DCS: AH-64D | TADS Part II

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In the previous AH-64D video on the TADS, we reviewed the basic functionality of using the TADS from the front seat. In Part II, we’ll explore some more TADS functions from the front seat and discuss using the TADS from pilot seat in the back.
Before we dive into it, let’s touch on Sight Selection and Acquisition Source. This can often confuse new folks coming to the AH-64D, and it deserves a few words of explanation. The simplest way to think of it is that your Sight Selection is what you are using to see, and the Acquisition Source is what you want to see.
At release, possible Sight Selections include the Helmet Mounted Display, or HMD, and the TADS. Later, the Fire Control Radar, or FCR, will also be a possible Sight. Selecting any of these from the Sight Select switch determines what device we’ll be using to search and acquire targets, as well as aim our selected weapon.
The Acquisition Source, on the other hand, allows us to determine what we want our Sight to be directed to. Some of the possible Acquisition Sources that we could have our Sight directed to are the other crew member’s HMD line of sight, where the TADS is looking, where a Hellfire seeker is locked to, a TSD Point or Coordinate, or fixed ahead. These can be selected from R6 on the TSD and Weapon pages.
When an Acquisition Source is selected, we’ll then get the cueing dots around the HDU line of sight crosshairs as well as the Acquisition “broken” Line-of-Sight Reticle. I’ll link back to the IHADSS video in the card above.
When in the back seat, the Pilot’s sight is always slaved to the Acquisition Source, meaning he will always see the “broken” Line-of-Sight Reticle within his HMD symbology. However, in the CPG’s case, regardless of what sight he is using, the CPG must press the SLAVE button to display his Acquisition Source in his HMD symbology. If using the TADS as your sight in the CPG station, you’d still get the cueing dots around the TADS Line of Sight crosshairs and the Acquisition “broken” Line of Sight Reticle, but only after you enable Slaving using the SLAVE button. When you select SLAVE, the TADS Sight is slaved to the selected Acquisition Source. When the SLAVE button is pressed again to de-Slave, the Manual Track controller on the right TEDAC grip, also called the “thumb force controller, can then be used to move the TADS.
This may sound like a lot, but with practice, it will be become second nature.
Okay, back to the TADS while up front.
First, using the TEDAC FLIR Polarity Button on the TEDAC Right Handgrip or the Boresight/Polarity Switch on the collective flight grip, we can swap the FLIR polarity between white hot and black hot. White hot is most often used, but you may find the black hot works best for you in some conditions.
On the TEDAC left handgrip is the TEDAC Linear Motion Compensator button, or LMC. When enabled, the system will partially counteract helicopter movement to null out TADS movement. Note though that this is not a ground stabilization system. Where this can be handy is that using the thumb force controller, you can impart a slew direction that will continue in that direction and at the rate of the force pressed. In doing so, you can place the TADS crosshairs over a moving target and adjust the LMC slew to move along with a moving vehicle.
Let’s look at this in operation.
We briefly touched on this in the last video, but in addition to displaying the TADS on the TDU, you can also display the TADS over your right eye through the HDU when TADS is selected as our sight. Just like on the TDU, we can adjust our slew, swap between FLIR and DTV, change field-of-view, and swap FLIR polarity. When using the TADS on the HDU, you may wish to turn off the TDU.
At this point, we’ve discussed enough about the TADS in the front seat to make you dangerous, so let’s head to the back seat to look at Pilot TADS controls.
First, we can display TADS video to the MPDs using the video page button. By selected TADS are R1 and TADS again at T6, we display what the TADS is seeing. At L1, 2, and 3, we can set the field of view between wide, normal, and zoom. Adjust the image with the Video and Brightness knobs.
This can be very useful to see what the CP/G is seeing during an engagement through the TADS.
When flying at night, we can set the Night Vision Sensor, or NVS, to either use the Pilot Night Vision Sensor, or PNVS, or the TADS as a navigation FLIR. As mentioned in the last video, the CP/G will most often control the TADS and the Pilot will use the PNVS. In a pinch though, the pilot can select TADS as the NVS sensor by toggling the NVS Select Switch on the collective flight grip.
That’s it for now and don’t forget to study your acronyms. Thanks for watching.

[@ralfidude]

This makes me feel EXACTLY how I felt when I first started to learn the A-10C. Visible confusion and internal screaming.

[@DrSQUIRRELBOY12]

Gonna definitely be watching CasmoTV's tutorial videos a lot when this comes out.

