The Datalink and Situational Awareness (SA) Display of the F/A-18C Hornet - Introduction

This week we plan to release the initial version of the MIDS/Link-16 datalink / Situational Awareness (SA) page for the Hornet. This is a basic, introduction video to get you started understanding the system. Later, once the datalink is feature complete, I’ll create a full academic video, interactive training mission, and an updated manual.
A few notes to keep in mind:
1- This is the initial version with more features to follow like automatic IFF modes, IFF code XP and AI setup, Link-4/HARM/FLIR display options, declutter options, flight ground target markers, basic ROE indications, MIDS voice, and a few more.
2- The logic that determines when a target is own-ship classified unknown, hostile or friendly is determined by an ROE matrix of factors. In this initial release it will be determined by Mode 4, but later we will probably factor in NCTR and SURV.
3- An NCTR print requires an L&S or STT lock, therefore I was unsuccessful in the print attempt. My error.
4- Friendly PPLI data is always fuel state, not range.
5- Later with the TXSDSG, it will be based on flight TGT ground designations, not necessarily WPDSG (it can, but not always).
6- I did not show it, but the static SAM threat rings will be included in the version this week.
7- Sorry for the low energy, I’m recovering from a cold and I’m dead inside.
- Wags

[@TheDroppy68]

Without a doubt this is the most powerful weapon system on-board thus far. Many thanks for the intro Matt.

[@PBAR_B1B]

It was kinda spooky doing RED FLAG after Link 16 really became widespread. Prior to that the radios were always super busy with threat calls, etc. but after widespread Link 16, the radios were nearly silent because all the SA was coming from the datalink network.

[@spyder1721]

I ran up link 16 on the ground during red flag, busiest SA page ive ever seen as a maintainer

[@HypePerformanceGroup]

Thank you for your service!

[@FdxDad50]

Thanks Matt, excellent description of a very detailed and complicated capability of the F/A-18. Very very powerful when properly used.

[@TheRobo]

The amount of detail and back research that's gone into this, both from yourself and the Ed team are always awesome. Thanks for bringing such a cool and detailed video wags!

[@SimDeck]

The depth of this simulation is incredible. With actual fighter pilots on board and the experience of the people developing this, I feel blessed to have this and a privilege to take part. Just brilliant!

[@ernestwinslow7316]

O my goodness, this is absolutely beautiful Wags . What a feat.! Like you put out in your Hornet mini-update letters, this is one complex and deep system you are bringing in. Looks the SA page will be my favorite ddi page of focus. Beside the fact that it is very functional and informative, it also gorgeous to look at. I am really excited about this and looking forward to this. I salute Ed's hardwork and commitment to not just doing datalink but making it very realistic.

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

Can't wait to hear all the "hornet is too OP" comments on servers now. Great stuff tho can't wait to try it out.

[@wesleysugalski2842]

Me 2 Buddy !

[@lucaswoods1155]

The Hornet is already on par or better then almost every aircraft in DCS I can only imagine when the JDAM FLIR pod and link 16 is complete and implemented the enemy will simply refuse to get off the ground and if they do that will just bomb them on the ground

[@Surpriseify]

Growling Sidewinder agree, too bad redfor cant get any of the upgrades that they would have in reality when fighting something like the hornet, DCS right now is 1980’s (red) VS 2005 (blue), really sucks that the current meta has to be so “pro” bluefor, good thing i like the hornet, will enjoy facerolling in it for sure.

[@D00kerT]

Whats OP mean? Love your videos GS.

[@lucaswoods1155]

Dooker T over powered

[@TheRadiag]

Thats going to be a gamechanger really looking forward to it. Im recovering from a cold myself right now although im pretty much through it, I feel ya!

[@balticdragon3611]

Looks awesome, Wags. Opens a lot of possibilities for mission and campaign use.

[@adminluke]

Thanks a lot as always Wags, hope you fully recover soon !

[@CCusack12]

Thank you, Matt, for creating a situation in which I could gain awareness of the datalink and situational awareness systems. 😋

[@helidoc2012]

Hope you feel better soon Wags. As always enjoy your training vids.

