AG Mode, operational use and what to expect?

[falcon_120]

I was wondering, once we have the AG radar complete. Is it really used in RL? and if so? which modes?

 

I will explain myself a bit better. Making a huge simplification the APG73 has 3 main modes: SEA, Ground Mapping and GMT.

 

I am quite sure that the SEA mode is used a lot to detect targets at sea and for the employment of the Harpoon missile. On the other hand GMT allows for the detection of moving targets like cars and even tanks if they are moving fast enough, though i,m not sure how good this mode is when talking about detecting moving tanks in the battlefield.

 

But in the case of the Ground mapping mode (Which creates SAR images), does it has enough resolution to be useful operationally? If yes in which cases? If we take as an example the F15E I have heard that this bird actually use this mode given its outstanding resolution, which allows for the designation of specific targets under low visibility conditions and also as a double check in order to identify the target at long ranges. But I have never heard anything about the APG73 capabbilities in this regards. I would love to see some images of the EXP1 and EXP2 mode to see how good resolution they are able to deliver. Or just to hear any of you with knowledge on the subject about the RL Use (mostly after the introduction of modern TGP&FLIRs).

[raelias]

There is another popular simulator featuring the F-16 that has ground radar avalible including GMT and EXP modes, it works pretty well especially if you have a rough knologe of the targets in the area as I remember from my time with it, you can search for photos/videos of its operation online, I would assume the hornets radar would perform pretty close to it

[QuiGon]

I've heard that Hornet pilots don't really use the A-G radar, except for sea targets.

 

Here is a screenshot that ED released 3 years ago and shows their work on the A-G radar at that time:

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet

Work is mostly focused on the air-to-ground radar that is making good progress; the team is now starting to create the various sub-modes such as the expanded modes. We have included a couple of images that show samples of the new air-to-ground radar technology that is based on radar reflectivity logic.

 

Edited August 8, 2018 by QuiGon

[Bloodhound57]

Good find QuiGon!

[IvanK]

In the real aeroplane even 30years ago the expand modes were easily good enough to resolve things like the hookcanle on a runway, distance to run marker boards either side of the runway. I guess it’s even way better now

[Kev2go]

In the real aeroplane even 30years ago the expand modes were easily good enough to resolve things like the hookcanle on a runway, distance to run marker boards either side of the runway. I guess it’s even way better now

 

yea the Phase 2 upgeade to the AGP73 improved upon the A/G mapping quality with SAR technology over the AGP65 and APg73 phase 1 .

 

https://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/apg73

 

Rathoen Marketing goes as far as to say the SAR tech makes A/G mapping quality on par with the F15E calling it "high resolution" due to integration of others have described it being more akin to Medium Resolution here o nthe forums as ive been told to make full potential of the SAR high res capabilities it needs some addon radar Pod like USAF F16 and F15E need the AN.ASQ 236

 

 

im wondeirng just how well ED will simulate the added A/G mapping technologies that the Phase 2 upgrade brought from information available

Edited August 8, 2018 by Kev2go