DCS: F/A-18C Hornet | Tactical Air Launched Decoy (TALD)

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In this DCS: F/A-18C Hornet video, we’ll discuss the ADM-141A Tactical Air Launched Decoy, otherwise referred to as the TALD. The TALD includes Luneberg lenses that can be configured for different Radar Cross Sections, or RCS. In the case of the Hornet, the RCS will match.
TALDs can be carried on stations 2, 3, 7, and 8 on BRU-42 racks with up to three TALDs on each rack. TALDs are listed in the Mission Editor in AG Missiles category.
Upon release, winglets unfold from the decoy and allow the TALD to glide. Naturally, range will depend on altitude and airspeed as it is an unpowered system.
TALDs can be used to create false targets for both surface-to-air and air-to-air hostile radars. This is a great tool for suppressing enemy air defenses and giving enemy fighters false targets to sort through.
In this example, we have an SA-11 SAM site off our nose, and we’ll release four TALDs for it to engage while we then engage the transmitting radars with AGM-88 HARMs.
We’ll select AG master mode and on the left DDI we can see 141 at the top of the Stores page for the ADM-141A TALD. Once selected, we can see that we have four loaded, two on each wing. TALDs are released in Manual mode and indicted by the reticle on the HUD. To change the selected station, press the STEP button.
To release a TALD, press the weapon release button on the control stick. We’ll release all four to keep the SA-11 busy.
We’ll bring up the HARMs and engage the SA-11 TELARs in pre-Briefed mode. As the SA-11 engagement radars tracks the TALDs, the HARMs will make short work of the target.

[@MattWagner]

NOTE: In the release version, the Stores code will be 82P. Although confusing and not very logical, it will be correct.

[@sschreck]

Is the ADM 141 TALD currently available for F-18 in the open beta standalone or has it yet to be released? I just switched to open beta so that I could have the GBU24 Paveway for the F 16 But to my disappointment I switched to F 18 to try and find the TALD but it isn’t there. Thank you for replying to my comment! Have a great day!

[@MattWagner]

@@sschreck "Coming soon"

[@SldgeHammr]

As the #2 man in the flight, I am the Tactical Airborne Decoy

[@pilsatic7514]

taking one for the team O7

[@SldgeHammr]

@@pilsatic7514 b l e s

[@Rodz88]

We all been there & will always be🤣

[@a753951852]

No worries.. You have an ejection seat..

[@theonefrancis696]

"You go ahead, I'll keep watch from behind"

[@MattWagner]

NOTE: To help ensure that the TALD is also working properly for the F-14, this is planned for a late-June 2022 release.

[@ChrisPBacon-my7yt]

No more talds flying under the map?

[@MattWagner]

@@ChrisPBacon-my7yt Please see the pinned comment.

[@bazejs8084]

Thanks for your work, making sure devices work well for 3rd party as well is classy and long-sighted behavior.

[@wiwatnuradinsahim5807]

@@ChrisPBacon-my7yt bbv 578321 us triline

[@flightstatic4662]

Can't wait to try this out on future sead missions, this seems like an awesome tool!

[@theflyingfool]

Neat! This is going to cause havoc amongst online server players if everyone can carry them :D

[@BaconPotatoGaming]

Poobah's Party Inbound...NICE!! Can't wait for this one to come out Wags, thank you!

[@ramtin-s8722]

Ok this is pretty cool...Been flying the hornet exclusively quite a while now and I’m still not tired of it

[@Isimus]

Good to see progress on the F/A 18C. Please keep working on it so it gets finalized .

[@TrickerDCS]

Nice demonstration

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

TALDS clearly weren't released in time for Maverick's TopGun mission this weekend, otherwise things might have been different.

[@sschreck]

No kidding! Would’ve defeated the purpose of flying low lol. Maybe even a shorter movie.

[@Ironwulf2000]

@@sschreck It would alert the enemy fighters at the base, causing them to launch early. It may however helped on the post strike egress

[@johnhermann7498]

I guess the Navy didn't want to let them use the TALDs... They've been in service for almost 20years with the latest version have an small turbojet that gives it over 100mile range...

[@sschreck]

@@johnhermann7498 Jesus that’s far

[@johnhermann7498]

@@sschreck - IIRC, the only real limiting factor (as far as range is concerned) for the ADM was battery life...

[@theveryshinyone]

Looks like a great addition. Thanks Wags.