[@TheNorwayDude995]

I think owning a hotas warthog helped a lot in learning the A10 because I didn't have to many problems learning it. This however makes my brain hurt.

[@sloppydog4831]

Yes. At first, all that TMS, DMS, SOI, TAD and so on seemed very complicated and boring to learn. Now it is second nature. Just jump in the cockpit and go. The same here. However we gonna need a much higher button count Hotas to deal with it.

[@bullitthead7853]

This is no lie, fortunately Ralfi was there to help. Oh and Bunyap too, I miss Bunyap vids.

[@BlackFoxFalcon]

I`m in the DCS Universe less than a year but for some dumb reason thought I`d be a good idea to get the A-10. I bought it about four months ago and after brutally realizing what I got myself into, let it rust in the hangar. Haven`t touched it for months until about two weeks ago, I really dug into it. And now it`s second nature. You don`t even think about what you have to press anymore. It`s a lot of work but once you`ve done it, it`s amazing. It`s just the initial hurdle. First you`re overwhelmed, then you sort of resign until finally you start to grab it by the horns and go for it.

[@nickgrey4136]

Great Stuff, thanks Matt. Kind regards, Nick

[@TonerLow]

It's exciting how intimidating the apache seems, it will be massively satisfying to become effective with it.

[@therealsilens]

I'll be honest, all the acronyms make it a _TAD_ intimidating. Can't wait!

[@richardhockey8442]

acronyms for the Ah-64D: start at AAAA and finish at ZZZZ

[@sloppydog4831]

Lol

[@MrPhantom453]

I see what you did there. 😜

[@Dierly_]

New FLIR is incredible. I'm so excited for this.

[@sabatheus]

Tremendous work, Wags. Thanks to you and the entire team for your tireless work on this.

[@GER-Thorgs]

This Video is the bright light at the end of the tunnel that this week was.

[@selwynmurray8383]

Whenever Wags explain the system in this amazing machine, I need two Aleve. Great job guys, keep up the good work.

[@LoadmasterNLD]

I’ll need an year off for this to learn! Great work, can’t wait.

[@JohnP.6775]

I'm loving these tutorials... CAN'T WAIT FOR THE RELEASE

[@CypherSean]

FLIR simulation looks amazing. I can't wait for this.

[@Hunter_i86]

Priceless efforts and amazing work! Congrats.

[@shagrat47]

Nice to see 'Tanf' getting some love! 🥰 Really hope Ugra is fixing 'Afrin', as well... and fleshing out 'Dayr Az Zawr'. This would be an awesome playground for coalition forces on Syria.

[@snatr]

Wow! That's a lot of information. Thank goodness the video is short because I'll need to watch this thirty or forty times over I'm sure 😋

[@Iceman_2005]

I cant wait to fly this thing!! Keep up the great work!

[@jamestindall6404]

take my money, oh wait you have! Give me a module ha.... Looking forward to this, trying to persuade my old man to buy it too. Hopefully we can learn and fly together! Take your time to get it right i'm in no rush. Love what you guys are doing. I'd invest some time in the maps though. Some training areas in Britain or wherever would be absolutely amazing, not to mention finish off the maps you've produced so far. More training missions would be awesome, going through the process start to finish without having to watch you tube.... Much love for the game, thanks so much.

[@jameshewitt8828]

I'm blown away from the level of detail especially as someone who used to fix and maintain these. How does this pass ITAR though. Seems crazy but awesome.

[@dominikwagner5544]

A -10 manual has been released a few years back. I think they do most of the reconstruction from that.

[@DollyRanch]

The things been flying for 31+ years right, there'd be heaps of info in the oral tradition by now lol

[@jameshewitt8828]

@@DollyRanch that me be but having worked on these things, pretty much everything is controlled by ITAR. I want the module to come out obviously but amazed at the detail when it comes to TADS/PNVS, CNI, EW etc... Weapons employment

[@paulf1389]

Talking of ITAR, at this rate, we will be having to sign out the manual on some sort of permanent loan.....lol

[@charlies40556]

@@jameshewitt8828 The apache manual is public online you can download and read all the systems in the MFDs and so forth even the engine layouts and more all in color. Plus this is the D model which is older as you know so that probably makes it easier

[@OperatorPuski]

looking like this will be about 10x the learning curve of the A10c-II. Can't wait

[@kenhelmers2603]

Yep, nine months after purchase, I'll be able to shoot something! LOL What a beast of a module! Great work ED!

[@MrPhantom453]

Yep!! About that long.

[@CatabductionsAnoym]

Think ill wait for my harrier to get more better, and another 9 months to save for video card :)..Congrats on your purchase!

