BVR Help: VSD VS TEWS

[SierraFox]

Hi all. I've been trying to teach my self the BVR systems of the F-15 but there seems to be an issue that I'm not sure if it's supposed to happen or if I'm doing something wrong.

 

I Set up a 1 v 2 mission with the enemy planes about 140nm away from me to give me time to scan them down using the VSD. I alternate between TWS and HI as they are set up to fly directly at me. Is my radar supposed to be able to find them before they are pinged on the TEWS? It seems no matter what range i have my radar set to (for example 160) they will not pop up until they are 40nm away from me. does the Radar have a max range of 40nm to pick up another plane and if so what is the reason that you would push it out past this?

 

Does anyone have any good videos or documentation that goes into depth about how to use the VSD effectively?

[red_coreSix]

Hey,

 

Radar range is dynamic and is dependent on several factors. The most important one being the RCS (Radar Cross Section) of the target that is to be detected. So a target with a big RCS (say a tanker) will get picked up further because you get more energy back than you would with a smaller target (like a fighter).

 

That targets emissions are picked up before they appear on your radar is accurate. The waves coming from him only have to travel one way, whereas your radar waves will need to travel both ways back to the receiver.

 

Here is a good tutorial for the F-15s radar in DCS:

 

[ame]

[/ame]

[Sweep]

Pre-Post Edit:Saw your bit on "alternating between TWS and HI" after typing a bunch of stuff on PRF....Not in a 'try again' mood, so sorry in advance...:D

 

Pre-Post Edit II: Check radar elevation at a given range, as well, make sure you have your TDC at a certain range and altitude you'd like to detect stuff at (i.e. don't ignore all that stuff or something). Usually I do 80nmi DISPLAY range with 60nmi TDC/hi prf/alternating between low alt and high alt scan (along with dropping cursor down to 30-45nmi on occasion).

 

Change your Pulse Repetition Frequency, or PRF, to high (right shift I to change).

 

You'll detect fighter sized targets (all fighters are 5m2 in DCS, regardless of payload or angle, AFAIK) at about 60-70nmi.

 

Setting radar *display* range (10-20-40-80-160) does not affect the radar's range itself...It will adjust your TDC and the radar elevation is tied to that.

 

PRF ranges are basically as follows for fighter targets: Interleaved - 40nmi head-on, 20 tail on (IIRC? i dont use Int, ever!). High - 60ish nmi head-on, 10 tail on. Medium - 25-30ish head on, 25 tail on.

 

Somewhat difficult to judge detection/acquisition ranges for beaming targets because of notching and all that...

 

Also, note that current PRF is ONLY displayed in RWS mode, when using TWS you've just gotta remember what your PRF setting was - After practicing it is MUCH easier than it sounds (ok ok i have a few thousand hours in the DCS Eagle, WHATEVER! :smilewink:)

 

On TEWS, if they have their radar on, you'll get the beams from that radar LONG before they detect you, and typically long before you detect them - Things like MiG-21 and F-5 are exceptions to the rule because their radar isn't very powerful. In my experience the -21 sees out to 16nmi and you get a nail at about 10nmi. Haven't tested that though so take it with a huge grain of salt (or a pile of it: https://shareitfitness.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/large-salt-pile1.jpg)

 

EDIT: Oh FFS sniped by redcore - Also, ten (fake) bucks says this post makes zero sense whatsoever anyways.

Edited July 28, 2016 by Sweep
meh I got SNIPED

[Stuge]

There's a rough analogy:

 

Radar behaves like a flashlight - it illuminates targets for you to see

 

TEWS behaves like an eye - it sees enemy flashlights (radars).

 

Now imagine this in the night - the eye always sees lit flashlights from much further away than a flashlight could illuminate a target. This is why TEWS detection range of radars is much further than radar detection range.

[Frostie]

My analogy of the TEWS is my wife, sees everything, knows everything and doesn't shut up. :love:

 

Currently i'm notching her with a 30deg bank so all is quiet, can't help thinking i'm setting myself up for a nasty surprise though.

[fyaruny]

My analogy of the TEWS is my wife, sees everything, knows everything and doesn't shut up. :love:

 

Currently i'm notching her with a 30deg bank so all is quiet, can't help thinking i'm setting myself up for a nasty surprise though.

 

Lolololol !!!! That made my day, im with ya

[DarkFire]

My analogy of the TEWS is my wife, sees everything, knows everything and doesn't shut up. :love:

 

Currently i'm notching her with a 30deg bank so all is quiet, can't help thinking i'm setting myself up for a nasty surprise though.

 

That's usually when you suddenly realise there was an AIM-120 coming for you on a lofted profile: level out & BOOM :D