Ph onboard RDR

[WelshZeCorgi]

Question, how does the Ph onboard radar work? Is it always on PD mode? Does it have HOJ capabilities?

[BreaKKer]

54 minutes ago, WelshZeCorgi said:

Question, how does the Ph onboard radar work? Is it always on PD mode? Does it have HOJ capabilities?

It does have PD capabilities, and HOJ. If the Phoenix finds that it is necessary to keep track of the target and the opportunity exists, it can switch to HOJ. Though, only the AIM-54C has that capability.

[WelshZeCorgi]

is the PH capable of pulse modes?

Edited January 28, 2021 by WelshZeCorgi

[dundun92]

10 hours ago, WelshZeCorgi said:

is the PH capable of pulse modes?

 

no, only PD

[WelshZeCorgi]

Does the radar use a cone, like on the F14, or does it kinda, 'ping' in all directions like active sonar? I ask cause sometimes it looks like it's tracking a target near 60-70 degrees off the missiles nose. And how wide is the cone?

[BreaKKer]

1 hour ago, WelshZeCorgi said:

Does the radar use a cone, like on the F14, or does it kinda, 'ping' in all directions like active sonar? I ask cause sometimes it looks like it's tracking a target near 60-70 degrees off the missiles nose. And how wide is the cone?

The cone gimbals around as needed. It’s a continuous wave.

[draconus]

On 2/2/2021 at 9:12 PM, WelshZeCorgi said:

Does the radar use a cone, like on the F14, or does it kinda, 'ping' in all directions like active sonar? I ask cause sometimes it looks like it's tracking a target near 60-70 degrees off the missiles nose. And how wide is the cone?

It's usual MSA radar, just smaller. It does have to move the antenna and can set it around 60 degrees but idk the exact values. That makes lofting (and other maneuvers) possible while still "looking" for the target returns. The focused cone is much smaller so once it lose the target there's usually low chance of reacquiring. It does not actively search for targets itself beside the small boresight cone afaik. [source: DCS forum]

[WelshZeCorgi]

So if the PH only uses PD mode, theoretically, the hostile being attacked just needs to go into the notch, not even use chaff CM and the PH will be defeated. Since it usually lofts, it will almost always be in a look down situation when it goes active. 

 

Is that right or am I missing something?

 

[dundun92]

Just now, WelshZeCorgi said:

So if the PH only uses PD mode, theoretically, the hostile being attacked just needs to go into the notch, not even use chaff CM and the PH will be defeated. Since it usually lofts, it will almost always be in a look down situation when it goes active. 

 

Is that right or am I missing something?

 

Yes. The notch is always an issue for PD radars. Chaff (in DCS that is) allows you to notch then immediately recommit (which isnt realistic but w/e). Without chaff you have to stay in the notch until the missile flies by else it will recommit

[BreaKKer]

4 hours ago, WelshZeCorgi said:

So if the PH only uses PD mode, theoretically, the hostile being attacked just needs to go into the notch, not even use chaff CM and the PH will be defeated. Since it usually lofts, it will almost always be in a look down situation when it goes active. 

 

Is that right or am I missing something?

 

Yes, but as more modern missile radars are created, the harder it is to notch the missile. Hence, the AIM-54C and 120C being less notchable than something like the AIM-7F or even AIM-54A

[G.J.S]

I would have thought that with Phoenix/AWG-9 mid-course updates (especially over longer ranges), you can notch the missile or you can notch the fighter, but you may not be able to notch both at the same time.