OVERHEAD PANEL

2-30: Overhead panel, left side

1. Brightness switch for red, green and white wingtip and tail navigation lights. This is a four position switch that can be cycled with each left button mouse click on the switch. Possible settings include off, 10%, 30% and 100% [L + RALT]. The fourth “АНО КОД” position (right mouse click) is a momentary position and is used to send visual „coded‟ signals (Morse code for example) to other aircraft and ground units in the case of radio communication failure. [L + LALT].

2. Windshield wiper switch. This four position switch and three speeds and off positions). To return the wiper to the default position, press the “СТЕКЛООЧИСТ ВОЗВ ЩЕТКИ” (Wiper return) switch with a right mouse button click. [W + LALT + LCTRL]

3. Windshield washer fluid switch, No function

4. Brightness adjustment knob, No function

5. Pitot static port and AoA sensors heat switch. Placing this switch to the up position will warm the sensor and prevent ice from developing on it in cold conditions. Ice development can result in erroneous air speed indications. This switch is also used to control heating of the angle-of-attack (AoA) and side-slip vane sensors. [S + LALT + LSHIFT].

6. Pitot ram air and clock heat switch. Placing this switch to the up position will warm the sensor and prevent ice from developing on it in cold conditions. Ice development can result in erroneous air speed indications. This switch is also used to heat the onboard mechanical clock (otherwise, it may increase the rate of time error). [S + LCTRL + LSHIFT]

7. Windshield heater switch.

8. Magnetic compass. This is a standard, liquid-filled, back-up compass that requires no electrical power. See magnetic compass section below for more detail.

Left Overhead Panel Warning and Advisory Lamps

2-31: Overhead panel, right side

1. Rotor de-icing system switch. Placing this switch in the up position will warm the rotor blades to the point that it prevents icing. If ice does develop on the rotor blades, they will dramatically lose lift generating capability. It is always best to turn this on when operating in cold air. [S + LALT + LCTRL + LSHIFT]

2. Engines de-icing/dust-protection systems switch. To prevent ice from forming in the engine intakes, place this switch in the up position. This will warm the air intake manifolds and prevent ice from forming in cold conditions. If ice forms, the flow of air to the engines will be impeded. The system will also prevent dust build-up in dusty conditions. [I + LALT]

3. Left/right pitot heat indicator lamp. These lamps will be illuminated when the pitot heat control button is pressed and the pitot tube heat system is operating normally.

4. Pitot heat test button. Pressing this button will light the left/right pitot heat control lamps (if pitot heat is enabled).

5. Cockpit ventilation fan switch, No function

Right Overhead Panel Message Lamps

PRTz Data Link Control Panel

The data link control panel is located on the left side of the overhead panel. It is integrated with the Weapons Control System (WCS) and its purpose is to send and receive information about targets on the battlefield to and from other flight members. The pilot can select a target type, exchange target data with other flight members, and assign targets and initial points to wingmen.

2-32: Data link control panel

The control panel consists of three rows of buttons that allow you to send and receive targeting information. Buttons include:

1. DLINK target #1 as vehicle type. Indicates the target to send or received from a wingman is a vehicle type of target. [1 + LSHIFT]

2. DLINK target #2 as SAM or AAA type. Indicates the target to send or received from a wingman is an air defense target. [2 + LSHIFT]

3. DLINK to Wingman 1. Elects to send the data link target to wingman 1. [1 + LCTRL]

4. DLINK to Wingman 2. Elects to send the data link target to wingman 2. [2 + LCTRL]

5. DLINK to Wingman 3. Elects to send the data link target to wingman 3. [3 + LCTRL]

6. "СТИР" button: Clear DLIN. After a target type and target receiver has been entered, this button can be pressed to clear the information. [T + LSHIFT]

7. DLINK target #3 as type Other. Indicates the target to send or received from a wingman is a target other than vehicle or air defense. [3 + LSHIFT]

8. DLINK Initial point. Like vehicles, air defenses and other, you may send and receive an initial point to and from wingmen via the data link. This can be useful for communicating a battle position or ambush point. [4 + LSHIFT]

9. DLINK to Wingman 4. Elects to send the data link target to wingman 4. [4 + LCTRL]

10. "ВСЕМ" button: DLINK to All. In addition to sending targeting information to a specific wingman, you may also press this button to send the data to the entire flight. [5 + LCTRL]

