The Virtual Navy

WEAPON’S COORDINATOR GEOPLOT DisPLAY

 always centered on either Ownship or its deployed helo. (The helbe centered if sync has been established and OS has control of 

 Note: While the Air (ADT) and Surface Search (SDT) radars are turned on and off here, you never see the actual raw radar returns. Only the processed returns are visible on the Weapons Coordinator Geoplot. The sweeps are used to indicate a) that a particular radar is ON and b) the nominal range of the activated radar. All con Link D OS is its rad and detections o zoom out. tacts detected by OS sensors as well as Link contacts (when Show ata is selected) appear on the Weapons Coordinator Geoplot. When synced (linked) with its in-flight helicopter, the helo can be set to send ar data to the FFG where the information is processed are marked as FFG contacts. The type of data the helicopter sends is set inLINK MODE in the ASTAC Station. See REMRO below. To change the range scale in the display use one of the following methods:

Click DISPLAY SETTINGS then click one of the range buttons in the range VAB Panel

With the cursor in the Geoplot press [CTRL] then click the display to zoom in or right-click t king on a contact symbol in the Geoplot provides known information on ct in the DDI.

 Note: The Geoplot range defaults to 40 nm. There may be Link contacts that are seen only when the range is zoomed out. If you are pressing [Tab] to move between contacts and the selection box is not visible on the Geoplot, check the DDI to make sure something is selected then zoom out until you can see the selection cursor. RAD e Air Se nd Surfac Search radar scopes are not modeled as Dangerous Waters, but the radars are turned ars e (Green indicates the radar is ON.)

REM O (Remote Radar Operator) button is not active unless an elo is aloft, sync has been established, OS has Helo Control and : eoplot select the OS helo symbol. SYNC is lo to begin see the helo’s Radar data. (In Multiplayer games when AR OPERATION

on and off by the Weapons Coordinator. Contacts processed by the radwhen they are on are automatically reported to the Nav Map and all Geoplots. In S.C.S. – Dangerous Waters radar reports are sent to TMA to allow for merging with passive contacts. (This cleans up the Nav Map.) The FFG’s air and surface search radars are off by default. Orange text on a button indicates that radar is OFF. �� Click ADT (Air Search) and/or SDT (Surface Search) to toggle thstate of the specific radar.

 If Show Link is ON, the symbols representing the Link reported contacts and the radar returns are located on or nearly on top of each other. Contacts detected by other OS Sensors also appearon the Weapons Coordinator Geoplot thus it is possible to see contacts with lines of bearing. The sweep seen in the Geoplot when a radar is on indicates nominal the range of the radar.

1. the helo has been set to send radar data to the ship as described belowTo enable REMRO 1. Select the ASTAC Station [F3].

    

2. In the ASTAC G

established.

 

 

1. 3. IN LINK MODE click RADAR. This orders your Deployed Heradiating.

    

    

2. 4. Return to the Weapons Coordinator Station [F8] then click REMRO to receive the

    

    

3. another player is controlling your in-flight helo, the helo player must turn the RADAR on before you can receive his data.) Detected contacts are automatically marked as Ownship contacts aslong as REMRO is ON.

    

4. �� Note: Radar sends an update to the Geoplot and Nav Map every two minutes as long as the

    

   1. radar detects the contact. PThe primary e is to place the Weapons be LACING CONTACTS IN THE TARGET QUEUE purpose of the Weapons Coordinator consol

       

    

    

5. appropriate targets in the Target Queue for prosecution from

    

Control Station. Unlike the controllable submarines, contacts need not categorized by type (Air, Surface, Subsurface) in order to appear in the Target Queue. Unknown contacts as well as Link contacts and even Link participants can be placed in the queue. �� Note: Be aware that any contacts currently in the Target Queue are cleared if you toggle Show Truth. These contacts are not returned to

 

1. the queue when the mode is returned to the original setting. You must re-enter the contacts. 1. S a co e selected contact is a valid target 2. to remove it from the Queue. trol Station not to fire on this n a contact that has a �� elect a contact in the Geoplot. (If you are having difficulty selectingntact see the TIP below.) When th

    

 

1. the ENGAGE button is activated. (The button is greyed when a non-valid contact is selected, for example OS helicopter and sonobuoys.) Click ENGAGE. The Track ID of the contact is added to the Target Queue and is now available for weapon assignment in the Weapons

    

    

2. Control Station. 3. Select a Track ID in the list and click �� DISENGAGE

    

    

3. �� HOLD to notify the Weapons Con

    

   1. contact. (You are not prevented from firing o

       

       

   2. hold. This is used in Multiplayer Multi-Station mode to notify the Weapons Control player to check with the Weapons Coordinator before engaging the contact.) BREAK ALL to remove all contacts from the Target Queue. �� N e added in the Weapons ote: Submarine contacts must b