[@saulot9545]

Thanks for the video, Wags! Great stuff. Get well soon!

[@cody42069420]

Really looking forward to this update and data link good job ED!!!

[@Nackenzwei]

Get well soon, Mat. Thanks for the video!

[@joehinkley]

new gaming pc coming, pumped beyond belief and can't wait to get down on this. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@vogliounitaliacomelasvizze2045]

Thanks for the great work to all Eagle Dynamic Team! God bless you

[@DarkFire515]

Very impressive work, thanks for the update!

[@signore1]

Absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait for this!

[@DaggerOneMike]

You guys may not be considered a AAA title, but, the continuous updates, hanging around the public and listening, a literal love for your hobby. They show and you guys should be honored for being better then companies like ugh... cough cough* Electronic Arts** or others that have such foul business practices these days. Pat on the back Tuesday boys. Keep that positive attitude and those updates rolling boys, we love what you bring us.

[@Prince-William-Wales]

This is brilliant! Thanks Matt!

[@sloppydog4831]

Very impressive. Nice job!

[@jcbak]

Great job, Matt. Thanks.

[@affirmbird1237]

Beautiful datalink Thank you for the update.

[@CHRISXTR3M3GAMING]

I'm usually a negative Nancy when it comes to criticizing your and the rest of the ED team members work; that being said, I am truly impressed and thankful for all the hard work that is put forth for us to enjoy the best combat flight simulation a civilian can experience through software. Big kudos to you all. I hope you recover well from your cold. Ginger & cinnamon tea with a squeeze of lime juice, teaspoon of raw honey and half a shot of tequila (if you are of the mindset) will help tons

[@NS-el6rn]

Oh sure, just offhandedly mention that the radar has the fidelity necessary to scan the fan blades in the intake well enough to identify the friggin aircraft like that isn't the most insane/awesome thing in existence... Good god Wags, does nothing impress you anymore?! Seriously excited to put all of this to work tho, thanks for the update video(s)!

[@ScreamingElectron]

The f16 has been doing it for DECADES in falcon :)

[@Nikola16789]

Should I mention that it's just a "cheat code" that pops-up text on your display when various criteria are met (aircraft type, distance, aspect...)? It doesn't really scan fan blades of 3d model in game.

[@ScreamingElectron]

We know

[@Sirrah81]

Great! This will finally give me any idea about whats happening out there :-)

[@Hellreign82]

Just awesome. Top work guys, all there is to it Going to be a different ball game soon :)

[@deathcharge811]

heheheh im waiting on those new videos you're gonna release for the f18 now :D

[@SsgtHolland]

Amazing work! Big leaps now..

[@RedBravo65]

Simply fantastic!

[@krippz7980]

Good update Wags. Feel better.

[@smacman68]

The fact that the radar can look into the intakes and identify the aircraft type based on the blades of the turbine is one of the craziest things I have learned about airborne radar. The F-15E also has that capability. Maybe other aircraft too? I don't know if its a general ability with ALL radars or airframe specific capability. Awesome regardless!

[@GenericAmerican1]

Cool stuff, looking forward to it

[@TheRyno001]

This is a game changer!! Can’t wait

[@buzzfightbeer8023]

Jesus, and I thought the Viper was a complicated first plane to learn. When I first started a few months ago, it was during that kick ass sale they had going where you could try everything out for free and then the modules were all basically half off or more. So I bought the Viper, Hornet, Thunderbolt II, F-5E, FC3 and Harrier. My dream has always been to fly the F-16. I knew it wasn't the easiest but I also knew it wasn't the hardest. Cut to today and I consider myself to be fairly proficient with it. At least the basics and a little more advanced with all systems. But I was flipping between the F-16, Hornet, and A-10 the whole time. I decided at one point to just stick with the F-16 so I could really focus on getting that one aircraft down. Now I am focused on the F-18 and it is considerably more complicated to operate. Even the CMS is unnecessarily complex. I love the quick A/A weapon select system in place that is similar to the F-15's. But then going from the Viper back to the Hornet, the RADAR is just a wholly different animal. Anyway, I absolutely love the module and I'm so glad that ED has put so much effort and time into it and have made it so accurate. It's been a challenge to learn as a newbie. But once you start getting things down and racking up your first kills, it is so worth the time you spend doing it.

