DCS World - F-14 Tomcat - Back Seat - RIO AWG-9 Tutorial

Today we are going to look at the AWG-9 Radar on the F-14 Tomcat and explore how it works and how to use it. Now, I’m sure you could go down a rather deep rabbit hole with this, but we are going to try to keep it high to med level. We will talk about the various systems systems and panels you will need to know... go over all of the modes and functions we should be aware of when using them, explore a few scenarios and examples of when and why you would use the various modes over others and just try to get a really good fundamental understanding of how to use the AWG-9 so you can get a good start on your journey at becoming a RIO.
00:00:17 - Classic Volley Ball Courts
00:00:31 - Maverick Sighting
00:00:49 - RIO Pit Focus Overview
00:01:39 - WCS Modes
00:01:45 - Pulse Doppler Modes
00:02:57 - Hot Notch Cold DDD Visual Example 1
00:04:05 - Split S DDD Visual Example 2
00:04:45 - Hot Notch Hot DDD Visual Example 3
00:05:21 - Pulse Mode
00:06:55 - PD Search
00:07:19 - RWS
00:07:58 - TWS
00:08:58 - AZ SCAN / EL BARS
00:10:10 - TID - Symbology
00:12:02 - TID - Display Modes
00:13:27 - TID - Distance
00:13:44 - TID - Modes
00:15:34 - HCU - Hand Control Unit
00:16:45 - HCU - Modes
00:17:58 - CAP - Computer Address Panel
00:18:51 - Example Mission
CVW-11: DCS F-14B Tomcat RIO School
• CVW-11: DCS F-14B Tomc...
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[@Jabbers]

If you would like to help support the channel directly, Please consider supporting through Patreon: ►► www.patreon.com/jabbers Join my Discord: ►► discord.gg/tx5qvag You can also find me on ►► Twitch: www.twitch.tv/jabbers_ ►► Twitter: twitter.com/jabbers_dcs ►► Facebook: facebook.com/jabbers.dcs/ I also run a Combat Flight Simulation Community called SplashOneGaming ►► Website: splashonegaming.com/ ►► Discord: discord.gg/8zKd6ea

[@Dan20q]

Waaaait, did you rename the video title shortly after release? I think I remember it being different earlier today.

[@Dan20q]

Sooo... the TTI timer is still not working? *thinking* Shouldn't it display "time to impact: 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... " after an AIM-54 launch? At 23:45 no timer visible...

[@L3v3LLIP]

@@Dan20q Requesting a refund right now. Unacceptable!

[@Dan20q]

Well, I am ACTUALLY waiting for a (former) real F-14 person to reply here and clarify the situation.... OBVIOUSLY...

[@user-vs1fd8rd7t]

How can I lock targets which button is it ? Cannot move the radar strob. Pls may you help me with this ?

[@migkillerphantom]

By around the 9 minute mark I finally understood why the F-14 carries around a second dude just to babysit the radar. Holy shit.

[@quinncide]

I suddenly gained a huge appreciation for the Hornet.

[@siouxperb5570]

The "second dude" in the F-14 sat in the front, as this aircraft weapon system was built around the AWG-9 and the RIO. The guy in front handled the flying part to take a little bit of workload off of the primary crew member in BVR engagements.

[@kwilliams3161]

siouxperb5570 but which is the pilot and co pilot.

[@siouxperb5570]

@@kwilliams3161 There is only one pilot, in the front cockpit. The rear cockpit crew member is a Naval Flight Officer, specifically the Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14. Naval Flight Officers an all Navy aircraft are not qualified to physically fly the aircraft. Pilots are designated as Naval Aviators.

[@kwilliams3161]

siouxperb5570 ok thanks .do you happen to know if the f15e Strike eagle is the same way ? There’s a pilot and the other guy is just doing the radar ?

[@MattWagner]

Well done Jabbers.

[@Jabbers]

Thanks!

[@Dan20q]

wow, praising from the highest lord of lords! ;) To a bright future of DCS! (with CombinedArms 1st person multiplayer lag-stresstests very soon hopefully)

[@PokEntertainment]

Imagine getting replied by dcs itself. What an honor

[@percilenis8464]

Dude I'm gonna need a god-damn physics degree to learn all this.

[@ironsideeve2955]

I’m doing one lol

[@water1374]

It's funny because flight sims made me more interested in physics actually

[@julian974]

@@water1374 Hated physics in school, now I regret that I didn't really pay attention...

[@Hellreign82]

I thought I had some sort of handle on it..... I thought wrong Cracking work as per usual Jabbers

[@timmy3822]

Um. My head hurts. I think I’ll need to watch this a couple more times.

