DCS F-15E Strike Eagle Air to Air Radar Tutorial and Demo!

Hey guys, I asked all of you via the community tab what was giving you the most trouble in the DCS F-15E Strike Eagle, and a number of you replied with the air to air radar. While there are some fantastic tutorial videos out there, as well as the awesome manual from Baltic Dragon, these sources of information can be quite dense and hard to digest. So today's video is all about learning the basics of the Air to Air Radar in the F-15E from a more surface level perspective to get you guys going, so then you can learn the deeper stuff.
0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:30 - F-15E Radar Tutorial!
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war thunder dcs arma 3 battlefield 1942 mirage f1 strike eagle wso amraam bvr

[@Spudknocker]

Hey guys, Today's video is a quick and dirty walkthrough / Demo / Tutorial on Air to Air Radar usage in the F-15E, a lot of videos out there and the expertly written manual by Baltic Dragon tend to overwhelm the viewer/reader with info, and so today we are looking at the barebones basics to help demystify the radar so you guys can dig deeper in the more complex and technical stuff!

[@ConBeefdator]

with colli right u can identify the targets

[@Rockethead293]

"quick and dirty" _30 minutes_

[@Viper81]

Hey, Spud! A few corrections/additions here. You uncage the AIM-9 with the NWS button, not with the Paddle Switch. Also, as a general rule and to be most effective when you do a long range search in A/A mode you would typically select a 4 bar scan, GMTR in HI or Chaff and you want to be in INTL PRF to have no problems detecting hot/cold targets in order to build your picture. When you are within 40nm you want to be in MED PRF with a 6 bar scan and you typically select GMTR MED or LOW to cope with fast maneuvering or notching/beaming/flanking targets - or helicopters. Also, you showed 3HDT which you enter by pressing TDC in and then AUTO ACQ forward short. There is also 2HDT. You enter that mode by AUTO ACQ forward long after you are in 3HDT. It is also important to point out when using TWS that you have four options to designate targets. AUTO boxed will automatically bug all targets within the radar´s field of view. You can then step through them with Coolie up short. AUTO unboxed gives you the option to either bug a single target or you can bug up to ten differnt targets which are up to your discretion. You can also enter Dual Target Track. You do that by designating your PDT/SDT and then you want to hover your TDC over the SDT, press TDC in and hold TDC in for a about a second. Voilá, now you are in DTT. Benefit? Much higher update rate. Last thing. When the TTI countdown for your AMRAAM in flight starts showing the letter M before the TTI indication your missile is already active in MPRF mode. There should also be a HPRF indication but that is currently not implemented. Thank you.

[@ClaptrapRapture]

Damn, most helpful bit of info I've found on the radar after watching all these vids and reading the manual, thank you!

[@ClaptrapRapture]

Any tips for IFF? My experience so far, as a WSO, is... have a bunch of radar contacts in RWS. I press the switch on the side of the RHC fwd to IFF, and the first time I press it the radar shows AAI in the bottom left and maybe I get some contacts showing as circles, all good. However after I've done it that first time, pressing that same switch fwd does not seem to repeat the IFF process - I don't see AAI in the bottom left of the radar screen again, it's like it can only do it once all flight. What gives?

[@Viper81]