[@magnum3192]

Thanks Matt for all your and teams hard work.....Hope you get better soon must be going around my Cat aka Co-pilot has a cold also.

[@Catweedle]

Even on low energy he's full of enthusiasm and pride of his product/-s -- an almost lost virtue in today's (gaming) industry.

[@Eric-ue5mm]

How is that a lost virtue? You want it to be one would be more accurate. lol.

[@TheGalahad78]

Great! This will be a real game changer.

[@kacper8562]

If the hornet is backwards compatible with link 4, are you guys gonna make it so you can link a hornet and a tomcat in the same network in DCS?

[@SteonCZ]

Amazing stuff!

[@OzDeaDMeaT]

Cant wait for this. Thnx Wags :)

[@macedk]

Great video and feel better Wags :)

[@skippersmg]

Sounds and looks amazing. Get well btw 😊 do we have to add something mission editor wise? Or do Aircraft just have to tune in on the same DL channel/freq (127 in this case)? If so, do we get an additional option for AI units to set a specific DL frequency?

[@rinsatomi9527]

Increbidle. Really thinking about getting into this module.

[@rwhunt99]

I got the early release and while I was disappointed there was so much left out, the way they continually release updates allowed me to learn the systems properly which, in the end, will give me greater enjoyment overall. especially for such a fully loaded aircraft. I started out on the A-10c and it was information overload trying to get up and flying not to mention trying to survive, I got depressed and gave it up for a couple years.

[@Fercyful]

Thanks for the video! hope u recover soon

[@MattWagner]

Thanks

[@Pyrocumulous]

14:21 it is indicated that the 2nd line at the bottom right of the SA page is call sign followed by distance. The manual (page 218) says that this is the fuel state for friendly aircraft.

[@adamrasmussen1839]

This is pretty neat. Flying a real jet in combat and managing all this information and systems has to tap on the brink of what the human brain/body can handle. Not too mention the stress that comes with it.

[@MattWagner]

Certainly, and hence the move to data-fusion in 5th gen aircaft like the -22 and -35.

[@EAGLE86X]

Perfectly!

[@williamampuero2841]

Awesome sauce

[@archboyd]

Very nice

[@TriadAgone]

Love the bug! It’s hard choosing whether to fly the bug or the cat now adays

[@delle77twitch63]

Tip..: I recommend to turn on the IFF, it make it much more easy to identify other planes especially if they are not comming directly towards you. Its the button that are 3 buttons to the left of D/L that wags press in start of the video.

[@MattWagner]

Yes, if you start from ground, you must manually turn on the IFF system, just like any other Hornet system.

[@nunyabidness93]

So I uh, just had a total nerdgasm. This here's what I've been waiting for.

[@titan14baseball]

when you talk about "placing a bullseye at waypoint 3", How does this connect to your tutorial? would it be different if you set it at waypoint 4 vs waypoint 3? your tutorials have helped me learn basic hornet knowledge and sharpen my understanding of how it works. im now hooked. thanks for that!

[@MattWagner]

Just shows that waypoint information can be displayed on the SA page, including bulls.

[@JG10rBull]

Nice!

[@Luki82]

very cool...very cool...

[@oneworld9071]

About 5 minutes in, the E-2 and E-3 aircraft were mentioned. I've always wondered about airborne direct threats to them........ they must loiter outside some perimeter---not above--- and/or carry some serious masking gear? If nothing else I've learned herewith the immense role and capability of the Hornet's SA display. As if the combat pilot doesn't already have voluminous amounts of information in their head, they can also monitor every member of their flight simultaneously!?!?! All I can part with is a big thank-you and speculation that Matt's carrying terabytes of information in his head and that's true of EACH aircraft in the DCS fleet :) Preposterous idea of the day: intervention with focus on Matt Wagner's anger issues :) Always yellin' at us :)

[@sedlo]

Awesome sauce! Do you need to set the jets MIDS radios to use a specific channel/frequency that the AWACS is using? Is that editable in the mission editor? Thanks!

