Sidearm question (HUD indication since patch) and water question

So, I heard the lock circle was not on the target in the HUD, did the patch change something?

Can sb. make a short video (few seconds) of how it looks like when locking a radar SAM?

(does the HUD circle look like A-10C sidewinder circle?)

I'm trying to understand current state of DCS Harrier (I'm considering buying it, but want to know if radars/SAMS/EWRs show up in HUD when 1 sidearm is equipped).

Also, is there a way to slew TGP to center of HUD/sidearm lock or not (in DCS or IRL)?

And last, what does the Harrier need water for (IRL and thus in DCS) ?

The water is to cool the engines when in VSTOL mode as air is no longer blowing in through the intakes as it would in normal flight.

So the reason most probably was that the materials that they had at the time were too expensive (or heavy?) to make them absorb heat enough so they decided a cheaper solution is water cooling? :P

So, I heard the lock circle was not on the target in the HUD, did the patch change something?

AFAIK the Sidearm circle drops to the bottom of the HUD and tone changes when locked, I think it can perhaps give the azimuth (direction) of a target but not it's precise location on the HUD.

Can sb. make a short video (few seconds) of how it looks like when locking a radar SAM?

Shiftie Mover made a

I'm trying to understand current state of DCS Harrier (I'm considering buying it, but want to know if radars/SAMS/EWRs show up in HUD when 1 sidearm is equipped).

AFAIK the Sidearm won't show you where a SAM is in the HUD. You still need to use the RWR, TPOD and the location of launching SAM smoke trails to find your SAM site.

The Sidearm is for self defence, it's not an equivalent of the Su-25T ELINT pod or similar.

Also, is there a way to slew TGP to center of HUD/sidearm lock or not (in DCS or IRL)?

No

And last, what does the Harrier need water for (IRL and thus in DCS) ?

Engine cooling (allowable max temps/rpm are increased) - it enables an extra power 'boost' during STO's and/or VL's near max VSTOL weights. Note: there's an Power Margine Indicator (Hexagon) the appears on the HUD to help the pilot manage the RPM/EGT limits near maximum, engine damage is modelled and something you'll want to avoid.

So the reason most probably was that the materials that they had at the time were too expensive (or heavy?) to make them absorb heat enough so they decided a cheaper solution is water cooling? :P

Just - No.

Nothing is for 'free' - you are already using the 'best' materials available, how long do you want the engine to last, do you want max loadouts / short engine life / high maintenance costs or bigger safety margins.

Using cooling helps extend engine life and boost performance where it's needed (takeoff/landing), it's a pragmatic solution - but the Harrier was wanted then, not in 10 or 20 years time.

Thank god no other aircraft need water xD

water injection is commonly used in racing sports and car tuning too,

for performance boost

Thank god no other aircraft need water xD

Many aircraft (jets and piston) have used water including German aircraft i.e. the MW50 water/methanol system added to later Bf 109's.

AFAIK the original Pegasus engine was designed in 1959.

Around the same time as the KC-135 tanker with J57 engines.

Water injection is not the same thing as water cooling. The Pegasus in our Harrier uses water injection.

From your local neighborhood Wikipedia, easier than typing it myself:

Water injection has been used in both reciprocating and turbine aircraft engines. When used in a turbine engine, the effects are similar, except that normally preventing detonation is not the primary goal. Water is normally injected either at the compressor inlet or in the diffuser just before the combustion chambers. Adding water increases the mass being accelerated out of the engine, increasing thrust, but it also serves to cool the turbines. Since temperature is normally the limiting factor in turbine engine performance at low altitudes, the cooling effect lets the engine run at higher RPM with more fuel injected and more thrust created without overheating.[3] The drawback of the system is that injecting water quenches the flame in the combustion chambers somewhat, as there is no way to cool the engine parts without coincidentally cooling the flame. This leads to unburned fuel out the exhaust and a characteristic trail of black smoke.

Higher RPM= More Thrust

More Thrust= More weight or a shorter takeoff roll (VSTOL)