How to tell how enemy is locking on you

[directorguy7]

So this hasn't really been an issue until now, when I am deep into the A-10 Campaign. Usually I have my countermeasures set to auto and it deals with hostile lockons and missles. But now that the campaign has gotten more intense with a lot more enemy air coverage, it appears auto is not viable, as it can deplete or nearly deplete all countermeasures quickly.

 

It looks like it is poping flares or chaff even on lock ons with no missle being launched. Also if i am not mistaking, with the battle on the ground getting more nasty as well, both sides are using TOW missles (or somthing) for G to G kills, but I think that is making my plane think its a hostile missle launch.

 

Due to all this, I have decided to start setting up my own CMS semi-auto program, but need to know how do I tell if the enemy fired a missle that uses radar or heat for tracking so I know what program to use.

 

I don't really think its necissary to throw so many countermeasures out when the enemy is just locking me as that seems to happen a lot with no missle being fired.

 

Another question about jammer use and if this game models it the way I think:

 

Dont use jammer unless you have a lock or missle after you, as it will make you even easier to track.

 

If you use your jammer, but the enemy manages to lock back on to you, for that particular enemy the jammer does not do anything anymore?

[Lord_Pyro]

If a heatseeker was fired you won't get a launchsignal ;)

Everything you see and hear at/from RWR is radarrelated. So popping chaffs is the required measure.

 

Heatseekers you have to spot with your eyes (often the task of the wingman) or you popp out flares every few seconds while in a hot zone as a prevention. So if you see a missile without getting the launchwarning you should use flares.

 

Btw this is what enables the russian fighterjets some nice ambushoptions.

[Donglr]

Hi,

 

for semi-auto mode you do not need to set the prgram for countermeasures, that's why it's calles semi- (you decide when to start/stop) auto (the plane decides which program to use) -mode.

 

Telling the type of missile is a bit tricky. If you get radar painted and tracked and the a missile warning sounds, it's "most likely" that it's a radar guided missile. If you get lased (L on the RWR) and a missile warning sounds it's likely there's an IR missile after you. Unfortunately there is a whole array of situations where you can't tell what's happening. Missile launch without warning could be manpads or wire guided missiles (the latter ones are easy to avoid) or just an ally near by (wingmen will tell you when they fire)

 

Jammer:

I use it when I have a missile on me or when I get locked. In that case it decreases how close I can get to the enemy without getting shot at. At a certain distance the enemy radar is powerful enough to "burn through" your jamming, the jammer is of to use then anymore, at least that is my impression. When it comes to giving away your position, true you tell anyone you are there. But they most likely knew already. In the F15 in FC you can make the AIM120s "home on jam" (HOJ), aiming at the jamming source. The missile cannot determine the distance to the target because of the jamming, but it ca find it. Because it cannot compute an intercept course however it will have a shorter range.

[Donglr]

If a heatseeker was fired you won't get a launchsignal ;)

How come that you get warnings for Mavericks fired by your wingmen then? The MWS detects the rocket motor and the RWR detects radar tracking

 

Btw this is what enables the russian fighterjets some nice ambushoptions.

 

That was because of the elecro-optic (EO) locking mechanism, which locks onto IR sources without the the radar. That way you can get behind the enemy and lock the enemy without him even noticing. Once you have a missile at you from behind chances are slim to get away. I don't know about the F15 in FC, but you should get a missile warning once an IR missile is fired at you.

[Evil.Bonsai]

If a heatseeker was fired you won't get a launchsignal ;)

Everything you see and hear at/from RWR is radarrelated. So popping chaffs is the required measure.

 

Heatseekers you have to spot with your eyes (often the task of the wingman) or you popp out flares every few seconds while in a hot zone as a prevention. So if you see a missile without getting the launchwarning you should use flares.

 

Btw this is what enables the russian fighterjets some nice ambushoptions.

 

Not correct at all. The MWS (missile warning system) will alert you for ANY missile.

 

The RWR (radar warning system) is just that: it warns you of all radar emissions, search and track.

 

If you get a MWS alert, assume it's aimed at you and react accordingly (start popping flares, evasive maneuvers), or risk getting shot down. It could be tanks firing at each other. Could be a helicopter attacking armor. Could be a MANPAD flying straight up your six.

 

If you get a RWR warning, turn on your jammer. If you get a track warning, assume a missile launch is imminent, start popping chaff, evasive maneuvers.

[WildBillKelsoe]

IIRC, in OAF, Goldie lost the right side engine due to a shoulder mounted SA-16. He didn't know it was launched until the plane started to go weird. I think RWR is used for radar equipped shooters.

[Donglr]

I think RWR is used for radar equipped shooters.

 

Hence the name, RADAR Waring Receiver.

[mec287]

IIRC, in OAF, Goldie lost the right side engine due to a shoulder mounted SA-16. He didn't know it was launched until the plane started to go weird. I think RWR is used for radar equipped shooters.

 

The RWR display doubles as the MWS display. Sometimes the system will not detect a launch if you are flying over clouds or are in such a position that the cameras can't "see" the launch.

 

As far as countermeasures, semi-auto mode is sometimes useful but it can get confused in a hostile environment. If there is a radar tracking you at the same time an IR missile is shot, the computer may believe that it is a radar guided missile and use the wrong countermeasures.

 

Typically I will use Auto mode when in normal flight then switch to manual mode when I am running in on targets since I will probably know the battlefield threats better than the computer.

 

The jammer isn't really useful against the AI. The jammer in DCS reduces the range a radar can get a lock. However, typically the AI will only launch when you are well inside the weapon engagement zone - and well inside the range a radar can get a lock. The missile will not lose track just because you turned on the jammer. As soon as the radar is locked, the jammer is useless.

 

Hope that helps.

[WildBillKelsoe]

The RWR display doubles as the MWS display. Sometimes the system will not detect a launch if you are flying over clouds or are in such a position that the cameras can't "see" the launch.

 

As far as countermeasures, semi-auto mode is sometimes useful but it can get confused in a hostile environment. If there is a radar tracking you at the same time an IR missile is shot, the computer may believe that it is a radar guided missile and use the wrong countermeasures.

 

Typically I will use Auto mode when in normal flight then switch to manual mode when I am running in on targets since I will probably know the battlefield threats better than the computer.

 

The jammer isn't really useful against the AI. The jammer in DCS reduces the range a radar can get a lock. However, typically the AI will only launch when you are well inside the weapon engagement zone - and well inside the range a radar can get a lock. The missile will not lose track just because you turned on the jammer. As soon as the radar is locked, the jammer is useless.

 

Hope that helps.

 

I believe what you are referring to is "burn-through"?