DCS GUIDE

A-10C WARTHOG
By Chuck
LAST UPDATED: 08/08/2016

1
TABLE OF CONTENT
• PART 1 – INTRODUCTION & TRAINING STRUCTURE PART 10 – OFFENCE: WEAPONS & ARMAMENT
• PART 2 – CONTROLS SETUP PART 11 – DEFENCE: RWR AND COUNTERMEASURES
• PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES PART 12 – RADIO TUTORIAL
• PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE PART 13 – AUTOPILOT
• PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION & TAKEOFF PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS LANDING
• PART 6 – LANDING PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING
• PART 7 – ENGINE MANAGEMENT PART 16 – OTHER RESOURCES
• PART 8 – UNDERSTANDING HOW SYSTEMS WORK
• PART 9 – UNDERSTANDING HOTAS

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 RTFM, or “Read The F*cking Manual”, is probably one of the most commonly used expressions in DCS… especially when the Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt
II “Warthog” is involved.

SETUP
INTRODUCTION These four letters represent what I hate the most about the flight sim community. “RTFM” is what you say to someone who asks for help when you want to get rid
of him. The philosophy behind this is that experienced pilots expect new guys to do their homework before they ask questions, since 99 % of the time the answer
will lie somewhere in the 671 pages long manual.

Is it fair? Yes and no. Some people genuinely dislike training new guys: it is a demanding task, it takes a lot of time and patience, and you need a structured approach
and exceptional communication skills to keep it somewhat interesting. On the other hand, giving a complex answer to someone who does not have a basic
understanding of aircraft systems may be a futile exercise. Sometimes, it is about ego: why would I give a new guy the answer when I had to read through the whole
bloody manual to know this stuff?
PART11––CONTROLS

Whatever the reason, I think that the “RTFM” philosophy only works with someone who already has a background in aviation and is already aware of what he needs
to know to fly the aircraft. I believe that someone who has little to no background in aviation needs a little more handholding. There’s nothing wrong with that: real
life Warthog pilots are trained for weeks before they earn their wings. I don’t expect you to reach that level of proficiency. After all, flight simulation is not a full-time
job: it is just a hobby.

The Warthog manual is a terrific resource, but it is a long, tedious and dry read. It is easy to feel discouraged and give up on the A-10C. I can’t tell you how many
people I know who bought the A-10C, and realized with horror that they had to go through a huge paper brick to be able to do anything. Where to start? What is
important? Is everything relevant? Can I skip some parts? Why do I need to learn this or that? All these questions overwhelm the majority of newcomers who give
up and let the A-10 gather dust on their hard drive, cursing the Flight Sim gods for their cruelty and the 40 bucks that went down the drain.

Therefore, I decided to create this guide to help the average Joe to be able to operate the Hog to a decent level. The structure of this document is how I would give a
course to someone who starts from scratch. Follow the guide section by section, and you should be able to know how to set up your controls, how the aircraft
systems work, how to operate your machine, how to use your weapons, how to navigate and how to stay alive.

I highly recommend that you fly the A-10C with a Thrustmaster Warthog throttle and HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-and-Stick). It’s expensive (550 bucks, yikes!), but for
an aircraft like the Warthog with so many switches… it is a necessity more than a nice-to-have. In my opinion, it is an investment that is completely worth it if you
are interested in flight sims since the quality and craftsmanship are top notch, and it just makes your life so much easier. You can fly the A-10C with a normal
PART

joystick, but be aware that you will have a LOT (read: shit-ton) of key bindings to remember. So, just remember… stay calm, don’t panic, we’ll go through it together.

We will first see what controls you will be playing with and a general layout of the cockpit. After, we’ll see how to choose your loadout, fire up the aircraft, takeoff,
fly and navigate. We’ll get to know some fancy acronyms, see a couple of systems and how they work. Once you have all that unsavoury stuff crammed into your
brain, we’ll blow some stuff up (yay!), see how not to end up in a smoldering pile of ashes and how to get back on the ground in one piece.

Still awake? All right, let’s get to it, shall we? 3

 HOTAS: “Hands On Throttle-And-Stick”
PART 21 – CONTROLS SETUP CONTROLS SETUP

Zoom In Slow: L_Shift+TMS UP

Zoom Out Slow: L_Shift+TMS DOWN
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 PART 21 – CONTROLS SETUP
CONTROLS SETUP

5
PART 21 – CONTROLS SETUP CONTROLS SETUP
ASSIGNING PROPER AXIS IS IMPORTANT. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF TIPS.
NOTE: IN YOUR CONTROLS, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR “TRIM” CONTROLS SINCE THE DEFAULT VERSION OF THE GAME HAS YOUR TRIM HAT SET TO
CHANGING YOUR VIEW RATHER THAN TRIM THE AIRCRAFT. SINCE MOST OF YOU ARE PROBABLY EQUIPPED WITH A TRACKIR ALREADY, I SUGGEST YOU MAKE
SURE THE TRIM HAT SWITCH IS SET UP PROPERLY.

TO ASSIGN AXIS, CLICK ON

AXIS ASSIGN. YOU CAN
ALSO SELECT “AXIS
COMMANDS” IN THE
UPPER SCROLLING MENU.
TO MODIFY CURVES AND
SENSITIVITIES OF AXES,
CLICK ON THE AXIS YOU
WANT TO MODIFY AND
THEN CLICK AXIS TUNE

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PART 2 – CONTROLS SETUP CONTROLS SETUP
BIND THE FOLLOWING AXES:

• PITCH (DEADZONE AT 0, SATURATION X AT 100, SATURATION Y AT 100, CURVATURE AT 0)

• ROLL (DEADZONE AT 0, SATURATION X AT 100, SATURATION Y AT 100, CURVATURE AT 0)
• RUDDER (DEADZONE AT 0, SATURATION X AT 100, SATURATION Y AT 100, CURVATURE AT 0)
• THROTTLE BOTH – CONTROLS ENGINE RPM
• WHEEL BRAKE LEFT / RIGHT
• HOTAS SLEW HORIZONTAL / VERTICAL – CONTROLS YOUR TGP (TARGETING POD) ORIENTATION

• NOTE: TO TURN ON THE GROUND, MAKE SURE NOSEWHEEL STEERING IS ENGAGED (GREY NOSEWHEEL
STEERING BUTTON ON YOUR HOTAS, WHERE YOUR PINKY FINGER SHOULD BE)

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PART 2 – CONTROLS SETUP CONTROLS SETUP

USE THIS PIN TO SEPARATE OR

LINK LEFT AND RIGHT THROTTLES
TOGETHER.

LOCK MOVES SIDEWAYS

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
Windshield
rain remove/wash
Canopy De-Fog Control
Bleed Air Control
Windshield de-fog/de-ice
Pitot Heat

Cabin Pressure Altitude

Cabin Air Conditioning Controls

Formation Lights Brightness Control

Anti-Collision Lights ON/OFF

AAP: Auxiliary Avionics Panel Auxiliary Instruments Lights

Brightness Control

Accelerometer & Compass

Light Switch
TACAN Operation and Control Panel
Nose Floodlight &
Nose Illumination
Switch

Lighting Control
ILS: Instrumented Landing System Control Panel Panel

Console Light
Signal Lights Brightness Control
Switch
HARS: Heading and Attitude Reference Systems Control Panel
Engine Instruments Flight Instruments
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Lights Brightness Flood light brightness Light Brightness
Position Lights switch
PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
Emergency Oxygen Lever
Oxygen Flow Indicator
Oxygen Supply Pressure (PSI)

Oxygen Supply
Lever ON/OFF

Oxygen Dilution Lever

Oxygen Quantity Indicator (L)

Oxygen Indicator Test Switch

CDU: Control Display Unit

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
CMS: Countermeasures Panel

Canopy Switch

Boarding Ladder Button

Canopy Jettison Handle

APU Generator

AC Instrument Inverter

Emergency Flood Lights

CAUTION light panel

Battery Switch

AC Generators

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
Hydraulic System
Engine ITT: Interstage Engine Fan Speed (RPM) Pressure Gauges
Turbine Temperature (deg C) Engine Core Speed (x1000 psi)
(RPM) Fuel Flow Indicator
(pounds per hour PPH)

Fuel Indicator
(lbs x 1000)

Fuel Indicator
APU EGT (Exhaust Gas Test Switch
APU RPM (%)
Temperature) Indicator (deg C)

Fuel Quantity Display Selector

Engine Oil Pressure Indicator (PSI) 12
Internal/Main/Wing/External Wing/External Centerline
 Fire Extinguisher Discharge Switch

PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES

Vertical Velocity (x1000 ft/min)

Altimeter (ft) Right MFCD Mode Right MFCD (Multi-Function Color

Day/Night/OFF Display)
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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES

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 UFC (Up Front Controller)

PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES Left Engine Fire Extinguisher

Right Engine Fire Extinguisher

APU Fire Extinguisher

CMSC ( Countermeasures Set Control)

Gun ARMED and

Nosewheel Steering
Indicators

Vertical Velocity (x1000 ft/min)

Altimeter (ft)

RWR: Radar Warning Receiver Airspeed Indicator (x100 kts) ADI: Attitude Director Indicator)
White needle: Current airspeed
Hashed needle: Max airspeed 15
Yellow index: max flap & gear extension speed (200 kts)
 UHF Radio Frequency Repeater Range to selected Steer Point or

PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES

TACAN station (nautical miles)
Course Selector Indicator

HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator)

NMSP/NIMSIP: NAVIGATION MODE SELECT PANEL

a) HARS (Heading Attitude Reference System)
b) EGI (Embedded GPS INS)
c) TISL (Target Identification Set Laser)
d) TCN (TACAN)
e) ILS (Instrumented Landing System)
f) STR PT (Steer Point) – Course Deviator Indicator (CDI) on the
Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) operates in relationship to a
steer point.
Clock g) ANCHR (Anchor Point / Bullseye) – HSI and Attitude Director
AOA (Angle of Attack) Indicator (ADI) needles will point to the Anchor Point (Bullseye).
Indicator • HARS and EGI send data to HUD, ADI and HSI and cannot be used
at the same time. HARS is usually used as a backup system to EGI.
• TISL, TACAN and ILS use beacons and stations to navigate to and
cannot be used at the same time.

TISL Mode Selector

OFF/CAGE/DIVE/ TISL Altitude Above Target Indicator
LVL NAR/LVL WIDE/ (x1000 ft)

TISL slant range selection

ENTER / OVER TEMP / BITE (test) / TRACK OVER 10 nm/5-10 nm/UNDER 5 nm

TISL slant range selection

TISL code select (what system searches
OVER 10 nm/5-10 nm/UNDER 5 nm
for entered laser code)
TISL/BOTH/AUX
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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES

CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
Jettison All External stores (except
Targeting Pod and ECM pods)

Left MFCD (Multi-Function Color Display)

Left MFCD Mode

Day/Night/OFF
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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES Landing Gear Indicator Light
Anti-Skid Switch
Downlock Solenoid
Override Button

Landing Lights
Switch Master Arm Switch
ARM/SAFE/TRAIN GUN/PAC ARM
TV Function (Not functional)

Video Selector TV/HUD AHCP (Armament

(Not Functional) HUD Control Panel)

LASER ARM

TGP (Targeting Pod)

power switch

Seat Height
Adjustment Flaps Indicator SAI: Standby Attitude Indicator

HUD modes
Normal/Standby

ALT SCE HUD modes

Day/Night
Landing Gear
Lever
IFFCC (Integrated Flight & Fire Control Computer)
TEMS (Turbine Engine HARS Fast Erect 19
CICU (Central Interface
Monitoring System) Switch (corrects HARS errors) JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System)
Control Unit)
PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
Refueling & Indexer Light Brightness

Night Vision Imaging

System (NVIS) Control Transfer fuel from external wing tanks
Crossfeed Switch
Transfer fuel from external fuselage tank
Internal Fuel Tank Gate
Open/Close Exterior Lighting Brightness
(used to help during aerial refueling)
Wing boost pumps
Signal Amplifier Switch
(not functional)
Weapon Station
Dimmer (Not
Functional) Fuel Line Check
(not functional)

HARS/SAS Override
Air Refueling Control Lever
Signal Light Test (open/close refueling port slipway door)
Main boost pumps
Fire Detect Bleed Air Leak
Test Fill Main Tank Disable (used when Fill Wing Tank Disable (used when
battle damage is sustained) battle damage is sustained)

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 SAS (Stability Augmentation System)

PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES

SAS (Stability Augmentation System) PITCH ENGAGE
YAW ENGAGE
Lights Switch (On left throttle)

Microphone
Engine Flow Switches
Airbrakes Control NORM: No exceeding ITT is possible
OVERRIDE: Exceeding ITT is possible
Boat Switch
Engine Operate Switches
China Hat Switch
IGN: Manual Engine Ignition
NORM: Normal Engine Ignition
MOTOR: Purge Engine Combustion Chamber

APU Starter Switch

Takeoff Trim Control Button (Auxiliary Power Unit)

Monitor Test Switch (Not Functional)

Yaw Trim Control Knob Throttle Friction Control

Flaps Control
Landing Gear Warning Silence Switch

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) Panel

LASTE (Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement)

Control Panel
a) EAC: Enhanced Attitude Control
b) Radar Altimeter
c) Autopilot Mode Select
• PATH: Keep current flight path
• ALT/HDG: Keep current altitude + heading
• ALT: Keep current bank angle and altitude
d) Autopilot Engage/Disengage

AN/ARC-186(V) VHF AM Radio #1 Control Panel

AN/ARC-164 UHF Radio Control Panel

Emergency Flight Control Panel

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PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
INTERCOM Control Panel
(selects which radio your microphone is speaking to)

Stall Warning Controls

IFF Antenna
Control

UHF Antenna
Control

EGI HAVEQUICK TIME

OF DAY SELECT SWITCH
(NOT FUNCTIONAL) AN/ARC-186(V) VHF FM Radio #2
Control Panel

Arm Ground Safety

KY-58 Secure Voice Control Panel (not
Override Switch
functional)
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Anti-G Suit Test Valve
PART 3 – COCKPIT & GAUGES
NIGHT VISION GOGGLES
ON/OFF: RSHIFT + H
BRIGHTNESS + : RCTRL + RSHIFT + H
BRIGHTNESS - : RALT + RSHIFT + H

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 1. Battery - ON
3

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

2. Inverter – STBY 2
3. Emergency Flood Lights – ON (if
1
doing a night operation)
4. AC Generators – PWR
5. Hold Signal Lights Lamp Test
switch and confirm that caution
light panel is functioning
6. Oxygen – ON
7. Hold OXY IND TEST switch and 8
confirm that warning message for 4
LOW OXY is displayed and 9
audible
8. Hold Test Fuel Indicator switch to
confirm fuel indicator is working
properly
9. Close Canopy by holding the
canopy switch (or pressing
LCTRL+C) 11
5
10. Right click to set VHF AM Radio
#1 (a) to TR (transmit-receive),
11
UHF radio to MAIN (b) and VHF
FM Radio #2 (c) to TR (transmit-
receive). Set proper radio
frequencies as required.
11. Boost pumps for MAIN and WING
10b
tanks - ON 6

7
10c

25
10a
 12. APU switch – START

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

13. APU Generator – ON (when APU RPM = 100 %) 15
14. Crank up left engine by moving left throttle from
OFF to IDLE (RALT+HOME). 18
12
Note: On Warthog Throttle, you need to physically
raise/pull up the throttle.
15. Wait until engine spools up to a stabilized core fan
RPM of 60 % when idling on the ground. Monitor
Left Hydraulic system pressure build-up, which
should normalize between 2,800 and 3,350 PSI.
When Master Caution warning sound is heard,
click on “MASTER CAUTION” switch.
16. Crank up right engine by moving right throttle
from OFF to IDLE (RCTRL +HOME).
Note: On Warthog Throttle, you need to physically 15 13
raise/pull up the throttle.
17. Wait until engine spools up to idle settings as
shown in step 15).
18. APU Generator – OFF/RESET
19. APU switch – OFF

14
IDLE POSITION
13
OFF POSITION

15
19

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 20. EGI, CDU & Pitot Heat switch – ON (alignment will take approx. 4 minutes)