[@igorkratka]

It`s great that you been releasing these videos for past 2-3 months so we can gradually familiarise with the systems. Trying to understand them all right after the release would be overwhelming. It is apparent that a successful multicrew play requires both pilot and RIO being knowledgeable in their trade. Wow, so much to learn. F-14 will keep players busy for a long time after release.

[@timmy3822]

God damn a good RIO is going to be a literal wizard, there's so much potential depth to this system I'm honestly impressed. I was looking forward to playing as RIO, still am... but rather intimidated by how many different situations there are and how you'll have to really get a lot of experience to become truly proficient in this role.

[@ironsideeve2955]

How did it turn out for you?

[@damonschumi]

Lol maverick and charlie on 00:39 ;)

[@fragelicious]

How he do that.

[@MongooseTacticool]

And the Volleyball courts :)

[@DrayAviation]

where is this object located?

[@fargo007]

@@DrayAviation Seconding this, I need this mod like a fat kid needs a second slice of cheesecake.

[@jungletroll3844]

@@fargo007 lol : )

[@JiveDilletante]

That was an excellent tutorial. Perfect balance of technicality and practicality. Thanks for taking the time to make it

[@splatterdaysaint9024]

Your videos are a godsend to us new RIO operators. Thank you a ton!

[@CrazyHorse104]

Very nicely presented video, I am constantly coming back to refer to this while learning the radar, thank you.

[@DecibeldB]

@ 0:40 lol Great information and well explain. Thank you Jabbers

[@Warman_12]

Gonnae need to watch that about 50 times......... So much to understand and take in. Love your vids mate.......... Keep it up bud....

[@HEATER_]

Thanks SO freaking much man! I heard your mention on FPP today. Good stuff.

[@tinuzz88]

Loved the video, I will be watching this a couple times to get ready!

[@SaitekFreak999]

I never knew how little a radar really saw. Before i started learning the RIO seat i was so frustrated how Jester or my human RIO had problems finding and tracking multiple targets because i thought the thing sees everything in front of it. Turns out it sees a small slice at a time and can only track a fraction of targets that are in the front hemisphere at the same time. And even then you have to hope it isnt in the notch or ZD filters 😂

[@launchsquid]

Jeez Jabbers, your really pumping the F-14 vids out :) Loving it.

[@bjsracer]

Good video presentation Jabbers, great addendum to the manual.

[@cipher8048]

HELLO JABBEEEEEEEERS Don't forget the walkman next time :P well look at the pilot's head at 24:22

[@slundal]

Awesome :D I would love to see more like the last part where you engage different targets in different situation to get a feel for the workflow.

[@donjosh876]

The volleyball field... Love these little hints. Great video BTW.

[@danvercillo]

The main entree. Loving the launch sounds of the AIM-54 Phoenix.

[@averageaviationgeek9318]

This, does put a smile on my face.

[@jcwrightson]

The texture detail there is unreal!

[@L3AF]

Jabbers you are a beast how can you make so much content so fast you are golden man.

[@THEQuantumBacon]

The two people who downvoted this were the MiG-28 pilots.

[@cowboy10uk]

Well this is the main vid I’ve been waiting for. Anyone Else think they may be out of their depth when it comes to being a Rio. Damn there’s a hell of a lot to learn

[@SimDeck]

Yep, a lot to learn but no rush. :)

[@computerman4321]

I think it's going to take a long time to become proficient at it, but it doesn't seem to bad. As long as you have the modes mapped and memorised it should be easy enough to switch between depending on what the target is doing. Although it's not an F-15 where you lock up 4 targets at once and smash Weapon Fire remember that as an RIO you don't have to worry about flying and dodgin missiles, your entire focus is the radar screen. It's gonna be great and I think good teams will become better than Jester AI.

[@evhaddict]

Really nice tutorials! I love your vids.

[@Mythricia1988]

Duuuuude that 2nd Fox3, you hear the drop and the launch, and then a half second later pass through the wake of the missile and you hear / see the airplane react. 23:03

[@EnDSchultz1]

Yes, the immersive quality and attention to detail has blown me away. I'm very sad I don't really have the budget to afford the peripherals I would need to enjoy this beauty. :(

[@Ben-ox6wd]

EnDSchultz I highly recommend a shadow pc if your WiFi connection can handle it. It is what I use and my joystick isn’t the best but I have managed to get along fine so far. I only have a low spec tear-away laptop but with shadow I get great frame rates on the highest settings possible. Hope this helped

[@szut88]

Oh, now I understand why I could not lock the target while in PD Search with the HCU in DDD . Great video, thank you !!