11. "ВЫХОД" button: DLINK automatic ingress to target. This button activates functionality to automatically point the aircraft in the direction of the assigned data linked target. [Y + LSHIFT]

12. "ПРД/ПАМ" button: DLINK send/memory. After you have selected the target type and a data link receiver, you may press this button to send the information over the data link. Additionally, when you receive data link data from another flight member, pressing this button will accept the data/assignment. [U + LSHIFT]

Please see the “Using Data Link” chapter to learn more about using the PRT panel in regards to employing the data link.

Laser Warning Receiver (LWR)

The laser warning receiver (LWR) is located just below the PRT control panel and is capable of providing you warnings of laser energy that is illuminating your aircraft. This is particularly useful because main battle tanks and other combat ground vehicles will often use their laser range finders to input accurate target range data into their fire control systems before firing. A warning on the LWR is a sure indication that a ground vehicle or other helicopter is targeting you. To counter, you may wish to maneuver your aircraft (a still target is a dead target) and/or dispense flare countermeasures if you think an infrared-guided surface-to-air missile may have been launched. To best avoid being hit by a direct fire weapon like a tank gun round or an ATGM, make sure to not fly directly at the shooter. Instead, provide them a crossing target. Note that tank crews of many armed forces are trained to use their main guns as an anti-helicopter weapon and will engage you if you are within 1,500 meters and present them a non-crossing target. Other vehicles, such as ATGM launchers, will also engage you but at even longer ranges. Additionally, many vehicles have secondary machine guns that they will use to engage you when in close range. Prior to using the LWR, you must set the Laser Warning System (LWS) switch to on. This switch is located on the Auxiliary Control panel on the rear panel. Use the LWR in conjunction with maneuvers to avoid threats; a still target is a dead target when in range of enemy weapons!

2-33: Laser warning receiver (LWR)

The LWR panel consists of the following elements:

1. Incoming laser bearing indicator lamps. These four red lamps indicate the relative direction that laser energy is being detected from. The top and bottom lamps represent detections in front and behind you and the lamps to the left and right indicate laser designation to the left and right. After a lamp has been lit, you will need to press the Reset LWR button to turn it off; the lamps will not automatically turn off once the illumination stops.

2. Incoming laser hemisphere (above/below). Depending on the target being above or below you, one of these two lights will be lit. If the upper light is on, it probably indicates that an enemy aircraft is designating you for an attack.

3. Laser is in range-finding mode. If this light is on, it indicates that the laser energy is of sufficient strength that the enemy weapon is probably in range of reaching you.

4. Reset LWR button. Pressing this button will reset any bearing, altitude hemisphere, and laser range and guidance lamps that are lit. [L]

5. Laser is in guidance mode. Some lasers modulate their frequency when actually guiding a weapon. If such a signal is detected, this lamp will light to indicate that a weapon is probably being guided towards you. This is most often the case with ATGM weapons.

UV-26 Countermeasures Control Panel

The UV-26 countermeasures control panel is located to the right of the overhead panel and it is used to configure the release of infrared (IR) flare countermeasures. These are used as decoys against heat-seeking missiles like the Igla (SA-16), FIM-92 Stinger, AIM-9 Sidewinder, R-60 (AA-8 Aphid), and R-73 (AA-11 Archer). The goal of the flare release is to provide the IR missile seeker a more appealing target than your helicopter. The key to successful flare use can often be based on the range you start dispensing flares against

an incoming missile, the number and interval you release them in, and the aspect you keep your aircraft in relation to the released flares and the missile. The UV-26 allows you to program release modes to best fool an enemy IR seeker. Note that flares will not have any affect on optical or radar guided missiles. From the mission payload editor, you may select how may flares you wish to load on your helicopter. To activate the UV-26 panel, you must first set the countermeasure system (CMS) power switch to on. This switch is located on the Auxiliary Control panel, next to the LWS power and test controls on the rear panel.