[@einarabelc5]

Who remembers the F-117 DOS game where there was a "decoy" option to deflect SA-12 besides chaff and flare?

[@Mak10z]

I remember Micropros F-19 stealth fighter :)

[@yepezdaniel]

I remember, it was my first SIM, you were able to carry 3 decoys if i remember correctly. Microprose F-117A Nighthawk

[@SDsc0rch]

this will add an additional dimension to SEAD missions

[@cenkcdemir]

TALD's are in the game for years with the F-14b

[@Sahlokniir]

@@cenkcdemir yea on the f-14. the f18 is way more effective in AG

[@Permanently_Unhinged]

My autistic self and the fact I’m obsessed with top gun made me watch every video about learning to fly a plane I never will. I live through these videos because I can never actually fry them as I am disabled in a way it would never be possible. Hoping one day I will Maybeeeee get to ride in the back seat🤞🤞(when I say I’m obsessed I mean really obsessed. My dog is named maverick and I’ve watched Top gun over 150 times only in the past few mountains. The reason is it’s a comfort movie and I love Tom and glen and miles)

[@GazAce]

Thanks Wags, that was awesome & I'll be adding them to my next mission 🙏👌

[@paulbrooks4395]

Ripe for abuse against the Pyotr and other high digit SAMs. Love it. Hope the Tomcat uses a similar model as I’ve had mixed results with it.

[@chrispage9973]

Awesome work Wags! Hoping in a few years we'll have a functional G model! *fingers crossed*

[@FirstDagger]

Nice, such system are what make DCS unique compared to other flight games / sims.

[@johnnyjohnnyjohnnyyy8934]

This will come in handy for sure

[@staubsauger2305]

Nice to have some missile magnets. "Rio Grande", ooooh you are *such* a tease, Wags. Thanks.

[@marcelulbrich7527]

YEAH!!!!!!!! Love you, ED!

[@kmcnelley1981]

Very awesome, very sneaky awesome!

[@lenn55]

Wouldn't the enemy radar operator go for the higher speed inbound targets before the much slower TALDs?

[@lucasreis6251]

Depends on the system, I think. I don't think SA11s can lock HARMs or missiles in general. A combined system with long range SAMs like SA11 or SA10, together with some SA15 Tor that are able to lock on missiles would be much more robust

[@ImperiumLibertas]

Not necessarily. The problem is that the radar can't differentiate between an inbound missle/glide munitions and a decoy. It has to take out the closer target as a means of self defense. This tactic was used in desert storm to take out the SA sites. Usually decoys are accompanied by glide munitions. It's either emit to kill the decoys and glides resulting in a harm launch or take the glide munitions directly. That's why modern AA focuses heavily on being able to move away from the launch site quickly.

[@Dietzeeeee]

Then Fly loose formation with your talds…

[@thomasmaier7053]

@@lucasreis6251 SA10 and SA11 lock up missiles no doubt. HARMs do get shot down on their own.

[@Omar-df3uk]

@@NoBrainSilent Hes brain dead doesn’t realise how obsolete Iraq air defense was in desert storm

[@kentgladden4316]

Meanwhile, IRL, a single B-2 can comfortably carry 80 of these (ADM-141C I-TALD). True stealth at 40,000' & 200 miles range (released from 40,000'). Conveniently, ADMs have the same speed as AGM (non-decoy) subsonic cruise missiles. ~550-600 mph. Making their airspeed indistinguishable from the air-to-ground attack jets & missiles the S-400 was built to stop. 5 B-2s can send 2 waves (200 I-TALDs each) at the target airspace, forcing SAM sites to tun on their targeting radar. And setting the table for 40 F-16s each carrying 2 AGM-88G AARGM-ER HARMs. Those missiles have a range ~150 miles at Mach 4.0.

[@JayDKB]

WOW this is an actual thing? thats crazy smart and down right slick.

[@ImperiumLibertas]

If you're impressed by this the tech today would blow your mind. There are loitering munitions that can provide area denial for a given airspace without any input from a pilot. Missle trucks like the f15 shooting dozens of missles guided in my F-35s unable of being detected. Drones flying in swarms alongside pilots. What we know is only ever a drop of what the military is capable of.

[@ALPHARICCO875]

Super 👍 Thanks Matt

[@WinchesterDelta1]

Good stuff

[@Jaster7LID]

Fantastic

[@neurogenesis6741]

Glad that Hornet got some love again because of Topgun2!

