トレーニング/Training-Guns and Rockets_1111

[1] Welcome to the training flight on the employment of unguided rockets and the GAU-8/A gun against stationary and mobile ground targets. In this lesson, we'll review the HUD indications for gun and rocket employment and then you'll have some range time to try a few strafing runs.


Before taking off, let's configure some settings for the sortie. First, set the IFFCC to TEST mode by right-clicking once so we can setup some gun options.


[2] Use the SEL rocker key to scroll down to the WEAPONS page and press the ENT key to select it.


[3] Now press the ENT key once again to enter the 30mm page.


[4] Press the DATA rocker key to set the AMMO TYPE to CM (Combat Mix), because we are carrying live ammo today. Then scroll down to the MIN ALT setting and use the DATA rocker key again to set the minimum altitude to 500 (feet).


When finished, scroll down to STORE and press ENT to exit this menu. Exit the previous menu using the EXIT line.


[5] You can now set the IFFCC switch back to ON by left-clicking once.


[6] Let's also take a look at the DSMS to review our payload.


Press OSB-14 on the left MFCD.


[7] We are carrying a total of 4 LAU-68 rocket pods. These are loaded on stations 2,3 and 9,10.


Let's adjust some release parameters. Press OSB-1 to enter the Profile Main page.


[8] Press OSB-19 to select the profile and then press OSB-3 to enter the Profile Control page.


[9] Press the OSB-6 rotary to set the release type to RIP PRS. Set the ripple quantity to 3 by using the
"3" key on the UFC, followed by the RIP QTY rotary on OSB-8.


Press OSB-3 to save the profile changes.


[10] Let's now bring up the TAD page for takeoff.


[11] We are ready to proceed with the flight. Take off runway heading for waypoint-2. Climb to 6,000 ft.


[12] Maintain 180 kts in the climb.


[13] Let's set the Master Arm and GUN/PAC switches on the AHCP to ARM.


Be ready for a slight stick-forward input from the flight control system as Precision Attitude Control (PAC) is engaged.


[14] PAC will help keep the aircraft stable when the first stage of the trigger is depressed. This will help minimize pitch and yaw moments during cannon fire and achieve a tighter shot grouping around the gun pipper.


[15] Level off at 6,000 ft. and maintain MAX power for waypoint-2.


[16] Autopilot is ON.


Let's review the HUD indication relevant to gun employment.


If not currently set, make sure the HUD is in GUNS mode by pressing the HOTAS Master Mode button or the M key on the keyboard.


[17] The Gun Bore Line (GBL) cross is displayed above the center of the HUD. This cross represents the longitudinal axis of the gun. You may have to turn slightly off course to see the GBL cross.


The gun ammo type and amount remaining are displayed in the data block of the left corner of the HUD. This currently indicates "CM/1150" for 1150 rounds of Combat Mix.


[18] The A-10C features 4 air-to-ground gunsight reticle options. The default and most informative reticle is the CCIP Gun Reticle, currently displayed on the HUD.


Press the Num* (asterisk) key to zoom in on the HUD for a closer view of the gunsight.


[19] The main features of the CCIP Gun Reticle are the pipper dot in the center of the reticle and the unwinding range bar around the circumference. The four hash marks at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions reference the slant range to the target in thousands of feet. When in range, the range bar unwinds counter-clockwise. For example, if the range bar is at the bottom of the reticle, the slant range in feet is 6,000.


The CCIP Gun Reticle also features a numerical indication of the slant range to target in nautical miles below the reticle. Finally, two Moving Target Index marks inside the reticle indicate the aiming lead required for a moving target traveling at 20 kts in a perpendicular direction to the pipper LOS. These are currently latched to the outside limit of the reticle at 3 and 9 o'clock positions due to the high slant range.


Set your steerpoint for waypoint-3 ("MSN003") and let's head back inland. I'm going to disengage the autopilot so you can make the turn.


[20] Autopilot is OFF. You have control


[21] Autopilot is ON.


Make sure the HUD is set as SOI using the HOTAS Coolie Hat UP (short) command or U on the keyboard.


Press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE-DOWN on the keyboard to switch the gunsight to the CCIP Gun Cross.


[22] The CCIP Gun Cross is a more compact version of the CCIP Gun Reticle. It provides the same aim accuracy, but is less obtrusive on the HUD and does not include the Moving Target Index marks.