       

       

   3. Coordinator Station to be available in the Target Queue in the

       

       

   4. Torpedo Control Station. Tip: B ecause scroll and zoom are limited in the Weapons Coordinator Geopl arate symbols when multiple sensors are ot it is difficult to select sep

       

    

reporting the same contact. Press [Tab] to move between contacts. Check the DDI for the source of the report to determine when an OS reported contact is selected. If the Geoplot is zoomed the selected contact may be off the screen. Zoom out before tabbing. From the Nav Map your can also Hide Link Data to better see your own contacts. WEAPONS COORDINATOR DDI The following information is available in the DDI on a contact selected in the

 

1. Weapons Coordinator Geoplot:

    

Track: Track number of the selected contact. Brg: True bearing of contact. aft only are identified as Civilian, d by the player. Pending indicates unknown or wnship and Ownship’s helicopter at all times and by the Air Search radar is t CPA reac point of approach (CPA) to Ownship (given current WEA and manipulates and rget Queue. The move e the selected contact into the Target Queue. already in the Target Queue, the bers in the Target Queue when a hold fire is ordered. s Control player in

 

1. assigned Category: Air. If the radar misclassifies a contact, selecthe contact and click CLASSIFY. Then click AIR or SURF as appropriate. Brg: Projected true bearing of the selected contact when it hes its closest

    

 

1. The woordADARselects contacts in the Geoplot for placement in the Ta

    

following buttons are used to place contacts in the Target Queue or rethem from the queue. A target in this queue is easily targeted in the Weapons Control Station. TARGET QUEUE Controls ENGAGE: Click to plac

 

1. When the selected contact is

    

1.  

    

   1. Multi-Station mode to check with the Weapons Coordinator before engaging this target. AK ALL: Click to remove all targets from the Target Queue.

       

 

1. BRE ed n p orne helicopter. (Sync is set in the ASTAC station.) Ge : Click to center Ownship in the Geoplot. (Ownship ss the OS helicopter is centered.) he ASTAC ted radar (10, 20, 40, 80, or 160 nautical miles.) (The surface Radar represented by an individual single-sweep. The epresents its nominal range. Ownship’s air and ine 5.) The he helo is ts ated when a Radar is off. CLA The Classify function in the Weapons Coordinator Station is used to classify a contact selected in the Geoplot. Only contacts detected by Ownship’s TARGET QUEUE: Lists the track numbers of all contacts designatwith the ENGAGE button. Targets designated here appear in the

    

CENTER OWNSHIPis always centered unle

Each of the Radars islength of the sweep r

surface search radars emanate from the OS symbol. REMRO’s single-lsweep emanates from the helicopter symbol. ADT: Click to turn ON/OFF the air search radar (AN/SPS-49.)

 

1. SSIFY

    

 

1. sensors can b

    

e classified. When a Link or Truth contact is selected, the he he Category field in the DDI. The selection av

Classify button is unavailable. CLASS (Category): Class is selected by default. Click the desired category to assign that category to the selected object or platform. Tselected name appears in t

 

1. Menu/Options/Game/Show Truth for information on the Truth objects. When Show Allies is selected in the Game Options screen, any selected allied contact is reported as Truth. When Show Truth is selected in the Game Options, the true class of any selected object appears in the Class field of the DDI.) SCco ld in the DDI when this contact l. FF STATION [F9] TATUS (ID): Click STATUS to display a selection of alliance IDs. lick the desired alliance designation to assign it to the selected ntact. This choice displays in the ID fie

    

 

1. range, course, and srface andof the ship’s sensors. This information, a

    

accurately target hostile contacts and also to avoid collision with other vessels. TMA is not simple. The basic steps for performing TMA are found in Training/TMA Basics in this manual. A description of the FFG’s TMA station and information on using the FFG’s unique TMA Plot are found heUntil you get the hang of TMA you might want to turn your TMA Autocrew on while you are at other stations.

 

1. FFG TMA Station

    

 

1. THE TMA PLOT

    

The TMA Plot in the FFG is modeled after a Dead Reckoning Tracer (DRT.) It plots bearing and range returns (when available) of contacts detected and marked by Ownship’s sensors. Unlike the digital TMA displays in the submarines, the FFG in S.C.S. – Dangerous Waters does it the old fashioned way, on paper. A speed ruler is used to determine the most likely speed, course and range of the contact.

A contact must be selected in the TRACK drop-down list on the Track Report Update tablet and at least one line of bearing must be visible on the TMA Plot before a speed ruler is visible. A contact must be marked by one of Ownship’s sensors before it appears in the track list.