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

21. Uncage Standby Attitude Indicator (SAI)
22. Turn ON left and right MFCD (Multi-Function Color Display) screens by left-
clicking twice on each power switch.
23. CICU (Central Interface Control Unit) – ON
24. JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System) – ON 20
• Powers Situational Awareness Datalink (SADL), which helps you to
identify and see friendly/enemy forces on your monitors
22
25. IFFCC (Integrated Flight & Fire Control Computer) – TEST (middle position)
26. Press “ENT” on the UFC (Up Front Controller) to engage preflight BIT
• This will run an automated BIT (Built-In Test), which will take about
1 minute. The IFFCC does all these fancy calculations for weapon
release, attitude control and HUD indications.
27. Pitch and Yaw SAS (Stability Augmentation System) switches – ON
• Dampens pitch/yaw controls for a more stable flight
28. Hold TAKEOFF TRIM switch for 1-2 seconds to set aircraft to takeoff trim
29. Once you have a “DTS UPLOAD” notice on your MFCD, press the OSB
(“Option Selection Button” on side of the screen) next to “Load All”. This
will load the DTS (Data Transfer System) cartridge in your flight computer, 21
which stocks your mission waypoints, bullseye and other navigation data
set up from the mission editor.
• NOTE: Data transfer will take about 15 seconds

23
29
24 25
27
26

28
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 30. DTS cartridge is loaded when there are asterisks next

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

to every menu.
31. Once BIT is complete, press “ENT” on the UFC to exit
the PREFLIGHT BIT menu.
32. Scroll down HUD menus using the SEL button and
select EXIT by pressing the “ENT” button on the UFC.
33. Select the OSB next to “CDU” (Control Display Unit)
on the right MFCD to display CDU data on this
screen. 30
• Once the timer 31
T = 4.0 0.8, the EGI and CDU are aligned.
34. IFFCC switch – ON

32

34
33

28
 35. Select the OSB next to “TAD” (Tactical Awareness

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

Display) on the left MFCD to display TAD data on this
screen.
36. Set STEERPOINT selector to FLIGHT PLAN. This will
allow you to use waypoints on your HUD and TAD to
navigate.
37. On the right MFCD where CDU data is displayed,
select NAV mode by pressing the OSB next to the NAV
menu. Once NAV mode is selected, an asterisk will
appear next to it. 35
38. Set CMS (Countermeasures) mode to “MAN” and turn
on MWS (Missile Warning System), JMR (Electronic
Countermeasures Jammer), RWR (Radar Warning
Receiver) and DISP (Countermeasure Dispenser)
switches ON. 36
39. Engage Nosewheel Steering (pinky switch on HOTAS)
stick). You can also use the “INSERT” key.

39

37
37

38

29
 40. Select EGI (Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation System) navigation mode.

PART 4 – START-UP PROCEDURE

41. Anti-Skid – ON
42. EAC (Enhanced Attitude Control) – ARMED
43. RDR ALTM (Radar Altimeter) – NORMAL 40
44. Arm Ejection Seat
45. Check your Caution Panel: any message displayed on it will tell you if you forgot
something.

45

41

42
44

43 30
 PRE-FLIGHT – WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, AND WHY IT MATTERS
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION Some people start their aircraft and are up in the air 10 minutes later.

Some people start their aircraft and are up in the air 1 hour later.

It’s not always a matter of how “quickly” you can go through the start-up procedure. It is mostly a matter of flying your aircraft “smartly”. The A-10C is an
incredibly complex module, and it is no surprise that the DCS manual is more than 650 pages long. This guide will not teach you everything a real life A-10C pilot
does: it would probably take much more than 1000 pages and months to learn. This guide is meant to be a quick n’ dirty tutorial to start the machine,
communicate and operate with other players, fly and destroy targets while staying alive. You will not learn how to use every bomb. You will not learn how to use
advanced functionalities of the CDU. You will not learn every tactic, every manoeuver, every emergency procedure… What you’ll learn is the basics that allow you
AND TAKEOFF

to build a solid knowledge basis that will allow you to expand upon it by reading the manual.

Many new pilots complain about the length of the start-up procedure and think that doing the pre-flight checks we’re about to do is a huge waste of time since
you spend 5 to 10 more minutes on the ground instead of flying. In all honesty, I thought that way too at the beginning. I wanted action, and I just thought that
firing up the Hog and taking off as quickly as possible was the most efficient way to go find some trouble. Experience taught me that it is better to spend 5
additional minutes on the ground to prepare your systems in a relaxed environment than to spent 10 minutes in the air in a stressful situation to do the same
task. You are much more likely to make mistakes and start panicking when you are in a stressful situation, just like pilots in real life. Be structured, be prepared,
and you will be amazed to realize how much more efficient you can be.

One of the key things I tell new guys is to concentrate on your systems when you are on the ground and to concentrate on flying when you are in the air. One of
the biggest challenges for modern aircraft is the workload: it is critical to manage this workload properly if you do not want to be overwhelmed by it. Set up your
systems properly on the ground so you don’t have to worry about them in the air.

There are the things you can do on the ground that will save you precious time and brain cells:
1. Identify yourself on the TAD (Tactical Awareness Display) and identify your wingmen
2. Programming your weapons using the DSMS (Digital Stores Management System)
3. Setting up your countermeasure programs (or simply use a preset program that suits your needs).
4. Set up your radio frequencies (usually given through mission briefing)
5. Get to know your flight plan in advance (consult waypoints/steerpoints on your TAD)

Example of full mission in multiplayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRgoUqfiO5I 31

 PRE-FLIGHT – IDENTIFYING YOURSELF ON THE TAD
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION The TAD (Tactical Awareness Display) is a marvellous invention: it allows you to know where you are, and who is next to you.

In a single-player mission, you are unlikely to fully appreciate the functionality behind the TAD. A multiplayer session allows you to better understand why the
TAD is so useful and how it should be used to give you information that is both precise, concise and relevant. A common practice to do when your TAD is loaded
is to set your own ID. You have both a GROUP ID and a personal OWN ID. You don’t really need to touch the GROUP ID (apart from situations where there are
way too many planes in a same sector, which is unlikely to happen in DCS), but setting up your OWN ID is useful for your wingman. Why? Because if you set your
own ID, all members with your same GROUP ID will be able to see your OWN ID pop up on their TAD. For instance, if I set my OWN ID to “19” and my GROUP ID
to “1”, every person in GROUP ID #1 will see an icon with “19” pop on their TAD. This way, they can know where I am. They can even send me messages, target
locations and track my position using the HUD and their flight computers!
AND TAKEOFF

To set up your own ID:

1. Click on “NET” OSB on your TAD.
2. Enter your desired ID number on your UFC (Up Front Controller)
3. Press the “OWN ID” OSB to set your OWN ID to the number you just entered through the UFC.
4. You can go back to the TAD by clicking the “TAD” OSB.

32
 PRE-FLIGHT – DSMS, OR HOW TO MANAGE YOUR BOMBS, MISSILES AND SHIT
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION When you spawn, you typically have a set of various weapons mounted on your wing pylons. The reality is that more often than not, you will want to change
your loadout and set it to your own liking.

This is where the DSMS (Digital Stores Management System), also nicknamed “DIZMAS” comes into play. Most WWII/Korea/Vietnam era weapons were
relatively simple since most of the aiming was done manually or with gyro-assisted gunsights. However, with the coming age of computers, dropping bombs and
guiding missiles with pin-point accuracy became possible. Ground strikes became much more precise, but such complexity required an interface for the pilot to
work with. In order to manage “smart” bombs and missiles, the DSMS was created to help the pilot to program them: how many are launched, how they behave,
how and when they explode, etc.
AND TAKEOFF

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the DSMS page at first. You can customize pretty much anything you could think of on any kind of ordnance you are carrying. No
need to panic yet: there is no way in hell you will be able to remember every single procedure by heart. We will simply explore together how the Dizmas works,
so you can operate it by yourself and know what you are doing… without ever needing to read this godawful wall of text ever again. Deal?

First, we will assume that you are starting your mission from scratch and that you load your weapons manually using “\” and the Ground Crew. The DSMS cannot
“guess” if you changed your weapon loadout or not, so you need to tell the computer to check or re-check what ordnance is loaded.

NOTE: You can avoid having to re-load your DSMS by simply spawning, choosing your desired loadout, and only then proceed with the start-up procedure.

33
WRONG DSMS LOADOUT GOOD DSMS LOADOUT
 HOW TO RELOAD DSMS
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION
3
AND TAKEOFF

1 2 4

2) Click and hold “MSG” OSB until you see 3) Click on “Load” OSB on the right menus
1) Click on “CDU” menu OSB on right MFCD 4) Click on lower “MSG” OSB. OSB will change from “MSG” to “LOAD”.
the menus appear next to the right OSBs.

