APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

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Chris
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APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Chris »

APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Judging by ED’s model selection and their design team (Belsimtek – UH1H / Mi8 heritage) this attack helo will be a complex system based model which will take a fair bit of time and study to become competent with. For a while the Apache will become flavour of the month and an all consuming passion that is until until the next model comes along… Such is the way of DCS.

The apache cockpit is quite complex with flight and most armament controls accessible from both. Different nations have different procedures but it is common for both positions to alternate between pilot and commander / weapons. To my mind, it would be beneficial pre-release to hone current basic helo skills and develop good team interaction between pilot & Commander roles in overt and covert, reconnaissance and attack tactics in advance of Apache release.

With that in mind 1 RTS(Rotary) will be offering a fast track AH-64D series starting beginning of November 2021. If interested you would need to be competent with UH1H or Mi17 Pilot or Senior Pilot (viewtopic.php?f=324&t=3847)skills or similar in the case of SA342 or Ka50. Those engaging will experience general operations, navigation (blind F10), route planing, reconnaissance / scout tactics, basic attack helicopter tactics, integrated Helicopter Assault operations, JTAC and Artillery calls operating in pairs in either the UH1H, SA342 or Mi24P alternating Pilot & Commander/Gunner roles

This will enhance current skills and develop new competences that will prevent pilot overload if you wish to fly this airframe as realistically as DCS allows when released. I do not see the Apache as a replacement for the Huey or Mi17 or SA342 and ideally you should remain current in that type too, they all have their place on the battlefield and realistic missions should encompass all rather just one.

If there is a take-up, all training will be mission based on RAFAIR servers with structured de-briefs factored into timings.

Please contact me if interested...

Real AH-64 pilot gives cockpit orientation


Check out CASMOs AH-64D youtube playlist here…
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... v10d5IG890
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Kind Regards
Chris :)

Smithy
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Smithy »

I am buts its a secondary have a blast load of fun hunting turtles type of thing
Student Pilot Rich Smith - RAF Air UK

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Chris
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Chris »

Smithy wrote: 22 Oct 2021, 11:02 I am buts its a secondary have a blast load of fun hunting turtles type of thing
Not sure of the turtles, they're protected these days :) but the training will be realistic as possible and can be intense... with craic of course, but intense none the less...
Kind Regards
Chris :)

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Duke
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Duke »

I'd be up for flying the Apache or Helos in general as my main stay

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Neil Willis
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Neil Willis »

I think you can hunt turtles in the UK, they're an invasive species.

I am interested in learning to fly and fight the Apache Longbow. But as was said, it may be flavour of the month. I suspect however that it will prove to be a bit more of a long term proposition than most. I hope they manage to really pin down AI crewmen here because given past experience, getting a crew together might be almost as hard as juggling soup.

I don't think we could ask for a better instructor in Chris, so take advantage of this opportunity guys, he knows his stuff.
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Karl1464
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Karl1464 »

Definitely interested even though I am brand new to RAF Air, will be quite a jump from the Gazelle ....

Thanks for the video on the Apache cockpit, very interesting and much appreciated.

I will await further instructions.
Student Pilot Karl Hughes RAF Air UK

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Chris
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Chris »

This will be kicking off 1st November with 6 so far have expressing interest - around 10 being the maximum. All flying when ever possible will be in in dual control aircraft not only honing core helo skills but also introducing tactics and procedures prior required to fight the Apache prior to actual release. For this to happen training missions will engage with scripted ground forces to emulate as much as RL as is feasible with Mist scripting and DCS. The use of using 'GEORGE' ai and some sort of interface similar to 'JESTER' or PETROVICH' will be minimal if at all. Training WILL be about the P & CPG communication and roles first then with AH-64D second and Multiple pairs third.

Just to highlight that despite all the many computer flight and armament systems on board the AH-64D, in RL 2 people are still required to fight efficiently. The back seat is of course the pilot but the front seat is not just a junior co-pilot is in the Huey / civil aviation, he is Commander Co-Pilot Gunner (CPG) sits in the front and although he is a fully qualified pilot and has flying controls too, his main job is to command the missions as well as his own aircraft, and is primarily responsible for firing the aircraft weapon systems. He will at some point have been a pilot in the rear but then have moved forward after completing a conversion course. In his cockpit he has all the equipment that the pilot has, but he also has the screen and controls for the Modernised Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (MTADS). The sight displays a video image in the cockpit that can be used in the day to find targets and aim the weapons, but it is also has an infra red mode that sees the world in terms of hot and cold. The MTADS has a laser which can be used to determine the distance to a target, but it is also a coded laser that can direct the Apache’s hellfire missiles on to a target.

Although it was designed as a tank killer and primarily used for delivering weapons it is also a great intelligence finding asset. The multitude of sights and sensors allow the crew to hoover up a good deal of information on the battlefield and then relay this back to HQ over the secure radios. It can also be used to escort more vulnerable support helicopters and prevent them from being targeted. What it does best though is what it is designed to do. Whether it launches from a desert strip, the arctic or the deck of a ship, a Squadron of Apaches has the ability to defeat whole brigades of armoured vehicles through selected targetting of the prize enemy equipment.

In recent conflicts it’s main role was to support the ground forces with precision weapons when they got engaged by the Taliban and were pinned down. With a talk on over the radio from the ground forces, the Apaches were able to identify the enemy and single them out from the population and built up areas before decisively engaging them. They also escorted the Chinooks that carried the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). This life saving asset often picked up seriously wounded casualties from the battlefield while the firefight still went on around them. They were a big target for the Taliban and it was the Apaches job to try and destroy the enemy before they could engage them.

Although they can work alone, Apaches would normally work as a pair. This is known as a Flight. During an engagement one aircraft would act as the shooter and the other as the looker. This means that while one is zoomed in on the target, the other aircraft is looking out wider for more targets in depth. The looker will also put himself in a position to follow up on the first aircraft’s attack if necessary. If the Squadron is fighting together you may find 2 or more flights working in an engagement area to prosecute targets.


AH-64D Virtual Tour
Kind Regards
Chris :)

Wee Neal 0414
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Wee Neal 0414 »

I’m in
Squadron Leader Wee Neal 0414
CO 60 Squadron

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Karl1464
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Karl1464 »

Thanks for another great video Chris, much appreciated :D
Student Pilot Karl Hughes RAF Air UK

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Black-Witch
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Re: APACHE AH-64D Pre & Post release TRAINING DCS OPERATION

Post by Black-Witch »

Do we sign up here?

Bart and I are "in".

Witch
The aggressive spirit, the offensive, is the chief thing everywhere in war, and the air is no exception.

Manfred Freiherr Von Richthofen.

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