[@Air-Striegler]

0:40....🤣 Took my breath away! Seriously though how did you do that? So cute 🥰. Wonderful tutorial, Jabbers, thank you so much! 👍

[@jaybeckman3749]

You Sir, are a Rock Star. Take the next six months off with the thanks of the simming community!

[@posban]

haha love the beach volleyball court on the side of the taxi way. High Five!

[@T-Tailer]

very very well done this will help my squad greatly

[@tenkayruanaya2554]

Yes jabbers im awake 2 am thanks for making this f14 more and more interesting. Best school pilot ever .

[@juliashenandoah3965]

Incredible quality, what the Fenix Airbus is for the civilian simulator is this Heatblur Tomcat is for jet fans. Unrivaled system depth and endless functions and systems to study! And not one but two detailed complex and sophisticated different cockpits in one jet.

[@Jacksteri]

You're a life saver, thank you!

[@StizaElias]

excellent explanations

[@sloppydog4831]

Man, what a complex video. I can only imagine how long you took to make this video. Good to know that Goose's job is far more difficult than calling out bogeys to Maverick.

[@BlackHawkFR]

Best tutorials ever, to me :)

[@BellumPara]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@Wikkus]

Excellent stuff! Anyone else find a lot of this stuff come flooding back from Fleet Defender days? :)

[@jwagner1993]

Great content

[@ChrisV25]

:40 is one of the many reasons you are my favorite youtuber LOL

[@HEATER_]

Chris V Haha, no public displays of affection on the flight line!!!

[@Kevin-yh8ol]

0:39 he's so tall!

[@m_hero15]

Best guide ever tnx

[@wilbuzllf5057]

Excellent work! Thanks a lot! :-) /Wilbuz

[@wilbuzllf5057]

Excellent job! Well done. So much to learn about the F14 and it's so much fun. While it in many ways "should" be outdated compared the more modern birds, especially in PvP servers this doesn't seem to be the case. More advanced in many ways and an even steeper learning curve compared to the Hornet or Viper for example but it seems great. Need to really spend some time in it but having a hard time finding a way to learn RIO by my self. /Wilbuz

[@keirfarnum6811]

After spending years flying F4.0, I’m amazed how primitive this radar system is compared to the viper radar.

[@JohnMaxGriffin]

Primitive maybe, but more capable in some contexts

[@deetwodcs4683]

@@JohnMaxGriffin Yeah it is the best radar in the game. Goes the furthest. Maybe not the best graphics and visability on the hud (there is almost or more like non on the hud.)

[@aretardridesmotard6128]

incredible

[@seawolf5077]

Excelent! thanks a lot

[@davidmcrae4791]

So helpful

[@konfinoyair]

Good stuff

[@toonsis]

thanks for the when and why

[@varanzmaj]

a succesful 40nm launch on an F5, thats some seriously impressive shit right there :)

[@andysim232]

Well that's me confused. Love it

[@GW2Vids1]

Wtf hahaha that famous couple cracked me up and I had to explain myself in the office!

[@whatsup448]

Okay, 0:40 that kills me

[@Mark-fo7tu]

lol yeah had to remind it a little and watch it again, great little Easter egg. still laughing.

[@blunahd811]

same

[@hvymtal8566]

It'll look even better when we have the F-14A VF-2. No way there won't be a version without Maverick and Goose's names on it

[@matthewhall6288]

GREAT BALLS OF FIIIRRrre!

[@Antho1able]

Thanks for the vid! Need to zoom in further so we can see the radar symbols clearer. Also could not see where the buttons you pressed were - though I can learn them using the manual.

[@bullant3370]

That was amazing. thank you! Could almost be convinced it was in cockpit footage. Any chance you can let us know what your system specs and DCS settings are?

[@Jabbers]

System specs are in the description, settings pretty much everything on max

[@Qkriek]

Thanks a lot, great video!! Any chance to get a look at the lantirn pod? Very curious about self lasing etc.

[@smirnoff1589]

Piggybacking on these other comments....damn.....this is more than practice, it's a commitment.

[@WinchesterDelta1]

Great video. Using all your tutorials for preparation. :) Can one of your next videos be one when you are in an dynamic fight with other real players. Scenario: 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3. / Starting distance 100 miles / Enemy players must be very good MP players. - Fight is along the coast. So bandits can choose fighting feet wet or in the hills. - Enemy's are free to choose how to engage you and defend you. - Enemy's and you are free in weapons choice. - Enemy flight's can't be mixed. - Multiple runs against different types. (Against F/A-18C, SU-27, F-15) - you must have human RIO - Both sides must give 100% This is because i would like to see the decision speed of a good pilot and RIO that are knowledgeable of the systems, against other good MP pilots flying other aircraft. See all what you have thought us in an fast phased fight from BVR to the merge.

