Unlock the Full Potential of Your AV-8B Harrier - Here's How to Use the APKWS

[@TrickerDCS]

Thanks for all the support! Follow along and download the mission! drive.google.com/file/d/1FI3rySfsqJfLE62qzUQOSovqF9fF7ZqO/view?usp=sharing

[@SVTL4799]

Trying to use these while staying above 13-15k to avoid stingers adds an extra little challenge. It’s fun to dip down and fire a couple off and then level out before getting to low. When trying to fire at multiple targets you have to be careful as the later rockets tend to catch up to the earlier fired rockets. You end up with a cluster of 3 rockets hitting the first target instead of hitting all your intended targets.

[@purplepenguin43]

I need to figure out the best launch perimeters to ripple multiple AKPWS and have the longest time possible between hits. i wonder if you fire them at different vertical angles if they take different flight paths with different levels of energy to the target. it also probably depends on when they see the laser, cause if they all see the laser right away they will take the same path, so maybe turning on the laser a bit late? idk, if i test this out i will try to remember to reply here.

[@TrickerDCS]

I find it best to do it in a dive from higher above and way a few seconds between each release. I also start slow and accelerate full throttle to give the extra boost to give separation

[@Frindleeguy]

I find it highly annoying that there are triple rack 500 lb bombs, but no triple rack apkws. It would be much less weight, and does exist (even if it's never used IRL) on other aircraft so it's not a form or function limitation... I just wanna strafe with 84 rockets in my wizard :( (You're a wizard, Harrier...)

[@DraxTheDestroyer]

I think APKWS is an ingenious weapon against anything short of a modern MBT. Love the Harrier content as always 👍

[@keepwalking6041]

to me harrier is a gem, bought loads of planes lately, don't have much time to learn them all, but harrier stands from the crowd.. i would like some frap option to put in multiplayer, so you can launch 30-60 miles from the frontline and you take off stovl with apkws and little bit of fuel, do damage, land, rearm, refuel, go at it again, the increase in sorties definitely outweigs the small load harrier could carry in such situations..

[@DraxTheDestroyer]

@@keepwalking6041 Exactly, so versatile!

[@purplepenguin43]

Tip for the harrier if you select MAPM (right MFD, right side) and then Color on the bottom row you can change the symbology color to be more readable, i like dark blue. another tip is to bind TOO and UFC enter to hotas keys so you don't have to take hands off the stick when using the TGP, i use modkey+trigger first stage and modkey+ trigger second stage so to make a TOO mark all i have to do is hold down my modifier button and full squeeze the trigger and i can rapid fire TOO points. I love the harrier its just so user friendly, and razbam does a great job with the quality of life features of their modules, cant wait for strike eagle. excellent video as always tricker, and if you could do a video on how to use the 9line JTAC and F10 features in the harrier that would be amazing, i always forget how ever time i fly.

[@TrickerDCS]

Great tips. I’m not a big fan of the blue but I know a lot of people use. Thanks for commenting

[@BK45AUS]

@@TrickerDCS I like the MapM button, Left MFD, then the LMFD R3 or R4 has MAP, removes map and makes it similar to the SA screen in the 18.

[@TrickerDCS]

@@BK45AUSYah it’s a nice feature!

[@lionelbowhunter468]

Better and better! Harrier content love it! Thx tricker :)

[@maikchaos]

It would have been worth mentioning that you should first look up the laser code of the rockets on the kneeboard before entering. You can only change the codes for the rockets on the ground. Entering a code that you would like to have during the flight does not work.

[@jacobhunter6891]

10:04 That launch is so satisfying

[@pinkfloyd7572]

Another good video. Easy to understand and some nice tips. Subscribed!

[@TrickerDCS]

I listen to Pink Floyd when I make the videos

[@VonHoffnung]

APKWS for the win

[@ColonelAkirNakesh]

APKWS are magic. They'd be so rad in an F-5 with a JTAC.

[@krystian0128]

Closest you can get is perhaps the JF-17 with its laser guided hydras, tons of fun imo

[@jasons9564]

"Always play with it." -Tricker Wise words.

[@TrickerDCS]

😜

[@racingtheweb]

I didn't know that I can fire an APKWS about 5 km away, I thought I had to be closer (2-3 km at max). Thank you.

[@ColonelAkirNakesh]

Even better, I think he was using nautical miles, so that is even more km for you 😊

[@TrickerDCS]

Yep about 5 nm if you’re low

[@Hairysteed]

Everytime you say "fire the laser" I can't help but think about Frau Farbissina yelling "FIRING THE LASEEEEEEER!!!!!" 😜

[@Plydrms]

I really enjoy your content, thanks. Have you noticed that new versions of the Harrier can't hover at the same weight anymore? It has to be very light to hover, needing H2O and at the engine limits. Maybe it was overpowered before, but it seems like they reduced it too much. Your thoughts?..thanks-

[@TrickerDCS]

I haven’t flown the harrier much in the last few months but I’ll give it a whirl!

[@kilianortmann9979]

I love the Harrier with APKWS, the Jeff also has it's own version, equally as fun.

[@Britchot]

I'm a fan of two bags and an AAR from Incirlik en route to the AO on GrayFlag. Yet another awesome video for the Harrier, thank you!

[@TrickerDCS]

Yah that’s a good loadout for sure, drink that gas baby

[@jacobdoolan4978]

Do you need the bags on the harrier? I’m looking to trial it

[@Britchot]

Really depends on how far you plan to fly. From a FARP, FOB, or the Tarawa just offshore, then no. GrayFlag has some that require long transits and I sometimes enjoy the trip.

