Weapons

M3P Machine Gun

Firing

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED.
2. If the gun has not already been cocked, or has been reloaded, set and hold Gun Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to RECOCK, then release to ARMED.
3. Action the gun by selecting the LEFT position on the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.
4. If using the MMS to acquire the target, align the MMS Line of Sight indicator in the Spare Weapons page or the ODA to the aircraft reference symbol.
5. If using the Grease Pencil Marker or the PDU, align the crosshair onto the target
6. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.
   • First detent will fire up to a 1 second burst each time the input is pressed.
   • Second detent will fire until the input is released.

 

INFO
None of the sighting methods for the gun use any computed methods to calculate required elevation for aiming at a target. The MMS Line of Sight indicator as displayed on the PDU or MFDs simply shows relative azimuth and elevation of the MMS, and does not factor in range or any other factors for an accurate trajectory calculation.

Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator Designator

The Infrared Zoom Laser Illuminator Designator (IZLID) can be actioned at any time using the IZLID Switch on the Pilot Collective Grip.

INFO
The IZLID is attached to the M3P and is only available when the M3P is installed.

Rockets

Rocket Cue Setup

The elevation of the Rocket Cue is determined by the selected type of rocket and the selected range. For APKWS only the elevation difference is also factored. To achieve an accurate elevation the rocket type, desired range and fuze options must be programmed into the IMCPU.

Selecting Rocket Type

1. Enter the Weapons Page by actioning the Weapon Select Switch UP
2. Press R5 to enter the Weapons BIT/Setup Page
3. Press R4 to open the Rocket Types subpage
4. Press R4 again to activate Data Entry Mode for Zone A
5. Enter the corresponding number to the type of rocket installed in Zone A
6. Press Enter to validate entry and activate Data Entry Mode for Zone B
7. Enter the corresponding number to the type of rocket installed in Zone B
8. Press Enter to validate entry

Selecting Fuze and Range

1. Enter the Weapons Page by actioning the Weapon Select Switch UP
2. For rockets that use a contact fuze, press the bezel L5 to activate Data Entry Mode for Contact Fuze/Cue Distance
3. Enter the desired fuze setting (“S” for Superquick, “B” for Bunker or a value between 10 and 45 for Delay)
4. Press Enter to validate and activate Date Entry Mode for the range options
5. Enter the desired range or range source (“L” for Laser, “N” for current Navigation Point, or a value between 500 and 8000 meters
6. Press Enter to validate and exit Data Entry Mode
7. For rockets that use an airburst fuze, press the bezel L5 to activate Data Entry Mode for Airburst Fuze/Cue Distance
8. Enter the desired range or range source (“L” for Laser, “N” for current Navigation Point, or a value between 500 and 8000 meters/
9. Press Enter to validate and exit Data Entry Mode

Unguided

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
2. Action the rockets by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip
3. If using the MMS to acquire the target, align the Rocket Cue in the Spare Weapons page or the ODA to the aircraft reference symbol
4. If using the Grease Pencil Marker or the PDU, align the crosshair onto the target
5. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip

INFO
Bunker and Delay fuze settings for rockets are currently not available in DCS World. Contact fuze rockets will always detonate upon impact. Airburst fuze distance/time settings for rockets are currently not available in DCS World. Illumination and Smoke rockets detonate at a fixed distance that cannot currently be set.

APKWS

1. Ensure Laser Code is set correctly for APKWS and Laser is ARMED and is in a designating mode
2. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
3. Action the rockets by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip
4. Hold down the Laser Fire Switch on the Copilot’s Cyclic Grip until a range is returned, an elevation difference is displayed and the Rocket Cue updates
5. If using the MMS to acquire the target, align the Rocket Cue in the Spare Weapons page or the ODA to the aircraft reference symbol
6. If using the Grease Pencil Marker or the PDU, align the crosshair onto the target
7. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip 

INFO
The Rocket Cue elevation calculation is a guide, and will not provide high accuracy. The real-world system used data taken from firing at a 50’ hover, and the DCS World OH-58D Kiowa Warrior uses this same data.

Hellfire

LOBL

INFO
If there is hellfires present in both pylons, any side of the Weapons Select Switch will work seamlessly.

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
2. Action the missiles by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.
3. Set the Launch Mode to MAN/NORM as required by pressing L4.
4. Set the Delivery Mode to LOBL by pressing L5 repeatedly until the L5 label shows LOBL.
5. Make sure below the hellfire symbol there is “RDY” as status.
6. Point with the nose of the aircraft to the general area the laser will be pointing
7. If it’s going to use the laser by your own MMS, acquire the target.
8. Set the laser to ARMED.
9. Hold down the Laser Fire Switch.
10. Use the MMS cues to direct the aircraft to the laser spot.
11. Find the laser spot in your Hellfire Weapons Page, depicted as an “x”, and place it inside the LOBL constrains markings.
12. When the line switches to solid and the status of the missile is “TRK” you are clear to shoot.
13. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip

LOAL

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
2. Action the missiles by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.
3. Set the Launch Mode to MAN/NORM as required by pressing L4.
4. Set the Delivery Mode to LOAL by pressing L5 repeatedly until the L5 label shows HI, LO or DIR.
5. Make sure below the hellfire symbol there is “RDY” as status.

