How to release a single chaff without EWS Program config?
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Hey folks,
i wanted to remap my HOTAS and was playing around with the EWS-Programs. I’m only using “SLAP switch (ECM-Pgrm #5)” to release both, chaffs and flares and config that by DTC load. Now i was wondering about releasing chaffs/flares manually by separate keymaps and found following in the control setup:
CKPIT: Drop Chaff (non EWS AC) CNTRL + ,
CKPIT: Drop Flare (non EWS AC) CNTRL + .Now i wanted to map these to my HOTAS in addition to EWS-Programs to react more flexible on a widespread amount of threats. But the Problem is, that both release only a single flare, none of these keymaps releases chaffs. Is this just me and my installation is ****ed up, or is this a bug? Or is there any other chance to release chaffs besides the EWS-Pgrms?
P.S. if it’s a bug, sry for the horrible bug report.
Thanks a lot,
VpR
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I know simdropchaff and simdropflare work for non EWS aircraft. Like an F-4.
They’re legacy callbacks probably not supported by the Viper because that’s not how it works in real life.I map program #1 to release one chaff
And #2 for one flareSlap switch for oh shit moments dumps 5 flares and a couple chaff. I made it the space bar. Sort of analogous to the real-life slap switch, a big button to mash with your fist in an emergency
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In BMS bypass mode drops one of each type per run, no flare if you turn off the flare dispenser first. That would do it.
If you want a single chaff dispense with any regularity you should make one of the six programs just a single chaff.
In the F-16 the legacy EWS commands just do the same thing as CMS forward so there’s no way to cheat the system to get legacy behavior out of the F-16.
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VpR, I do it somewhat like gza, except I set up program 1 as one chaff, and program 6 as one flare. That way, CMS forward gives one chaff, and CMS left gives one flare. I also set up the Slap Button (program 5) to another HOTAS button, and P 5 is set up as a multi chaff/flare panic button
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Hmm now that I think about it, seems programs 1 to 4 were meant to be designed each with some threat or situation in mind since that would be automatically deployed if you were in CMDS AUTO mode.
I think the slap switch makes sense as the “panic button”
So then what’s the idea behind Program 6 ? (CMS left)
I wonder what the real doctrine for each program would be in real life. Does anyone know the real theory behind them? Or is it much more complex IRL. I did a search but I mostly found people speaking about their personal preferences.
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Common use of 6 is a few flares for at the merge IRCM.
It’s more complex IRL in the sense that in the normal operating modes CMs ignore the EWS programs completely to do something which the computer figures out from the RWR situation, including interleaving the jammer and CMs in an intelligent way. The behavior that we know as manual is actually what bypass does, bypassing the automatic logic to do the 4 programs as they are entered.
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Ah ok, it’s not meant to be functional in EWS AC’s…I was just wondering because mapping these keys work (for the C Hornet), but they both release flares.
Exactly that was the idea behind it, using slap switch as some kind of panic button (5 flares, 7 chaff) and defeat single ID’ed missiles without wasting too much countermeasures. I think i’m gonna do it like you guys do, that sounds like some reasonable solutions.
Thanks a lot for your help and best regards
VpR
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Common use of 6 is a few flares for at the merge IRCM.
It’s more complex IRL in the sense that in the normal operating modes CMs ignore the EWS programs completely to do something which the computer figures out from the RWR situation, including interleaving the jammer and CMs in an intelligent way. The behavior that we know as manual is actually what bypass does, bypassing the automatic logic to do the 4 programs as they are entered.
Interestning. But how do you drop flares in normal mode IRL? IIRC most F-16 has no MWS, so RWR is good for chaff but what about flares? RWR cannot help you with selecting proper flare sequence as it cannot detect IR missiles…
In DCS A-10C you have semi mode that selects a proper program for you by using information from MWS and RWR.
In BMS i usually keep slap switch for some flares, its mostly for manpads and dogfight. Its very good idea to have slap switch tied to flares, but dropping a single flare makes not too much sense as its usually not enough and you have to press slap switch many times. Its much better to program some quick sequence of dropping 3-4 flares in short intervals, then based on combat situation you can press it once or more times.