fantastic video. Will we get any special controls options to ease button requirements? For example, An incremental increase / decrease zoom level, so we can bind this feature to one 2 position switch rather than needing a 4 way hat?

[@Crysinator]

That would be a great addition. As much "else" bindings as possible would be nice too.

[@cuttheloop]

Assigning a Modifier button is an option.

[@MrPhantom453]

Good idea!

[@colo97]

@@Crysinator exactly, "else" bindings are great, for example - Master arm button can be mapped to common hardware switch (like EAC on Thrustmaster Warthog throttle). Will be really helpful aslo for another modules like Harrier

[@shagrat47]

@@cuttheloop ...but not the solution, or answer to the original question. 😉

[@sloppydog4831]

As that guy from that famous movie would say: "we'll need a bigger commands spreadsheet"

[@thecircusfreak5364]

Looks good Wags, looking forward to the startup video!

[@MattWagner]

That will probably be the last video before it drops.

[@user-hl6ru1lg7q]

@@MattWagner Noice

[@brettreynolds6960]

@@MattWagner Couldn't have predicted that ;-) This coming Wednesday then........... 😛

[@CueDriver]

I have a very strong feeling we are all waiting for the start-up video.

[@MILSPECMOM]

This is why Eagle Dynamics is my favourite sim company. Their attention to detail is second to none and as Retired Military I appreciate the little things most civvies wouldn't even notice. Thank you for all your work! o7 xoxo

[@dcdell2008]

If I can only safely take off, hover and land, much less learn the "HI-Tech" gadgetry of the this new AH-64D, I've be one happy camper just for that one task...lol...great video Wags...

[@MetallicaMan172]

I was watching old videos about this beautiful aircraft last night. I'm so excited for this one!

[@josephorr5175]

An amazing body of work. TY for the concise, calm description. I fear many will be put off by the complexity of the AH-64D. It is after all a complex helicopter IRL, and it seems you folks have done a lot of work to approach its functions / capabilities. I look forward to diving in and learning this module.

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

Good to know we covered the basics of the totally awesome designation selector, and can move into the more advanced boss mode stuff. Yep. I'm ready.... On a serious note, this was fabulous, like the sounds on startup. I might need to take two weeks off for DCS prep vacation.

[@Elysian_Angel_]

“This covers the very basics for today.” I already have a headache…

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

I am SO EXCITED and can't wait for this Helicopter, i just want to say thank you to everyone at Eagle Dynamics for creating amazing things like this for us, especially during this challenging covid mess and restrictions going on, great video Wags, you da man !

[@thorstenh1976]

I Love that "Iam outa here!" Car....😁 Beside this amazing introduction, as always! 👌

[@threenineline1]

Im going to build a TEDAC button box now! Looks incredible, cant wait to fly my own with the team

[@rudelchw]

Thanks a lot for this more paused speech pace, it makes for much easier understanding for the non-native english speakers such as myself.

[@Dreamshadow1977]

Looking forward to the module's release! Thank you for all the in depth videos.

[@kabel74]

Oh my ... we come a long way from the hey days of Longbow 2 way back in 1997. I might spend money to build a gaming PC and come back to flight simming for this :)

[@JamesRussellJones]

Fantastic walkthrough, cheers Wags! Can't wait to get my hands on this.

[@GruntyGame]

Hung up my DCS wings about 9 months ago, but I still love watching Wag's videos.

[@TjW.]

New FLIR looks so good

[@streetmachine8211]

Looks fantastic! Once the manual is released I'm going to spend the nights reading it until I fall asleep.

[@SimDeck]

Superb. This is going to be epic.

[@danvercillo]

This is the one boys and girls. She's going to be a beast!

[@silenoz111]

I've loved the Apache since I was a kid, played the original gunship on the zx spectrum, gunship 2000 on the Amiga, and Janes longbow series and loved them all. Obviously none of those games come close to dcs, and I can see me clocking up so many hours just learning this Apache. I can see me having many a late night...

[@cgjimeneza]

My time with the A4 will be nil.... cant wait until release

[@flex5002]

We just hope that Virpil Hotas team will release after a short time the AH-64D Apache Cyclic & Collective for DCS World.

[@johnnyjohnnyjohnnyyy8934]

Looking forward to this module and I wish Wags did tutorials for all aircrafts :D so relaxing to listen and learn

[@dustdevil3561]

Great Video Wags. Keep it up. Can't wait for this module.

[@CrashDriver]

RNLAF apache skin awsome. Lets hope the RNLAF Demo skin will be there also at release.