 

1. �� Note: Normally visual and radar contacts would not be marked on the TMA plot; however, in S.C.S. - Dangerous Waters the track numbers for all contacts marked by your FFG sensors appear in the TMA list to facilitate merging tracks and cleaning up the 3D View. Link participants and Link contacts do not appear in the TMA track list.)

    

Automatic Updates: When a contact is assigned a tracker (an ATF in the Towed array or the ATT in Hull active sonar) update reports are sent to TMA every two minutes. When the Towed Array and EW Autocrew are on,

updates are also sent to the TMA station. Contacts marked by the FFG Lookout and radar (when it is on) are also updated every two minutes.

Manual Updates: Since there are a limited number of trackers that can be assigned to contacts in the FFG, you may want to manually re-mark contacts that have not been assigned trackers. If a two-minute interval has not passed before you re-mark a given contact, a new line will not appear on the TMA plot for that contact. Be sure to wait a full two minutes. Note the time on the most recent LOB when deciding when to re-mark a contact.

Viewing Updates: While tracks that have been assigned trackers or are updated by Autocrew are always being updated, the newly reported LOBS are only added to the plot when the track is reselected. If a track is selected in the dropdown list its updates appear as you watch.

 

1. TMA Speed Rulers

    

The FFG’s TMA speed ruler is depicted as a clear plastic ruler with fixed tics indicating two-minute intervals at the speed indicated on the ruler. The FFG’s speed ruler does not stretch as the digital speed strips in the submarine TMA stations; it must be swapped to try different speeds. A ruler is swapped by selecting a different speed in the SPD field in the Track Update Report.

 

1. Using the FFG TMA Speed Ruler

    

    

2. 1. Click on the center of the ruler and drag it to move the ruler to a new location.

    

    

3. 2. To move an end of a ruler, click and drag the desired end of the ruler.

    

4. 3. To select a different speed ruler click or right-click in the in the speed field of the Track Update Report.

    

    

5. 4. To indicate course: Arrows on either side of the selected speed noted on the ruler indicate course direction. It is not necessary to have the extreme left tic be on the oldest line, just be aware that the course of the track is indicated by the arrows. Click and drag the end of the ruler to place it in an orientation that depicts your best guess as to the course of the contact.

    

    

6. 5. Note the location of the tiny circular Current Position Indicator. Given the course, range and speed indicated by the ruler position, and the last sensor report, the tiny circle marks the probable current position of the contact.

    

�� Note: The towed array picks up low flying aircraft. When the TMA Autocrew is ON you may see ruler speeds in excess of 50 knots. This is the Autocrew’s attempt to analyze the data from the detected aircraft.

Cursor Position and Solution Readout

In the upper right corner of the TMA Pot is a readout of the cursor bearing and range. Once a solution is entered for the selected track the entered range, bearing, speed and course of the contact appear beneath the Cursor location information whenever that contact is selected. See Training/TMA Basics for information on generating solutions.

 

1. Ownship Course and Speed Indicator Light

    

A bright pinpoint light shines through the TMA Plot paper to represent Ownship position. This light moves corresponding to Ownship’s course and speed; when the light reaches the edge of the paper, it begins blinking. The sheet must be removed to again center the OS light in the center of the TMA Plot. Click TEAR HERE to remove the sheet.

Be aware that all contact bearing lines, the track history of all contacts, is lost when the page is removed. When TMA Autocrew is on he automatically tears the sheet when the light reaches the edge of the paper. You must remark contacts that are not assigned ATF or ATT trackers and re-select a Contact ID before new LOBs appear on the plot.

The scale of movement of the Ownship marker is changed by selecting the desired range (in nautical miles) with the RANGE SCALE switch at lower right of the TMA Station.

 

1. Lines of Bearing

    

When a contact’s track number is selected in the Track Update Report, the bearing data for that contact appears on the TMA Plot as a line of bearing or multiple lines of bearing. Depending on the sensor, reports update at regular intervals. Towed Array passive sonar contacts update every two minutes when an ATF tracker is assigned. Active Sonar has one tracker (ATT) that, when assigned, sends a report every two minutes.

Note: In S.C.S. – Dangerous Waters the FFG’s radar, when ON, reports a contact to the TMA Plot as a line of bearing ending with a tiny x at the range of the contact. The Lookout’s visual reports are also reported to the TMA Plot. This allows you to merge visual and radar contacts, which provide range information, with passive contacts, which consist of a line of bearing in order to "clean up" the Nav Map. Radar reports are updated in two-minute intervals. Lookout reports also update with an LOB every-two minutes; however, because the Lookout reports frequently, a tiny x at the reported range appears on the TMA screen between LOB reports. This gives you an indication of the contact’s course.

Sensor data is color-coded according what type of sensor is reporting the contact. LOB colors are shown in the chart below:

FFG LOB colors

Each LOB is time stamped with the time in the mission at which it was marked or reported. The time stamps appear on the TMA Plot beside each LOB. It is sometimes difficult to view all the times when zoomed out all the way.