[@frostycab]

I just had a thought: I don't suppose anyone at ED has considered giving Chuck a preview so he can start putting together one of his amazing guides for us, have you? That would be VERY helpful!

[@snotcycle]

read the manual?

[@agostonbazmajer1100]

@@snotcycle Exactly. Chuck's guides are incredibly useful if you need to quickly brush up on the procedures of a specific weapon but learning a completely new module (and a fundamentally different one) from the ground up using such a source will just be an exercise in frustration for most people.

[@florianbrauer2412]

Thanks! Greatings from Austria 🇦🇹

[@xduncancx]

New FLIR looks awesome :)

[@UkDave3856]

This now makes much more sense now that I can sit in the cockpit and relate to it 👍

[@RADrink]

you are doing great. Thank you very much ED

[@DefunctPhoton]

Wow, the HDU is so freaking cool! This makes me want to get into DCS again.

[@rhysgoodman7628]

Well it’s no mystery whether or not you guys are working hard. Keep up the good work and release it only when it’s ready!

[@guidaguida2]

Can't wait to learn this beast!

[@alcmann]

And don't forget to study your acronyms ! The firehose effect is real. Ready to imbibe. Thanks for the video Matt

[@badgermilk760]

Nice add of a Base!!!!!!! can wait for AH-64

[@viscounttudon68]

I am very glad that I am going to be the pilot and my friend is the one having to learn this

[@MrPhantom453]

Sorry, but you both have to be qualified front and back seat on the Apache. 😜

[@viscounttudon68]

@@MrPhantom453 Tell that to jester lol

[@TrickerDCS]

Nicely done

[@fighterjetshq9299]

I am ready for it when it’s released

[@jimdavis1165]

lol gonna have to watch that one a couple a times. Good Vid Wags!

[@aquajay]

very exited

[@doubleugly1594]

If this doesnt come out in the next few weeks im going to turn myself inside out with anticipation 🙃 ples ED, ples

[@MattWagner]

By the end of Q1 2022.

[@frostycab]

I'm watching all these Apache videos over and over again and not getting any less clueless, but I'm excited for the EA release. I know that most of the things Wags has described will only begin to make sense to me once I get my hands on it and start moving my head around and pushing buttons. I think I'm going to be spending a lot of time parked on top of a tall building somewhere just playing with the sensors working things out, and I'm going to love every minute of it! The only thing that worries me at this stage is whether VR performance will be good enough. It's still iffy for me in the Hind, but seems to be getting better slowly.

[@MattWagner]

Yes, doing it firsthand will certainly be the best way to learn these systems. I'm not sure how I can more clearly explain these systems. Having the guide and interactive training missions will also help.

[@JSpidey]

Best we can hope for is multicore and vulkan gets implemented properly for VR performance

[@frostycab]

@@MattWagner I couldn’t agree more. You’re doing a great job with these videos, but getting hands-on is probably the only way to make sense of it all. “Pressing the didgeridoo switch left will engage Riverdance mode unless you first disconnect your right eyelid” will be much more relatable once we realise we just push a button on our HOTAS. LOL. It’s going to be like learning the A-10C all over again, only more so. Keep the vids coming, Matt. I love them.

[@Kathlanus]

@@frostycab This. For me adding it to my musclememory is a huge part of learning those systems. Especially when it's HOTAS controlls that are needed

[@Rex-ii2yz]

What a great morning!

[@pjslon9219]

FLIR is looking soooooooo good! Can't wait!

[@MattWagner]

Still some more tuning to do, but getting there.

[@mati372]

Amazing!

[@romagnolo]

You sound a lot better (and happier!). I hope you are better now. So, the AH-64D is hovering in this video, does it mean that the hover altitude mode is also done?

[@MattWagner]

George is acting as the pilot.

[@sloppydog4831]

@@MattWagner Cool!

[@stevenhardy5414]

Is the TADS LMC slew the only way to track moving targets? Does the TADS system have the capability to lock and track targets like the SHKVAL? Thanks for the video!

[@ianvdhorst]

You can track 2 individual targets with the MTT (multi target track). According ED it will be released after EA. forums.eagle.ru/topic/283298-dcs-ah-64d-faq/#comment-4858067

[@JSpidey]

Image Auto Track or IAT will track a moving object based on contrast. (If they implement it)

[@deathcharge811]

I have played over 1500+ hours of dcs and have gotten some expertise on the jf-17, f-18, f-16, huey, ka-50, a-10c, etc. but this just makes me feel like a college level calculus teacher is trying to teach me how to calculate the area under the curve of a parabola using nothing but acronyms and chopsticks. Learning is ocurring.

