[QUESTION]: Why is RWR SA-15s and SA-13 detection range poor?

[WOPR]

From just some basic physics and basic detection theory it seems like SA-15s and SA-13s should be detectable from farther away than what I'm experiencing in operation longbow (the 104th's server mission).

 

 

RF falls off at 1/R^2 1-way, 1/R^4 2-way. EW receivers get the benefit of 1/R^2 for signal strength at the receiver. There are other factors, which could be modeled, I'm trying to keep this basic.

 

1) How does DCS model radar transmissions & RWR receivers?

2) Is this a current issue with the harrier only?

3) Are the RED SAMS in Op. Longbow setup to turn on only when players are within a certain range?

[Sealpup]

Antenna frequency response could be an issue. The RWR receiver antennae are likely chosen so that they cover a wide range. But things at the edge of the frequency response will have signal loss before it even reaches the receiver.

[Schmidtfire]

You have to ask mission designers about that. It is fairly easy to setup so SAMs activate when you fly in closer...

There are some SAM mission scripts to make thier behaviour a bit more dynamic.

 

IRL they would probably operate more like a network. The big sites (or other recon units) would pass on info to the mobile units so they know when to emitt and search for targets.

 

The SA-13 is not using radar so without MWS (Mirage/A10C) you won't get any warning.

Edited April 5, 2018 by Schmidtfire

[fergrim]

Have you considered that perhaps your ECM is actually interfering with your ability to spot them over your own noise? That's my fwiw, all I can think of.

[Fri13]

1) How does DCS model radar transmissions & RWR receivers?

 

At the moment very simple.

You basically have a range circle from the radar emitter and then there are ECM multiplier to change the emitter detection and lock range (ECM emitter does the checking against radar emitter what multiplier is given). And then there should be some kind basic angle of the target multiplier, like is the target cold, hot, beaming, against sky or ground etc.

 

It is basically just using a 3D model ID to spot something.

 

So no, we do not have a ranges where RWR or radar can detect something partially by weak signal, but strong enough to get spotted until getting closer and signal starts to get stronger.

 

It is more like 1 or 0.

 

But Hornet should change that by actually starting to model radar beam position and angle as well radar strength etc.