6) Click on “LOAD ALL” OSB on the right to reload all DSMS stations. 34
5) Click on the new lower “LOAD” OSB menu.
Reload is complete when asterisks appear next to every menu.
 DSMS MENUS
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION From the main DSMS menu, you can
access 4 sub-menus. You can go back to
the main menu by clicking the “STAT” OSB
(upper left corner).
AND TAKEOFF

WEAPON PROFILE DSMS MENU MISSILE CONTROL DSMS MENU

MAIN DSMS MENU

35
JETTISON DSMS MENU INVENTORY DSMS MENU
 HOW TO MODIFY
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION
3
WEAPON PROFILES 2
CURSOR 4
1. From the MAIN DSMS menu, select “PROF”
OSB.
2. Move green cursor using the OSBs to the left 7
to cycle through weapon profiles.
3. Once green cursor is next to desired weapon
2
profile, select “VIEW PRO” OSB to open
profile settings/options.
AND TAKEOFF
4. Select appropriate firing mode (Ripple Single 6
is recommended) and choose what setting
on the right OSB row you want to modify.
5. Using the UFC scratch pad, enter in the HUD
the new value for the setting you want to
modify (ex: “1” for RIPPLE QUANTITY) NOTE: You can click “CHANGE SETTINGS” to
6. Select appropriate OSB for the setting you access additional weapon release settings.
want to change (ex: “RIP QTY”).
7. Click “Save” OSB to save profile once all NOTE: In other words, you modify a profile setting by
settings are OK. entering the new setting value from the scratch pad
1 first, and THEN you select the setting you want to
apply this value to. Note that some settings like
CCRP/CCIP weapon release mode do not require user
input from UFC scratch pad: you can just click the OSB
NUMBERS ENTERED FROM UFC
next to the parameter to toggle it.

5
“CLEAR” UFC IF YOU MADE A MISTAKE OR
GET THE “ERR” NOTICE ON HUD. 36
 MISSION LOADOUT
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION
RECOMMENDED WEAPON LOADOUT
STATION STORE DESCRIPTION
1 AN/ALQ-131 ECM JAMMER POD Electronic Countermeasures
ESSENTIAL
Jammer Pod

2 7 x 2.75 in M-151 Rockets Unguided Rocket Pod

3 2 x AGM-65D MAVERICK Air-to-Ground Missile 125 lbs

D variant: Infrared Seeker
AND TAKEOFF

4 3 x MK-82 General Purpose Unguided Bomb

5 1 x GBU-38 Guided Bomb (JDAM)

6 EMPTY

7 1 x GBU-38 Guided Bomb (JDAM)

8 3 x MK82 General Purpose Unguided Bomb

9 2 x AGM-65H MAVERICK Air-to-Ground Missile 125 lbs

H variant: Electro-Optical Seeker

ESSENTIAL 10 AN/AAQ-28 LITENING POD Targeting Pod (TGP)

11 2 x AIM-9M SIDEWINDER Air-to-Air Missile

GUN 1150 rounds GAU-8 30 MM GUN

Combat Mix

FLARE DISPENSER 120 Disrupts IR heat-seeking missiles

CHAFF DISPENSER 240 Disrupts semi-active radar

homing missiles

FUEL 75 %
37
 DSMS PROFILES
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION
GBU-12 GBU-38 MK-82 MK-82 AIR
AND TAKEOFF MAIN PROFILE PAGE MAIN PROFILE PAGE MAIN PROFILE PAGE MAIN PROFILE PAGE

ADVANCED SETTINGS PAGE NOTE: GBU-38 DEFAULT ADVANCED SETTINGS PAGE ADVANCED SETTINGS PAGE
ADVANCED SETTINGS
ARE GOOD. NO NEED TO
TOUCH THEM.

38
 1
DSMS PROFILES
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION MAVERICK AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILE

Maverick missiles require a certain time for alignment. It is more practical to

start the alignment procedure on the ground than to do it in the air. On your
left MFCD, select the “MSL” menu. Then, set your EO ON. Alignment will
take about 3 minutes. Afterwards, select the MAV (Maverick Missile) menu
AND TAKEOFF

on the right MFCD, press “2” on the UFC and click on the “SLEW” OSB.

3 39
 TAKEOFF
PART 5 – MISSION PREPARATION 1. Ensure ANTI-SKID is on.
2. Taxi using toe brakes with Nosewheel Steering ON (keyboard binding:
“INSERT”).
3. Make sure your Pitot Heat is ON during cold conditions.
4. Press the TAKEOFF TRIM switch to ensure you are trimmed for takeoff.
5. Set flaps for takeoff (7 deg) and ensure speedbrakes are closed.
AND TAKEOFF
6. Hold down brakes, MAX throttle.
7. Release brakes and start rolling.
8. Disengage Nosewheel Steering (OFF) when you reach 70 kts.
9. Rotate at 135 kts. Landing Gear and Flaps UP.
10. Start climbing at a 10 deg AoA (Angle of Attack) angle. Do not yank
back on the stick to get airborne: let it fly off the runway by itself.

NOSEWHEEL
STEERING

40
 NORMAL 360-DEGREE LANDING APPROACH

1. Initial Approach
• 2000 ft
• 250-300 kts
2. Downwind leg
PART 6 – LANDING
• 2000 ft
• 200-250 kts
3. Base Leg
• 1500 ft
• 150 kts
4. Before Glide Path Final Approach
• Extend Airbrakes (40 %)
• Lower Landing Gear
• Flaps DOWN (fully extended)
5. On Glide Path Final Approach
• -500 ft/min descent rate
6. Touchdown by letting yourself
glide on the runway. No need to
flare.

41
PART 7 – ENGINE MANAGEMENT
You’re in luck, there is really not much for you to learn regarding engine management. Yay!

It is always wise to check on the front panel the RPM, EGT and ITT gauges to make sure they are all in the
green, but engine management is fairly simple and does not require much of your attention (unlike the
million other armament and navigation systems you need to deal with).

The TF-34-GE-100A engines of the A-10C are placed in a rather unusual configuration: they are mounted
high on the rear fuselage between the wings and the rear stabilizers. The vertical stabs provide additional
protection against small arms fire: it is an intelligent design choice when you consider the fact that the A-
10C is a ground-pounder and sometimes has to go pretty close to provide accurate close air support (CAS)
to the troops on the ground.

Some of the advantages are quite interesting:

• The high mounting reduces the likelihood of the engines ingesting Foreign Object Debris (FOD) when
operating from rough, forward bases in war-time.
• Engines can remain running when aircraft is being rearmed and refueled. This leads to faster mission
turn-around.
• Ease of servicing the engines.
• Reduced IR signature from below due to the shielding of the horizontal stabilizer.

42
 THE MYSTERY OF THE HUD AND MULTI-FUNCTION COLOR DISPLAYS
PART 8 – UNDERSTANDING HOW The MFCDs often seem to confuse new pilots. It is hard to go from a prop plane to an aircraft that works just like a computer, isn’t it? So many
different programs, so many switches, so many settings… It is easy to feel at loss when you have no idea what is under the hood.

The trick in understanding how the HUD and MFCDs work is to think of them like computer monitors. In fact, it works almost exactly like a
computer. While you are used to have Google Chrome, Itunes, Word and other programs running simultaneously on a single screen, you can
switch between different windows, right? Well, this time you’re flying an A-10C, not a PC or a Mac. The TAD, TGP, MAV, CDU and DSMS are all
SYSTEMS WORK

different systems that can run at the same time (just like the computer programs and apps a la Candy Crush that you use in your everyday
life). The MFCDs can only “display” two system interfaces at once, though… it kind of makes sense since you only have two screens, doesn’t
it? Just like in a computer, you can choose what you want to show on any screen.
A computer screen is pretty, but it is
useless if you cannot use it. This is why
you have a mouse and keyboard.
However, the A-10C does not have a
mouse and keyboard: instead, it has
sets of grey OSBs (Option Select Button)
around each MFCD, a UFC (Up Front
Controller) on your front dash, another
keyboard next to your CDU (Control
Display Unit) on the right console and it
has a HOTAS (Hand On Throttle-and-
Stick), which are the fancy buttons on
your joystick and throttle.

With the HOTAS, UFC, CDU keyboard

and OSBs, you can easily control your
systems. It’s like having an old Nintendo
64 controller: if you want to play, you
43
need to know how to use it properly.
 THE MYSTERY OF THE HUD AND MULTI-FUNCTION COLOR DISPLAYS
PART 8 – UNDERSTANDING HOW

SCREENS
SYSTEMS WORK

SCREEN

CONTROLLER

CONTROLLERS

44
 THE MYSTERY OF THE SOI AND SPI
PART 8 – UNDERSTANDING HOW You will hear these terms all the time: SOI, which means “Sensor of Interest” and SPI, which means “Sensor Point of Interest”.