[@scapilot1980]

I don't think top gun had anything to do with it. They said a year ago they were going to focus on the viper to get it up to speed and then return to the hornet to finish fleshing it out.

[@spheise252]

Thank you

[@thecoyotehunter6749]

Nice!

[@fortinero3361]

Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego 💙

[@DoradoFever]

Come back from vacation on the lake to a Wags notification... good times

[@ahmetmuratyagc5587]

Thanks. If you didn't turn away, the SA11 lock to you or the ADM missiles. Is there any priority while locking missiles or aircraft?

[@kenhelmers2603]

Thanks Wags :)

[@asphelite]

New map is looking good

[@asphelite]

@@cobrac4t34 yup

[@markusawrightus7512]

Hi Matt, this looks great, keep up the fantastic work. Is this the final weapon for the F/A-18C?

[@MattWagner]

For early access, yes. But, when we have a proper VFX for the Mk-77, we hope to add that weapon later, post-early access. forum.dcs.world/topic/236553-dcs-fa-18c-hornet-features-roadmap/

[@doubleugly1594]

This is going to make the GS server an absolute radar shit show lol

[@foxykaruptsock3213]

As a Tomcatter , I really hope this Fixes the F-14's TALDS not deploying its wings and being ignored by all the SAM systems.

[@MattWagner]

Please direct your question to HB.

[@charlies40556]

@@MattWagner I thought weapons were controlled by ED in regards to coding and more

[@MattWagner]

@Charles Sines Not in all cases. HB used the TALD prior and its unclear how much code is shared between the two implementations. I've asked HB to test.

[@Ironwulf2000]

It would probably make sense for HB to switch to the ED ADM-141A

[@foxykaruptsock3213]

@@MattWagner its been an issue since 2021 and HB says ask ED ....ED says ask HB....so...who is to fix it then ? not trying to be rude..but its been an iusse for a while now and Id like to use my TALDs again.

[@Refuse2Lose33]

Thank you! It's frustrating burning through many HARMs just to get a single SAM kill!👍

[@SDsc0rch]

you might be surprised how many harms get hosed off with little (no?) effect : /

[@henrikoldcorn]

@@SDsc0rch I saw some numbers once, can't remember what but kill rate was _very_ low. But there's a reason it's called *S*EAD.

[@henrikoldcorn]

@Bu8813z I think the Skynet mod improves things. I have seen SA-8s go silent after firing HARMs at them on a server, that might have been using skynet. Another problem is money isn’t an issue in DCS, even Liberation doesn’t care about the weapons, so I might as well just take JSOWs instead of TALDs and get a kill, albeit for more weight and drag.

[@0racle209]

@@henrikoldcorn my Jsow’s always get shot out the sky my aa, is there any way to make them more effective?

[@ImperatorTheodosius]

@@0racle209 mix them in with TALDs

[@TheGreekbull]

This is great thanks Wags! Question is there any news on the upcoming internal Pilot model?

[@MattWagner]

Maybe after helicopter pilots and Viper pilot.

[@sschreck]

I just switched to DCS open beta standalone. I was using the regular standalone. I was able to find the GBU 24 Pave Way for the F 16 but now I am unable to find the TALD for the F 18. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

[@ImperiumLibertas]

The hornet just got deadlier. Fire decoys high, fly low radar off. Wait until target is in range via datalink, switch on, and engage.

[@Specter0420]

@@NoBrainSilent you're right, it will work well on the crowded servers. You take your time, stay near friendly SAMs to get up high, and then launch them in a spread towards a group of enemies. Notch immediately... They'll waste a ton of missiles at worst.

[@InterstellarTaco]

I love using these for PVP. Nothing like getting the whole enemy team to dump their load on these things.

[@SpecialistBR]

Nice! Is the MALD planned for the F-16?

[@MattWagner]

That would not be accurate for a 20007 US Blk 50 Viper.

[@rjtoten]

This stuff is very cool. Still looking forward to Hornet Dropped mines at some point. Thank you Wags and team for continued lengthy development of this jet.

[@masterman3178]

The real question is how did you get your BALT hold on so fast. If I’m not exactly dead level it will throw a master caution and won’t turn on.

[@MattWagner]

Sounds like a controller deadzone issue.

