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Programmable Tactical Information Display

Buffer Readouts

The PTID buffer readouts provide information for any hooked pseudo-file. With A/A TWS or STT Tracks the Buffer reads out Range and Target Aspect (LT/RT) on the left and Magnetic Bearing and Altitude on the right. With waypoint pseudo-files the buffer only reads out bearing and range to the waypoint. The CAP can be used to access more readouts depending on the RIO selection. JDAM Launch Points and JDAM Targets read out Range and Time to Go when hooked.

HAFU

HAFU Symbology (Hostile, Ambiguous, Friendly, or Unknown). F-14B(U) uses the same HAFU symbology as other contemporary fighters.

Top Half: The top half of the symbol indicates identification from your onboard sensors

Bottom Half: The bottom half of the symbol indicates the identification by offboard sensors (donors)

Vector: A line leading from the HAFU indicates two different things depending on the selection of ground stab or aircraft/attack stab

Shape: The top and bottom elements of the HAFU can have three shapes:

  • Hemisphere: Friendly
  • Bracket: Unknown/Bogey
  • Caret: Hostile/Bandit
MeaningCombinedDatalinkRadar
Bandit/Hostile (ROE)
Bogey/Unknown
Friendly

Target Aspect

In the Tomcat TA is displayed as a readout on the top left of the PTID. Either as LT or RT for left or right of nose.

Track Files in Aircraft or Attack Stabilized mode

In attack or aircraft stab the TID shows vectors emminating from the center of tracks as relative velocity vectors. The vector displayed is the difference between the targets vector and ownship vector. It is depended on the heading and speed of both aircraft. Any change in ownship heading or speed will change the displayed vector even if target speed and heading are constant. The vectors lenght is eqivalent to closure so that the max indicated speed (1,800 knots) is 1.5 inches on the TID.

Rather than depicting the target's actual flight path, the vector indicates how the target will move across the display relative to ownship if both aircraft maintain their current velocity. It therefore provides an immediate indication of the developing intercept geometry.

For example when a vector in ATTACK or AIRCRAFT Stabilised mode points towards ownship an intercept course has been achieved.

For a target ahead of ownship:

  • A vector pointing below the target indicates positive closure.
  • A vector pointing below the target indicates opening.
  • A vector pointing left or right inidcates the direction in which the target will drift across the display.
  • A vector pointing directly at the ownship symbol indicates a collision course, with no lateral drift between the aircraft.

(1) Target Altitude in thousands of feet.

(2) Relative Velocity Vector. (Blue arrow: Ownship vector. Red arrow: track vector).

(3) Hostile/Bandit Datalink Track.

(4) Firing Order Number (FONO). (Displayed with AIM-54 selected only).

(5) Unknown/Bogey Radar Track.

Track Files in Ground Stabilized mode

In PTID ground stabilized mode the vector direction represents track true heading and the vector length represents track ground speed.

(1) Target Altitude in thousands of feet.

(2) Target Heading.

(3) Hostile/Bandit Datalink Track.

(4) Firing Order Number (FONO). (Displayed with AIM-54 selected only).

(5) Unknown/Bogey Radar Track.

Firing Order Number

With AIM-54 selected the number right of any TWS track presents the Firing order number (FONO).

FONO Indicates AIM-54 phoenix target prioritization (1 to 6) in WCS when in the TWS mode. Next missile launch will target track with number 1 and remove the number from that track to advance the other 5 track numbers one step to prepare for next launch. Mandatory attack selection on a target forces the WCS to always include that target in the prioritization. Next launch selection automatically sets hooked target as number one.

FONO can be manually set to 1 (next launch) by hooking the desried TWS track and depressing the Next Launch button.

Time-to-Impact (TTI)

After AIM-54 launch the firing order number on a track is replaced with the TTI or time-to-impact indication, showing WCS calculated time until missile intercepts the target track. When the AIM-54 active command is sent the TTI numbers flash to indicate this.

PTID Attack Stab

(1) Hooked Track files are highlighted.

(2) Bullseye waypoint is designated by a "North Spike" emanating from it pointing towards true north. In this case the Defence Point (DP) has been designated as bullseye.

(3) Attack Stabilized Mode is selected via PTID Pushbutton 13. Depressing the Pushbutton toggles to a different mode.

(4) Currently selected weapon (AIM-54C) and quantity (4).

(5) Destination Steering (DEST) to waypoint 3 is is selected.

(6) Target Radial Velocity (Vr). Vr: Target velocity component along LOS to F−14. Preceded by a minus sign when opening.

(7) Target Closure (Vc). Preceded by a minus sign when opening.

(8) PTID Cursor, actuated with HCU half action. Bullseye is always referenced to: 1. Hooked Pseudo-file, or 2. Cursor Location, when half action is actuated.

PTID Ground Stab

(1) Own A/C symbol is placed in center of PTID screen. PTID display is now always referenced towards true north.

(2) Ground Stabilized Mode is selected via PTID Pushbutton 13. Depressing the Pushbutton toggles to a different mode.

(3) Bullseye waypoint North Spike is pointing true north.

Expand Mode

(1) In PTID Expand mode, the TID "zooms" in on a hooked pseudo-file or hooked location, allowing for better visual breakout of waypoints or TWS tracks. Expand mode does not change any radar operation.

(2) Expand mode (EXP) is selected (boxed).

PTID Bullseye Readouts

For a detailed discussion on PTID Bullseye refer to the Bullseye section in the PTID chapter.

AWG-9 Radar

For a detailed discussion on the AWG-9 Radar refer to the AWG-9 section in the F-14A/B manual.