The A-10C can “see” in many ways: you can look through the canopy, but you can also use different sensors like the TGP (Targeting Pod), the
MAV (Maverick Air-to-Ground missile), the TAD (Tactical Awareness Display) or even the HUD (Heads Up Display). They are all different
sensors that can be controlled with the different “controls” we spoke about earlier... like the HOTAS. Making a sensor SOI basically means that
you take control of this sensor. In “computer terms”, it is the equivalent of using Alt-Tab to select which window you want to use your mouse
SYSTEMS WORK

and keyboard in. If you want to control the infrared camera embedded in your TGP, you need to select the TGP by “making it your SOI”.
A SPI, on the other hand, is where your SOI (the Sensor of Interest that you
are currently controlling) is pointing. It is basically your mouse’s cursor. In
other words, you use a SPI to lock on targets and throw shit at it that blows
up. In order to use a weapon, the procedure is always the same: choose a
Sensor of Interest (SOI) like your TGP, your HUD or a MAVerick Missile’s
seeker head, and once you have made this sensor your SOI, control your SPI
(camera “cursor”), move it on a target, slave your sensors to this SPI, lock
your target and fire your weapons according to the procedures elaborated in TGP: TARGETING POD
the WEAPONS part of this guide.
ASTERISK = SENSOR IS SOI

GREEN SQUARE LINE

= SENSOR IS SOI
NOT SOI

45
TAD Sensor TGP Sensor MAV Sensor HUD Sensor
 HOTAS: HOW TO USE IT

PART 9 – UNDERSTANDING HOTAS

The philosophy of concept of “Hands on Throttle-and-Stick” (HOTAS) is that
you can access the majority of your systems by keeping on hands on your
throttle and your joystick 99 % of the time.

These controls are ESSENTIAL to remember!

• TMS SWITCH: Target Management System

• Typically used to lock on targets and set your SPI…
• DMS SWITCH: Data Management Switch
• Used to zoom in/out, cycle through waypoints or weapons…
• SLEW CONTROL
• Used to control where your Sensor of Interest (SOI) is looking
• COOLIE HAT
• Controls DSMS (what weapons you want to use), swaps MFCD
screens (like an ALT+TAB), lets you pick a Sensor of Interest (SOI),
etc…
• BOAT SWITCH
• Cycle through different FLIR (forward looking infrared) camera
modes
• CHINA HAT
• Set different FOV (field of view) angles and slave all sensors to
your SPI (your cameras and missiles will be looking at where you
tell them to look, like a target)

Based on what sensor is selected (SOI), these switches will do different

things.

Not only do these switches do different things based on your Sensor of

Interest, but they also do different things based on how long you hold the
switch.

For example, TMS UP LONG means that you press the TMS switch UP for 1 to
3 seconds. DMS RIGHT SHORT means that you press the DMS switch RIGHT
for a very short duration of time (less than 1 second), or like a simple button 46
press.
 PART 9 – UNDERSTANDING HOTAS

47
 PART 9 – UNDERSTANDING HOTAS

48
 THE WEAPONS
The A-10C can use a HUGE variety of weapons.

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT A good loadout is not necessarily the biggest bomb: a good loadout is the one
that you know how to use and are most comfortable with… and yet that
remains flexible enough to allow you to adapt to different targets and
PART 10 – OFFENCE
situations.

There is a mindblowing selection of ordnance to pick from and it is easy to feel

lost by the sheer number of different bombs. We will briefly explore the types
of bombs together to help you understand what they are all about.

• Unguided rockets
• Guns
• Air-to-Ground Missile
• Ex: AGM-65 MAVERICK (AGM = Air-to-Ground Missile)
• Air-to-Air Missile
• AIM-9 SIDEWINDER
• Unguided bombs
• Ex: Mk-82, Mk-82AIR, Mk-84
• PGM: Precision Guided Munition
• LGB: Laser-Guided Bombs / GBU (Guided Bomb Unit)
• Bomb is guided by a laser beam from operators on the ground,
a JTAC or your own TGP (targeting pod).
• Ex: GBU-10, GBU-12
• IAM: Inertially Aided Munition
• JDAM (Joint Directed Attack Munition)
• Bomb is guided by a GPS satellite. Fire & Forget.
• Ex: GBU-38, GBU-31
• WCMD (Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser)
• Guided by INS (Inertial Navigation System) . Fire &
Forget. 49
• Ex: CBU-87, CBU-97, CBU-105
 THE PROCEDURES
These are the steps you must do in order to fire a weapon.

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT 1. Select a weapon using your DSMS

2. Arm selected weapon and sensors
PART 10 – OFFENCE

3. Select delivery mode (CCIP or CCRP)

4. Use one of your sensors (by making it SOI) to find
a target, move your SPI over your target, slave all
your sensors to the SPI/target and lock it.
5. Fire weapon when you have a firing solution.
An excellent weapons tutorial by Robert Sogomonian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MDNcdFJ8x0

Note: Rob10 from the DCS forums did a couple of lists and detailed procedures on how to use each weapon type. These
charts are listed at the end of this section, so I recommend that you print them out. This is good, useful stuff.

There is also another tutorial by Sim that shows weapon employments with lots of pretty pictures.
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3171145/How_to_use_weapons_Picture_gui.html#Post317114550
 STEP 1: PICK A WEAPON
• To use default weapon profiles (not the ones you modified): Select desired weapon by selecting the DSMS (Digital Stores Management System) page on your
MFCD and by clicking on the OSB next to weapon stations. You can select multiple stations at once provided that they are loaded with the same kind of
bomb/weapon.
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT • To use the weapon profiles you just modified: Make HUD SOI (COOLIE HAT UP SHORT) and cycle through weapons using DMS RIGHT SHORT or DMS LEFT
SHORT. You will see what weapon you selected on the HUD.
PART 10 – OFFENCE

STEP 2: ARM WEAPON & SENSORS

Arm your weapons and sensors by turning on the MASTER ARM, GUNPAC, LASER ARM and TGP (Targeting Pod). It is a good idea to do this step before you takeoff.

51
 STEP 3: PICK DELIVERY MODE - CCRP VS CCIP
There are 2 ways to deliver a weapon: CCRP or CCIP modes.

CCIP mode is the traditional dive bombing approach: you dive on target and the
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT reticle will tell you where the bomb will impact.

However, dive bombing is a risky business, especially if anti-air defences are

PART 10 – OFFENCE

surrounding your target. The lower you go, the more vulnerable you are. This is
why CCRP release mode was invented.

CCRP mode allows you to fly straight and level without having to dive down. The
HUD will tell you when to release your bomb for the target you have designated
with your Targeting Pod (TGP). It is a much safer way to release a bomb, but as
you may have guessed already, it is a bit less precise.
CCIP: Continuously Computed Impact Point
Using CCRP or CCIP is up to you and the situation you are in. Some pilots prefer to
use CCIP, while others would not touch CCRP with a 10-ft pole. Both delivery
modes work, and only experience will teach you what you prefer to use, and in
which situations. As shown previously, CCRP or CCIP delivery can be set
throughout the DSMS during the PREFLIGHT phase.

Your delivery mode can be set throughout your DSMS in your weapon profiles.

CCRP: Continuously Computed Release Point

52
 STEP 4: PICK A TARGET
OPTION 1: USING THE HUD AS SOI (COOLIE HAT UP)
OPTION 2: USING THE TARGETING POD (TGP) AS SOI
OPTION 3: USE THE MAVERICK SEEKER HEAD (MAVERICK MISSILE ONLY) AS SOI
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT
PART 10 – OFFENCE

TRICK: if your target is on a set waypoint, you

can make your HUD SOI (coolie hat up), select
desired waypoint (DMS UP SHORT), and slave all
sensors to this waypoint by pressing China Hat
FWD LONG)

53
 STEP 4: PICK A TARGET
OPTION 1: USING THE HUD AS SOI
OPTION 2: USING THE TARGETING POD (TGP) AS SOI (COOLIE HAT LONG LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH MFCD TGP IS SET TO)
OPTION 3: USE THE MAVERICK SEEKER HEAD (MAVERICK MISSILE ONLY) AS SOI
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT
PART 10 – OFFENCE

TRICK: if your target is on a set waypoint, you

can make your HUD SOI (coolie hat up), select
desired waypoint (DMS UP SHORT), and slave all
sensors to this waypoint by pressing China Hat
FWD LONG) 54
 STEP 4: PICK A TARGET
OPTION 1: USING THE HUD AS SOI
OPTION 2: USING THE TARGETING POD (TGP) AS SOI
OPTION 3: USE THE MAVERICK SEEKER HEAD (MAVERICK MISSILE ONLY) AS SOI (COOLIE HAT LONG LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON WHICH MFCD MAV IS SET TO)
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT
PART 10 – OFFENCE

TRICK: if your target is on a set waypoint, you

can make your HUD SOI (coolie hat up), select
desired waypoint (DMS UP SHORT), and slave all
sensors to this waypoint by pressing China Hat
FWD LONG) 55
 PART 10 – OFFENCE
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT
GUNS
STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON

56
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
ROCKETS - CCIP

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT 1. Set the HUD your SOI by pressing COOLIE
HAT UP.
2. Select CCIP mode with Master Mode button.
PART 10 – OFFENCE
CCRP is not very precise and not
recommended for rockets.
3. Select rocket profile using DMS LEFT SHORT
or DMS RIGHT SHORT.
4. Dive on target and press WEAPONS RELEASE
button to fire rockets.