When the contact is within the currently displayed range scale, lines of bearing reported by active sonar, the lookout, and radar end with a tiny x at the range reported.

 

1. Click on a Line of Bearing to see the track number associated with the bearing report.

    

    

2. Right-click on a line to erase it. A faint remnant remains, as does the time stamp.

    

    

3. Tearing Edge

    

When the Ownship Course and Speed Indicator light reaches the edge of the paper it is necessary to tear off that sheet and reset the Ownship marker to the center of a clean page.

 

1. Click TEAR HERE to center the Ownship Course and Speed Indicator on a clean piece of paper in the TMA Plot.

    

    

2.  Be aware that tearing off the page removes the line of bearing history for all contacts. After the sheet is torn, you will need to remark manual contacts before they will again appear on the TMA plot. Tracks that are assigned ATF and ATT trackers, screens with activated Autocrew, and Lookout and Radar sensors will automatically begin to send new reports after a two-minute interval.

    

  When Autocrew is on he will automatically tear the paper when Ownship reaches the edge of the paper. If you zoom the display such that the Ownship Course and Speed Indicator is off the paper while Autocrew is on, he automatically tears the sheet.

Tip: If you have a good solution for a contact, be sure to enter it before tearing off the sheet. Be aware that once entered a solution stays in effect even after the sheet is torn off. Once the sheet is replaced, you can refine the solution by changing the digits in the trial solution area and clicking ENTER again.

TMA ON FFG CONTACTS WITH A REPORTED RANGE

The sensors that provide range data, in addition to bearing information, are the Hull sonar and sonobuoys in Active mode, the forward and aft Lookouts, and Air Search and Surface Search Radars. Contacts marked by these sensors appear on the TMA Plot as a bearing/range pair. What you see is a bearing line ending with a tiny x at the detected range of the contact for each report from these sensors.

If the target’s bearing and range are known at two different times, as may be the case with these sensors, the solution can be found by connecting dots and "creating a line" with the ruler for course and speed.

A sonobuoy in active mode provides returns from the location of the buoy rather than from Ownship on the TMA plot. Hull active sonar, Lookout and Radar contacts, appear at the end of a line of bearing from the location of the Ownship indicator light at the time of the report.

To determine a solution for contacts with a reported range

1. Identify and mark a contact with active sonar either at the Hull Sonar Station or from returns from a DICASS buoy in active mode. (See FFG Hull Sonar and FFG Acoustic Station sections of this manual for more information on marking contacts in those stations.) Lookout and Radar contacts are marked automatically. Find the track number of the contact in the TRACKS dropdown in the Track Update Report tablet at the TMA Station.

�� Only contacts detected by Ownship’s sensors appear in the list. The track numbers for Link participants and Link Contacts do not appear in the TMA list.

�� Active sonar returns from the hull sonar and sonobuoys appear on the TMA Plot with green lines of bearing.

�� Radar contacts appear on yellow lines of bearing.

�� Lookout contacts appear on red lines of bearing.

�� When these sensors report a range, the line of bearing ends with a tiny x at the range reported. The x appears only if the range is within the current TMA Plot range scale setting.

2. One ATT (tracker) can be assigned to an active contact in the Hull Sonar active mode. If no ATT is assigned to the track, mark the contact again after a two-minute interval. Continue to mark the contact at two-minute intervals to accumulate several bearing lines. Toggle back and forth between the TMA and your chosen sensor.

3. The Lookout and Radar lines of bearing update automatically at two-minute intervals. The Lookout also sends tiny x marks with no attached line of bearing between the two-minute intervals.

4. Zoom the TMA Plot range if possible to get as clear a view as possible of the x marked ends of the bearing lines. Because of the restrictions of the FFG TMA plot, it is often not possible to zoom in and still see the ends of the lines.

5. Click in the Speed field of the Track Update Report to change the speed of the ruler until you find a ruler with tics that line up with the x marks at the ends of the lines.

6. Position the tic edge of the ruler along the x marks at the ends of the bearing lines such that the direction arrows are pointing in the direction the contact is heading.

�� Click the center of the ruler and drag it to move the entire ruler in its current orientation.

�� Click an end of the ruler to drag that end. Make sure the arrows on the ruler are pointing in the direction of the most recent LOB.

7. Change the ruler speed as needed until you find one that best matches the end points of the x marked lines of bearing. When you have the best match, click ENTER under the folded corner of the Track Update Report at the bottom right of the tablet to enter your solution.

The solution (consisting of the speed, course, range and bearing indicated by the ruler and its position) is entered in the system and appears in the upper right of the TMA Plot whenever the contact is selected.

