DCS: F-16 Viper Countermeasures Hacks

[@reginald-du7zo]

Huge tip I use in the viper to not have to edit my countermeasures every time I hop in the F-16. If you go to DCS World main directory (Not saved games) > Mods > F-16C > Cockpit > Scripts > EWS > CMDS > Device, and edit the LUA file as to how you like your countermeasures, it will save those settings every time you hop in to fly. Note: Every update it resets itself so keep a copy of the file to drag and drop in this folder every update.

[@Spindinio]

That file is protected from what I can see

[@omarselim6281]

Would this override any mission settings in SP campaigns?

[@reginald-du7zo]

@@omarselim6281 Honestly, I have no idea as I haven't messed around with SP CMS settings. I'd like to believe it's just creating a new default CMS setting that can be overwritten, but you'd have to test it.

[@Aksuloid]

Do keep in mind that this will fail integrity checks if you plan on flying on public servers. As far as DCS knows, you might have been changing weapon damage values. Not a problem for single player however.

[@reginald-du7zo]

@@Aksuloid I personally haven't had any issues with IC using this method the past few years, but I haven't played recently, including in the newest update, so let me know if it's jank now.

[@indianajon7980]

Reflected is making an F16 campaign...... well, guess I need to start learning the F16 then!

[@omarselim6281]

LITERALLY MY THOUGHTS hahahaha

[@Thunder1-1DannyBee]

I always set up my countermeasures like this: Program 1 - 4x chaff with 0,5 second interval (CMS up) Program 5 - 15x chaff and flares with 1 second interval (SLAP switch) Program 6 - 4x flares with 0,25 second interval (CMS left) This way I have everything I need and don't have to switch programs. I use program 5 whenever I need to be protected for a strafing or bombing run and I can't keep an eye out for manpads or whatever there might be, this way I'm protected for 15 seconds. By the way Viper Pilot really is the best Viper book, I've read it so many times already and I keep coming back. Also, can't wait for your Viper campaign :) Thanks for the insightful video!

[@Vortex31415]

I loved Dan Hampton's book. Really insightful for DCS Viper enthusiasts. We need missions in a DCS campaign based on the scenarios in his book!

[@Christian-vk2cb]

It's a great book, though he is bit of a smartass 😛

[@Runandgun13]

I have this book on my shelf as well. Great read!

[@operator1192]

That Dan Hampton book was one of my all time favorites as well. I like this technique too that he talked about and that you showed how to set up.

[@wash_out]

That’s why DTC is so important. No one wants to set stuff like CMS up manually EVER. Love your work mate!

[@Crunch104]

Viper Campaign! We need more. Look fwd to purchasing yours when released.

[@prichardgs]

As always Reflected- a great informative video!!!!

[@Carbon_715]

Great video and Viper Pilot by Two Dogs is a great book and can gain a lot of valuable insight about wild weasel ops.

[@AviationPlus]

Programs are all based on the threats you are facing so you must know what threats you will come up against. I have set up my DTC in BMS that does well with any threat. 1 - 3 x 1 Chaff only 2 - 3 x 2 Flare only 3 - 3 x 2 Chaff and Flare 4 - Dont use Slap - 6 x flares only 6 - Single Flare

[@lankypilot778]

I'll definitely grab that book. Thanks, good luck with the campaign mate, can't wait :)

[@The_Tau]

I always preferer singles flares when in dog fights or ACMs, I can see what bandit is doing so I can preflare when he gets in fire position or dump flares when he fires Fox2, this way it also conserves the flares too. Also great for helping your wingman for SA if he asks for flares to spot who is who. I use flare programs only basically in ground attack for preflaring so I dont have to think about flares and just focus on CCIP piper, and if I see smoke in the air I use singles flares again to dump even more flares. But that might be just DCSism

[@Runandgun13]

I do the same

[@robinb5752]

„Vipers in the Storm: Diary of a Gulf War Fighter Pilot“ by Keith Rosenkranz, if you want the cockpit perspective of a „regular“ F-16 pilot during the Gulf war. I read this when I was still doing Falcon 4.0 and there are plenty of references in there on the „switchology“, workflows and procedures going on in an F-16 … oh, never mind :-) I should watch the video to the end, before commenting 😂

[@marcocom6963]

aww man me too! i remember this book and Falcon:Allied Force and just really getting into it all. was that really that long ago? still flying BMS and DCS weekly!