57
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
UNGUIDED BOMBS - CCIP

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

58
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
UNGUIDED BOMBS - CCRP

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

59
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
IAM: INERTIALLY-GUIDED MUNITIONS (JDAM)

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

60
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
LGB: LASER-GUIDED BOMBS

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

61
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
AGM-65 MAVERICK: AIR-TO-GROUND MISSILE

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

62
 STEP 5: FIRE/RELEASE WEAPON
AIM-9 SIDEWINDER: AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE

WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

PART 10 – OFFENCE

63
 PART 10 – OFFENCE
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

64
 PART 10 – OFFENCE
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

65
 PART 10 – OFFENCE
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

66
 PART 10 – OFFENCE
WEAPONS & ARMAMENT

67
 COUNTERMEASURES – INTRODUCTION
Countermeasures are very simple to use. You have three countermeasure types at your disposal: flares, chaff and an ECM (Electronic Countermeasure) jammer. We

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

will explore together what is used against what, and how.

Missiles can generally track you using 2 things: radar signature (radar waves are sent on you and you reflect them, which is called a “radar signature”) and heat
signature (like the exhaust of your engines). Countermeasures will only be effective against the kind of weapon it was meant to counter; a heat-seeking missile
will not care if you deploy electronic countermeasures against it since it tracks heat, not radar signatures. This is why it is important to know what is attacking you
PART 11 – DEFENCE

in order to counter it properly. This is what the RWR (Radar Warning Receiver) is for: to help you know what is firing at you so you can take the adequate action to
counter it.
Flares are used against missiles that track heat (infrared or
IR) signatures. Instead of going for the heat signature
generated by your engines, a missile will go for a hotter heat
source like flares.

Chaff is a form of “passive” jamming. Passive (reflected)

jamming is when a deceptive object or device reflects radar
CHAFF
waves. Chaff is simply a bundle of small pieces of metal foil
with reflective coating, which creates clusters of radar
signatures that prevent a radar to get a solid lock on the
aircraft itself.

The AN/ALQ-131 ECM jammer pod is a form of “continuous”

jamming, also called “active” or “transmitted” jamming. This
device transmits its own synchronized radar waves back at
your enemy’s radar receiver to simulate erroneous radar
wave returns. Simply put, active jamming will try to drown a
radar in white noise.

In order to use these three forms of countermeasures, you FLARES

can use “countermeasure programs”, routines that will
deploy a number of flares/chaff for a number of cycles at a
given interval. A detailed list of these programs is shown next
page.
68
 COUNTERMEASURE PROGRAMS
Your Countermeasure switch has 5 functions.

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

• PRESSED DOWN: ECM ON/OFF
• PRESSED FORWARD: Initiate countermeasure program (deploys
flares/chaff routine)
• PRESSED AFT: Terminate countermeasure program (cancels
flares/chaff routine)
PART 11 – DEFENCE

• PRESSED RIGHT: Next countermeasure program

• PRESSED LEFT: Previous countermeasure program
COUNTERMEASURE
MODE SELECTOR COUNTERMEASURE
You can program your own “countermeasure program” if you wish, it
is explained in the main DCS A-10C manual. SWITCH

The four main programs you should be using are:

• Program A: Old generation radar SAM site
• Program B: New generation radar SAM site
• Program C: IR heat-seeking SAM site
• Program D: Unknown/Miscellaneous

You can choose between a MANUAL mode (recommended) or the

AUTO mode, which automatically chooses the best countermeasure
program for you. I generally select program D since it counters pretty
much anything. It might consume a significant number of
flares/chaff, but it is better to be out of countermeasures than to be
out of A-10.

69
 ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURE (ECM) JAMMER
You have four main ECM jammer modes:
JAMMER MODE

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

• AIR: counters most air-to-air radars SELECTOR
• SAM1: counters older-generation SAM systems like the SA-3, SA-6 and SA-8
• SAM2: counters newer-generation SAM systems like 2S6, SA-16, SA-11, SA-10 and
SA-15 JAMMER MODE
PART 11 – DEFENCE

• AAA: counters radar-directed gun systems like the ZSU-23-4 and the ZU-23. INDICATOR
COUNTERMEASURE
You can switch between jammer modes using the jammer mode selector button next
to the RWR. The jammer mode indicator tells you the mode you are using and the
PROGRAM # CHAFF # FLARES
status of the jammer. For instance, “OPR SAM1” means that you are using (operating)
your ECM program SAM1. “SBY” means that your ECM is not actively jamming enemy
radar. Keep that in mind.

MWS: MISSILE WARNING SYSTEM

The MWS will indicate whether a missile is heading straight to

your face or not. If the MWS warning light (red) is lit,
immediately start evasive manoeuvers and deploy
countermeasures ASAP. You can have three different messages:

• ACTIVE: MWS system is active

• LAUNCH: A missile is launched and heading towards you MWS
• OFF: Your MWS system is off
MESSAGE
WARNING LIGHT

70
 RWR: RADAR WARNING RECEIVER
Your RWR will tell you what is around you with a top-down view, both friendly and enemy contacts. The closer the symbol to the center of the circle, the

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

stronger the radar signal strength.

A symbol without a circle around it means that the radar is in search mode (in other words: not tracking you yet).

A symbol with a steady circle around it indicates that the radar is tracking/locked on to your aircraft. A missile is not heading your way yet, but it can be any
PART 11 – DEFENCE

second now if the symbol is an enemy SAM site.

A symbol with a flashing circle around it indicates that the radar is supporting a missile that has been launched at you. You are about to receive a missile
right up the arse. This is where you pop chaff, flares, ECM and start your evasive manoeuvers.

PRI: Show 5 highest

SEP: Separates contacts
priority contacts

71
 RWR SYMBOL LIST
List made by .408-X~RAY

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

PART 11 – DEFENCE

Note: “U” symbol stands for “Unknown”, which is sometimes attributed to ships.

72
 THE ART OF DEFEATING A MISSILE
Evading missiles is an art: this is what we call “defeating a missile”. There are many videos that explain it well (much better than I

RWR & COUNTERMEASURES

could in one page or 2), so here is a list of useful resources you can consult.

DCS A-10 MISSILE AVOIDANCE, by A Kaiser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak6EgzDwiGs
PART 11 – DEFENCE

AIR POWER AUSTRALIA – EVADING THE GUIDED MISSILE, by Carlo Kopp

http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Evading-Missiles.html

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MISSILE EVASION – TRAINING IN FALCON 4.0, by Mark “Boxer” Doran
http://www.simhq.com/_air/air_016a.html

FIGHTER COMBAT – TACTICS AND MANOEUVERING, by Robert L. Shaw

http://www.amazon.ca/Fighter-Combat-Maneuvering-Robert-Shaw/dp/0870210599

73
 You have three main radios on your left console.
• The AN/ARC-186(V) VHF AM # 1 radio set is used for air and ground units
• frequencies between 116.00 and 151.975 MHz
PART 12 – RADIO TUTORIAL • The AN/ARC-186(V) VHF FM #2 radio set is used for communications with JTAC units
• frequencies between 36.000 and 76.000 MHz
• The AN/ARC-164 UHF radio set is used for wingmen, support flights, air traffic controllers
• frequencies between 225.000 and 399.975 MHz
• The Intercom Panel allows you to choose which radio set Advanced radio tutorial:
you communicate on. http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/w/images/e/e4/DCS_A-10C_Warthog_Radio_Tutorial.pdf

74
 RADIO FREQUENCIES – AIRFIELDS
LOCATION FREQUENCY
PART 12 – RADIO TUTORIAL Anapa 121.0
Batumi 131.0
Beslan 141.0
Gelendzhik 126.0
Gudauta 130.0
Kobuleti 133.0
Kutaisi 134.0
Krasnodar Center 122.0
Krasnodar Pashkovsky 128.0
Krymsk 124.0
Maykop 125.0
Mineral’nye Vody 135.0
Mozdok 137.0
Nalchik 136.0
Novorossiysk 123.0
Senaki 132.0
Sochi 127.0
Soganlug 139.0
Sukhumi 129.0
Tblisi 138.0
75
Vaziani 140.0
 The Auto-Pilot is fairly simple: select one of the three auto-pilot
modes (PATH, ALT/HDG or ALT) and engage auto-pilot. Be advised:
auto-pilot will only engage if you are flying level (+/- 5 degrees). If
auto-pilot is engaged, the mode will be displayed on your HUD.

