user4455 Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 Hello, I have been reading on wikipedia about the operating principles of the sensors for detecting incoming missiles: radar-based, IR, and also UV. Nowhere can I find out how these sensors are distributed on the plane. I am assuming that the IR detection is available in every direction. And if an IR signature is directly behind the plane, do its own engines not interefere at all with the sensor? Thanks
user4455 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Posted September 7, 2012 Sensors - forgot to add Also, when the jet detects radar emissions onto it, how are the sensors that detect this mounted so they provide information about the source?
sobek Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) Nowhere can I find out how these sensors are distributed on the plane. I am assuming that the IR detection is available in every direction. And if an IR signature is directly behind the plane, do its own engines not interefere at all with the sensor? The orientation of sensors is dependant on the type of plane, what are we talking exactly? About interference, it is very likely that the signal processor looks for spectral cues to differentiate between sources, rocket exhausts generate a different spectrum opposed to jet exhaust. Also, when the jet detects radar emissions onto it, how are the sensors that detect this mounted so they provide information about the source? As far apart as possible, i assume. The direction is simply derived from the phase relation of different sensor signals. AFAIK RWRs offer no information about elevation, only azimuth and rudimentary cues about distance. Edited September 7, 2012 by sobek Good, fast, cheap. Choose any two. Come let's eat grandpa! Use punctuation, save lives!
aaron886 Posted September 7, 2012 Posted September 7, 2012 rudimentary cues about distance. More accurate to say "cues about signal strength" of course.
user4455 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Posted September 7, 2012 Ok, well a fighter jet should have a certain resolution when detecting heat signatures inbound, I was just wondering how this distributes to the sensors. I would have thought they would be visible on the plane or at least described somewhere in some documentation but I didn't find anything. I don't know how complex such a system of detecting IR and radar emissions would be, how much machinery would actually be needed on the plane for that.
sobek Posted September 8, 2012 Posted September 8, 2012 (edited) I don't know how complex such a system of detecting IR and radar emissions would be, how much machinery would actually be needed on the plane for that. Visual: You need a set of high resolution cameras that covers the wanted aspect and a dsp that does the signal processing and interfacing with the RWR and CMSP suite installed on the aircraft. Radar: A set of antennas, each connected to an amplifier, which in turn connects to a dsp unit that does the signal processing and interfacing with onboard systems. The hardware is not all that outlandish, the signal processing is the interesting part. I would have thought they would be visible on the plane or at least described somewhere in some documentation but I didn't find anything. Cameras are visible on the A-10 for example, you just need to know where to look (the backmost part of the tail, e.g., or wingtips). Edited September 8, 2012 by sobek Good, fast, cheap. Choose any two. Come let's eat grandpa! Use punctuation, save lives!
Recommended Posts