2-34: UV-26 Countermeasures control panel

The UV-26 panel has the following controls:

1. Program display. The digital read-out indicates the currently selected flare dispensing parameters. When the "НАЛИЧ-ПРОГР" switch is in the "НАЛИЧ" (quantity) position, the display shows the remaining quantity of flares (the Ka-50 can carry a maximum of 128). When in the "ПРОГР" (program) position, the first number indicates the "СЕРИЯ" (number of sequences), the second number indicates "ЗАЛП" (flares in sequence) and the third number shows the setting for "ИНТЕРВАЛ" (dispense interval).

2. Dispenser side lamp – Indication that flares will be dispensed from the left dispenser.

3. "БОРТ" (side) release select switch. This is a three position switch that can be set to the center position for release of flares from both sides; to the left for

release of flares from the left wing dispenser or to the right for release of flares just from the right wing. Depending on the selection, the appropriate lamp(s) will be visible in the display field above. [] + RALT]

4. "СЕРИЯ" button. Pressing this button cycles through the number of flare sequences options. The number of sequences is equal to the number of times the program will be run (except for 5 when the number of sequences is 12 and for 7 when the number of sequences is 15). When the value is set to 0, flares will be dispensed continuously. [INSERT + RSHIFT]

5. "ЗАЛП" (salvo) button. Press this button to cycle between the number of flares to be released in a single program sequence. Values range 1 through 8. [INSERT + RCTRL]

6. "СТОП" (stop) button. Stops the currently running program. [DELETE]

7. Lamp – Indication that flares will be dispensed from the right dispenser.

8. "НАЛИЧИЕ – ПРОГР" (quantity-program) switch. When set to "НАЛИЧИЕ", the display indicates the number of flares remaining; when set to "ПРОГР", it shows the current flare program numeric code. [] + RCTRL]

9. "ИНТЕРВАЛ" (interval) button. Pressing this button cycles between the time-delay between flare release settings. The delay is in seconds and is equal to the displayed number except for the cases of 7, 9 and 0, for which the intervals are 0.25, 0.5 and 0.125 seconds respectively. [INSERT + RALT]

10. "СБРОС ПРОГР" (reset program) button. This button resets the programmed parameters to the default, "110". [DELETE + RCTRL]

11. "ПУСК" (dispense) button. Pressing this button executes the configured flare dispersion program. [INSERT]

Example programs: 110: 1 sequence, dispense 1 flare, delay of 0.125s. Pressing "ПУСК" releases a single flare from the selected side pod (depending on the position of the "БОРТ" switch). This is the default program. 622: 6 sequences, 2 flares in a sequence, 2 second interval. Flares will be dispensed in pairs, one from each side or from one side only, again depending on the "БОРТ" switch position. 529: 12 sequences, 2 flares in a sequence, interval of 0.5 s between releases. A user-programmable LUA script for controlling the UV-26 countermeasures control panel is located in the \Scripts\Aircrafts\Ka-50\Cockpit\Devices_specs\UV_26.lua file.

Magnetic Сompass

The magnetic compass is an autonomous, self-contained, direction-indicating instrument that does not require a power source. It serves as a backup to other navigation instruments. Its operation is based on a magnet reacting to the Earth‟s magnetic field.

The scale is calibrated in 5-degree increments and has a numeric readout every 30 degrees. North and South are marked “0” и “180” respectively.

2-35: Magnetic compass Compass features:

 Measurement of uncertainty is 1

 Compass “stickiness” – under 1

 Maximum dynamic error – under 35

 Time for scale to come to a rest – no more than 17 s

 Operating temperature range 60С

Note that the compass does not indicate true aircraft heading due to magnetic variation, or deviation end-dip error. Thus, appropriate corrections need to be applied when determining true heading.

2-36: Aircraft course

1. Full variation

2. Magnetic variation

3. Deviation

4. True heading

5. Magnetic heading

6. Compass heading

In the Caucasus region where DCS: Black Shark takes place, the magnetic variation is approximately 5-degrees. The compass deviation is cause by the helicopter‟s own magnetic field. 2-37: Compass deviation in Ка-50 Table above shows the compass deviation in our Ka-50 simulation.

 Y axis – deviation (in degrees)

 X axis – helicopter‟s compass heading

To find the current deviation, note the helicopter‟s compass heading on the X axis and then draw the vertical line parallel to the Y-axis. The intersection between the vertical line and the graph will indicate the value for deviation in degrees.