[@omarselim6281]

This thing looks more like a spaceship from the inside than anything else! Love it! Can't wait

[@robihobby9490]

I'm so Fu... ready for Apache ! 😁🤙

[@OliverMiles98]

Will the IR bloom from the street lamps/light poles be improved? At 3:30 they have this overly exaggerated fake orb effect that's fairly low resolution. There's a stark difference between what's seen here and in videos online.

[@pascalb2062]

Wags was the ideal anti aggression trainer. His voice could calm down anything...

[@BoomerWarfare]

Not that it's a big deal, but PNVS is usually pronounced "pin-viss". Most people in the 64 community don't say the whole acronym. Food for thought. Keep crushing it, guys!

[@MattWagner]

Yes, please see the earlier videos.

[@BoomerWarfare]

@@MattWagner oh. I has the dumb. Party on!

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

I haven’t run DCS in a while. I want to get back in eventually

[@tonicarrera9647]

I am sure that was a great video, my brain started to dribble out of my ear at some point during him talking, and all i heard were the acronyms

[@michaelb7686]

I've been waiting a long time for this and it does not disappoint....especially in VR! Thanks for the great tutorials. One thing I haven't been able to find yet is how to lock the TSD to a moving target (I assume it has that capability) for Hellfire targeting. Do you have any tutorials on that?

[@arcosiancosine1065]

Take a drink every time Wags says a acronym!

[@nunyabiz6952]

Totally got it. Totally.

[@ALPHARICCO875]

Thank you 👍 Wags

[@Deceter]

This is A LOT and it feels silly to have this amazing level of detail and opportunity for immersion without the hardware to support it. Someone get to it!

[@Zatracenec]

It's really beautiful, but man, I'm confused beyond limits. :-D This one's gonna be hardcore.

[@webweaver3015]

This is one of those modules where mastery is going to give me satisfaction on par with obtaining an educational degree

[@AlexKall]

My brain was in acronym overload in the first few seconds and stayed that way through the whole video 🤣

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

What's an acronym? As usual, these tutorials are both enticing, and a tad intimidating. The low level warfare game is striding into a whole new era for DCS World.

[@jamonaustin6869]

Will these videos be coming out more regularly now or is it still whenever you can find free time?

[@MattWagner]

At least one a week, if other producer duties allow.

[@slyderace]

My brain feels like it's going to explode! I think the AH-64D is going to required an in-depth 3 month course before being able to understand how to fly this chopper!! O_o

[@FabioDAngelo1972]

Amazing!!!! Cant wa it….

[@flyingPeet]

Will the Syria Map expansion Comes with the apache release ?

[@MattWagner]

Yes

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Team Apache was a great game on Windows 95. I sure hope DCS will add soldiers and blood effects so we can attack ground infantry and tanks as well.

[@CypherSean]

Ground infantry are already in the game, but they are pretty basic.

[@ImKindaPanda]

I'm need another joystick or Marco pad for keybinds holy moly.

[@yokejoke4113]

I guess Tobi Eyetracker would be very accurate with the gun-site, shall probably be already in use in the updated block in us army don't you think? might be a fine update in DCS soon to!

[@branislavrakic7199]

Will the Image Auto Track (IAT) gates be simulated?

[@MrT-hk9wn]

This is going to be a challenge.....

[@unknownace7084]

great tutorial! just one question, what , and when will be the next video?

[@JSpidey]

Next video will be guns according to Wags, ETA hasn't been announced as of yet.

[@jep1103]

I have hotas thrustmaster throttle and stick...do I need another controller realistically? There seems to be a lot of buttons especially the two controllers either side of the screen in the gunners seat.

[@pikkuhukkis]

i dozed off like 5 times while listening to wags' asmr voice

[@indyjons321]

So, weird question: Will there be an option within this module to allow "flying in the bag" so you have zero outside reference?

[@orlock20]

Flying in the bag simulates night flying. There is a night mode in the game.

[@nakotaapache4674]

why is the AR circle-dot and the broken crosshair slightly missaligned and not perfectly centered ?

[@macedk]

You guys changed the hmd view, square now instead of the round thing ?

[@silentone11111111]

I cant get that TADS screen overlay off my gunner helmet sight like you do. No idea if Im doing something wrong or your vids out of date :(

[@MarcReisSyllogism]

Cant wait to get HOTAS or better HOCAS 🙂

[@Plumsytheghillieone]

The correct term for this kind of system is HOCUS/POCUS :P

[@alheeley]

Thanks Wags! Can the pilot change TADS on the MFD from FLIR to TV sensor?