@@ClaptrapRapture Hey! So, your problem with IFF as a WSO has already been reported as a bug and as far as I know this will be fixed in the upcoming patch. IFF does work from the front cockpit without any problems, though. Also, be aware of the fact that IFF currently only works reliably if your contact is at or below 50 - 55nm range. This will also be fixed in the upcoming patch - I do not have the exact number in my head but I believe it will then be somewhere around 80nm. A few tips on IFF. You always want to keep the IFF buttton pressed for 2 - 3 seconds to reliably allow for a successful interrogation of all contacts within the search volume of the radar. Also, when interrogating in RWS/TWS without any PDT present (search) you see some contacts becoming circles/circles with vector (friendly), others are either shown as hot/cold symbols, bricks or bricks with vector (TWS). Contacts remaining hot/cold symbols are most certainly hostile and in this case I would always go for an EID matrix (NCTR) and/or a second interrogation to confirm the contact as hostile. The same goes for contacts that remain a brick with a vector. A special case: In RWS bricks (without vector) are ambiguous and here I would always be careful. This indication most likely means there is a friendly AND a bandit in the same area meaning no reliable IFF return has been recieved. So hold your fire! Razbam has a similar concept implemented in their M2k module so be aware of that. If you have a contact locked in STT you will also see the IFF symbol next to the PDT star. There can then also be a diamond symbol indicating the aforementioned ambiguous contact. If a contact is bugged and interrogated in TWS you will also see a friendly/ambiguous symbol in the top left corner of the radar screen. The friendly/ambiguous symbol in the top left corner will always be present after a successful interrogation and as long as the contact is bugged. The ambiguous indication can also change to a friendly indication after a reliable IFF return can be obtained by either another interrogation or the hostile contact in the area is no longer present. Sounds overwhelming? This is just the early access implementation. There is still a lot to come...;-D Thank you.

[@slyderace]

YOU are the MVP of this jet's radar!! I've learned more from your previous comment than I did most videos on YT this week!! @@Viper81

[@C-141B_FE]

Finally a no nonsense tangible explanation on the AA radar functions. Thank you so much, liked and subbed.

[@ironcross112]

Hey spud, I been watching you a long time now and i gotta tell you. When i need to learn something or just understand how something works in DCS World, you are my go to guy because you seem to have a knack for simplifying complicated proceeders. So i just thought i would say hello and let you know that you are very important to all of us. So thank you for being you. I don't know if you remember me but i'm the guy that said no when you were thinking about leaving out the as alway's in your introductions at the start of your video's. I still think that was some sound advice. It's your trademark. Yeah kinda stupid but i'm proud of it. So thank's again.

[@hugofrechin8492]

Thanks a lot for this video, very useful. Now I can use with the F-15E the RWS, TWS, and ACM radar modes and blow up some bandits :) the TWS multi targets shoots in the F-15E is amazing. Thanks a lot mate, I continue following your videos to learn more things about this incredible aircraft. Keep going with your nice work ;)

[@Rogeroverandout61]

Ur a Legend, thank you,thank you, thank you. I’ve been struggling so much with A2A in the F-15E you make it sound soooo simple. I flew along with your video and hey! I did it 😮 now I’ve got to practice practice practice. Worrying now I won’t be able to remember the F-16😅Thanks again Spud A2G please sometime just like this, when you have time, no rush 😉

[@savagespud8038]

Lmao it’s embarrassing to say but I let a f-4 get within the merge because I didn’t know how to use the radar 😂 we’re all rusty.

[@oldschooluser2433]

Thank you, this video help me a lot to use the radar more effective.👍 It's really much to learn...😉

[@slyderace]

I HATE this jet's radar. Most confusing in any jets in DCS. My first time on MP server, I shot at one friendly and shot down another by mistake. This is the worst radar ever. It doesn't keep track of friendlies - like the Hornet's radar or even the A-10C. I wish the SA page (TEWS) would show us which RWR returns are friendly. After watching the whole video, this is the BEST tutorial I've seen for the F-15E's radar. No other video mentions that you have to IFF every time you want to lock a target. I thought we had to be in RWS to IFF but I saw you hit Coolie Left while in 2TWSH. Great video!! :D I feel confident trying the Eagle again tonight on MP :P

[@Spudknocker]

Honestly it’s not that much different from other radars a lot of what you are describing is actually the function of datalink, which the F-15E currently lacks

[@slyderace]

That explains it! :) @@Spudknocker

[@romagnolo]

"it's super easy" >proceeds to make a 30 min video just joking! I'm also trying to learn more about this plane and it's resources. I find navigating through the radar modes a bit more complicated compared to other modules. Thanks for making and sharing tututorial videos with us :D

[@catfishGentleman]

Perfect video! I always wanted to know what every single button, knob and switch does but struggled to find anything comprehensive. This really is a godsent! Would you consider doing something similar for the F18 Hornet?