Generally, the only auto-pilot mode I use is the “ALT/HDG” mode,

PART 13 – AUTOPILOT
especially when I need to use my DSMS, my TGP or other systems
that require my attention away from the flight controls.

Engage/Disengage
Autopilot mode Autopilot
ENGAGED. Autopilot
Modes

76
 THE HUD AND TACTICAL AWARENESS DISPLAY (TAD)
The TAD is one of the most important tools at your disposal for navigation.
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS
On the TAD, you can see friendly contacts and the different waypoints. Generally, a
mission is planned by setting waypoints that will show your mission’s flight plan. If a
mission maker is smart, he will make sure that these waypoints are set properly in the
mission file. The difference between a steerpoint and a waypoint is that a steerpoint is
the waypoint you are currently selecting and flying towards. Your CDU (flight computer)
can stock hundreds of waypoints, yet your HUD can only track one waypoint at a time,
which is what we call a steerpoint. Of course, you can also change, add or remove
waypoints manually if you want, but I will let you check the A-10C manual for that.
LANDING

You can zoom in or zoom out in the TAD by making it your SOI (COOLIE HAT LEFT LONG if
your TAD is set up on your left MFCD) and pressing your DMS switch UP or DOWN. Most
of your navigation information is also displayed on the HUD. We will come back to this
later on.

77
 NAVIGATION SYSTEMS: NMSP, EGI, HARS, TISL, TACAN & ILS
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS

NMSP/NIMSIP, or the Navigation Mode Select Panel, allows you to choose which navigation system to use.
LANDING

EGI (pronounced “eggi”) is an Embedded GPS/INS navigation system. This is your primary system for navigation, using the waypoints
and flight plan database stocked in the CDU (Control Display Unit).

HARS is a Heading Attitude Reference System, a legacy system of the A-10A. It is used as a backup gyro-system to EGI that provides
heading and attitude aircraft state.

TISL is a “Target Identification Set, Laser” system that detects and tracks reflected laser energy. In real life, TISL system is used to
track targets that are laser designated by other assets like aircraft or ground forces. This system is not fully implemented in DCS.

TACAN is a Tactical Air Navigation System used by the military. TACAN beacons can be placed on ground stations, airfields or even
aircraft themselves like tankers. A TACAN beacon will provide you line-of-sight bearing and range to the selected TACAN station. We
will explore TACAN functionality in the Air-to-Air refueling section.

ILS (Instrumented Landing System) is typically used during night and/or foul weather. This system will give you indications on what
heading and what gliding slope to take in order to make a successful approach to an airfield.

The following slides will show you how to use these systems. Obviously, we won’t explore all their functionalities: it could take yet
another few hundred pages… and ain’t nobody got time for that. 78
 WAYPOINT, STEERPOINT AND CDU
The CDU (Control Display Unit) is the brain of your aircraft. This is where all the
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS relevant information that we are too lazy to remember is stocked. I’m pretty sure
that you could program your coffee machine from the CDU if you had one installed
in the A-10C: it is a tool that is just that powerful.

We have seen before what a waypoint and a steerpoint are. You can cycle through
your waypoints by making your HUD SOI (COOLIE HAT UP SHORT) and using your
DMS switch UP or DOWN to cycle through your waypoints. Each time you have a
selected steerpoint, your HUD will display you a TVV (Total Velocity Vector) for you
to follow in order to get to this waypoint.
LANDING

But what if you are completely lost and want to head to a particular airfield? What
if you have no idea of where it is, the radio tower frequency, if there is an ILS
system installed or not? Well, the CDU can help you with that. I told you that we
wouldn’t really go in-depth with the CDU, but this trick is just too cool not to talk
about. Yes, I lied… sue me.

We will see it next page.

79
 WAYPOINT, STEERPOINT AND CDU
If you are lost, you can use the CDU to help you find a
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS place to land.

1. Make your HUD SOI by pressing COOLIE HAT UP

SHORT.
2. On the UFC, press “FUNC” (function) and “2” (NAV
functions) 3
3. On the CDU page, a new NAV menu will appear.
Press the OSB to select the “DIVERT” menu.
4. The divert menu will display the closest airfields to
you. If we want to go to Batumi, just by having a
LANDING

quick look at it, we know that Batumi is already

stocked in our computer in WAYPOINT 61. We also
know that we need to go to a heading of 218 for
37.8 nautical miles, with a TTG (time to go) of
about 7 minutes 44 seconds. If we select the
Batumi OSB, we can have even more details.
2
5. The advanced menu for Batumi shows us that
there are two runways (one oriented at 130 and
the other one at 310), that there is an ILS system in
place set at frequency 110.30, that there is a
TACAN station set to 16 and that the radio
4
frequency to communicate with the control tower
is 131.000.
6. Even better: if you look at your HUD you will now
see that Batumi is your current steerpoint and that
the HUD is showing you where to go to find it. If
you want to find another airfield or follow another
waypoint, since your HUD is already SOI you can
simply use DMS UP SHORT or DMS DOWN SHORT
6 5
to cycle through more waypoints.

80
 ILS TUTORIAL
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS
1. ILS approach
2. Final Approach
3. Outer ILS marker
4. Inner ILS marker
5. Missed Approach
LANDING

81
 ILS TUTORIAL
Our ILS approach will be done to Batumi airfield. Using our CDU trick learned in the “Waypoint, Steerpoint & CDU” slide, we can easily find the ILS
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS frequency (110.30), runway heading (130) and radio tower frequency (131.000).

LANDING

82
 ILS TUTORIAL
1. Set your VHF radio to TR (transmit-receive), set frequency to
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS 131.000 and call the tower for inbound request.
2. Enter ILS frequency 110.30 rotating the PWR and VOL knobs with
the mousewheel. Turn ILS system power ON by right clicking on
the PWR switch.
3. Set your HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) course to 130 (runway
heading) with your mousewheel.
4. On the NMSP panel, set homing mode to ILS and navigate towards
runway.

2
LANDING

4
3

1 83
 ILS TUTORIAL 5

5. Align yourself with the runway using the ADI (Attitude Director
PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS Indicator) and the HSI.
AOA INDEXER:
GOING TOO FAST WHITE LIGHTS:
• The yellow line on the HSI will help you align yourself with
ABOVE GLIDE SLOPE = OK
the runway.
6. When lined up with the runway, deploy flaps and airbrakes as
required to get a good landing speed Adjust glide slope according
to AoA Indexer (green circle = good speed) and lights on the
runway. Touchdown like you normally do.
• white lights = above glide slope = OK
• red lights = under glide slope = NOT OK
LANDING

YELLOW LINE
ALIGNED & CENTERED WITH HSI

ADI COURSE
6 ALIGNED WITH ILS

AOA INDEXER:
AOA & SPEED = OK

84
 PART 14 – NAVIGATION & ILS
LANDING

85
 AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING – WHY WE ALL HATE IT

PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING

Air-to-air refueling is one of the hardest, most hated, and most frustrating tasks in DCS. Ever. Of all time.

Why? Well, one of the main reasons for the difficulty behind refueling is the skill required to do formation flying.
Flying in formation with another aircraft requires much more practice than you would initially think. Another reason
is pure physics: there is this thing called “wake turbulence”. An aircraft flies through a fluid: air. Just like with any fluid,
if you have something that displaces itself through it at a certain speed, the fluid will become disrupted (turbulence).
Wingtip vortices and jetwash are both effects of this simple concept. Wake turbulence is the reason why airliners
need to wait a minimum time between takeoffs: flying through disrupted air will destabilize the aircraft and it is
unsafe, especially during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing.

