DCS AV-8B Harrier Targeting Pod (November 2020) functionality and HOTAS controls

Dumb apache pilot walks through the Harrier Tpod set up, functions and new HOTAS control set up based on the recent update.
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[@mikesolyom6884]

100% agree about it being hard to tell the difference between a bug or intended functionality in the Harrier. When it comes to learning the workflow of an aircraft it's taken me a lot longer with the Harrier than others. It's because a lot of it is not intuitive (to me at least) and it requires a lot more muscle memory work. Some things have gotten better with the update though (like getting rid of the needless "TDC" option on the screen and having that on all the time). Great explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@CasmoTV]

This is why honestly I just prefer the DMT but since it’s now clearly bugged in the HUD it’s hard to know what I’m looking at.

[@flighttherapybullisticfpv133]

So there is no way to trigger the laser from your HOTAS, is there? And no auto-fire mode? Too bad. Although it makes sense being an older jet with a bunch of new tech stuffed in

[@Kruemel98]

Thank you!! I was waiting for this video since I was not able to throw laser GBU's after the changes.

[@thebiggestoneyouveverhad]

Good stuff! The Harrier is amazing but, the weapons systems have always been complicated. I'm really glad it's been updated.

[@CasmoTV]

The interaction with systems certainly has a learning curve.

[@cb5117]

My older brother was a Marine Corps Av-8B Harrier Jump Jet pilot, and his squadron was one of the very first to utilize the Lightning Pod. He served a tour in the 2nd Iraqi War, and was stationed off the US Tarawa. He would send me just declassified videos of his bombing runs, and the movement on some these missiles was absolutely crazy. He found it humorous how the F-18 pilots, who believe themselves to be gods gift to aircraft, would constantly badger him to laser/light up targets for them, as the lightning pod had only been implemented in a few squadrons. Apparently for that period(Im FAR from any kind of expert), this targeting system was hot shit. That was 20 plus years ago, and I can only imagine the targeting systems they have now. Cool channel by the way. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to ask him.

[@CasmoTV]

If he’s keen to come on the podcast let me know and have him shoot me an email.

[@falanglao01]

Your last sentence is the key message - buggy... But hey, Marines are good at improvising, or make do with less, right? 😁

[@CasmoTV]

They have the gift.

[@ChickentNug]

I don't even own the harrier and I'm just watching this out of curiosity, but I really like the way you explain how everything works. Everything you say is super insightful and I can tell you're legitimately competent about the subject. This is infinitely better than any of the GR tutorials out there

[@PiSkiS320]

Hi Casmo, new subscriber here, have you tried turning off the DMT & FLIR switches on the lower central panel?, ( just right of the INS alignment switch) when using the TPOD to avoid “bugs/conflicting” between each other?, thanks for your work and keep them coming.

[@CasmoTV]

I haven’t. I’ll take a look next time I fly the mighty widow maker.

[@tommeier1888]

Thank you for these videos!

[@davidpaulsen2681]

Someone need to test the AGM65F without the Tpod. They will absolutely not fire at all. even if i follow the normal procedure

[@CasmoTV]

I think the update caused some recent issues but I’ll tell you a guy in my squad fired two last night with no pod.

[@Pekins]

are we able to make the TGP look at a waypoint?

[@CasmoTV]

I haven’t flown the harrier in like 2 updates lol so idk anymore. Check out my boy Tricker as he’s probably more up to date on the harrier. I’m saving myself for the Hind 😂

[@mikevoetelink5840]

Fantastic video. Thx.

[@ianboys1000]

Thank you!

[@bigskill80]

Loving your videos and podcast. Question what is LLH Discord address? I want to pop in when I fly on the server if possible :)

[@CasmoTV]

Link to the discord should be in the video notes. Password and server data is there. Thanks for watching!

[@psvialli]

@4:32 you say activate pod - how do you do that as cannot seem to be able to do it ? it just point down and i cannot seem to move it :(

[@CasmoTV]

Should be SSS down twice. Like down z axis.

[@psvialli]

@@CasmoTV perfect many thanks been trying for over an hour 😂

[@CasmoTV]

I thought I addressed that in the video, if I forgot or made it unclear I apologize. The harrier can be very irritating at times lol.

[@psvialli]

@@CasmoTV you could well have done as it's a great tutorial👍👍, but it probably my brain not taking it in steep learning curve as only just got dcs but loving it 👌

[@Parabueto]

I've been having some real, real trouble with the Tpod changes here. Took the harrier out on a multiplayer mission and couldn't get it to work with the TDC at all. It also wasn't interfacing with the HOTAS controls properly either. The Sensor select switch was just doing the old functions and not interfacing with the Tpod at all. Pretty infuriating coming off the back of having done it one way for years. Now since every Tpod in the game has been updated in the period my HOTAS was taking to be replaced I'm now about as useful as a sack of manure in all of the planes the group I fly with needs filled. Such fun. The real kicker is I'd spent about three hours messing around with the new Tpod earlier this week but something in activating it is just not that intuitive, clearly.

[@CasmoTV]

RAZBAM!!! That’s frustrating. I’m sorry to hear that.

[@EinsteinEP]

Good stuff!

[@jep1103]

Is this vid still accurate?

[@CasmoTV]

Probably not 🤷🏻‍♂️. Haven’t flown the harrier in a spell.

[@jep1103]

@@CasmoTV thank you

[@sobpolta3328]

HO-TAS -TAS TAS TAS.... not TAUS, TAUS - LOL - freaking chopper pilots

[@CasmoTV]

You’re probably one of those guys who says “SEA-ADD”. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@sobpolta3328]

@@CasmoTV ha ha...Nope SEED... Just busting balls.. keep em coming!

[@CasmoTV]

You’re good. Pilot life is busting balls. 👍🏻

[@sobpolta3328]

@@CasmoTV figured you'd appreciate that! most aviators have pretty thick skin!! LOL

[@CasmoTV]

I’m a sensitive rose.

[@shagrat47]

Hmmm, to my experience the "bugs" are most often between the ears. The Harrier beeing one of the most complex modules in DCS, with less integration between systems, compared to say a Hornet or Warthog. My favorite "bug report" that even made it on the community bug tracker: "Countermeasures show only zero, bla bla"... The first(!) answer to the post: "Did you switch the Countermeasure system on? It does only recognize the loaded cartridges with electrical power supplied to the system" ...and yes, that was the issue. 😉 The Harrier has bugs for sure, but in comparison to other modules it isn't much worse, just a lot more than can go wrong... and the modernization update of systems does not really make it easier. That said appreciate the Video on the Gen4 TPOD workings. 👍🏻

[@CasmoTV]

Well I would agree if it wasn’t for all the testing I did on certain functions. But I do agree that it’s partially “just the way it is”.

[@S3NTRY]

pfft if you say so buddy TPOD has always been a buggy mess in the harrier.

[@shagrat47]

@@S3NTRY Can't relate to that, for me it worked quite ok. The only "bug" I encountered with the TPOD was the Point-Track mode not losing track when masked. Some changes with Gen4 update I need to get used, though.

[@shagrat47]

@@CasmoTV As I said, not "bug free", but not more than other modules. The time it took Razbam to get to grips with it is a different story. 😇

[@S3NTRY]

@@shagrat47 no issues with slew then? I thought everyone experienced that.