[@modelotime2456]

Dam right ain’t much out yet for the f15E

[@singa1-117]

❤❤❤ thank you for the SG livery!! ❤❤❤

[@matk4731]

RSAF are in the Top End at the moment. With there F-16’s & F-15E🤤& their super tight four ship formations & over head breaks. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃

[@travis8534]

Thanks Spud! Great video. Been needing this kind of info to get my SE skills in AA back to C model standards. IFF and TWS were confusing me. Any chance you can upload this mission to the user files and drop the link please?

[@ClaptrapRapture]

Any tips for IFF? My experience so far, as a WSO, is... have a bunch of radar contacts in RWS. I press the switch on the side of the RHC fwd to IFF, and the first time I press it the radar shows AAI in the bottom left and maybe I get some contacts showing as circles, all good. However after I've done it that first time, pressing that same switch fwd does not seem to repeat the IFF process - I don't see AAI in the bottom left of the radar screen again, it's like it can only do it once all flight. What gives?

[@Robmlufc]

I find the F15 a strange jet in general. Compared to some of the other western jets. I guess it was developed in a time when companies were off doing their own thing when it came to cockpit layout and how systems are used. You can see why it's a two seater, serious workload! Thanks for the tutorial 👍🏻

[@heyviper1238]

It's the most navy air force jet. And I mean that in a good way.

[@Rhinozherous]

Thank you!

[@chadvader974]

quick and dirty: 27 mins :P

[@Quick_Bisquick]

My exact same thought

[@slaughtersteelgrave022]

Hey ... I know you!

[@chadvader974]

@@slaughtersteelgrave022 PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST

[@Aizazell]

Hey man, a bit new to DCS, Sooooooo...... Would you do a Radar Tutorial on the F18? What! They are a bunch already on KZbin. I know. But they are all 2 to 5 Years old. At that time there were thing that were not functional. It would be nice to have COMPLETE and definitive guide once and for all.

[@medicalshroomi]

Hello. thanks for all the Great vids!! I Just got the F14-E strike Eagel and have Just manged to drops som laserguided bombs on my own missions. Yesterday i tried on a 4YA PVE server but it woundt work as i learnd. The bombs and targeting pods was on the plane but dident show up on the screen inside the plane. Thanks from a supernoob

[@ARyanCoke]

liked the tut. things that didnt work for though are the coolie short up to chage targets in the group and the pinkie paddle to slave aim9 to radar lock

[@gabewaters6178]

Would it be possible to get some of these tutorials for the WSO seat?

[@snakeoo7ca]

Any tutorial is better than a Reaper tutorial

[@shibiwowsawesomegaming4783]

Does boat switch aft still undesignated? I press it while in either RWS or TWS2/4 and it doesn't do anything.

[@jonathanclarke4529]

What is the WSO doing during this? Have they got anything to do?

[@rcl99tlr65]

So its safe to shoot bricks?? Thats where I get frustrated...sometimes those bricks turn into friendlies...is there a way to auto IFF?

[@Kerkenez]

How can you operate Radar Antenna Elevation on WSO seat? Since there is no keybind for it...

[@giz54]

Wherre can i download the skin spud? Its beautiful

[@hermanfabela5637]

As a former USAF F-16 Crew Chief and PP; does anyone have a recommended list of everything I would need to set up a DCS system?

[@crazyhorse18]

Mercy!👍👍

[@ColoradoAquarium]

Castle left long does not take control of the displays (I have been working several days on this problem and am about to quit and uninstall). Is there any other way I can take control of the display?