[@MattWagner]

No, that is up to the CP/G. The pilot just sees a repeater.

[@snux7364]

im looking at my HOTAS and im looking at how many buttons are on those hand controls. im gonna need like 3 more control sticks

[@MattWagner]

forums.eagle.ru/topic/280176-dcs-ah-64d-mini-updates/?do=findComment&comment=4888980

[@NoFear1979]

How do you turn off the green image overlay on the HMD, which corresponds to whats shown on the center display? I have NVG turned off so I can't really get my head around how to turn it off without also turning off the center display. Cheers.

[@MattWagner]

press the "i" key

[@NoFear1979]

@@MattWagner Cheers 😎👍 At 1:42 however you swap the content of the ihadss, in which i am most puzzled and relating the question too.

[@mapquest681]

I wonder if they will have the Tommy Lee Jones sounding guy narrating the in game training videos like Janes Longbow did...

[@chrismaverick9828]

"And behind and between the engines we have the laser infrared countermeasure, also called "The Disc-co light" :D That was a pretty fun voice to listen to.

[@AtlantiXYL]

After I sell my first business by April. I'm gonna really play this hard.

[@shaquillegordon2447]

Let’s go

[@matthiaselmer8222]

Wohoool

[@aplaceinthesky82]

Hello Matt can the pilot target without the AI CPG?

[@alexsp7086]

All right we need a new Apache Hotas joystick package from thrust master or someone.

[@colinkelly990]

$$$$

[@EnviousYeti7100]

Komodo Simulations. Looking at around $3000 USD

[@MrPhantom453]

That would be brilliant but would cost an absolute mint!! Even an add-on. I'd still be inclined to buy one though. Getting it past the wife would be a whole different issue.

[@jubuttib]

2:40 Wait, the sight is selected as HMD, yet the TADS is moving when using the MAN TRK input? I thought you can only move the TADS like that when it's selected as the sight? =/

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

God what a thing of beauty, every video that comes out about the AH-64D i'm like a kid in a candy shop, i want it all and i want it now lmfao. EDIT: Wags, out of curiosity, what is the max cruise speed of this Heli ? i've been wondering that for a bit now.

[@EnviousYeti7100]

Max Speed-158 kn Cruise speed-143 kn Never exceed-197 kn These are roughly the speeds you can expect when flying give or take a few knots based on flight conditions.

[@RadianMeasure]

next video will be on the Turbo Encabulator

[@dannyrolf3072]

And so it is …..I find myself at the very bottom of another steep learning curve!

[@hitchcock_]

dont stop talking! keep going wags! :>

[@davefalch1038]

Hi Matt, I have a question about MTADS/PNVS that I sent to your e-mail. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated- thanks!

[@GBY13]

I wish in the near future we wouldn't see AH64 in Ukraine in real life but only in DCS!

[@Devin7Eleven]

You won't.

[@markpotter460]

What the hell did I get myself into lol. Wow this is gonna have me go through A LOT OF ALCOHOL!

[@thatguy7085]

I hope I can figure out how to set up the controllers before I down load this.

[@yonathanengineer]

Wags. I wonder if we Can display tads when it’s on Day TV mode on HDU ?.

[@MattWagner]

Yup, as CPG. As Pilot, it would only be FLIR.

[@golfspite1719]

Okay this is cool and all but is it ever going to actually be released?

[@LinoundDiana]

All these abbreviations sound like a new foreign language.

[@henri3446]

Syria update when?

[@MattWagner]

With the AH-64D release.

[@DJKHALED74629]

wait there will be a syria update?

[@henri3446]

@@DJKHALED74629 A bunch of new airfields and cities, mostly in the Deir ez-Zur area and Western Iraq

[@MattWagner]

@SuperSukhoi Questions? Please see our FAQ here: forums.eagle.ru/topic/283298-dcs-ah-64d-faq/#comment-4858067

[@Helicopterpilot16]

I wonder if the HDU only displays on the right eye when using VR, that'd be cool; common sense really rather than having it block both sights.

[@MattWagner]

Options of left, right or both.

[@Helicopterpilot16]

@@MattWagner Perfect

[@ricardocabral7091]

Hi Wags becomes a TADS part III?

[@MattWagner]

No, TADS is done for now. Time for weapons.

[@kyle857]

Anyone else just listen to Matt to sleep?