How does Phazotron N001 radar work in Lock On ?

[Majesco]

The Su-27 Flanker is equipped with Phazotron N001 radar, could anyone tell me how does it work, especially when searching airborne targets fly at higher or lower than player aircraft's altitude :doh:

As i know the radar beam is a cone that grows larger the further it is from the antenna, so why when an airborne target flies above/ lower than my altitude, i can't find them by pulling the nose up/ down (radar is on) without increase/ decrease the elevation angle scale ?

Edited December 21, 2009 by Majesco

[Aeroscout]

Because the radar is stabilized. The antenna moves in the nose cone to always align with it's set elevation.

[Majesco]

So....in these 2 pictures below, the first one is the way that antenna (plate moves up to increase elevation angle) works correct and the second one is wrong ?

/ ex: airborne target is the yellow box

 

Pic #2: i mean....pull up the nose to aim the radar beam to target at higher altitude :D

 

 

[Vekkinho]

No, if you set antenna elevation to 0 it would scan same ASL as yours. So as you climb scan elevates too!

 

So you have 2 cases here, in first pic let's say you're traveling level at 5000m and your target is at 8000m. This means your antenna elevation reads +3.

 

Second pic shows your plane at 5000 but climbing, antenna elevation is also set to +3 which means it will lose contact with the target flying at 8000 when you climb to 6000 as it will scan the airspace at 9000m. So as you change altitude you must change antenna elevation too. If you're interested in scanning the airspace at 6000 while flying at 1000m you should set AE to +5, same if flying at 10000m but interested in 6000, set AE to -4!

 

Hope this helps!

[GGTharos]

Yes, that is wrong. The only way to aim the beam like you're asking for is by using a CAC mode, and that's pretty useless for search.

 

Pulling the nose up to search for a target at higher altitude is a useless idea. You want your radar search stabilized so that it searches where you told it to while you maneuver.

 

Pic #2: i mean....pull up the nose to aim the radar beam to target at higher altitude :D

[104th_Crunch]

Stabilised to 60 degrees, the maximum gimbal of the radar. Once you pull your nose higher than that, then the radar would start to move up with your nose.

 

Make sure you understand radar elevation setting and expected range setting for RUS planes.

[Suhoj27]

Mig and Su radar stabilization question

 

If you are flying level at 5000 meters and your target is at 8000 meters, ok, you put the cursor on +3. But what if you are flying at 5000 meters inverted (your head is down)? Since the airplane is inverted, should you still put 3+ or 3- to get your target? In the game i tried this example and if you are inverted you still need to put 3+ to find your target at 8000 meters. Is this a true feature of the radar? Does it really works like that?

 

Thanks for the explantaions (answers). Looking forward. :thumbup:

[Aeroscout]

Here's a quick animation I put together to describe it. I know we've pretty much explained it already, but I thought this might help if someone still doesn't understand.

 

 

Green = search radar. Red = STT lock

 

Enjoy

 

Aero

[51GRIZZLY]

Nice Animation :thumbup:

[My Fing ID]

Why are you trying to target things upside down?!

Edited December 21, 2009 by EtherealN
Thread merged in

[Frederf]

Aeroscout, the confusion is coming from "what does the radar view when you pitch the airplane up and down." People are asking that if you pitch up or down does the radar maintain level with respect to the horizon or does it point at "0° where the nose is pointing"

[Suhoj27]

If you are flying level at 5000 meters and your target is at 8000 meters, ok, you put the cursor on +3. But what if you are flying at 5000 meters inverted (your head is down)? Since the airplane is inverted, should you still put 3+ or 3- to get your target? In the game i tried this example and if you are inverted you still need to put 3+ to find your target at 8000 meters. Is this a true feature of the radar? Does it really works like that?

 

Thanks for the explantaions (answers). Looking forward. :thumbup:

 

So, the conclusion is? I know it is not "normal" to fly inverted snd looking for targets, nevertheless it is a interesting question from a technical point of view. Any idea?

 

:pilotfly:

[104th_Crunch]

Don't forget, just as important as elevation setting is expeted range. If you want the center of the radar to be on the contact. For example, If you are flying level at 5000 meters and your target is at 8000 meters and 40km distance, set elevation +3 and expected range 40.

[PoleCat]

Aeroscout, the confusion is coming from "what does the radar view when you pitch the airplane up and down." People are asking that if you pitch up or down does the radar maintain level with respect to the horizon or does it point at "0° where the nose is pointing"

 

Aero's animation answers this question.

 

Nice work Aero!

 

Out

[Majesco]

Thank you, Aeroscout. Good animation !!

Do you guys here have any tip/ advice for searching/ tracking target when playing online ?

I find that lots of player on HL are good at using radar to search/ lock and kill airbone targets, but i can't :D

 

/ Can anyone move this thread to Lock On zone !

Edited January 12, 2010 by Majesco

[Fahhh]

If you are flying a russian plane, in the search phase it's better probably to use the ППС mode on your Radar. This gives you a better range of detection. You also need to scan the entire area in front of you. Point your antenna to the left, check the elevation, then center, and right in a contineous loop, so that you don't miss any targets that are not exactly in front of you.

 

When you see a target, first you should make sure if he's alone, or there are more in close proximity. So you don't lock the bandit just yet. But try to remember his position/spd/alt. Look out for other bandits, and when you're already close enough to engage and fire you're weapons, then you should lock and fire. Depending on the weapons you use, there is a different strategy you may employ, but basic advices are:

 

- After firing, point your nose off the target(but try to maintain the lock), don't just proceed ahead at full speed.

- Watch your SPO warning system. It will give you valuable information on what's the enemy doing and the weapons he may be using against you.

- Don't get too close if you're not sure what is happening, better be safe then sorry. My personal advice is to disengage and extend at a range of 15km or more to the bandit. This keeps your escape window open, any further and it shrinks significantly.

- If you're alone, do not engage multiple bandits, you may hit one, but you'll probably also get shot down.

 

The best advice is to join a well established online squad, flying the type of plane you fly. They'll probably teach you all about Air to Air Combat.