[@Spudknocker]

Are you sure you have it bound correctly cause that is how it works

[@ColoradoAquarium]

@@Spudknocker oh hey there thank you so much for the reply. I figured it out this morning. I do appreciate the reply. I had to bind it to the castle switch. Lol I know I was freaking out about this thank you again.

[@Spudknocker]

@@ColoradoAquarium haha always glad to help! I’m glad you got it fixed

[@Plumsytheghillieone]

Hey guys, Spud here, aaaaas *sometimes* :P

[@KountKasper]

what does the co pilot actually do in a F15e?

[@droneforfun5384]

Yes workload seems high compared to the f14… no way to interact with the RIO in the F15e?

[@Anail_Mhin]

Hope any of you dudes can help: Radar is nor showing any enemies I can lock on to. Not in the AWAC escort mission, not even in the tutorial. Actually not even bore-sight is working really... So all I can do is Fox2 my way out.

[@M60A3]

Locking my radar on a target but I’m unable to unlock my target and lock an other one

[@Jackg1822]

can you make it more clear what the keybinds are because i have spent one hour trying to find them but no one says them. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@airconditi0ner39]

My radar doesn’t work. It can’t lock enemies and it won’t pick them up on the radar

[@Mahlgus]

I cant even get contacts to show on the damn radar. Ill change EL and everything and just cant get someone to show up on a created 1v1 BVR fight. I even added more targets and i still couldnt pick someone up.

[@GimbalLocksOnly]

When you startup, you have to turn your radar on. Its prob on off or stby. Down, left, behind throttles. 👍

[@Mahlgus]

@@GimbalLocksOnly I just start off HOT on the runway. So if it isnt on, its the only thing lol. But thanks, ill give it a look.

[@jtazevedo7104]

Im not getting targets on radar. Can anyone help??? Ill respond as quickly as possible

[@janemai-pf7oz]

Can you pls give access to this beutiful skin for the F15E pls

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

That Singapore jet is a F-15SG, not a E model, or its a E with incorrect markings.

[@davidreiff5206]

Gotta imput the konami code to enter TWS. I hate boeing....

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Damn people, this isn't that hard. Yes, it's a different way of doing things. But for the love of Pete, quit whining. Just because it's not as familiar as the F-16 doesn't mean anything. Suck it up and just learn the damn thing. If you think this is complex, you should never download the A-10C II. That is a steep learning curve. Once I knew how to get around the F-15E it's no easier/harder than anything else. Moving your cursor to the side to enter a different mode is about as simple as it gets. So stop complaining. Maybe MSFS 2020 is more your speed. Just start it up and fly around. Then you have nothing to whine about.

[@croma81]

Thx man. This module is epic frustration for all of us for sure. Those controls are just sucks! I remember when Hornet or Viper released i wanted fly with them like hell. I made 4-5 sorties in total since it released. Its really not user friendly and most annoying jet for all of us. 👎 PS: Worst 29 symbology ever. 21 23 25 31 BUT "SB" Whats the purpose of it MDD? Why not just "29"?👎

[@TheFreeSpiritKID]

SB = soviet baddie

[@metalheadedswordsman]

SB is for Slot Back, the NATO name for the radar of the mig 29. I think they put that since the mig 29 and the su27 share almost the same radar, so there is no definitive way of knowing which one is which based on their radar emissions

[@godofm3tal1]

Tall and skinny, or short and fat. That kinda sucks honestly

[@yasinamr5457]

20+ minutes is kind of long but may u pleas make a little shorter video 15 mins at most .. just like the F-14 Navigation tutorials "which i liked both old and new version a lot"

[@fuatdemir7066]

You are talking tooooo much. Explain quickly

[@chriskey5414]

I just got the f-15 and I love it but for some reason when I select the radar in A A or AG I make it SOI and it doesn't start scanning I don't know if this is something they changed or a bug. it doesn't even work in the tutorial