[@Wolfhound_81]

One thing that really helps and I miss in this video is DiCE, a program that lets you set the programs ONCE and keeps them, rather than needing to set them every time you get into the pit. I used 2 different flare programs: One that releases a single flare every second for the run-in on known or suspected IR SAM /MANPADS positions, one that releases 5x2 to defeat launches.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Good idea!

[@runeheadah]

There is another program now called DCS-DTC. It basically autotypes your settings into the ded after you press one button. The catch is I'm not sure if it'll work online.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@runeheadah I don't really mind setting them up, it only takes 20 seconds or so

[@Wolfhound_81]

@@runeheadah Yeah DCS-DTC works as well, even enables you to get waypoints and MFD settings while in the jet. And yes it works in Multiplayer.

[@runeheadah]

@@Wolfhound_81 Even servers that have exports disabled?

[@Christian-vk2cb]

Looking forward to that campaign!

[@rasse30]

F16 campaign? 😱😱😱 I can’t wait for that. If you ever need someone to test a mission I would be more than happy to do so lol.

[@dfed0530]

You can just set the BQ number to 0 to stop it from dropping that type of counter measure. I prefer CMS forward for flares only and CMS left for chaff.

[@SONIC301_]

I use this too! 🤙🏻

[@matka5130]

Interesting topic...i did in similiar way from beggining of this video

[@somting125]

This is quite funny, I had it set literally the opposite way round, with the sidewall being flares and chaff as the thumb button. Might change that now. The most frustrating part is that if you edit the lua to set custom programs permanently, it breaks IC, so it’s gotta be done in cockpit.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Takes all of 20 seconds to set up though.

[@utley]

In the Hornet, the panic button actually does release flares so that could be a reason why you thought that.

[@pyr0duck676]

What is a typical flare/chaff loading you've found from your research? I typically do a 90/30 chaff to flare if I'm not expecting to run into many IR guided systems. Also, what is the NATOPS equivalent for the Viper? I'm so excited for this campaign though! I flew your Speed and Angels campaign and absolutely loved it. So, I'm sure I will enjoy this one even more!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

That’s a question I’d also like to know the answer to

[@krostouin]

It depends of the mission, but 90/30 most of the time for me too. Many air and ground threats engage with radar. Flare is for low A2G pass and/or A2A merge. Even when expecting R27ET there are many fox1 and fox3 on the way before.

[@HopcxSyvoalw]

Five quick flares looks cool

[@audunskilbrei8279]

Am I the only one who feels that chaff does nothing? I mostly have to defeat radar missiles by running them out of energy. They rarely break lock and I'm not sure I've ever seen one go after chaff. I usually go full flare no chaff when I fly.

[@KegaKega-vc3dp]

So, the sequence and timings of chaff and flare is highly classified stuff. As one said, you’ll never find a reference to that, if so it’s a illegal sharing of information. Because of that, one would have to do tests in DCS to see what works the best there. I asked Grim reapers for that one time, but I don’t think he understood the challenge. Different timings, numbers will have different impact on the different systems in RL. In DCS I don’t know.

[@krostouin]

RL Timings also probably change with the threat. SA2 vs SA6 for instance.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yeah makes sense I guess

[@pyr0duck676]

Have you talked with C.W. Lemoine? He is a KZbinr who flew the F-16 and has made a few DCS F-16 Viper videos.

[@MikeSwanberg]

What I've noticed Growling Sidewinder doing is he will just turn off the countermeasure that he doesn't want to use at that time. If he's BVR and/or facing SAMs, he would just turn flares off. When he gets into a merge, he turns the flares back on and maybe turns the chaff off. This is quite a bit easier than doing custom programs, but it could also be slower than using different actions for different measures. My home "cockpit" (in quotes because it's basically a HOTAS and some MFDs on a table) doesn't have a slap switch, so either I have to map one or I could just use the switches. Just REMEMBER to turn them on when you need them!

[@cheefbird]

ya, same. Alternatively, I know Ralfidude puts it in bypass, which makes cms left/right do a single chaff or flare depending on the direction. I started doing that once I saw it, very much prefer it. but that's me.

[@joelmulder]

Considering you can edit the default CMS profiles with a LUA script in the DCS directory, having the custom programs really isn’t that much of a hassle. Certainly a lot easier than remembering to flick some small switches when you get into trouble.

[@MikeSwanberg]

@@joelmulder might be pertinent to note that not everyone know LUA or how to script such things. In any case, I've also seen an add-on program for a data cartridge. Hopefully ED gives us a data cartridge soon. The add-on seems to just run what is essentially macros to program the CMDS. Might be worth it to do the same... I have a "Fly" button on my Stream Deck that I programmed to run through and do all the usual things that I tend to forget during an in-flight start. Stuff like turning on ECM, turning up the JHMCS, etc.