[@MattWagner]

Sim Sedlo. Auto-loaded.

[@sedlo]

@@MattWagner Thanks!

[@Swift476]

3:37 i hope you mean 60 chaff and 60 flare

[@MattWagner]

Later.

[@macedk]

@@MattWagner hehe :)

[@Miguel1805]

This video is just great, very nice work! I'm assuming that the BRA shown on the SA page when you put the TDC over a contact is with respect to Bullseye and not ownship? Because the bearings were not making a lot of sense to me.

[@brainfart22]

This is more than I ever hoped to get from the hornet. This is turning into one great investment for me. Will there be any way to set up flights to track wing men on the fly or will that be limited to what we do in the mission editor?

[@DingsGuy]

Thanks for the video, helps makes a complicated system simple to use. If it is possible, if you mention a button that needs to be pressed like the rear sensor or a TDC switch it would be great if you could display in text the name of the switch/button your pressing on screen? That way, ideally, you can run through a an operation like a mode 4 interrogation without having to explain again what buttons you are pressing while the viewer who's new to the system can keep up.

[@hvymtal8566]

As for why you might want to use Link-4, Link-4 is used by the F-14 and other older aircraft such as the F-4, but I suspect and A and B models cannot use Link-16. Considering that both historically and in DCS they will be complimentary aircraft, this will probably become rather useful. The symbology for air-to-air at least is very similar in some aspects to the F-14's TID display, so that will be nice for hopping between F/A-18 and F-14 RIO positions. Check out the F-14 manual for some differences: www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/general.html#tid-data-readouts

[@seancolvin8545]

whoa there was a lot of information there.

[@santi9392]

Nice update, can't wait. Any word on LTWS/TWS coming this wednesday?

[@MattWagner]

Santi. Later in early access.

[@santi9392]

@@MattWagner sounds good, hope you get better soon

[@lacku2677]

Sick! Now I won't friendly fire anymore!

[@104th_spade8]

It seems you've indicated the F-15 as a possible donor to the datalink, but is that AI only or does it also apply to human F-15s in MP? Also I have seen old AI F-18Cs show up on the A-10C SADL, so is/will there be compatibility between those 2 systems?

[@MattWagner]

104th_Spade. The FC3 does not have datalink, so AI. A-10C can broadcast PPLI over L16 gateway.

[@104th_spade8]

@@MattWagner OK, pretty much what I figured on the 15. Thanks!

[@racingsfun]

We need a mig31BM and mig25 aircraft pack combo! To save time make it a Flaming cliffs style please!

[@JETZcorp]

@Rush The MiG-31 should not be underestimated. Of course it's not very good at turning and burning in an 8nm missile fight or, god forbit, a WVR engagement. But what it's really good at is spotting contacts from 100nmi+ away, and sending missiles down range at WAY beyond maximum Amraam range. If the hostile penetrates into Amraam range, it can simply turn around and disengage at will. It had a phased array radar in the 1980s, a cool 20 years before that technology started to become widespread. It also has a fantastic datalink that was ahead of its time, and can guide semi-active missiles (ERs) fired from other aircraft such as an Su-27. Shortly before the SR-71 was retired, six MiG-31s managed to get into missile engagement range of one from six different angles. F-15s could not do something like that, and F-18s damn well couldn't think about it. If flown in such a way as to utilize its strengths, it is an aircraft that really needs to be taken seriously. Imagine something with the weapons range of an F-14, but with a lot more speed and a lot more difficult to fool the radar. That's a mean machine. The MiG-25 would be neat to play with but not very competitive. It doesn't have the radar or the missiles to really tie into it with 4th-gen fighters. The -25 was a paper tiger. The -31 is a real tiger.