[@sfctw1]

I now understand why my RIO calls the AWG9 all sorts of insults

[@skunk71]

Jabs, great video as usual. And thanks for offering to do a followup. I, for one, would certainly appreciate one. RIO radar operation has been the lurking elephant in the room for me when it comes to the F-14B release, and I need all the help I can get. A more layman's terms approach to interpreting the DDD and when/when-not to use Pulse and Pulse Dopp would be MUCH appreciated. Further - when it comes to the stick - how do you recommend those of us without a 2-stage trigger handle that?

[@Jabbers]

2 buttons ;) 1 to move the cursor 1 to select... so like trigger/weapons release maybe.

[@dogtaggamer1]

Jabbers would love it if you would go over your TM Warthog Joy/Throttle settings for RIO.

[@Hypersteff89]

Outstanding tutorial, thank you so much! However, I have a general question that I hope someone can answer ;-) I see what a zero doppler filter might be good for in stationary radar emitters. But what is it good for in fast moving radars?

[@TheSkyline35]

It's not easy...at all ! That will require so much work :o

[@spriixxx]

t'es dans toutes les videos de F-14 que je regarde toi ^^

[@questofknowledge8788]

When using TWS, do you have to do anything specific to track the enemy planes? Or does it automatically select them as targets and the you hook them and say must attack or to not attack?

[@craigmcallister2310]

I don't know man, two phoenix hits in a row...kinda sus. =) Thanks for the video.

[@Jabbers]

Lol also made well before they started fucking with all the missile fm

[@Bearfight]

All I need is more time in the RIO seat. I have the basics down and this video helped a great deal. But I am having issues locking the target. Is hooking essentially locking the target? I was having trouble last night being able to lock targets, also finding them all together. I guess I'll just use PD more first, then switch according to the situation?

[@nilswaage7626]

What an absolutely fantastic video! Great job and thank you so much! I'm wondering, once you've fired your missile, are you free to lock on to other targets or do you have to keep it locked until splash?

[@Jabbers]

With an aim7 you have to wait, with an aim54 you can lock something else once it goes pitbull

[@polarjet1833]

Once I get a computer and DCS world I’m buying the F-14 just so I can be the man with a godly mustache

[@juckyvortex]

My brain hurts now. Thanks.

[@juckyvortex]

Just launchen my first phoenix today. Considering the most modern thing i played before was the mig-19 i call this a succes. Thank you.

[@themastrofall]

FEED ME MORE TOMCAT REEEE

[@SkarnDeBrax]

I'm learning like a mad men to trying to understand the RIO, but my god... I'm lost, your video help me a lot, but I'm still lost. I'm not sure that I understand how you choose the good mode and so on... I was stuck only on the DDD until now, but, I will try to see If I'm able to use the TID now... Because nothing staying on it in my side :-/

[@Rhinozherous]

Awesome tutorials, thank you! Can you explain a bit the connection between the pilot and the rio? What are the pilots tasks in weapon selection, tgt aquiring and launching? Is the pilot able to do all this even without the rio? Is the rio able to fire? In the real aircraft, who decides which weapon is used?

[@realQuiGon]

The pilot can't do the stuff shown in the video. The pilot only has short range automatic lock on modes that only work at very close distance. The RIO is able to fire, which Jabbers does in the video multiple times (the red button to the left).

[@tswdev]

One thing I didnt understand was making targets as friend/foe, since I didnt see you explaining IFF. However on the last part of the video you perform the IFF then proceed to mark the target as enemy. So, the idea is that for all targets we lock, check iff then mark as friend/foe? This will be our main work load? Is there a way for it to mark targets as friend or foe by itself? What about data link? Do we get friend/foe from friendly aircraft RIOs markings? Does it share with the F-18? Thanks

[@iphone_9862]

dont quote me on this but i believe the way it works is: you have to iff interrogate the target and if you dont get a response from it you can mark the target as an enemy just so you dont have to check it again later on

[@dogtaggamer1]

@@iphone_9862 but what kind of response should we see if friendly? symbology?

