Countermeasures Question

[GrEaSeLiTeNiN]

Hi,

Against radar guided missiles, which program is more effective? (other variables being the same)

4 Chaff + 0 Flares   Repeat 5x     Interval 1 sec
2 Chaff + 0 Flares   Repeat 10x   Interval 1 sec

I guess what I'd like to know is whether 4 chaff has a larger and thus better decoy radar signature than 2 chaff, and if so, whether this is modeled in the DCS.

Thanks!

[Rongor]

Depends on your intended evasive maneuvers and distance to the attacker.

Option one delivers a strong fake radar reflecting cloud, offering more chance to distract the tracking radar. Could be good if you are closer to the attacker and need a stronger decoy to distract from your strong signature.

You can afford option 2 if there is more room between you and the attacker so you can afford to draw the chaff dropping over 10 seconds instead of 5. If you are close, you may not have 10 seconds as the missile hunting you may impact in less time.

 

[Swift.]

Historically in DCS, countermeasure success has been a simple matter of chance, with each additional 'unit' of countermeasure adding more chance of defeat. So the idea is to get as much CM in the air as required as quickly as possible. ie the best program for an IR missile would be 120 flares in a single shot. 

Having said that, I dont think DCS yet models prelaunch defeat, ie you can still track someone with your seeker even if they have a decoy hotter than the sun behind them. So its a balance. 

Run in programs, long delivery so you can have maximum chance of defeating an unseen threat.
Reactive programs, maximum deployment as quick as possible, ie 5 or 10 in one go.

[GrEaSeLiTeNiN]

Thanks for the tips! I get the idea of a max quick dispense when reactive (near) and a more drawn out program when proactive (far).

Thanks for the tips! I get the idea of a max quick dispense when reactive (near) and a more drawn out program when proactive (far).