Hiding from the Datalink

[SharpeXB]

I notice playing online (DDCS) that the enemy aircraft are rarely visible on the datalink. How is that? Since if one donor sees something then everyone sees it. If the GCI (automated) calls out a bandit, assuming they saw them on radar, why is that contact not visible to me? Of course it’s possible to hide from radar, but hiding from every radar is a bit harder. 

Edited November 6, 2021 by SharpeXB

[Tholozor]

That's a pretty situational problem. If the contact is low, then they have more terrain masking to utilize, and can also take advantage of the look-down range penalty.

In regards to the automated call-out, is it actually GCI or AWACS? That plays a part as well if it's a scripted GCI function or the default AWACS.

Edited November 7, 2021 by Tholozor

[SharpeXB]

22 minutes ago, Tholozor said:

That's a pretty situational problem. If the contact is low, then they have more terrain masking to utilize, and can also take advantage of the look-down range penalty.

In regards to the automated call-out, is it actually GCI or AWACS? That plays a part as well if it's a scripted GCI function or the default AWACS.

 

This target was high at maybe 39k’. Yeah I get it that targets can notch the radar. But notch every radar? To stay invisible to the datalink you’d have to remain unseen by every radar. 

[Tholozor]

We'd need to know the parameters regarding the target's location relative to the AWACS at that point (range, aspect) to see if the contact would fall in the coverage zone, since it's not a perfect dome. As far as donor aircraft, it depends on who can detect it, and if they have the capability of relaying that on the network. The ground radars we currently have in DCS do not contribute to Link 16.

Edited November 7, 2021 by Tholozor

[SharpeXB]

2 hours ago, Tholozor said:

The ground radars we currently have in DCS do not contribute to Link 16.

That would be the answer then.