On the Nav Map, the LOB for that contact is removed and the contact symbol now moves on the course and at the speed dictated by the solution you entered.

TMA ON FFG PASSIVE SONAR AND EW CONTACTS

A more complex situation arises when only the contact’s bearing is known, as is the case with passive sonar and EW reports. In the FFG up to eight ATF trackers can be assigned to passive contacts in towed array. If your EW Autocrew is on, EW contacts are reported to TMA automatically; if OFF, you must mark the contacts and update them yourself. There are no trackers of any kind for sonobuoys or hull passive sonar contacts.

Contacts detected by a sonobuoy in passive sonar mode are displayed from the location of the sonobuoy on the TMA board and in the Nav Map and Geoplots. Towed array contacts display from the location of the towed array (approximately a mile behind of the ship.)

To perform TMA on passive sonar contacts:

1. Select a contact to analyze. Passive contacts have colored LOBS as noted: EW: Red; Hull passive and passive sonobuoys: White; Towed Array: Magenta. The lines of bearing end at a default range. The length of the default line is not an indication of the actual range of a passive contact. You must determine that for yourself. The contact may be beyond the default range of the line. You can position the ruler beyond the LOBs if you suspect that is the case.

2. When you have several lines of bearing, determine if the Lookout has reported the contact or if you have the same contact on active sonar or radar, and merge them. This can be very useful if you have a good range from active sonar and a good bearing history from EW or passive sonar. When a contact is merged, both reporting sensors update at about the same time when the merged contact is selected in the TRACK list. Updates are only seen for the contact that is selected.

�� The FGG is noisy making it difficult to hide your location from a sub, which is no doubt aware of your presence long before you are aware of his. Because of that, using your active sonar is not the disadvantage to you as it is to a sub that is trying to maintain stealth.

3. Enter any known data in the trial solution data fields. If you have additional data on the contact’s range, or course, for example from an intelligence message, enter it in the appropriate solution field. If you have determined the contact’s speed using DEMON, enter that speed in the solution field.

4. Select a speed for the ruler and position the ruler to create possible solutions for the LOB data you see. The current ruler position is reflected in the BRG, RNG, CRS and SPD fields in the Trial Solution Area in the Track Update Report.

5. If you are sure about one aspect of the solution (e.g. range) enter that value directly into the Range field then lock the field. That keeps you from dragging the ruler to a different range. To lock a field, click the check box associated with the field.

6. When you think you have a plausible solution click ENTER at the bottom right corner of the Track Update Report.

�� The solution is entered into the system. The system tracks the estimated position of the contact based on this solution and uses that estimated location when targeting the contact. The LOB is removed from the contact on the Nav Map and the map symbol moves at the course and speed designated in the solution.

7. Change course and/or speed. When analyzing passive contacts it may be necessary to maneuver to gain additional information. Changing your course and/or speed can refine the TMA solution. This changes the relative motion between your ship and the contact. After steadying on the new course and/or speed, adjust the ruler to achieve the best fit.

This second "leg" should help to eliminate solutions that are unreasonable. A third "leg" or more will refine the solution further.

�� Remember that the Towed array is dragged a mile behind the ship. It will take some time for it to straighten out.

�� If oe TMA solution does not fit the entire observed bearing data, consider the fact that the contact itself may have changed course and/or speed. You my want to disregard the earlier lines of bearing and concentrate on the most recent returns.

�� Tearing the sheet removes the data for all contacts. Reselecting a contact does not return old data to the plot.You must mark contacts again. If trackers are assigned, they will begin updating again after a two-minute interval.

TRACK UPDATE REPORT

The fields of the Track Update Report sheet are described here:

�� Click the up and down arrows to the left of SPD to select a ruler that indicates a higher or lower speed.

TRACK MERGE REPORT

When different sensors detect the same contact it is sometimes helpful to merge those contacts to help reduce clutter on the Nav Map and merge all incoming data into one TMA solution. With information from more than one sensor displayed together on the TMA Plot it is sometimes easier to pinpoint the exact range.

The lower tablet provides the means for Merging, Splitting and Dropping tracks by using the tabs described here. The components of the Track Merge report are described here:

To Merge a Track

1. Click the MERGE tab in the lower tablet.

2. Select the primary track from the TRACK dropdown in the Track Update Report sheet. This automatically places the primary track number in both the Track update Report and the Merge Track Report TRACK Fields.

3. Select a secondary track from the MERGE dropdown list to merge with the primary track.

4. Click MERGE in the folded corner of the Merge Update Report sheet to perform the merge. The track that was selected in the merge dropdown no longer appears in the Track list. The returns from the reporting sensors of both the primary and secondary tracks now list the track ID number of the primary track.

