The Current State of ECM Jamming in DCS

[DCS FIGHTER PILOT]

After reading up a bit on ECM jamming, its clear that ED's modeling of it in game is still extremely simplified. For instance, fighters with noise jammers, such as the F-16, the FC3 aircraft, the Jf-17, the M-2000c and the F-14, can jam the entire operational radar spectrum with seemingly unlimited power as there appears to be no limit on how many radars can be jammed at once. This would seem to suggest that ED has implemented an unrealistic form of "barrage jamming" for the jammers of these airplanes.

On the flip side, up to this point, jamming of surveillance radars (such as the ones found on AWACS), appears to be impossible making fighters with DL nearly immune to any loss of SA. 

The only airplanes that seem to model ECM jamming in more depth are the Hornet and Viper which appear to use deceptive jamming tactics (i.e. RGPO, VGPO, etc.) to break radar locks. However even this seems to greatly simplified as regardless of the victims radar power, the burn through range seems to be set at a static value of about 20 nautical miles. Additionally once the deceptive jammer is activated, it appears to act as a noise jammer for any other radar pointed at it.

Are there any plans to change/improve the modeling of ECM in DCS or this the best we can hope for?

 

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[upyr1]

In the past there was talk about an IED module that would include improved ECM and including adding ECM aircraft. 

[rob10]

2 hours ago, upyr1 said:

In the past there was talk about an IED module that would include improved ECM and including adding ECM aircraft. 

If you mean the IADS module, it was cancelled (or at least did not go forward)

[Evoman]

The Viggen also has a working jammer that the Grim Reapers did some testing on.

 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Evoman

[Iron Sights]

I think the ECM functionality has improved some, because there was a time that it didn’t really work at all. Now as for the different types of jamming, such as deceptive jamming say opposed to electronic interference, may never happen or at least not for a while. Given how highly classified all ECM information is, it will be best guess I figure. So I think they are keeping it simple and trying to build on that. I have read that they are looking at making it better, but I do think it will take time. 

[upyr1]

9 hours ago, rob10 said:

If you mean the IADS module, it was cancelled (or at least did not go forward)

I'm still wondering what are they planning to add from that module. I'd love to see jamming improved. As well as air defense AI. I'll be very happy if HB's prowler actually works as a Jammer and isn't just an ARM shooter 

Edited September 26, 2023 by upyr1

[Northstar98]

21 hours ago, DCS FIGHTER PILOT said:

The only airplanes that seem to model ECM jamming in more depth are the Hornet and Viper

The Mirage 2000C at least treats all jammers as noise jammers if its in its search modes, but treats them as track breaking deception jammers when in its STT (PSIC) mode.

[draconus]

18 hours ago, upyr1 said:

I'll be very happy if HB's prowler actually works as a Jammer and isn't just an ARM shooter 

There is no Prowler planned - only A-6E module and maybe KA-6 (AI).

[upyr1]

5 hours ago, draconus said:

There is no Prowler planned - only A-6E module and maybe KA-6 (AI).

The Prowler is planned as an AI asset that will be released with the A-6E

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by upyr1

[draconus]

16 minutes ago, upyr1 said:

The Prowler is planned as an AI asset that will be released with the A-6E

No, you misread.

[upyr1]

1 minute ago, draconus said:

No, you misread.

Anyway I knew there has to be some DCS core improvements. I'd love to have the EB-66 and EA-3 in a Vietnam scenario 

[Hiob]

For sure. But Having the vanilla A-6 is a great first step! (Alongside an actual 'Nam map of course!) 

[Silver_Dragon]

I update the post, only A-6E/KA-6B IA has planned by Heatblur.
https://trello.com/b/HsMiJggJ/heatblur-public-roadmap

[_Hoss]

The A-6E carried the AN/ALR-45, ALR-50, RHAW, AN/ALE- 29, 39 & 41 Chaff dispensers and could carry two AN-ALQ-126A Deception Repeaters. The Prowler could as well. They most always carried weights in the Turtleback position. The Prowler would carry weights in the Dog House position. The A-7E, carried the same, but only one ALQ. The ALQ-126s are Deception Repeaters..... period, they do not jam...  They only transmit when they are within a pre-determined range, of Fire Control RADARs received signal strength. They will repeat on a pulse-for-pulse basis of a Fire Control RADAR, ONLY when falls within parameters set in its Threat Library... i.e..... only if it's fingerprint matches (PRF/PW). Most of your Airborne RADAR/DECM systems only generate 1000w of power or 60db. 

For reference, I was an Avionics tech in the USN for 20 years (77-97), I exclusively worked on all the DECM in A-6, A-7, F/A-18A/B/C/D, and the Repair Benches they were tested on, in AIMD/IM3/64C. The EA-6B Prowler's ECM is exclusively the ALQ-99 and it does JAM. That was in the Van's hanging in Hangar Bay 1, which is W/C 64B. AT NAS Whidbey, the ALQ-99 room is lead-lined.

After retiring in 97, I started working for Boeing's Avionics Repair Facility in the MOD of what's now VFA-122s Hanger at NAS Lemoore.... for almost 25 years. I Repaired AN/APG-65, 73 RADARS, FIRAMS, MSDRS, IFEI, EMD, FCES, UFC, BADSA, ADC, MDG, HUD, HUD cameras, CLIP, IBU, ICE DET., ICS, I was also a Micro/Miniature Component Repair tech, for 40 years.

Hoss

AT1(AW/SW) USN (ret)

 

 

Edited September 28, 2023 by _Hoss