[@TheCraigHudson]

Yea I am really excited to dump a couple hundred hrs into this I already love the individuality of each module the hind flies into own way the Huey shark all have their own feel.

[@AdrianFourie]

Tx for the vid Matt...love that 'Im outa here' moment.

[@nunyabiz6952]

Looks so awesome can't wait! 😆👍

[@rhysgoodman7628]

Looks great, guys!

[@theflyingfool]

Jeez, it’s going to take a lot to learn the Apache well enough to employ it properly... nice vid Wags. Can I add my voice to the request for “special for joystick” control options too! I think they will be a must.

[@selwynmurray8383]

Great job guys. Keep up the good work.

[@Husker5454]

“This covers the very basics for today” … Me : The fucking WHAT !?

[@sandwich5344]

hello there, sandwich here from the Mi-24 gang... let's hope it flies as nicely as the Mi-24! :)

[@aDutchy1975]

this is already dazzeling me :) It will be awsome to learn and multicrew

[@MrScar88]

This is amazing. Thank you.

[@flightsimstuff5417]

@CasmoTV needs to start his own version of "Weapons School" for virtual squads; who then go forth and train others, etc, etc. Lot of buttons & knobs to play with. Love it!

[@Sirrah81]

11:55 😂👍 I'm sooo gonna need interactive training missions for this module 🤯 Great stuff ED. I can't wait

[@slyderace]

I just ordered a Virpil joystick with 3 HAT switches on it. It's going to be so useful for this module! XD I am so happy I pre-ordered this already :D

[@mccornac9548]

You sound super tired Wags, don't forget to take some time off and recharge the batteries. Awesome job from ED

[@parasim8653]

Never used Helicopters in sim before… these videos got me hooked though. I’m only just getting grips of the F/18..#brainonfire 😀

[@0BuLLeT01]

F18 is a great bird to learn, and I'm sure a lot of the ways things are done will translate well.

[@jamesclewett8934]

Same boat here. Friend and I are waiting for the Apache but after the delay we both bought the f18 to pass the time. My brain hurts daily trying to learn something new.

[@TheTig1234]

This is gonna be fun awsome video can't wait for more

[@Rex-ii2yz]

So glad I was top of my class and got hawks, this is a nightmare. Cant wait to fly her.

[@SsgtHolland]

It looks amazing, guys! And the start-up procedure in the intro sounds very reassuring;) Matt, you sound exhausted. Is this the toughest module launch so far?

[@wheelwrightpl9429]

Nodding with understanding to this little nugget: "Usually the CPG will have control of the TAZ as a sight but the pilot could swept the TAZ as the MVS sensor to take TAZ control away from the CPG"😵‍💫

[@macedk]

Also give Wags a medal for these videos ...you rock sir :)

[@mikepatriot9963]

I need to watch again. After looking at all the visuals and hearing all the acronyms being thrown at me, started to sound like the adults on a Charlie Brown episode. I'm getting excited and worried at the same time. Excited it's almost ready, worried that I bit off more than I could chrw with this module. Any regret? HELL NO!! lol Definately an upgrade from the Jane's Longbow series.

[@darker240syoutubepaloozachanne]

Nice Video! Hoping you getting well soon Mr. Wagner!

[@franciscoborges9591]

Amazing as always❤❤

[@paulf1389]

I’m beginning to wonder if my humble Warthog hotas is going to be enough to enable all these functions…….lol. Thanks Matt, going to be looking forward to the next video

[@MattWagner]

It will be fine. Just bind TEDAC control to AH-64D CP/G and cyclic and collective controls to AH-64D Pilot.

[@commiccannon592]

@@MattWagner Will that allow flying once control has been taken in the front seat?

[@MattWagner]

@@commiccannon592 You really don't need flying control from the front seat, that would generally only happen if the pilot was incapacitated or eating a ham sandwich.

[@colinkelly990]

Was thinking getting Xbox controller as a supplement. But going back and reading Wags first post again it clarified a lot for me.

[@UkDave3856]

I'm going to have to watch this again after release

[@LuftManu]

Thanks Wags! On another note- If everything is coming together, can we get the manual before the release like we did with the Hind?

[@uncleho2856]

ya for sure that control learning cerve is going to be on the A10-C levels

[@oldmanfunky4909]

Hotas button binding is going to be a challenge. Up,Up,Down,Down,LEFT,RIGHT,LEFT,RIGHT, B,A, and Start to lock target!