TRACK SPLIT REPORT

To Split Merged Tracks

TRACK DROP REPORT

Occasionally you may want to drop a contact that is of little interest or is moving out of range.

To Drop a Track

1. Click the DROP tab in the lower tablet.

2. From the TRACK dropdown in the upper Track Update Report select the Track number to be dropped. This places the track number in the TRACK field in the lower Track Drop Report sheet.

3. Ensure that the track you want to drop is the one that appears in the Track Field.

4. Click DROP under the folded corner of the sheet to perform the drop. The Track number is removed from the system. The track may reappear if you or your Autocrew remark it.

RANGE SCALE

The control switch in the lower right of the station interface controls the range that appears in the TMA Plot. Click the number of the desired scale. Numbers indicate nautical miles. Because the TMA plot can only be zoomed in on dead center, the ends of the lines of bearing are frequently out of view when zoomed.

 FFG WEAPONS CONTROL STATION

The Weapons Control Station is used to launch SM-2 and Harpoon missiles, and train and fire the Mk 75 (76 mm) gun and the Close In Weapons System (CIWS). The Weapons Control VAB panel has four modes, Missile Control, Gun Control, Harpoon Planning and CIWS Control. These modes are navigable by buttons at the bottom of the VAB Panel. The default view is Missile Control. Common to all modes is the DDI, the Target Queue and the navigational buttons.

 

 Note: Be aware that any contacts currently in the Target Queue and all assigned targets are cleared if you toggle Show Truth. These contacts are not returned to the queue when the mode is returned to the original truth setting. You must re-enter the contacts.

 

WEAPONS CONTROL GEOPLOT

 

 

 

STORES: Lists the current number of SM-2 and Harpoon Missiles.

RAIL STATUS: Indicates the status of the missile launcher. Text in the Status field changes according to which missile is selected. Status is EMPTY until SM-2 or HARPOON is loaded.

�� Note: You cannot fire a Harpoon or SM-2 missile at a target that is behind Ownship.

SM-2: Click to load an SM-2 missile. Several Variable Action Buttons (VABs) appear during the launch procedure of an SM-2 missile. The complete steps needed to successfully launch an SM-2 describe the VABS that appear in the process.

 HARPOON: Click to load a Harpoon missile. The HARPOON button is disabled unless you have created a HARPOON PLAN in the Harpoon Plan Panel. 

 Note: Be sure to understand the steps before clicking HARPOON. The Harpoon must be launched or jettisoned once it is warmed. It cannot be returned to stores.

HARPOON PLAN: Click arrow to cycle through all available Harpoon Plans. The assigned track appears in parenthesis following the plan number. Plans with no assigned track are greyed out. Select a Plan number to assign to the Harpoon on the rail. The next Harpoon that is launched follows the plan selected here. A Harpoon Plan is created in the Harpoon Plan Panel. Click the HARPOON PLAN button in the Weapons Control Navigation buttons to access the Harpoon Plan Panel.

CAS STATUS/ STIR STATUS: Two fire control radars are available on the FFG: CAS (Combined Antenna System) and STIR (Separate Track & Illumination Radar). CAS can guide SM-2 missiles or control the gun. STIR can only guide the SM-2 missile. A fire control radar can track only one target at a time. The Harpoons do not require a fire control radar assignment.

Both the CAS and STIR STATUS areas allow for assigning (and de-assigning) a radar system to a target and for shutting down the missile once it is launched.

To Launch an SM-2 Missile:

1. Select a target from the Target Queue or click on a target on the Geoplot.

2. In the RAIL STATUS area click SM-2. This initiates the loading and warming process. Current progress status flashes in the RAIL STATUS area ending with READY SM-2. The RETURN button is activated.

�� Click RETURN to return the missile to stores. The missile can be returned at any point before launch.

3. When ready to launch the missile click ASSIGN in the STIR STATUS areas. This assigns that fire control radar to the target selected in the Target Queue or the Geoplot. The ASSIGN button changes to DEASSIGN. (While the SM-2 can be guided with both the STIR and the CAS, the STIR cannot be used with the Gun, therefore assign the STIR to an SM-2 first to leave the CAS available for the gun. You are prevented from assigning an SM-2 to the CAS unless the STIR is currently guiding an SM-2 in the air.) Click DEASSIGN to turn off the fire control radar and de-assign the selected target.

�� Note: The fire control radar begins radiating as soon as the target is assigned and can be picked up by enemy ESM. That announces you have hostile intent.

4. Once a fire control radar is assigned to the target, the FIRE button is activated. Click FIRE. The COMFIRM VAB appears. (If a radar is assigned to the target before the missile is loaded, the fire button enables as soon as the missile loads.) If the FIRE button never enables when you have a target assigned, the target may have already been destroyed.

