USArmy-ApacheLongbow

TM 1-1520-251-10
4.26.1 Manual Track. Manual tracking is selected by
pressing the RHG SLAVE switch. To track the target in
manual, the CPG operates the RHG MAN TRK control in
the direction needed to keep the TADS pointed at the target.
If the aircraft or target is moving, the use of LMC will
greatly reduce CPG workload.
NOTE (ORT)
If IAT is selected while DVO is the selected
sensor and FLIR is on, the DVO FOV will
default to NFOV and the TEU will use FLIR
video for tracking the target. DTV video will
be displayed on the HOD. Since FLIR video
is used to track the target and DVO does not
display IAT tracker gates, impending breaklocks
cannot be detected and IAT track criteria
cannot be evaluated by the CPG.
4.26.2 IAT. IAT automatically tracks targets detected
with DTV or FLIR. Operation is basically the same using
either sensor. IAT should be used to track, designate, and
engage targets when there is sufficient target-to-background
contrast. IAT is selected by setting the LHG IAT/
OFS switch to IAT. IAT identifies a target by contrast, surrounds
the target with tracker gates, and calculates the
difference between target centerline and selected FOV
center point. Good track criteria (video parameters evaluated
by IAT) must be established for proper IAT operation.
When IAT tracker gates start to flash, an impending
IAT breaklock condition exists. While the impending
breaklock condition exists, IAT will try to reacquire the target.
If IAT does not reacquire the target, within a required
period of time, IAT enters a stop mode. In the stop mode,
IAT gates change to 4 solid rectangles. When in the stop
mode, the CPG has manual track control of the TADS
LOS. If LMC is off when the IAT enters the stop mode,
LOS will stop. If LMC is on, the LOS will continue to move
at the last commanded slew rate. Once IAT is selected,
setting the IAT/OFS switch to OFS will engage the IAT offset
tracking capability. In this mode, the MAN TRK thumbforce
controller is re-enabled so the TADS may be manually
tracked away from the target to allow for offset lasing
during Hellfire missile engagements/ranging. Actioning
the IAT/OFS switch again to OFS will disengage offset
tracking and the TADS will resume automatic tracking of
the target. Actioning the IAT/OFS switch again to IAT will
disengage automatic tracking and re-enable the MAN
TRK thumbforce controller for manual tracking.
[ MT MTT. The TADS multi-target tracker is capable of
tracking one primary and two secondary targets using
DTV or FLIR. Operation is basically the same using either
sensor, however, tracks can be maintained in only one
sensor at a time. The sensor may be changed between
DTV and FLIR while tracking the target, however, the target
will still be tracked in the original sensor. If the sensor
is changed while tracking the target, symbology will offset
due to internal paralax correction. The digital image tracker
functions based on the edge of the target. It also incorporates
an inertial track filter which uses previous track information
to determine predicted target locations.
A primary target track is selected by setting the LHG IAT/
OFS switch to IAT. The primary autotrack function surrounds
the target with tracker gates, sizes the gates
based on target edge detection techniques, and initiates
automatic tracking. The track number will be displayed
below and to the right of the gates. Pressing and holding
the switch in the IAT position for longer than 0.6 seconds
will initiate manual sizing control of the tracking gates.
Gates will start near the LOS recticle center, then expand
and shrink back down, and then begin the growth cycle
again. Sizing will continue until the switch is released at
the desired size. Size will not exceed 50% of the FOV.
Once a primary track is established, the TADS LOS may
be manually slewed to acquire additional tracks or to allow
for offset lasing during Hellfire missile engagements/ranging.
The amount of slewing (offset tracking) allowed is limited
to the extent that the primary track cannot be forced
out of the current FOV.
Setting the IAT/OFS switch to IAT, when the TADS LOS is
within the primary tracking gates, will adjust the ’aim point’
symbol to the desired location on the target/object. Setting
the IAT/OFS switch to IAT when the TADS LOS is not
within the primary tracking gates will cause the MTT to attempt
a primary target track as described above.
Selecting a second target track will establish that track as
the primary track and the previous track will become a
secondary track. A unique flag and flag post symbol will
be displayed in conjunction with the secondary track. The
track number will be displayed within the flag symbol. In
addition, the total number of target tracks will be displayed
in the upper right area of the weapon format when the
MTT is in use.
When the TADS LOS is not within the primary tracking
gates, setting the IAT/OFS switch to OFS for less than 0.5
seconds will disengage offset tracking and slew the TADS
LOS to the primary track. At this point, the TADS LOS may
again be manually slewed as required. Placing the TADS
LOS on a primary or secondary track (symbol bolds) and
setting the IAT/OFS switch to OFS will delete that track. If
the primary track is deleted, the previously selected secondary
track will become the primary track. Pressing and
holding the switch in the OFS position for longer than 0.5
seconds anywhere within the FOV will delete all target
tracks. Track delete messages will be displayed in the
HAD Weapon Inhibit message field.
Use or disclosure of this information is subject to the restriction(s) on the title page of this document.
Change 4 4-35