[@Petidani0330]

Tbh, I never really understood the usefulness of pre-definable countermeasure programs. Just like you said, when I know my enemy, I don't want to waste the wrong type, I only want to pump out either chaff OR flare, not both. If I (for whatever reason) want to actually use chaff AND flare at the same time, I just tap the corresponding buttons alternately. For me, the same applies for quantity: I like full control of how many countermeasure is being dropped. This is one thing I like about the FC3 aircrafts: because of simplification, they have "drop chaff" and "drop flare" buttons (there's of course also continuous options for those who prefer them). With high fidelity modules, I set up chaff-only and flare-only programs whenever I can. I'm sure there's a good reason countermeasure programs (multiple per aircraft) exist, I just don't see it.

[@joelmulder]

Seems to be more of an DCS F16 thing. Chaff and flares are separate buttons by default in the FA18C, and I think they are in the F14 too.

[@AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH-y5f]

Hey this is completely off topic but have you considered doing a campaign in the community A4? Its a solid mod that seems perfect for your style of campaigns.

[@MasterTimbo]

I think he already stated, that he won’t do campaigns for community mods.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@MasterTimbo not just won’t but can’t either.

[@wavehopper4183]

It's a shame the towable decoys aren't available in DCS. Would certainly add more survivability to weaselling.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Didn’t ED say somewhere that the decoys will be coming at some point?

[@vrgamingitalia8105]

With the actual ecm bug you don't need them, just go cold with ecm on and EVERYTHING will lose lock istant, even missiles, until they fix on gs server it's just 9x aghagaahah

[@FirstDagger]

@@ReflectedSimulations ; Yes, AN/ALE-50 towed decoys are planned for our Viper. On the pylon of station 2 and 8. It will come after new rope physics are introduced according to a roadmap by Wags at the end of 2022.

[@groundpoundersimulations8317]

@@ReflectedSimulations after EA on the current roadmap, which is a shame

[@krostouin]

​@@vrgamingitalia8105ECM never worked fine for A2A in DCS. Perhaps one day, but it is not a priority, probably because complexity and sensitive topic. Add the lag of 60 players on GS, and voila 😅

[@mitch_the_-itch]

Does the Pilots head move with your head in VR? One of the most needed features is the Mission Editor needs to have a 3d view. Im tired of putting things on the side of a hill and not knowing it until I fly the mission.

[@WWXspartan058]

My warbird brain watching this and trying to contemplate it lol

[@vrgamingitalia8105]

i never use programs, i just go thumb left when i need them, and active what i need when i need

[@Sinni64]

When you talk about your upcomming Viper campaign, do you mean the one, that comes with the Kola Map, or are you creating a second Viper campaign?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

The Kola map campaign

[@ReflectedSimulations]

And it won't come WITH the Kola map, unless you mean 'at the same time with'.

[@Sinni64]

@@ReflectedSimulations I meant the second with:D

[@CookieMonster-nt8hh]

ironic that you use the panic button for the program with more planning and the normal switch for the immediate program

[@ReflectedSimulations]

🤷‍♂️

[@Stormrider-Flight]

Easiest would be, setting your dispenser to bypass (BYP) instead of using any programm. This way, CMS fwd and aft control flare / chaff manually: One press = One dispense.

[@brandonchappell1535]

didnt even know you could program countermeasures, That will be mighty helpful when theres actually decent campaigns to use it in🤣

[@gregkar2736]

The fist button is the panic flare button, it is usually set to dispence a lot of flares in cases like when the pilot sees an IR missile tracking at the last moment All the other programs are usually programmed as per pilot's preference. I use program 1 (cms fwd) for 1 chaff and program 6 (cms left) for 1 flare.

[@Stratilizer]

Just go with knowing the threats and personal preference on what to use. You’re not going to find documentation on what to use.

[@dexterj18]

OMG

[@ratsac]

I think the RL programs used for countermeasures is a closely guarded secret which I hope nobody actually posts in the comments. Please don’t ask for stuff like that. You’re going to get someone in trouble. Or worse…

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes I guess that’s true. I wasn’t asking about the actual programs though. But how the 3 different buttons are/were used

[@ratsac]

@@ReflectedSimulations see 5:25 in the video. “What is a realistic chaff and flare program?”

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@ratsac ok, everyone, do NOT send me realistic CM programs! :)

[@ratsac]

@@ReflectedSimulations 😂😂😂