5. Click CONFIRM within five seconds to launch the missile. RAIL STATUS updates to FIRING SM-2 until the missile is away. If you fail to click CONFIRM in the allotted time, the FIRE and RETURN buttons are reactivated.

6. The missile can be shut down once it is airborne. Click CWI in the STIR STATUS area. This turns off the Continuous Wave Illumination (CWI) and signals the missile to shutdown.

�� If you wish to launch another SM-2 missile while the STIR is guiding the current missile, assign a target to the CAS. The process is that same as described above.

Tip: The STIR can only guide SM-2 missiles while the CAS can guide both SM-2 missiles and the gun. By using the STIR to guide the SM-2, you leave the CAS available for gun engagements. You are prevented from assigning an SM-2 to the CAS unless the STIR is currently guiding a missile. The Harpoon has a built–in radar and does not use the CAS or STIR.

To Launch A Harpoon Missile:

1. Click the HARPOON PLAN navigational button and create a Harpoon Plan for the desired target. (See FFG STATION/Weapons Control Station/Harpoon Plan Panel for information on creating a Harpoon Plan.)

2. Click the MISSILE CONTROL button.

3. Select the desired Harpoon Plan number by clicking the down arrow in the Harpoon Plan area of the Missile Control Panel.

4. Click HARPOON in the RAIL STATUS area. The missile can be returned to stores only until it begins warming.

5. Click RETURN to return it to stores. Once it begins warming it must be launched or jettisoned.

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                Note: The Harpoon has a standoff range of 5 nautical miles. It cannot be fired against targets closer than five nautical miles to Ownship.

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                  GUN CONTROL PANEL

                   

                   

                   

             

             

            9. Click CONFIRM within five seconds to jettison the weapon.

          

          

         8. To jettison the missile click JETTISON.

       

       

      7. Click CONFIRM within five seconds to proceed with the launch of the weapon.

    

   6. When the Harpoon is READY, click FIRE.

The Gun Control panel targets and fires the Mk 75 (76 mm) gun. When Ownship’s course is such that the gun cannot physically engage the target, nothing happens when FIRE is ordered. The steps involved in firing the gun describe the areas and buttons found in the Gun Control VAB Panel.

 

Note: As modeled in S.C.S. – Dangerous Waters, the gun has a range of 10 nm (approximately 20,250 yards.)

Engaging a Target With the Mk 75 Gun

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             Note: If the CAS is currently guiding a missile, this button changes to CWI (Continuous Wave Illumination.) Clicking CWI shuts down the radar and causes the missile to self-destruct. When CWI is clicked or when the missile reaches its target this VAB reverts to ASSIGN. If the CAS was previously assigned to a contact, you may need to DEASSIGN the previous contact to assign the desired contact.

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               4. Click HOLD FIRE to activate the SINGLE FIRE and RAPID FIRE VABs. 

          

          

         3. Click ASSIGN in the CAS STATUS area to assign the target to the fire control radar. The VAB changes to DEASSIGN. (The STIR can only be used with the SM-2 missile.)

       

       

      2. Select a track number in the Target Queue or select a contact on the Geoplot that is not in the no-fire zone.

    

    

   1. From the Weapons Control Station click GUN CONTROL to access the Gun Control VAB panel. The gun can only engage targets to port and starboard and cannot fire on targets within two no-fire zones fore and aft of Ownship. The no-fire zones appear on the Geoplot as two cones filled with wavy lines.

 Click SINGLE FIRE to fire a single shot.

 �� Click RAPID FIRE to fire continuously. The gun continues to fire until RAPID FIRE is clicked again or HOLD FIRE is selected or you run out of munitions. The gun is reloaded automatically.

5. Follow the trajectory of the shot in the Camera view. Click the CAMERA slider at the left of the screen to display the Camera view. (If the selected contact does not appear in the camera, it is possible that the contact is not where you think it is or that the contact has been destroyed. Check the age of the contact in the Nav Map DDI. If it has been some time since the contact was last updated this can indicate that either the contact is out of sensor range, no tracker is assigned, or the contact has been destroyed and has sunk, thus it can’t be updated.)

6. If the round misses the target, adjust the trajectory in the Manual Correction area.

7. Click DEASSIGN to turn off the fire control radar and un-assign the target from CAS when done firing.

MANUAL CORRECTION: If there is no wind and neither ship is moving, the gun hits the target without correction. Such conditions are rare. Given wind and ship movement, the trajectory may require manual adjustment.

1. Follow the shell trajectory and resulting splash in the camera view to determine the need for adjustment.

2. In the Manual Correction area Click + or – as needed to adjust the bearing (Brg) and range (Rng) of the next shot. Correction is basically trial and error.

CAMERA View: The camera view follows the shell trajectory.