[@guyfrunknown]

It's gonna be 🎵Longbow's to the left of me, Longbows to the right. Here I am. Stuck in the middle with you. George, I'm stuck in the middle with you! 🎶

[@Zatracenec]

Awesome. This is gonna be hardcore. Unfortunately, I'm lacking not just hardware for processing power, but now for controls as well. :-D

[@tompis1442]

Please release this beauty!

[@chrisfullwood6643]

I like the statement “this covers the basics….. “. Good lord!

[@CarstenDittrich2014]

Complex. Lots to learn - will be fun....and frustrating ;0)

[@robihobby9490]

🤩👍 we are getting closer and closer to our goal

[@will6566]

the saddest part of the video, "thank you for watching". cant wait for more

[@nexus888]

My stream deck might come in handy with this helo to setup all the button combinations :)

[@Duvstep910]

Keep up the good work ED🇯🇲

[@TrickerDCS]

Did you get a new microphone? Sounds good

[@youraveragejoe9298]

When does it not sound good. But when am i gonna get this apache

[@paulblair474]

Wags uses a different mic every video! It’s part of the fun!

[@eliasfelixdasilva4197]

Muito obrigado por isso, Matt Wagner.

[@Royal8800]

This is awesome !

[@danbruce9294]

Thank you for the video !!!

[@MattWagner]

Welcome!

[@stalhuth]

so many things to learn

[@TheOg1223]

looks so good

[@iainbradford4254]

Excited!!!

[@JSpidey]

Awesome video ED. Got a question, I notice the acquisition LOS cue dot (white dot in the field of regard box) is only visible inside the field of regard box when slaving to an acquisition source, it's my understanding that the acquisition LOS cue dot is always visible, will this be corrected? Thanks

[@wimwilms1424]

All I could say is TMS (to many shortages)😉. Thanks Matt!

[@M-28xD]

And by they way how you graphics look so much better than the rest of us.

[@MattWagner]

Same game. See About on channel for settings.

[@M-28xD]

@@MattWagner I'm not gonna lie. I have everything maxed out and it looks no where near yours.

[@erariot9015]

yayyyy another study to undergo xP

[@NWGJulian]

hey wags. great video, thanks! i see all those buttons, laser trigger with 2 detents, slave, store update, and i am kinda concerning about the keybinds of all that on my warthogs. would love to hear/see how you and your team managed that. modifier button for tedac? additional gamepad? would love to get a good recommendation.

[@davidbradley3227]

My brain melted when he said intro vid.

[@Slaw444]

Wags, you should consider to organise a holiday camps for whose willing to learn how to fly AH64D. I would like to sign up :).

[@jakubdabrowski3846]

I think the world meeting of DCS fans should be organized in Georgia, near Kobuleti. At the famous "X" airfield.

[@ghostdog688]

@@jakubdabrowski3846 poti airfield is very close to a large square lake - which is actually a nuclear waste storage pond. You may wish to use Tbilisi or Anapa instead (or, if you’re an F1 fan, Baku)

[@Redryder79]

Wags, you sound like you're getting over something. Hope you're well!

[@roynatani]

Can't wait

[@macedk]

Anybody but F-35 pilots are silent at this point ;) Thx Wags, you just reminded me that I'm old..... ;)

[@sterlingarcher4989]

Oh Wags, you tease - saw the thumbnail and almost fell off the sofa.

[@slow9573]

ED's masterpiece

[@Pekins_]

These tutorials by Matt are really great but would be nice if you added subtitles cause the auto generated ones are really innacurate

[@NavyGuy2OO7]

Its not nice to tease Wags! LMAO! Not a huge DCS help fan but I loved the Longbow series back in the day, looking forward to this release.

[@chipwillis]

Hype Level Zooommmmm!

[@romagnolo]

HYPE!

[@theraptorsnest5891]

Wow......pass the tylenol. LOL. Wags, this is simply incredible.

[@orlock20]

Imagine a SIM where learning how to operate the helicopter is nearly the same time as a real pilot.

[@ozymandias7592]

Wags is love, Wags is life

[@chrisolsen5280]

Oh man, I'm just starting to get my head around the targeting and launching of radar and IR missiles on my F16, This is gonna take a bit LOL

[@dmitriyw.germann2118]

Wags, when you turn off HDU indication via "I" - are you still able to cue sensors with it and slave them to HMD LOS (which becomes a helmet and therefore a head LOS)?

[@Robinblitz]

RNLAF skin?! Let's GOOOOO!

[@kremzfrags3805]

YES!

[@Johnny641]

Hoping one of the HOTAS firms makes a CPG stick set.