Press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE-DOWN on the keyboard again to select the 4/8/12 Gun Reticle.


[23] The 4/8/12 Gun Reticle is a degraded version of the CCIP Gun Reticle. It provides three impact point pippers inside the reticle for the preset ranges of 4,000, 8,000 and 12,000 ft.


Normally, you would only use this gunsight if accurate target elevation data was not available for a CCIP solution.


Press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE-DOWN on the keyboard to select the 4,000 ft. Gun Cross sight.


[24] The 4,000 ft. Gun Cross presets a gun solution for a range of 4,000 ft. Once again, this would normally be used only in cases of inaccurate target elevation data preventing a CCIP solution.


All gunsights will indicate a Minimum Range Cue (MRC) as a triangular index to the right of the reticle when you are within 5 seconds of the minimum altitude set in the IFFCC 30MM menu. If you recall, we set this to 500 ft. The MRC will appear on level with the top of the reticle when you are within 5 seconds of the minimum altitude and move down to be on level with the bottom of the reticle when you are 5 seconds below the minimum altitude.


Press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE-DOWN on the keyboard again to return to the CCIP Gun Reticle.


[25] Let's bring up CCIP mode to review HUD indication used for unguided rockets. Press the HOTAS Master Mode button once or the M key on the keyboard.


[26] Press the HOTAS DMS RIGHT command or PAGE-DOWN on the keyboard to select rockets as the active profile.


[27] The Rocket CCIP Reticle is very similar to the CCIP Gun Reticle, except it will not utilize the Moving Target Index marks. An "RKT" indication is added to the bottom of the reticle to identify this as a rocket sight.


When employing rockets, the HUD continues to display a gun solution using a CCIP Gun Cross sight. This allows you to quickly follow a rocket attack with a gun strafe in the same pass.


Additional indication on the HUD when using rockets includes the Time of Fall (TOF) numeric at the top of the data-block in the bottom-left corner of the HUD. This currently reads "20" for 20 seconds.


Set your steerpoint for waypoint-4 and let's turn toward the range. I'm going to disengage the autopilot so you can make the turn.


[28] Autopilot is OFF. You have control.


[29] Waypoint-4 ("RANGE") is set up over the target range. A number of targets are positioned for rocket and gun fire. Your targets will be marked with smoke markers for each pass.


[30] As we approach the range, bring up the DSMS page on the left MFCD by pressing OSB-14.


[31] Your first target will be a group of stationary trucks setup for a rocket pass on the SW corner of the range array. The target is now marked with RED smoke and you are cleared HOT!


[32] Press OSB-8 and 18 to deselect these stations from the active profile, in case you need a second try.


[33] As you approach to within 4 nm, reduce power and begin to dive toward the target. The range bar will begin to unwind as you fly within weapons range. Keep the pipper on the target and open fire when within 2 nm. Press and hold the trigger to fire the entire ripple quantity.


Do not target fixate! As soon as the attack is complete, pull up and away from the target toward the water and climb to re-gain altitude.


[34] Good hits on those targets! Come off the target West toward the water and climb to 3,000 ft. We'll do a gun pass next.


[35] You failed to hit your target. Climb out and try another pass using stations 3 and 9.


[36] Switch to GUNS mode by pressing the HOTAS Master Mode Button or the M key on the keyboard.


Target-2 will be a group of stationary APCs on the NE corner of the range array. The target is now marked with RED smoke. Roll in on the target and strike down upon it with great vengeance and furious anger!


[37] Good hits on those targets! Climb to 3,000 ft. for a final gun pass against a moving target.


[38] Looks like that was a miss! Try another pass.


[39] Your final target will be a moving group of two vehicles. The target is moving clockwise around the target array. Target position now marked with RED smoke. Cleared HOT!


[40] Good hits on those targets! Climb out to 3,000 ft. and level out.


[41] Looks that like was a miss. Try another pass.


[42] Rockets can also be employed in CCRP mode by designating a SPI over the target using the HUD TDC, the TAD cursor or the TGP. This would allow you to engage from a longer range or even employ a lofting trajectory to reach targets at longer range, but the accuracy of such an attack will be diminished significantly. We'll try using CCRP mode with free-fall and precision-guided munitions instead.


This concludes the training lesson on the use of the gun and unguided rockets against stationary and moving ground targets.