[@mari8it]

hi wag is there a plan to improve the displays extraction so to have a more redable external displays? . I found it fondamental in the a10- c in an home cockpit environment like many simmers have and the experience with the fa-18 is so much limited with the poor definition of the actual extracted displays, and all the solution proposed in the ED forum are unusefull .thanks

[@rudelchw]

Hi, may seem a silly question, but how do you change the TDC focus when in A/A mode? For example on 3:22 you change the focus from the Right DDI down to the MPCD while being on A/A mode .. I cant do that, how do you manage to do it? Thanks a lot for the very informative video.

[@TheRealJeff984]

Make sure your "sensor control" are mapped in HOTAS section I just put the corresponding forward, aft, left and right on my arrow keys, and depress on the end key

[@0010eldar]

Hey Matt I know it's probably a dumb question but I don't know how to ask it online, but I don't understand what you mean by "Depress Down" when you did the intero, when I do depress on Attack Radar it locks target as if I want to shoot it, I got the SA page open as well and I don't see the target switch to an enemy.

[@carwyngriffiths]

Happy days

[@DriveFast_FlyHigh]

If we lock up a target in STT, will it automatically do an IFF interrogation and update the SA page, or is it still just using the basic diamond/square indication on the HUD?

[@MattWagner]

As stated, you can manually IFF with either Target Under Cursor (TUC) or STT/L&S.

[@jakubdabrowski3846]

Great tutorial as always! But will all this info be added to the pdf manual?

[@MattWagner]

Yes, once finalized.

[@mariobosnar4535]

Can we change the D/L freq and will the MIDS page be operational with the next update? And thanks for the best simulation ever!!

[@MattWagner]

Later Voice A and B will be added.

[@MattWagner]

F-16C, F/A-18C, F-15E, F-15C, and others have NCTR.

[@joelmulder]

Can you set that wingman information in the plane, or can it only be done via the mission editor?

[@thepacketnarc7634]

I really wish these tutorials went thru from ground up as in 'this isn't already set for you'... Some campaigns / missions on the user files section of the site don't have everything pre-planned and it's difficult to understand where to type in which freq's etc, how to turn on radio vs. the D/L, there's just so much left out and in the 'gaps' that it's really impossible to understand things.

[@NicoMavB]

Hello, Do this (Datalink and SA) will be learnable through the training part of this module in DCS ?

[@MattWagner]

I'll create a training lesson later, once the D/L is final.

[@NicoMavB]

@@MattWagner Ok thanks for your answer, and for your work :)

[@MarioRossi-fd1lq]

How can the NCTR recognize friendly/unfriendly aircrafts if it does not recognize the aircraft's signature? Does it use IFF from radar too? Can it work outside radar coverage?

[@MattWagner]

IFF is based on a coded transponder, NCTR is based on a particuarlar radar return signature.

[@yaqoublewatermelon80]

for some reason i can only see friendlies on my radar in multiplayer, in single player enemies are on my radar soon as i start mission - but in multiplayer i dont seem to know how to get to see enemies...

[@cheemsburbgerlounge7510]

Any word on some carrier stuff? Mainly an LSO being added but what would be really nice as a mission maker is having the ability to place a carrier group without having to make one from scratch

[@rwhunt99]

You can by making a template using the mission editor.

[@cheemsburbgerlounge7510]

@@rwhunt99 or we could just havr the template ED uses. The only templates we have by default that I know of are Patriot and S same sites

[@rwhunt99]

@@cheemsburbgerlounge7510 Actually, what I meant is you only have to make it one time, but I agree, there are many things that should be ready to plop into a mission, like complete SAM systems sites and perhaps a platoon of tanks or armored vehicles.

[@xiaotengli6382]

will be datalink4 by F14 hb display on the hornet SA page?

[@reillybrangan2182]

The F-14 is a Link-4 Aircraft so It should do.

[@xiaotengli6382]

Reilly Brangan thx man

[@rwhunt99]

Does this work with ai flights and is there anything we have to do to get their datalinks? I say this because you have the AWACS, but I don't see any friendly f-18's or f-14's.

[@MattWagner]

Yes, if they are equipped with Link-16. I see AI hornets just fine.

[@dirtyframe2696]

@@MattWagner i was wondering too why any of this does not work but i was using the 2.5 realease version thanks matt for the tipp with the open beta thumbs up for u hope u recorvered from your cold

[@Zarma4074]

Nice video but I didnt understand which button you used for manual IFF mode 4 interrogation. And did we see the TWS mode at 13:28 ???