[@masterman3178]

@@MattWagner hmm ok I’ll try to sort that out then. Thanks wags.

[@danwebcralwer8671]

yes finally

[@TeZaKone]

Hi! Do they fly to the assigned targetpoint?

[@Trakkar]

We used to do this in our Navy Flight, 2 Tomcats with Decoy/Phoenix Setup and 2 Hornets with HARM's. Worked like a charm. Now the Hornets can take care of themselves, and we Tomcats can clear the skies ;)

[@kruegerbnu]

What's the AI behavior when equipped with TALD + HARM (or Maverick or Whatever)?

[@Mightymoose02]

Let us hope it is more efficient than the TALDs for the F-14 😉

[@SDsc0rch]

nice :)

[@Obi1-KenBone-Me]

When will the multi qrm mode be implemented?

[@lukew2031]

Are AI flight members capable dropping TALDs ?

[@fenix2-222]

I think so, you can adjust the distance of the drop aswell

[@Jacktherookie_]

Hey wags, Does TALD requires designated waypoint to fire it like HARM in PB mode?

[@MattWagner]

Nope

[@chadvader974]

Is the f14 TALD going to be fixed when this comes out?

[@PeteV80]

Ooh, I didn't think this would ever get modeled.

[@DoradoFever]

Can't wait to see them do the ALE-50 on the Viper

[@kilianortmann9979]

Tomcat has it for a while now.

[@ben1869]

*cries in Sea-mines*

[@l.a.xgunner]

Is there any chance in the future that ground units will receive something new instead of the health bar?

[@play3rthr339]

If you mean war thunder style armor and vehicle damage simulation, that would basically require remaking every single vehicle in the game, AI and player driven, in order to work. I can't even megin to imagine the dev work needed for that, it might even be an entire engine overhaul.

[@granola1861]

Can you launch from A2A mode without going back to A2G?

[@MattWagner]

No, you must be in AG.

[@JaZoN_XD]

Will towed decoys also be added in the future? Great news on the TALD!

[@jeffham222]

No. And you don't want that dumb stuff.

[@MattWagner]

Not for the Hornet, that would not be accurate.

[@almightyIrie]

@@MattWagner what? i am pretty damn certain that the original pre-order pitch included towed decoys....

[@shadowp3000]

@@almightyIrie its on the vipers pre order pitch.

[@MattWagner]

@@almightyIrie for the Viper, not the Hornet.

[@ironskys2989]

Finally

[@randallmacdonald4851]

So the TALDs head only on the heading they are launched with?

[@MattWagner]

Correct.

[@robertmoore5002]

I'm very excited to see this. but now my mind turns to the possible gen x decoy.

[@MattWagner]

forum.dcs.world/topic/236553-dcs-fa-18c-hornet-features-roadmap/

[@Go0Ose1]

Hi all, I have a bug with fcs bit test after landing and shut down engines and battery, I restart systems and I push fcs test + key y, I have after minutes dcs restart and no response of the fcs with my warthog

[@yusufdxgan]

Will we get NVIDIA DLSS?

[@manizaeim]

Finally, after almost 4/5 years of waiting

[@FlintMcgee]

Hey Matt, Is it possible for you guys to make the Hornet into the Super Hornet, the mod for it already exists. Thank you

[@SDsc0rch]

Jammer aircraft + TALDs + HARM (plus a lil coordination) = good timezzzz 😈😈😈

[@kamranbegakafr3ak]

when is weather gonna be updated and ATC ?

[@Husker5454]

Will this update bring the fix to TALD's aswell as they have been broken since 2021 , the wings do not unfold and they have no collision but do still work as a decoy .

[@MattWagner]

Please direct your question to HB.

[@Husker5454]

@@MattWagner Heatblur have said in a forum that they are handled by ED .

[@MattWagner]

I have asked HB to test the TALD with the cat.

[@Husker5454]

@@MattWagner wagz you absolute legend :P cheers homie

[@jared9191]

Any plans for the powered version of the TALD?

[@MattWagner]

No, we have no data or references required.

[@cleebster]

It was never used by the navy as are as I know, if you are referring to MALD

[@OliverMiles98]

@@cleebster He means the ADM-141C, which has the same active and passive RADAR enhancers as the A, but adds its own propulsion. Reached IOC in the late 90s.

[@OliverMiles98]

Don't these have programmable profiles? Designation systems states that "The basic TALD... has a digital flight control system which can be preprogrammed with various speed and manoeuvering profiles".