�� Click CAMERA slider at the left of the station to display the Camera. You cannot pan in the 3D camera view. Your view is of the gun’s view. Press [Ctrl] + [+] and [-] to zoom the camera view.

�� Click the left and right facing arrows below the camera view to switch between the Gun Turret view and the Helo Forward Observer View. That view is only available when a Helo is aloft and SYNC has been established.

�� Click XCAMERA to retract the camera view.

HARPOON PLAN PANEL

The Harpoon Plan Panel is used to set the flight path and create enable and shutdown presets for Harpoon missiles. A plan is specific to a selected target. The plans created in the Harpoon Plan Panel are available for selection in the Missile Control Panel. The steps for creating a Harpoon Plan explain the VABs and areas of the Harpoon Plan Panel. Up to four Harpoon Plans can be created. The FFG carries a maximum of four Harpoons. The FFG’s fire control radars are not needed for a Harpoon launch. The missile has its own weapon radar and follows the course specified in the plan.

To Create a Harpoon Plan:

1. Click a number (1 – 4) in the PLAN SELECT area to create presets for that plan number.

�� A Plan "Paddle" appears on the Geoplot at the end of a missile flight path attached to the OS Symbol.

 Harpoon Plan Paddle

�� There is one waypoint in the flight path marked with a tiny F. The pointed end of the paddle, representing the missile’s enable point is marked with a tiny E. The flat end of the paddle, representing the missile’s shutdown range, is marked with a tiny S.

�� Click the square next to the F, E or S to select it then drag the square to adjust the paddle position or dimensions. (The Harpoon has a minimum enable range of 5 nautical miles in S.C.S. – Dangerous Waters. The range to the enable point cannot be placed closer than 5 nautical miles. The paddle will jump to an acceptable range if you attempt to move it closer than its minimum enable range.)

2. Click a track number in the TARGET QUEUE or click a contact on the Geoplot to select that track as the target for this plan. The APPLY button is enabled.

�� Note: If the APPLY button does not enable, the range of the selected contact is either too close or too far from Ownship. See Harpoon Minimum and Maximum Range below.

3. Click APPLY in the PLAN TARGET area. The assigned track number appears below PLAN TARGET. This locks in the selected track as the target for this plan. If APPLY is not clicked any changes made to the presets are lost when a new plan or a different navigational button is selected.

4. Click AUTO PRESET to set a computed intercept course, enable range, shutdown range, default waypoint, and seeker pattern. The Plan Paddle moves to encompass the selected track.

5. While you can click or right-click on the numerals in the PRESETS area to adjust any of the settings it is easier to click the E, S or F squares in the Plan Paddle on the Geoplot to adjust the enable, shutdown or waypoint range. Moving the paddle automatically updates the numbers in the Preset Panel. Be aware that the presets numbers constantly update to reflect Ownship’s movement and the projected course and speed of the target. The preset fields are described below.

6. To set a different target for this plan, select a different contact and press APPLY. Manually move the Plan Paddle or click AUTO PRESET again to move the paddle automatically to cover the new target.

7. Click MISSILE CONTROL. Select the plan number from the HARPOON PLAN area. See FFG Stations/Weapons Control Station/Missile Control Panel/To Launch A Harpoon Missile.

Harpoon Plan Presets

Harpoon Minimum and Max Range

The selected target must be within the Harpoon’s minimum enable range (5 nm) and maximum range (70 nm) from Ownship. If the selected contact is too close or too far from Ownship the APPLY button will not enable.

If your manipulation of the flight waypoint or shutdown range creates a total distance that exceeds the maximum range of the missile, the Plan Paddle and/or flight path resize to fit its min and max range window. During the resizing process the flight path jumps on the Geoplot.

CIWS PANEL

TARGET QUEUE: Targets are added to the Target Queue at the Weapons Coordinator Station [F8]. No air contacts appear in the Torpedo Target Queue. When targets are in the queue, their track numbers appear in the compass area of the Torpedo Control Display next to a short line. By default Manual is selected in the list.

Solution Area: When Manual is selected, the range, course, and speed fields in the solution area are blank; only the current cursor bearing is shown. The bearing field in the Computed Intercept area reflects the cursor bearing.

When a track number is selected in the TARGET QUEUE the solution data for that target (bearing, range, course and speed) displays in the fields directly below the Target Queue. Depending on the source of the selected track, the solution may be determined by the source (Link, FFG Lookout) or entered by you or your TMA Autocrew at the TMA Station. The solution is only as good as the source. When the contact selected in the Target Queue has only a line of bearing, no solution data exists. Only the bearing appears in the solution area.

Torpedo Preset Area: Here you enter torpedo settings appropriate for the selected target and weapon. Check the Recommendations in the lower portion of the Torpedo Display for presets generated by the ships computer.  Click or right-click to increase or decrease a digit in the preset area.