MWS 101 (Mission Weapons Systems)
vACC Academics | Systems & procedures review (platform-tailored)
OBJECTIVE
Develop baseline proficiency in your assigned vACC aircraft's mission systems and procedures. Trainees will be able to configure avionics and sensors, execute common cockpit flows, and explain core weapons/employment concepts used in vACC mission qualification flights.
CONTENT
1) Aircraft Procedures & Cockpit Flows
- • Power-up / avionics initialization sequence (cold start or "from ramp" standard)
- • INS/GPS alignment concepts and common failure points (if modeled)
- • Radios: preset management, guard monitoring, flight/internal comms
- • Autopilot/flight director basics (when and why to use it in training)
- • Emergency "boldface" concept for simulator (knock-it-off, abort, RTB triggers)
2) Navigation & Situation Awareness
- • Waypoint management (create/modify/activate) and steerpoint sequencing
- • Holding a route/track within tolerances (heading/altitude/airspeed discipline)
- • Using MFD pages for SA (map/HSI/SA formats as applicable)
- • Fuel planning mindset: joker, bingo, and recovery triggers
Training Note
If your aircraft supports data link / SA pages, focus on what information you can reliably generate in-sim (don't simulate capabilities you can't reproduce consistently).
3) Sensors Overview (Platform-Tailored)
- • Radar basic modes: search, track, and scan management (as modeled)
- • Targeting pod / EO/IR: acquisition, track, and basic cursor discipline
- • RWR / threat display: interpreting spikes/launch cues (if applicable)
- • Countermeasures: chaff/flare programs, dispense discipline
4) Weapons & Employment Basics
Air-to-Air (A/A)
- • WVR vs. BVR mindset
- • Weapon selection and master mode logic
- • Basic timeline discipline: sort, commit, support, terminate
- • Range/closure awareness even without "perfect" symbology
Air-to-Ground (A/G)
- • Delivery modes overview (CCIP/CCRP, AUTO, etc. as modeled)
- • Basic attack parameters: dive angles, safe escape, pattern discipline
- • "One pass, haul ass" and deconfliction awareness
- • Basic talk-on concept and target confirmation
5) "Ready for MQ" Knowledge Check (Self-Review)
Before flying MQ1, you should be able to answer (and demonstrate) the following:
- • Configure radios for a standard training sortie (flight + ATC + guard as applicable)
- • Load/activate a route/waypoints and navigate to a working area
- • Explain joker/bingo and state your planned recovery fuel
- • Demonstrate basic sensor setup (radar/TGP) and a simple acquisition
- • Describe your platform’s countermeasure usage and limitations
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Completion is verified via oral questioning and demonstration during MQ flights. Trainee must:
- •Explain aircraft startup/ops basics and normal comm flow
- •Demonstrate ability to configure mission systems for training sortie
- •Demonstrate basic SA management (nav, fuel, sensor page discipline)
Completion: Self-study; knowledge verified by instructor during MQ1-MQ3