DIR Point Reference

1. Press B2 to open HSD page.
2. Press L1 to open DIR Point Page.
3. Press L1 again to select an already created waypoint or, press L1 and then Enter to be able to write directly a custom position.
4. Press in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip to go back to your hellfire page.
5. Make sure you are in the correct Delivery and Launch modes.
6. Turn the aircraft into the DIR Point azimuth.
7. A box with DIR written inside will appear, as with the “x” from the laser in LOBL mode, put it inside the constrains box.
8. When the line switches to solid you are clear to shoot.
9. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.

Pre-Point Reference

1. Press B3 on the left MFD to open MMS page.
2. Make sure you are in the "Prepoint” mode by looking at the MMS Rotator.
3. Press R2 to open de PPT pop up.
4. Write on the MFK the point you want to select as prepoint.
5. Make sure you are in the correct Delivery and Launch modes.
6. Turn the aircraft into the DIR Point azimuth.
7. A big cross will appear, as with the “x” from the laser in LOBL mode, put it inside the constrains box, and it will convert into a small plus sign “+”.
8. When the line switches to solid you are clear to shoot.
9. Action the Weapon Fire Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip.

Hellfire parameters

Launch modes

There are 3 modes in this aircraft. MAN (manual), NORM (normal) and RIPL (ripple). The MAN mode allows the pilot to select manually the missile that it's going to be launched and changes it into the main code. The NORM mode steps in the normal sequence the missiles must be launched. The ripple mode is for rapid launched missiles with alternated launched codes.

Delivery modes

As already described in this manual, there is 2 delivery modes LOAL and LOBL, the LOBL mode or Lock on Before Launch requires the detection of the laser with the missile before the launch. Which gives the missile the ability to calculate the path without an extra consumption of fuel. On the other side LOAL or Lock on After Launch, lets the user fire using a given point as a reference. This is useful in situations in which the aircraft can’t be exposed. This mode has 3 sub modes: HI, LO and DIR. The first two will make the missile loft to gain altitude and energy that will make it fly further, the DIR mode will be used in engagements at shorter distances when lofting could make the missile not able to find the missile.

Constrain modes

Hellfire has two different constrain modes and those are NORMAL and ORIDE, for standard operations the normal mode will be the one used. The ORIDE or override mode lets the user fire without taking the constrains in consideration, that reduces the probability of a hit if not used correctly.

 

ATAS

Unslaved

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
2. Action the missiles by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip
3. Check that the bezel on L3 “SLAVE” is on OFF
4. Press Missile Activate button to start using the coolant
5. Move the nose of the aircraft to the general area of the objective
6. Press the Weapon Fire First Detent to make the seeker start sounding
7. On a high pitch sound, you are cleared to shoot by pressing the Second Detent of the Weapon Fire Button.

Slaved

1. Set Master Arm Switch on the Armament Control Panel to ARMED
2. Action the missiles by pressing in the direction of the desired pylon using the Weapon Select Switch on the Pilot’s Cyclic Grip
3. Check that the bezel on L3 “SLAVE” is on “ON”
4. On the right MFD, track your target with the MMS
5. Align your MMS with the ATAS box.
6. Press Missile Activate button to start using the coolant
7. Press the Weapon Fire First Detent to make the seeker start sounding
8. On a high pitch sound, you are cleared to shoot by pressing the Second Detent of the Weapon Fire Button.

Copilot’s Personal Weapon (M4)

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior crews were equipped with Personal Defense Weapons when deployed in combat. Due to the Kiowa’s close quarters engagement style, there were times when these weapons were used offensively by the crew from the air in place of other onboard weapon systems.

We have brought this feature to the DCS World OH-58D Kiowa Warrior by allowing the Copilot to deploy their M4 Carbine as a handheld weapon.

As well as being controllable by mouse or joystick, the M4 can also be used with VR controllers, and we recommend this method for anyone using VR. Since the method of use is slightly different, we have documented both cases. The method used in game is automatically decided by the detection of any powered VR hand controls.

Using VR Hand Controllers

1. With VR controllers switched on and in-game hands visible, as the Copilot reach and touch the latch securing the weapon.
2. The latch will open and the weapon will snap to the player’s hands. If using only the right controller, the weapon will align to the position and rotation of the hand. If using both controllers, the weapon will be aimed using the position of the right hand and the relative direction to the left hand
3. The weapon can be fired using the trigger on the controller
4. The weapon will reload automatically – no input is needed
5. .2 Using Mouse Input
6. As the Copilot, click on the latch securing the weapon.
7. The latch will open and the Copilot avatar will reach out and unsecure the weapon, then move into the ready position, aiming the weapon outside the aircraft
8. From this position the player can use the mouse to aim the weapon within the limits of the aircraft frame and seat harness restrictions using the M4 Mouse Left/Right and M4 Mouse Up/Down inputs (Default: Mouse X & Mouse Y)
9. The weapon can be fired using the M4 Mouse Fire input (Default: Mouse Button 1)

INFO
You may need to toggle Clickable Mouse Cockpit Mode (Default: LAlt+C) in order to switch between control of the weapon and interacting with other cockpit elements. The control bindings for the Copilot Weapon using Mouse Input mode can be found in the OH-58D Copilot Personal Weapon category