How does the D2M works ?

[cmbaviator]

Hello guys

 

I'm wondering how does the D2M work and how can it improuve your SA

 

AFAIK, the D2M with its IR sensor can detect missiles that are still burning its fuel but how can it not detect fighters with A/B on, how can it differenciate ? What is the max range of detection ?

Can the D2M tell you if the missile is going toward you ? It seem that the D2M makes thing works for me regarding SA, as most of time the D2M warning display a missile that is not intented for me, it's even sometimes detect my own S530D as a threat lol.

[myHelljumper]

Hi,

The D2M system works just like you said, it's an IR sensor that watches for the specific light emitted by a missile solid fuel engine. It is not triggered by jet engines because the light they produce is very different from a rocket engine.

The D2M warns of every missile it detects, it can't know if the missile is aimed at the aircraft or not. As you said, it can even detect your own missile shots.

Edited October 4, 2022 by myHelljumper

[El Chapo]

It's interesting to know that the main issue with this kind of device is the false alarm rate.

If it's too high, you get accustomed to alarms while you perfectly know there is no danger, and stop reacting accordingly. 

Even if in theory only missile engines are detected, false alarms can be triggered by most heat sources (sun, engines, ground fires, etc...). 

Hence the idea that D2M should only be used on missions where they are useful : low level and high MANPAD threat. 

[myHelljumper]

1 hour ago, El Chapo said:

It's interesting to know that the main issue with this kind of device is the false alarm rate.

If it's too high, you get accustomed to alarms while you perfectly know there is no danger, and stop reacting accordingly. 

Even if in theory only missile engines are detected, false alarms can be triggered by most heat sources (sun, engines, ground fires, etc...). 

Hence the idea that D2M should only be used on missions where they are useful : low level and high MANPAD threat. 

Exactly, using the D2M in an air-to-air mission is counter productive. You'll most likely only get false alarms/wingman fired missiles and at the point where it could be useful, you'll most likely not be able to evade de threat.

All that on top of consuming your precious MAGIC coolant.

[Dragon1-1]

A-10 had the same issue with its MWS IRL. Pilots said that it'd sometimes be tripped by sunlight reflecting off windows on the ground. Recent systems of that sort might be more reliable, but D2M isn't exactly recent.

[cmbaviator]

On 10/7/2022 at 9:27 AM, myHelljumper said:

Exactly, using the D2M in an air-to-air mission is counter productive. You'll most likely only get false alarms/wingman fired missiles and at the point where it could be useful, you'll most likely not be able to evade de threat.

All that on top of consuming your precious MAGIC coolant.

Well i barely stay alive more than 90min on GS server and if I do, i would have rearmed several time