[@ElHyperion]

Just started learning the Harrier after getting bored by how slow the A-10C is and because the Tarawa is sometimes much closer to the target area. Glad I can do the same pounding as with the A-10C with the APKWS, it's just too bad you cannot load more rocket bays on a single pylon.

[@jjsemperfi]

What do you use for TPOD Zoom? Seems like most bindings I try zoom for too long. As in it’ll go from 1x to 3.5x with one press of a hat switch.

[@YlmazDALKIRANscallion]

Thank you so much!

[@gansior4744]

They always looked like a cool system to use

[@Tigermoto]

God man I love the APKWS and I wholeheartedly agree they should be in more things. Just a note though, the description is incorrect. they're called Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System. Goofiest acronym ever but there we are.

[@TrickerDCS]

Hah, can’t believe I mistyped that, thank you

[@XTango01]

What cammo is that blue and green?

[@OjitosArt]

Can you make a video about making ripple with JDAM? I did the method that you said in your last video but it doesn't work, idk if im doing it bad or they change it again

[@TrickerDCS]

Interesting; I did this on stream the way I usually do it and it worked 100%

[@OjitosArt]

@@TrickerDCS Hmmmm... what happened to me is that all the JDAMs went to the same place despite the fact that I assigned the objectives with the TOO and then selected them to be able to shoot 8 in a row, but they all went to the same place. I don't quite understand why

[@TrickerDCS]

@@OjitosArt Are you sure you hit TDC Action at the start of the procedure to make sure the TPOD was in TPOD DESIGNATE? If not then you will be assigning the same coordinates to all the TOO markpoints.

[@OjitosArt]

@@TrickerDCS I think i did it, but im gonna try it later watching your video at the exact time. Maybe i did that part wrong

[@TrickerDCS]

@@OjitosArt yah let me know

[@psvialli]

Many thanks never used them before and now Love them so thanks for the tutorial , keep them coming ! - one Quick Question - how do i go back to my WP - as it keep cycling through t1 - t3 no idea how to get it back to my Waypoints - thanks

[@TrickerDCS]

Press waypoint increment long and on the ODU you will see WP. Enter the WP you wanna go to and you can cycle between them again.

[@psvialli]

@@TrickerDCS That done the trick many thanks indeed !

[@corvobatarin6785]

Is it required to set a target waypoint or should you be able to just fire the laser and aim roughly in the area with the APKWS?

[@TrickerDCS]

No it’s not required. I do this in case I’m dumb and hit a button I’m not supposed to and then you lose track with the TPOD. Always nice to have it there in case you do something bad

[@corvobatarin6785]

@@TrickerDCS Hm, then I'm doing something else wrong. I checked the laser code and whether the laser was firing, but the rockets still went all over the place...

[@TrickerDCS]

@@corvobatarin6785 are you sure your laser matches with the laser or the apkws rockets? Check the laser codes on both

[@corvobatarin6785]

@@TrickerDCS should be, I set the code like you showed in this video. I'll have another look at how to handle the TPOD, and the LMAV, cant get that to work rn either. But its good to know that it should work in theory!

[@TrickerDCS]

@@corvobatarin6785 also make sure the TPOD page says laser and you are firing it

[@harrysmith1986]

Hi, have you tried this recently, I can't get my rockets to launch? Maybe a bug currently, only happens what I'm mavs or other weapons at the same time. Rockets only seems to work.

[@jared9191]

and boom goes the dynamite

[@danielservin5226]

Wow!

[@hernzo9798]

What are these ? Like aerial HIMARS

[@falcon1204]

They are normal HIDRA rockets but with a nasty laser spot tracker and fins to turn them into low cost precision weapons. Really cool for taking out multiple vehicles if there is not SAMS in the area. Also not very effective for MBT, they are better suited for BMP, trucks, artillery... although perfectly capable of getting a tactical kill on a MBT

[@hernzo9798]

@@falcon1204 ah Kay fascinating gotta give ‘‘em a crack when I’m in the harrier . 🙂

[@wraith444]

What's the furthest you've ever managed to reach with one of these? I've managed to get hits from 7 miles but that was firing from pretty high and fast.

[@purplepenguin43]

i've hit at 6nm, the lasers in DCS have a max range of i think ~13nm and some weapons have their batterys simulated and some don't, if APKWS has enough battery power and you can calculate the ballistic arc and get the right launch i dont see why you couldn't hit something at 12-13nm. i know with the Sidearms ARMs you can arc them at about 20-30nm and the big sidewinder wings kind of let it glide into the target. works pretty well as long as their arnt any hills as they end up coming in pretty low to the ground.

[@DamplyDoo]

Growing up I always thought the harrier wasn't fast, couldn't dogfight,etc.... Was I wrong

[@TrickerDCS]

VIFF baby

[@the88tench3]

@@TrickerDCS So much stuff you can do with the nozzles, I like turning them 20-30 degrees to decrease turn radius, or when hitting the merge climb, slam the nozzles round, kick the rudder in and instantly reverse on your opponent!

[@purplepenguin43]

23-0 and subsonic :)

[@keizarinaldi5591]

12 unit arleigh burke class 2 unit zumwalt class 5 unit Kolkata class 2 unit horizon class 2 unit daring class 1 unit atago class

[@Lovi07]

"it bugs out" is the phrase most used concerning the harrier i think. its insane to me that ED put out the A10C like 10 years ago or something and it still feels so solid and reeks of quality meanwhile the harrier is still the same buggy mess as it was on EA release...even though its out of EA now...even though it has no manual...

[@MarcosDelgado-e3x]

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