[@MattWagner]

We have no such required supporting references.

[@almightyIrie]

I read that as well.. Also that the C version of the 141 would be propelled, but yea.. We gotta take what we can get, maybe plans will change again - wouldn't be the first time

[@scapilot1980]

Loading these on the belly of F-14s was the shit nightmares are made of.

[@nev.catalyst7478]

One step closer to reenacting the dance of the vampires

[@theperpetual8348]

Unfortunately the TALD is unpowered, so it's got a fairly limited range compared to the much larger, powered, Kelt-derived target drones. But this will be great for large scale DEAD efforts in general!

[@theonefrancis696]

Somebody once TALD me the world is gonna roll me

[@CookieMonster-nt8hh]

nice toy and all. BUT I WANT THAT MAP SO BAD

[@aaronyang9914]

will there be a new system for AI to use them?

[@bestpilots3972]

can we confuse enemy jets as well?

[@MattWagner]

Yes

[@INeoliteI]

Poobah's party vibes

[@commiccannon592]

Have you fixed the talds clipping through the terain and going on forever?

[@MattWagner]

This is the first Eagle Dynamics aircraft that uses the TALD and it's not released yet. Regardless, no, it does not do that.

[@commiccannon592]

@@MattWagner OK thanks for your quick answer. My question was in regards to the f14 tomcat

[@SteviePonder123]

By heatblur.

[@HuDz1966]

SA11's dont shoot down HARMs in DCS? Pretty sure.

[@vovochen]

*As what do TALDs show up on a Hornets Datalink ?*

[@MattWagner]

They do not have a DL transmitter.

[@Ironwulf2000]

If you are tracking them they will have an 'unknown' HAFU, if that's what you mean.

[@vovochen]

@@Ironwulf2000 Do you think hat people will fire upon them ?

[@Ironwulf2000]

@@vovochen ask anyone that’s been shot down because the other guy didn’t bother to IFF ;)

[@svindlerr]

Will f16 get something similar?

[@MattWagner]

That would not be accurate.

[@jep1103]

Can friendly AI launch these?

[@andreyzhavoronkov6746]

Boy, those SA-11 did overreact to TALDS, judging by the valley of missiles :)

[@arbiter1er]

It's that or risk it being a JSOW

[@SneakyBastdAU]

You don't need to designate a waypoint for harm prebriefed mode?

[@MattWagner]

Yes and I did.

[@somerando8615]

3:12 Everybody pausing to figure out where the map is.

[@Tomas-yg1xz]

Or you can take the easy way and punch the coordinates in the top left corner into Google Earth. S 53°57'54" W 67°19'36"

[@isamudeath]

Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

[@TheCraigHudson]

So with the aim7p and this . What is left of the hornet seems like this is the finish line unless I’m missing major systems but I been flying her since day 1 and the hornet is fantastic.

[@MattWagner]

We'd like to do the Mk-77 someday when we have a good vfx for it.

[@TheCraigHudson]

@@MattWagner really cool thanks for the reply.

[@CTANKEP1985]

Ducks away!

[@Firespectrum122]

Daddy Waggy ♥

[@mavl4250]

Maybe I can use it with my harpoon to kill a boat. Every time harpoon die before impact

[@SDsc0rch]

!!!

[@yolkiandeji7649]

Tried to hide the South Atlantic Map under the clouds?

[@MattWagner]

Hide? No.

[@SDsc0rch]

waypoints? TOT??

[@MattWagner]

That would not be accurate.

[@SDsc0rch]

@@MattWagner -- rgr

[@cristiangonzalez761]

glide perfomance chart and heading jejeje

[@S1lverspike]

F18 just took back king of sead?

[@november5945]

This update came too late, Mav and Rooster could have used them last week...

[@unknowguy4107]

I​ will vary love dinamic eagle and​ dcs​ world​ if you up​grade​ to​ super​hornet​

[@handsomechocolatebar276]

then what are AI pilots for now??

[@StormBat]

This will be banned in most multiplayer servers! Can't wait to try them. Great tool for sure!

[@zezblit]

Why?

[@b0bl00i]

Why would they?

[@StormBat]

​@@zezblit Because of the huge advantage it will give to the player who uses them

[@StormBat]

@@b0bl00i Like I said, because of the huge advantage it will give to the player who uses them