[@MattWagner]

Zarma4074. Depress sensor select control switch, a new HOTAS function. Incomplete LTWS.

[@Zarma4074]

@@MattWagner Damn my sensor switch is set to the DMS and weapon switch to CMS. Seems I will have to change something. Didnt know the sensor switch could be depressed.

[@Zarma4074]

@@df98156 not sure it's a real feature. Didnt find it in the NATOP where it's said the sensor switch is 4 way only. Maybe an early access feature until we get the automatic IFF ?

[@MattWagner]

Zarma4074. It was added to later Hornets.

[@MattWagner]

Chris L. Thrustmaster Hornet stick will have it.

[@JetPilot747]

I noticed the BRA bearings on the MPCD are not correct but then I guess this has been corrected since there are a lot of fixes relating to BRA in the change log pages. Example: freeze video at 16:52 and note BRA on right MFD is 293/18.5 which looks correct judging from the SA page on the MPCD. On the other hand, the BRA 342/17 on the lower display does not seem correct when you visualize it on the compass rose. Tried this myself and the BRA seems to be correct.

[@MattWagner]

Hi Jet Pilot, this is a rather old video now based on older code. Thanks.

[@Mephistophocles]

Can ground units contribute to the net? Or drones?

[@SimDeck]

Where it says BRA on the bottom right I can only see bearing and range indicated. Where is the altitude figure?

[@MattWagner]

Although the term BRA is used, in the case there is not altitude... just bearing and range.

[@SimDeck]

@@MattWagner Thanks Wags. I presume that data you can get from radar and other sensors. Thanks.

[@GreyMaulkin]

@@SimDeck I was wondering the exact same thing. Thanks for asking and thanks Wags for answering. You can get the alt. from putting the "brackets" over the target on the SA page.

[@couger014]

I saw that a F-15 can be a donor to the network, does this also become available for FC3 players on multiplayer?

[@MattWagner]

No, for AI. FC3 aircraft are simplified for avionics.

[@stephanejulien116]

Hello. I have a question about right DDi radar. Why since a few weeks or months i have much more difficulties to lock or just see my targets in right DDI ? I see them in the SA below but never able to lock them even at 20-40 miles and i set my radar at 4B upper left and even if i try to scan at 140 or 80 below it's not faster to get them locked ??? I never had that issue a few months ago.... Thanks if you can help me...you will help some others pilots in same time !! Steff. (sorry in my english not so good)

[@MattWagner]

It defaults to LTWS and this can be less effective at high azimuth and bar settings. Either turn off LTWS or set bar to 2 and azimuth to 60.

[@harmandeepsingh6598]

Does it work with A-10C Situational Awareness Datalink (SADL) ?

[@azseal]

The Sensor Select Switch Depress keybind is blacked out for my Warthog HOTAS. I am assuming this is the button you press for the IFF interogation?

[@MattWagner]

Try resetting your Hornet input files.

[@azseal]

@@MattWagner Thanks Wags, I use a modified input file and I was updating with the old one when backing up the files. I've revised it and it works great.

[@HPRouth]

Where do you download the JNL file for the MIDS?

[@heavymetalboi]

If we get L16 and a sniper pod we can start doing some sweet ass CAS training

[@HMAnetwork]

Hi Matt, could you please tell us how to get this sort of floating camera view? Is it a 3rd party app?

[@MattWagner]

Floating camera? All views are default in-game views and using Track IR.

[@boisecityplanes]

Are the other two modes coming for HARM this week?

[@MattWagner]

TOO mode this week.

[@boisecityplanes]

@@MattWagner Sweet! Thank you guys.

[@goreoproductions6955]

You OK Wags? You sound sick.

[@MattWagner]

See video description.

[@garyapablazam]

Can you use a Mark (Like MK1 in HSI) in SA Page?

[@danielguerrero4121]

you need a rockin' soundtrack

[@pjhaebe]

Yeah Joy. Now when is the ECM going to be operational????