How to use the radar to find targets?

[Hoggorm]

How do you effectively find targets in the SU-27? I really struggle using the radar. It is like searching for a needle in the haystack pointing the radar in the correct direction.

 

If I have no idea where the target is: Where do I start?

[Ironhand]

How do you effectively find targets in the SU-27? I really struggle using the radar. It is like searching for a needle in the haystack pointing the radar in the correct direction.

 

If I have no idea where the target is: Where do I start?

If you truly have no idea, then start straight ahead. :) Then shift your scan left, then right. Then scan up right, center, left. Then down left, center, right. Depending on your altitude, you might need to scan a further level up or down. I usually let the scan run for 5 or 6 seconds in each block.

 

If you are approaching the combat area, you might want to scan with high PRFs on the assumption that your adversaries will be approaching. If they are, high PRFs will allow you to spot potential targets sooner. If you're not sure, just leave it at the default interleaved setting.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Ironhand

[Exorcet]

The most fundamental things to monitor while scanning with radar is the azimuth, range, and elevation. The Su-27 shows azimuth on the HDD, while elevation and range is shown on the HUD. Range is in km while elevation is as 1000's of meters relative to your altitude. In other words if the HUD shows 0, the radar is scanning at your altitude at the set range. If it shows -3 it is scanning at 3000 m below you at the set range.

 

However the radar scans in a cone, so while you tilt the radar to look at a specific point, you're field of view is much bigger. The trick is to become familiar with the radar FoV relative to the point it is scanning. At long distances it might be enough to just leave the radar coaltitude, but at shorter ranges you need to scan up and down because the FoV is reduced.

[Hoggorm]

I see. I feel I've tried that, without luck :(

 

How long do I have to wait before shifting the radar? How long will it take before a target appears if something is there?

 

Then when I shift up: How much up do I go? +1? +2?

The same with question when shifting down: -1 -2 -3 -4? All of the above?

 

As I understand those numbers they indicate 1000's of meters above or below me. So if I'm at 7000 meters, -7 would be the ground?

 

What should I use as Expected Target Range?

[Azrayen]

Vertical deviation are indeed thousands of meters.

But this is related to the distance (expected target range) too.

 

If you set : -5 (vertical) & 10 (distance), you're telling your radar : "look for a target whoose altitude is 5000m below mine and at an horizontal distance of 10000m" => your radar looks "really" down.

If you set : -5 (vertical) & 80 (distance), you're telling your radar : "look for a target whoose altitude is 5000m below mine and at an horizontal distance of 80000m" => your radar looks "a bit" down only, because the target is much farther. In that second case your radar won't see a target 5000m below and 10km away because this target would be "under" the radar beam.

 

You should read the "Beyond Visual Range Combat Modes" chapter of your Su-27 manual; this manual is in \DCS World\Mods\aircraft\Flaming Cliffs\Doc or \DCS World\Mods\aircraft\Su-27\Doc depending of which module you own.

 

++

Az'

Edited January 13, 2015 by Azrayen

[Hoggorm]

Vertical deviation are indeed thousands of meters.

But this is related to the distance (expected target range) too.

 

 

I see. That makes sence.

 

How long will it take the radar to pick up a target? How long should I look in one place before moving the radar to look somewhere else?

[OB1]

I see. That makes sence.

 

How long will it take the radar to pick up a target? How long should I look in one place before moving the radar to look somewhere else?

 

It depends on many factors, you may not pick up a target at all even if its in your radars field of view, ground clutter, relative vector and speed from your position...

 

However if you know the situation such that there are fighters in coming hot towards you, you can switch your radar to HI PRF which will pick up targets coming towards you allot faster than in using the radar in ILV mode and also a HI PRF will extend your detection range as well.

Note if a target is moving away from you, your radar in HI PRF will not detect it so adjust your radar modes accordingly. If you are searching in general and potential target aspects are unknown then you should use ILV as it alternated between HI and MED. MED is used to find targets moving away from you.

 

So to put it short you need to search in an area longer using ILV to give your radar a chance to sweep through both modes of HI and MED, if you are just using one or the other your search is faster but with the obvious drawbacks. If you are searching to a particular aspect and the target is moving opposite to your intended search aspect then you will not see him.

[FLANKERATOR]

Just a few additions to what has already been said above; your frame rate also matters, the lower, the more time you'd need to freeze your radar cone before moving it elsewhere. 5 seconds seem a bit too long for me; according to my own experience, a second or two is enough depending on your selected frequency and the nature of the terrain you're flying over.

 

Also, make sure you scan high enough and low enough according to your own altitude; following formula is a good reference and worked quite well for me: take your own altitude in Km and scan as much low; example: flying 7km high, you'd need to scan down til -7 elevation.

For the upper part, subtract your own altitude from 10 and scan as high as the result; example: flying 7km high, you'd need to scan up til +3 elevation.

 

This is just a reference and as you may have noticed, it will take some time to scan the whole thing, so splitting this task with your wingmen can help a lot. You must tilt your radar left and right on each elevation, and even sometimes zigzag a bit while doing so to cover more than 120 degrees. The rear hemisphere zone (between 3 and 9 o'clock) is particularly vulnerable, so do not hesitate to turn around to restore your situational awareness when you starting feeling paranoid.

[Hoggorm]

Thank you very much for your hints and advice.

 

I'll try to practice a little bit, but I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later :)