F/A-18 Tutorial - How to DESIGNATE Ground Targets with RADAR.

The Latest DCS World Update Lets F18 Radar Designate Ground Targets.
We'll Find Out How Using the RADAR, we can both find and designate both buildings, as well as moving targets in the Hornet. We will not use TGP or predesignated waypoints!
The updated F/A-18 Hornet now allows GROUND Targets to be Designated and Tracked using the RADAR, without further intervention!
This Tutorial goes over the controls needed, and shows DCS pilots of all skill levels how to find & engage enemy tanks and structures, together with useful tips, recorded in real time.
This bugfix adds a whole new possibility, especially useful at night or poor visibility. Of course in most conditions, using RADAR would only be 1 in a series of steps, where ultimately the TGP would be the final designator of choice for most situations.
The F/A-18's Air to Ground RADAR was previously able to designate, but it was a broken feature that didn't track targets, and in some instances didn't work correctly, or at all. We fly over Egypt in poor weather hunting targets.
If you find the tutorial / guide useful, ensure to like the video and subscribe for more!
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DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator) is a realistic flight simulator that brings military fighter jets, as well as classic WW2 Warbirds to the home PC. As an avid flight simmer who didn't progress beyond my flying scholarship & Advanced Glider Training (Parts 1 & 2). Back to the Simulator - It is a hobby I enjoy, and through modern computer graphics, I get to share some of my limited real world experience with passion, for all to see. I am in no way affiliated with Eagle Dynamics (ED - the makers of the game).

[@JD96893]

Just getting into air to ground radar and really enjoying it!

[@cryptoryeet1211]

Nice guide. Is this new though? I think it's been around for quite some time now.

[@alecclapperton834]

Thanks for the video. Losing the will to live with DCS at the mo as I can't seem to complete a mission without being shot down! I have decided to go right back to basics, Some missions, I can't even find the target I am supposed to hit!

[@pinkfloyd7572]

For radar designation ya gotta use the F-15E. It's the king!

[@andyrudeseal6347]

This is the way

[@EbonySeraphim]

The problem I have with ground radar in DCS is that 99% of the time, a HMD/HMCS slew to the approximate area with a follow up TGP location is the fastest and most reliable way to find a target. If there's weather in the area and I can't do that, then the problem/question about the scenario is this: how do I even know that I should point my A/G radar there? If I know the point it somewhere and that's a precise location, then I can skip that part entirely and pre-plan munitions.. It feels contrived to say "it's sort of here, but you need to refine it with A/G radar to confirm. Maybe the F-15E with HRM is more searchable, but "harder" missions in DCS are designed such that you won't find targets that easily jutting out without other noise.

[@wynn1785]

The A/G radar in any jet is going to serve the same purpose. You need to know where the target is and use it to refine the target as you stated. The only real way to "search" for things in a TOO fashion is going to be GMT which picks up moving targets

[@Redemptorchapter]

I would also comment that, depending on the particulars of the mission scenario, lack of gps, laser guided munitions, helmet mounted displays are all entirely possible. If you're playing a mission meant to simulate a hypothetical war in the early to mid eighties, you're not going to have some of those niftier gadgets to aid you. Even playing in the mid 2000s where DCS is really modeled, lack of spares, supply chain challenges all can be incorporated into the campaign/mission parameters. And as for those who say, "That would never happen.". I would simply point the the vast array of occurances in the history of warfare where the unthinkable for one side became the horrible reality.

[@auqanova]

i think its fairly possible that you could have recon report targets are in an area, but they may have moved. in a bad weather scenario, one could know where the enemy base is, cue the radar there, and then they can actually pick targets with exp modes. this also has the niche use of finding ground targets that are traveling across plains or deserts, as they will be fairly visible against that background. even on a preplanned strike you would want to check to make sure your target is actually there, and hasnt left. of course the gmt and sea modes are excellent at their jobs, so those are always worthwhile.

[@JD96893]

As far as milsim is concerned I doubt they would ever not know the general location of the target. In dcs we don't really pre plan missions and act on Intel and recon. I'd say 90% of pilots just wing it and use jhmcs and the tgp.

[@Redemptorchapter]

@@wynn1785 Agree, as per the struggles the Air Force Strike Eagles had scud hunting in the first Gulf War.

[@ratsac]

Why don’t you just use WPDSG to slew your radar to the general area? You said you had a WPT near the targets.

[@ShaunChan]

I watched this video to the end because you said 84's and MOVING TARGETS.. and i thought to myself - ther is NO WAY he's gonna get it. I was right.

[@d.porter3142]

:50 It's "mechanical" fuze, not "main" fuze.

[@SAbre5311]

Really shoulda been at a higher altitude, that radar picture was terrible.