More nuanced RCS simulation, especially now when the F-35 is coming.

[bies]

F-35 may expand DCS in terms of RCS simulation. Even if only a bit. And i'm not talking about shape RCS simulation which would be resource demanding.

Right now it's just a single number... Making it even a bit more nuanced e.g. 8 or 12 numbers depending on target's aspect + is the intake/compressor visible? + every missle/bomb it carries under the wing=big, semi-recessed pylon = small, weapon bay = zero increase in RCS. Just that, it would be still extremely easy to calculate for the CPU.

It would make flying F-35 much more interesting, analyzing enemy radars and chosing proper route to minimize own RCS.

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E.g. F-16 with small size, blended wing/body is notoriously hard to detect from the front if it's a bit lower (intake invisible, covered by the nose) and carries only 2-4 AA missiles even for capable radars. And when the intake is visible, it carries many ordinance, it's being observed from the side - it's much easier to detect.

Or F-4/F-14/F-15/EF carrying Sparrow/AMRAAM on fuselage semi-recessed pylons, it has minimal impact on RCS (and drag) - when e.g. Su-27, MiG-29 or F-16, carrying all the weapon hanging under the wings, every missile significantly increases RCS and (drag). When F-35 can mix weapon bay and under the wings, but no semi-recessed.

RCS from different direction:

 

 

And missiles:

(1) full wing pylon (e.g. Su-27, F-16, MiG-29) - big RCS increase

(2) semi-recessed pylon (eg. EF, F-15, F-4) - small RCS increase

(3) weapon bay (e.g. F-35, F-22, J-20) - no RCS increase

 vs.  vs.

Edited January 19 by bies

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

Things like this will need to become the forefront of the F-35's development, honestly. This needs to be priority 1.

[bies]

3 hours ago, MiG21bisFishbedL said:

Things like this will need to become the forefront of the F-35's development, honestly. This needs to be priority 1.

Yes, especially we're not talking about any complex RCS simulation.  Still just a simple table in xml. With just a few numbers, depending on angle and weapon - instead of only one single number.

And this would already add a whole lot of depth.

Edited January 19 by bies

[draconus]

From F-35 FAQ:

Quote

How will you model its low observable characteristics?
This will be based on open-source data and account for radar angle, range, and external stores, and open bays.

 

[F-2]

https://basicsaboutaerodynamicsandavionics.wordpress.com/2022/11/27/j-20-radar-scattering-simulation/
 

it’s doable 

[bies]

5 hours ago, draconus said:

From F-35 FAQ:

Question is - is this become widespread standard in DCS or F-35 only. When all other aircraft will be still a single number, regardless of type of pylons, number of missiles, aspect angle rtc.