SIZE and RCS

[Guppy]

Does anyone have any information regarding the SM/MED/LG selections related to SIZE and RCS options on the 120c?

 

I assume RCS = Radar Cross Section?

[munckmb]

Is the size value not for the proximity fuse? Larger airplane larger distance to detonate?

[Wrench]

I'm pretty sure it's a setting for the expected target size. Used to prevent an AMRAAM from going pitbull on an aircraft of a different size than the intended target.

i.e. If the intended target is an AWACS and a fighter gets between the missile and the target.

In that case, it could prevent an AMRAAM going pitbull on a friendly who's in front of you.

Could be wrong though.

[kdubz]

Gents,

 

The RCS is to accurately display the DLZ (Circle) in the HUD. The DLZ is an estimation and not truth data from the missile. The missile will open its eyes earlier on Large RCS and vice versa on small. It helps the jet with the proper timing and range for the missile to go active. (Husky or Pitbull) You do not lie to the missile with RCS. I doubt this setting has any effect in DCS because of all of the calculations made behind the scenes to make it "work", but I could be wrong.

 

Size is exactly what munckmb is saying. It is the delay time for the warhead to detonate after it detects a target. Large size=longer delay. Better Pk.

 

v/r,

 

Kdubz

[Wrench]

Ah. Thanks. "Size" is kind of a weird name for that setting then, but it is what it is.

[kdubz]

Wrench,

 

True. Just think of trying to shoot a Huge airplane down. You want the missile to wait to get to all of the parts in the middle. Hydraulics, Engines, Flight Controls, and things. On a fighter size target we're only talking a 15-20 feet to get to the above soft points.

 

Hope that helps.

[Double Dutch]

Ok... In my training I was to select small - small for drones. In a tutorial from the Grim Reapers they selected Medium - Medium. Where can you find the planes sizes?

 

ps and from a practical point of view, if it is a BVR battle, how do you know what plane it is? Can you see that on your radar somewhere? Awacs will tell you?

[Svend_Dellepude]

I'm pretty sure that those settings doesn't do anything currently in DCS.

[Hulkbust44]

ps and from a practical point of view, if it is a BVR battle, how do you know what plane it is? Can you see that on your radar somewhere? Awacs will tell you?

If using datalink AWACS will generally ID the aircraft. The jet however does have the capability to positively identify aircraft type. This is with NCTR. Non-cooperative target recognition. Within 25 for a fighter sized target and an aspect no more than 15°, your radar will attempt to see the targets fan blades looking down the engine intakes. The WCS will then compare the radar return of the engine blades to an onboard database and match the returns to the known type of aircraft. With a successful NCTR you will see the aircraft type on the AZ/EL format and the SA format in the bottom right TUC (target under cursor) info block.

Mobius708

[Bunny Clark]

 

On 6/28/2021 at 4:42 PM, Double Dutch said:

from a practical point of view, if it is a BVR battle, how do you know what plane it is? 

You can glean this info from a few sources. Usually the earliest indication is the RWR, if you can corollate an RWR contact with a radar contact, you can make a pretty good guess about what it is. Turning on RWR hits on the Attack Radar page makes this a bit easier. You can also check to see if any there's any datalink info on type, which you can access on the SA Page. Or try to get an NCTR print with your own radar, for which you need to be in STT. 

 

On 6/28/2021 at 8:30 PM, Svend_Dellepude said:

I'm pretty sure that those settings doesn't do anything currently in DCS.

I think it effects when the missile goes active in DCS. I don't think the effects are fully modeled in game compared to real life, but several people have anecdotally sworn that changing the size to small has significantly increased the Pk for them. It may be placebo, I can't say with any certainty, but it may well do something. 

[Svend_Dellepude]

20 hours ago, Bunny Clark said:

 

You can glean this info from a few sources. Usually the earliest indication is the RWR, if you can corollate an RWR contact with a radar contact, you can make a pretty good guess about what it is. Turning on RWR hits on the Attack Radar page makes this a bit easier. You can also check to see if any there's any datalink info on type, which you can access on the SA Page. Or try to get an NCTR print with your own radar, for which you need to be in STT. 

 

I think it effects when the missile goes active in DCS. I don't think the effects are fully modeled in game compared to real life, but several people have anecdotally sworn that changing the size to small has significantly increased the Pk for them. It may be placebo, I can't say with any certainty, but it may well do something. 

 

Last time i tried fiddling with the settings i saw no difference. Active time was the same. Might have changed with the FM though, just no mention anywhere.