Center Section

The center section of the right console is dominated by the WRCS panel for weapon delivery. For more detailed information see the WRCS chapter.

Weapon Release Computer Set (WRCS) Panel

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Target Distance Controls

A pair of four position drum roller windows with matching analog knobs. The top window (1) references distances in the North-South orientation (with the first roller marked N/S), and the lower window (2) references distances in the East-West orientation (with the first roller marked E/W).

The rollers reference the distance shown in increments of 100 feet, thus a distance of offset in the East direction for 4000' would be entered as E0040.

The rollers do function in an analog fashion, thus fractions of 100' can be attained by moderating the last roller accordingly; as an example, a value of 250 feet would be attained with the space between the 2 and 3 value halfway in the window in the last digit position.

Target/IP Altitude Control

A three position drum roller window (3) with matching analog knob used to enter the altitude of either the Radar initial Point or the actual target itself, and is referenced in increments of 100'. Fractional values can be entered as described previously. This value can be changed once Radar Identification Point (RIP) or Visual Identification Point (VIP) is properly defined to increase release system accuracy.

Drag Coefficient Control

A three position drum roller window (4) with matching analog knob used to enter the drag coefficient value for the weapon being used from the bombing tables for the intended release mode.

🚧 Lookup tables will soon be provided. However, the bombing calculator provides working solutions for all weapons regardless.

Release Advance Control

A three position drum roller window (5) with matching analog knob used to advance the release signal given from the WRCS to the fire control system relative to the WRCS target point, in any duration from 0 to 999 milliseconds. Also functions in conjunction with ARBCS/LABS programmed release timing.

This can be used to spread out a bombing run over a target area, for example to place the 3-th bomb of a 10-bomb salvo on the target.

The release advance control can be calculated with the bombing calculator.

Release Range Control

A three position drum roller window (6) with matching analog knob used to manually set bomb range in accordance with the weapon's bomb release schedule entry in the bomb tables.

The range can be calculated with the bombing calculator.

WRCS BIT Knob

A six position knob (7) utilized to perform BIT checks against the individual WRCS delivery modes. The BIT check is performed by selecting the desired mode for testing, pressing the knob for five seconds, then pressing the Freeze button on the Cursor Control Panel while keeping the BIT knob held down to confirm function.

See WRCS BITs for details.

Cursor Control Panel

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Used for WRCS radar bombing mode target entry. Functions only with MAP-PPI mode selected and applicable bombing mode selected on the Delivery Mode Knob.

Freeze Button

A push button (1) used in air to ground bombing with the WRCS to initiate velocity tracking of the aircraft from the INS, as well as maintain a hold of the target position defined by the Along Track and Cross Track cursor gates, thus defining the Radar initial Point. The button illuminates, and remains lit, until the reset button is pressed, or another delivery mode is selected.

Target Insert Button

A push button (2) that inserts the North-South and East-West offset values entered into the WRCS control panel into the WRCS computer, performing the offset against the Radar initial Point defined by the Along Track and Cross Track cursor gates and currently tracked with the Freeze Button. This offset inclusion performs a shift of the Along Track and Cross Track cursors to define the actual target defined by the WRCS offsets on the radar scope. This action initiates target steering information from the WRCS to the navigational displays.

The Pave Spike system also utilizes the Target Insert functionality for its Memory Mode.

Reset Button

Pressing the Reset Button (3) drops the currently tracked ground target location from WRCS computer memory, returns the Along and Cross Track cursors to their default positions, and resets the velocity tracking system values to zero.

Along Track Wheel

The Along Track wheel (4) is used to define relative range of the aircraft to the Radar initial Point, using an expanding/contracting hemisphere cursor on the radar display. This hemisphere presents true range to the target via the hemispherical PPI projection, thus allowing the Radar initial Point to be detected in an offset approach to the target. Close approximation of range to the Radar initial Point should be prepared first with the Along Track wheel prior to using the Cross Track Wheel for best system accuracy- ie, the cursor should be placed below the intended Radar initial Point return on the radar scope, and the Cross Track wheel brought to the return point.

Cross Track Wheel

The Cross Track wheel (5) is used to define the heading to the Radar initial Point on the radar display in PPI mode, presented as a vertical line. The intersection of the Along Track and Cross Track cursors defines the Radar initial Point when the Freeze button is pressed.

wso_nuclear_stores_consent_switch

Used to arm nuclear stores. In the SAFE position, release is inhibited. REL allows releasing stores unarmed, while REL/ARM allows dropping nuclear stores armed.

Skyspot Mode

Skyspot Mode

On the outer right side of the right console is a switch which would allow to select the mode of the Combat Skyspot system used for ground-directed bombing.

The system was never installed on this variant of the F-4E.