Where to Position the Initial Point?
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Hello,
The original Falcon 4.0 manual shows the following on page 27-9: “All IPs should be 8-15 miles from the target”. How do we apply this when dropping JSOW, SDB, or HARMS from standoff ranges? Here is what I am currently doing for each weapon type:
JSOW - IP at 20 miles for release at 25,000 feet
SDB - IP at 30 miles for release at 25,000 feet
HARM - IP at 60 miles (theoretical max range as shown on the HUD range scale) for release at 25,000 feet. Although I never actually get this distance unless I fly higher and risk exposing my contrails.
I also use the PPT steerpoint “Initial IP” to mark these locations. I then drop my bombs and proceed to the egress point.
Is this how it’s done in the real F-16? How are you all doing this?
Thank you!
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the initial point for the F-16 stems from the need to update the INS accuracy just prior to dropping dumb bombs. You would have a visual or radar landmark as part of the last leg into the target, 5 to 20 miles depending on a few factors. Crossing this landmark, you update the INS so that the waypoint is over the actual landmark, and rest assured that your target should be under the corresponding waypoint.
Not really as relevant for precision guided munitions, with GPS aided accuracy. I personally find it helpful for any low or medium altitude drops, to have an initial point that is no more than 20 miles from the target area, which marks a boundary for me - any problems before I cross the initial point, for a non time critical mission, I just reset until those problems are dealt with. Problems past the initial point, have to be dealt with either on ingress for serious problems, or on egress for lesser problems - emergencies sometimes forcing an abort. Its basically a mindset for me, as I dont often fly with a human wingman.
If you have a non AI partner to fly with, it can be useful to set up an initial point as part of your game plan, depending on what you are doing. If you think of the IP as being the last step before weapons release, at the least its a marker for you to get into the air to ground mindset - have all checks done by this point, no air contacts over the target or within 40 miles, AGMs powered up, systems ready to go for the pass, etc.
As to how the concept of initial points applies to Viper pilots with the luxury of PGMs, I couldnt say.
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I have a question on steerpoint names on the DED. For example i’ve seen videos where the IP is actually called IP rather than just STPT on the DED when selecting that steerpoint. Also for the target steerpoint(s) in this video i watched it has TGT on the DED…how can i make my DED display these rather than every steerpoint just called STPT on the DED?
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If you mode select VIP, the steerpoint will be named " IP" .
If you mode select VRP, your target steerpoint will be named “TGT”.
BTW BlueWolf is spot on. IP is best placed at 15-20 nm from the target. -
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If you mode select VIP, the steerpoint will be named " IP" .
If you mode select VRP, your target steerpoint will be named “TGT”.
BTW BlueWolf is spot on. IP is best placed at 15-20 nm from the target.I just did as you said and it didnt work. Tried it in the LGB training mission where steer 6 is the IP and steer 7 is the target and after mode selecting VIP and VRP, both still display STPT 6 and STPT 7 on the DED…something i missed?
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I just did as you said and it didnt work. Tried it in the LGB training mission where steer 6 is the IP and steer 7 is the target and after mode selecting VIP and VRP, both still display STPT 6 and STPT 7 on the DED…something i missed?
Ok
I will make you a list of things to check. Be aware that if one of the following checks out false, you will not have the desired outcome. Just a heads up that you cannot have both VIP/VRP modes “active” at the same time.- Make sure you have mode selected VIP or VRP (VIP/VRP is in reverse video)
- Make sure the STP number in the VIP / VRP page is the correct one
- Make sure, your currently selected STP matches the VIP/VRP page STP
- The the VIR/VRP range OR elevation fields will need a value > 0