[@SukhoiGC]

@@dogtaggamer1 a line with a round or cup like tail = friendly

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Its complicated. Dont know about the F14 specifically but generally there is Mode 1, 2, 3, and 4 and now sometimes 5 IFF. Mode 3C is the normal ATC transponder squawk code with altitude. Mode 1 will be usually ##00 and all jets in a package will be the same. Mode 2 is used also and is ####, like M3. So you can use any combination of these to interrogate a contact. The ROE may be something like you need Lack of Friendly (LOF) AND Presence of Enemy (POE) indications to declare Hostile. An incorrect or - response to a M1, M2, M3 or M4 interrogation or combination of them can be considered LOF. Ex: "LOF = -M2CC" (CC means Correct Code). POE is a little more complicated and a lot of it is classified.

[@aussiegta8267]

@@MattH-wg7ou Some what correct. M3 is used by ATC as you stated, Mode 4 is an encrypted code that is changed daily. It is this code that you are interrogating. An incorrect response, or none response will leave you with the assumption that it is enemy. Be aware however, civilian traffic will also not respond and will give the impression as being enemy, so know the sky you're in.

[@Arkaine_]

That volleyball court...

[@chipwillis]

Holy F'n Shit! everything I had imagined! nice.

[@chipwillis]

buying more coffee for this week!

[@Tertius_Oculus]

Hey jabbers... what about some tactics? Especially reg. flying in chaotic MP environments (birds hugging the ground everywhere, a few at 15000 ft.. AWACS mentioning a bird which is far away and ignoring the one which is a few miles behind you. These are environments in which both sides need to conquer airbases. When I'm up against agile fighters... things go way too fast to with lots of birds sneaking behind me and getting the kill. If the target notches, do I switch to Pulse and then how am I going to fire my Phoenixes at various targets if I can focus only on one? Should I fire the one Phoenix, disengange... and search for other ones? Sometimes it's confusing with many stuff happening around you at the same time. In a F-16, seems like no problem.

[@Knubinator]

Can we get a video showing the attack cues the pilot gets when using radar and missiles BVR?

[@Tamburello_1994]

I want the volley ball court. Wasn't lost on me.

[@sterlingarcher4989]

I’m sick of Heatblur’s F14 already.... .....only joking, I can’t wait for Wednesday - talk to me Goose!

[@m.balauszko]

As always great job man. Except I have to watch it 99 more times to memorize a third of this. Sigh..

[@Carlos27thFS]

Great video. You showed how all that works. But one problem, can't convert what you showed into what is in the game. Like half track movement to lock. Where is that in adjust controls?

[@scapilot1980]

Under the Rio hcs Controls.

[@peeps000]

Good job those mig28s couldn't pull 4g inverted

[@ilejovcevski79]

Man, RIO's are gonna have most of the fun in this bird! BTW, can the radar antenna be slewed along the azimuth line when in less then 65 degree azimuth width?

[@NomadSoul76]

ilejovcevski79 I believe it can, the manual has a warning about not exceeding the gimbal limits by turning it too far because you could damage it, it looks like it has no way to automatically stop at it's limits. It looks like you so this with a knob on the sensor control panel, the same place you set scan width and bars.

[@ilejovcevski79]

@@NomadSoul76 thanks mate! Missed that part.

[@c210rog]

You use TS for comms? So the intercom switch kinda is cosmetic only? I would imagine SRS support the intercom in the near future?

[@jasontrueman2726]

The ICS switch actually works with Simple Radio

[@DaveVoyles]

That notch filter seems like a pretty glaring flaw for them to have dealt with for so long

[@DaveVoyles]

How would you figure any of this out without this video?

[@Jabbers]

Read the manual :)

[@kraziivan_]

18:57 I caught that.

[@AndrewH428]

Hey Jabbers, I've loved your tutorial and commonly use it to make quick references if I need to double check something, but I was wondering if you could give a more indepth explanation of "Launch Zones" on the TID. The manual doesn't do a great job of it, and most other tutorials skim over it or will flatly say they don't know.

[@Jabbers]

Gonna be honest, havent had the itch to do YT content, been absolutely slammed irl with work and family. If I find time I'll consider it, I'd have to brush up myself, haven't played dcs in months

[@MikeDubya]

Great video but there's still about a million buttons back there you didn't use once lol. I'm over here still overwhelmed.

[@jep1103]

My head hurts 😩

[@bones10145]

Are you using VR or head tracking like trackIR? If you're using TrackIR how are you getting it to move so smoothly?

[@Jabbers]

TrAckir and there is a checkbox for smooth movement, along with a slider to make it more or less smooth

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Good job dude. You got one for the APG70? Obviously the APG82 would be too classified still probably.

[@Jabbers]

Not unless implemented in dcs :)

[@sheeplord4976]

Yeaaaaah. Its complicated