A-10C Procedures

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The following sections describe Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) that are valid only for A-10C.

Some Tactics and Techniques have reference to the manual "DCS A-10C II Flight Manual EN", this manual can be found in the DCS installation folder "DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\aircraft\A-10C_2\Doc"

Considerations

The A-10Cs provide the ability to maneuver and reposition firepower in response to changing situations. They carry a wide variety of forward firing munitions, are equipped with advanced sensors, have excellent loiter times and have an excellent capability to conduct CAS in diverse terrain and when accompanying other transport or rescue assets.

Consider combining FW (A-10C) and RW (AH-64D) platform capabilities in an urban environment. FW can often target/designate within urban areas more easily due to the ability to loiter high above many threat envelopes. Once the FW aircraft has identified and confirmed the target it can designate the target with a LASER to guide precise, low-yield PGMs fired from a RW attack asset holding in a relatively safe BP.

Operating Range/Altitudes

• Service ceiling: 45,000ft
• Recommended operating altitude: <25,000ft
• Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min
• Combat Range 252 nm

Threat

Due to limited speed and lack of A/A capability, the A-10 requires local air power to operate successfully. MANPADS and AAA are the most likely threats in the environment the A-10 works in, and it is against these threats that it is best prepared towards having MWS, a large number of countermeasures and an armored cockpit.

Day versus Night

The A-10 can operate during the night without restrictions.

Capabilities

Missions

• Offensive Air Support

- Close Air Support (CAS)

- Air Interdiction (AI)

• Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR)
• Aerial Command and Control (C2)/Forward Air Controller (AFAC)

Tactics and Techniques

En Route

Ideally, en route tactics (route, altitude, airspeed selection and formations) allow aircrews to avoid concentrations of enemy air defenses, prevent early acquisition, avoid detection or allow the aircrews to remain outside of the effective range of certain threat systems.

Tactical Formations

• Finger Four: (Finger Four Right Default if not specified)

• Echelon (left/right):

• Trail:

• Combat Spread:

Formations explained here.

Disengagement and Egress

Following actions on the objective area or when the time on station is complete, the flight will conduct a check out and egress via planned or assigned routing. Tactical considerations for the egress and return to force in terms of airspeed, altitude, formation, and TTP are the same as for the inbound en route phase. When complete with the mission, the aircrew will make every attempt to provide BDA and a mission report (MISREP) via the ALO’s C2 system.

Procedures

The procedures described here aim to ensure a common view of the workflow during assignments in order to facilitate the change of staff. Pilots knows who do what and when even if it’s the first time flying together.

Standard Conventional Loadout

SCL

Airfield

The order in which the steps under 8a are performed can be changed as needed.

Startup

When entering the A-10, apply ground power and start the INS alignment, followed by entering the intra-flight frequency on the UHF radio. Standby to acknoledge radiocheck and receive last minute changes according to loadout. When done, rearm and take ATIS info, then get on Ch 6 and once again standby to acknoledge radiocheck from FL. FL then orders either "System startup" or "Full startup". During system startup you leave the engines off until FL orders "Enginge startup"

You find the Quickstart Checklists here.

Steps 12-33 are laid out so that you go from left to right in order to be easier to memorize. Feel free to use your own checklist as long as steps 1-11 is the same and steps 12-33 and 34-39 are included.

Taxi / Takeoff

• Takeoff-procedures

Landing

• Overhead break:

• Initial approach

- 1500ft above runway

- 250kts (not 300 as shown in linked procedure above)

- Break left/right at runway threshold

- Keep throttle position

- 50° Bank

- Pull 1.5G

- Maintain Altitude

• Downwind leg

- Reduce speed to 200kts

- Maintain Altitude

• Base leg

- Turn base when threshold aligned with wingtip (≈45° behind aircraft)

- Throttle to IDLE

- Start descend 1000 ft/min

- 20° Bank

- 1-1.5G

- Extend speedbrakes 40%

- Gear down <200kts

- Flaps down <190kts

- Reach and keep on-speed AoA

• Final

- Aim TVV at TZM at -3° on Pitch ladder

• Touchdown

- Throttle to IDLE, Extend airbrakes to 100%

En Route

Target Area Ingress Preparations (Fence In)

On FL order "Fence IN"

• Set Up Countermeasures
• Turn Off Exterior Lights
• AHCP Set Up
• Review DSMS-Pages
• TGP Set Up

When done, Check total fuel quantity and report "Fenced In, Fuel x,x" (x,x= fuel in thousands of lbs with one decimal. 8300 lbs => 8.3)

On FL order "Fence OUT"

• Countermeasures to STBY
• Turn On Exterior Lights
• AHCP - Master/Gun/Laser to Safe
• TGP to STBY
• Check Master Caution light and Caution Light Paneland for any system failures.

When done, Check total fuel quantity and report "Fenced Out, Fuel x,x"

Glossary

STANDARD MARKING BREVITY TERMS

• BLIND No visual contact with FRIENDLY aircraft/ground position.
• VISUAL Sighting of a FRIENDLY aircraft or ground position.
• CONTACT Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point (either visually or via sensor).
• CAPTURED Specified surface target or object has been acquired and is being tracked with an onboard sensor.
• LOOKING Aircrew does not have the ground object, reference point, or target in sight.
• TALLY Sighting of a target, non-friendly aircraft, or enemy position.
• NO JOY Aircrew does not have visual contact with the TARGET/BANDIT.

LASER BREVITY TERMS

• TEN SECONDS Standby for LASER ON call in approximately 10 seconds
• LASER ON Start/ acknowledge LASER designation
• SHIFT Shift LASER aimpoint.
• SPOT Acquisition of LASER designation
• CEASE LASER Discontinue lasing
• DEAD EYE LASER designator system inoperative
• NEGATIVE LASER LASER energy has not been acquired
• LASING The speaker is firing the LASER
• STARE Cue the LASER spot search/ tracker function on the specified location

Abbreviations

• ACA Airspace Coordination Areas
• ACM Airspace Coordinating Measure/Airspace Control Means
• AGL Above Ground Level
• AGO Air-Ground Operations*
• ALO Air Liaison Officer
• BDA Battle Damage Assessment
• C2 Command and Control
• JFC Joint Force Commander

*The simultaneous or synchronized employment of ground forces with aviation maneuver and fires to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Also called AGO.