User Guide

Selected Weapon Indicator. The name of the current weapon selected with W appears in the lower

left corner of the HUD, just to the right of the Weapons Remaining indicator (see below). The

weapons are: “GBU-15,” “AGM-65D,” “AIM-9J,” “AIM-9M,” “AIM-120,” “MK82,” “MK20,”

“DURANDAL,” “VULCAN,” and “LAU3.”

Weapons Remaining Indicator. The weapons of the selected type remaining on the plane are

displayed just to the left of the Selected Weapon indicator, in the lower left corner of the HUD. Note

that the total number of rockets in all pods on the plane is displayed here, rather than the number

of rocket pods remaining.

In-Range Indicator. “IN RNG” will appear on the HUD in the lower left corner, just below the

Selected Weapon and Weapons Remaining indicators, if your target is in the effective range of the

selected weapon. If the selected weapon is a “smart” air-to-ground weapon (GBU-15 or AGM-65D)

the “IN RNG” indicator will appear only if the weapon is capable of maneuvering to hit the selected

target.

Targeting. When you designate a target (using T), a box will appear around it. (If you accidentally

cycle past a target using T, sT will reverse your order through the list.) If an “X” is drawn

through the box, the target is friendly (transmitting a friendly IFF signal). If the designated target

moves outside the field of view of the HUD, a “diamond-x” symbol will take the place of the target

box. The diamond-x will always be along the edge of the HUD closest to the target. You can turn

towards the symbol to line up the target in your sights again. If, however, the box and the diamond-

x symbol disappear, you have lost the radar lock on your target.

If you are in effective range for the weapon system selected, “IN RNG” will appear on the left side of

the HUD just below the airspeed tape.

Dogfight (DGFT). Dogfight mode allows you to target rapidly maneuvering airborne objects with the

M261 20mm Vulcan cannon. The cannon is fixed in traverse and elevation (affixed to the frame of

the plane), so to aim it you must turn the plane. The real magic is in the cannon predictor gunsight.

The predictor gunsight places the sight reticle (or pipper) on the HUD in a position such that if the

pipper were to cross the enemy plane as the cannon were firing, the shells would hit the target. To

get this calculation, you must designate the target. The predictor gunsight then reads the radar

data to compute the target’s speed and vector relative to the firing plane’s speed, vector, range and

the time of flight of the shells. Since this sight automatically computes lead, there is no need to lead

your target with it. Just put the pipper on the target, squeeze off a burst and you should hit, if your

target continues in a straight line.

The sight reticle is a circle with a dot in the middle. The broad ring around the circle shows the

range to the designated target. Each tick mark on the circle indicates 1000 feet. The Vulcan’s

effective range against aerial targets is about 1 nautical mile (6000 feet). Your closing rate should be

around 0, meaning that you are flying at the same speed as your target.

Short Range Missile (SRM). SRM mode is used to aim IR-seeking missiles, like the AIM-9J and -9M

Sidewinders. When you select SRM mode, a roving diamond appears on the HUD representing the

seeker head of the missile. A Target Aspect Angle circle appears in the center of the HUD. This circle

is centered and non-mobile in the HUD. A caret (>) rides around the circle showing the target aspect

angle. For example, if the caret is at the bottom of the circle, the target is heading straight away

from you. If it is on the right side, the target is headed across your course from right to left.

If you have a sound card installed, you should hear a tone that represents the search mode of the

seeker head. The tone will rise and become more rapid if you have a lock. When you radar-designate

a target, the diamond will drift over to it and follow it as long as the seeker head can retain lock.