Unfortunately, wake turbulence is something a pilot has to deal with during air-to-air refueling. This is why the
aircraft will fly just fine when approaching the tanker, but start wobbling around when flying in close proximity of the
refueling boom and tanker engines.

NOTE:
Some pilots prefer to set
their joystick to pitch
and roll axes curvatures
set with a curve of 15
and a deadzone of 5.
Control curves are up to
your personal
preference.

86
 AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING – HOW TO

PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING

1
1. Read your mission briefing to know the TACAN station channel of your
KC-135 Tanker (10X) and the VHF AM channel frequency you can
communicate with it (150.000).
2. Set your TACAN to “A/A T/R” and to tanker TACAN frequency (10X) by
scrolling the mousewheel.
3. On the NMSP panel, press “TCN” to slave the HSI to the TACAN beacon.
4. Set your VHF AM radio to T/R and channel 150.000.
5. Press Mic Switch FWD and contact tanker (F6).
6. Select “Intent to refuel” in the tanker menu. The tanker will give you an
altitude (usually 20,000 ft) to rendezvous at. 4
7. Use the HSI and ADI to line up with the KC-135 tanker. Needle with a
“1” on it points towards the tanker. Distance to tanker is displayed on
the HSI.

7
2
5

3 6

ALMOST LINED UP! 87

 AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING – HOW TO

PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING

8. Open fuel trap door.
9. Once you are close enough, call the tanker to begin
pre-contact. If you are not lined up properly, he will
tell you “Return”. If you are lined up properly, he will
grant you permission to approach.
10. Make sure you are perfectly trimmed before
beginning your approach.
11. Set all your weapon systems to SAFE. OPEN CLOSED
12. Fly formation with the tanker, not the boom. 8
13. Make sure the “READY” light is lit.

13

88
 AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING – HOW TO

PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING

14. Once contact with the boom is done, you will have a “LATCHED” notice. Use the tanker’s engines as a reference to maintain contact.
15. If you disconnect the boom prematurely (and it WILL happen, trust me), make sure that you press your “Nosewheel Steering” pinky switch on your HOTAS
joystick (or “INSERT” key binding) to reset your fuel trap door. If you fail to reset it, the boom operator will not be able to make contact with your trap door
again (refueling light will display “READY” again)..

14

89
 AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING – HOW TO

PART 15 – AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING

16. Refueling procedure will be done when you have the “DISCONNECT” warning light.
17. Close fuel trap door and resume flight.

Here is a nice Air-to-Air refueling example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qFrmfNEilM

Special thanks to Derbysieger for creating a helpful written tutorial as well http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=170423297

90
 RESOURCES
PART 16 – OTHER RESOURCES
Bunyap’s Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/4023446/playlists

Gerry Abbott’s Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8E198A311F28EA74

Ralfidude’s Idiot Guide to the A-10C: Quick Tips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M8yiAjQ7ps

Eagle Dynamics A-10C Wiki

http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/wiki/DCS_A-10C_Guides,_Tutorials_and_Reference_Documents

A-10C Manuals and Books (awesometacular resource!)

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=60293

VTAG Handbook
http://vtacticalairgroup.net/downloads/common/VTAG%20Handbook.pdf

VTAG SOP (Standard Operating Procedures)

http://vtacticalairgroup.net/downloads/a-10/VTAG%20SOP.pdf

476th Virtual Fighter Group Database

http://www.476vfightergroup.com/downloads.php

476th Virtual Fighter Group Guides

http://www.476vfightergroup.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=43

476th Virtual Fighter Group Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/476vFG/videos

Rob10’s Weapon List

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=73752
91
 ACRONYM TABLE (1/2)

PART 16 – OTHER RESOURCES

Countermeasure Set
A-A Air-to-Air ASL Azimuth Steering Line CMSP EGT Exhaust Gas Temperature GS Ground Speed
Panel
Inertially Aided
A-G Air-to-Ground ATC Air Traffic Control CR Coordinate Ranging EHE Expected Horizontal Error IAM
Munition
Engine Monitoring
AAP Auxiliary Avionics Panel BATA Bullets at Target Altitude CR Consent to Release EMI IAS Indicated Airspeed
Instruments
AAS Air-to-Air Submenu BHOT Black Hot DLZ Dynamic Launch Zone EO Electro Optical IFF Identify Friend or Foe
Armament Control Integrated Flight and
ACP BIT Built In Test DMS Data Management Switch ET Elapsed Time IFFCC
Panel Fire Control Computer
Automatic Direction Central Air Data Instrumented Landing
ADF CADC DP Display Page EVE Expected Vertical Error ILS
Finding Computer System
Attitude Direction Captive Air Training Inertial Navigation
ADI CATM DRA Dual Rail Adapter FA Fault Acknowledge INS
Indicator Missile System
Firing Evaluation Display Interstage Turbine
AGL Above Ground Level CBU Cluster Bomb Unit DRC Desired Release Cue FEDS ITT
System Temperature
Digital Stores Heading Attitude
AGM Air-to-Ground Missile CCD Charged Coupled Device DSMS FLIR Forward Looking Infrared HARS
Management System Reference System
Armament HUD Continuously Computed High Explosive,
AHCP CCIP DTOT Desired Time On Target FM Frequency Modulation HEI
Control Panel Impact Point Incendiary
Continuously Computed
AIM Air Intercept Missile CCRP DTS Data Transfer System FOM Figure of Merit HOF Height of Function
Release Point
Course Deviation Digital Terrain System Hands On Throttle and
AM Amplitude Modulation CDI DTSAS FOV Field of View HOTAS
Indicator Application Software Stick
Horizontal Position
AMIL Air Mass Impact Line CDU Control Display Unit DTTG Desired Time To Go GBL Gun Bore Line HPU
Uncertainty
Central Interface Control Enhanced Attitude Horizontal Situation
AOA Angle of Attack CICU EAC GBU Guided Bomb Unit HSI
Unit Control Indicator
Electronic Ground Collision Avoidance
APU Auxiliary Power Unit CM Combat Mix ECM GCAS HUD Heads Up Display
Countermeasures System
Joint Directed Attack
AR Aerial Refueling CMS Countermeasure Set EFC Emergency Flight Control GMT Greenwich Mean Time JDAM
Munition
Attitude Reference Countermeasure Set Joint Terminal
92 Attack
ARS CMSC EGI Embedded GPS INS GPS Global Positioning System JTAC
Symbol Control Controller
 ACRONYM TABLE (2/2)

PART 16 – OTHER RESOURCES

JTRS Joint Tactical Radio System NMSP Navigation Mode Select Panel SER Single Ejector Rack TVV Total Velocity Vector

KIAS Knots Indicated Airspeed NWS Nosewheel Steering SOI Sensor of Interest UFC Up Front Controller

LAAP Low Altitude Autopilot NVIS Night Vision Imaging System SPI Sensor Point of Interest UHF Ultra High Frequency

LAR Look Aside Ranging ORP Optimal Release Point SPJ Self Protection Jammer VHF Very High Frequency
Low Altitude Safety and Targeting
LASTE OSB Option Select Button SRU Shop Replaceable Unit VPU Vertical Position Uncertainty
Enhancement
Tactical Awareness
LOS Line Of Sight OWC Obstacle Warning Cue TAD VVI Vertical Velocity Indicator
Display
LRU Line Replaceable Unit PAC Precision Attitude Control TAS True Airspeed WCMD Wind Corrected Munition Dispensor

MAP Missed Approach Point PBIL Projected Bomb Impact Line TDC Target Designation Cursor WCN Warning, Caution, and Notes

MFCD Multifunction Color Display PR Passive Ranging TER Triple Ejector Rack

MGRS Military Grid Reference System PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency TGP Targeting Pod
Target Identification Set
MMCB Master Mode Control Button RGS Required Ground Speed TISL
Laser
Target Management
MRC Minimum Range Cue RIAS Required Indicated Airspeed TMS
Switch
Time of Fall / Time of
MRFCS Manual Reversion Flight Control System RTAS Required True Airspeed TOF
Flight
MRGS Multiple Reference Gunsight RWR Radar Warning Receiver TOT Time On Target

MRS Minimum Range Staple SADL Situational Awareness Datalink TP Target Practice

MSL Mean Sea Level SAI Standby Attitude Indicator TTG Time To Go

MWS Missile Warning System SAS Stability Augmentation System TTRN Time to Release Numeric 93
94