[OK AS-IS] AWACS datalink blind windows

Created simple mission with M2000C (can be any a/c type) at HOT ascpect on AWACS (E-2 or E-3), alt 6000 feet.

AWACS active with range from hostile around 65nm. Me monitoring SA page. At first DL contact appeard, but suddenly around 56nm, DL contact dissapeard. It took quite a time to reappear. I have absolute no clue why.

I admit, that I dont know if this is AWACS bug or F/A-18C.

FA-18C_SA_DL_BUG.trk

F18_AWACS_DL_BUG.miz

I don´t know anything about AWACS radars, but I assume that they aren´t wonder radars either.

They most probaly have a scan zone with blind spots depending on altitude and distance of possible contacts.

I don´t think they have a full 360x360° scan sphere.

I guess basically they do, but as long as they are in a turn, they have some blind spots. Of course it depends whether DCS modells it properly, if at all.

But there is no 360x360° scan zone... :smartass:

That was quick, so just talked to the team, most likely what we are seeing is a blind spot in that the E-3 can scan 360 on the horizontal plane, but has some limitations on the vertical plane, and because of that, in a bank, this can limit the horizontal plane scan.

 

The E3 was quite a bit higher altitude than the mirage, so add that to the bank angle of the orbit and you can get what you see in the track.

Thank very much and to team for quick response. Can we get an info about every AWACS in game with its vertical limits? I mean the vertical angle he can scan. This IS VERY important thing if you are planning (in ME) your mission and radar coverage. This is last thing you want experience as a fighter doing advanced tactics, than suddenly loose your DL contact due to turning AWACS.:helpsmilie:

Real life AWACS could lost contact, I remember reading story of 2 F-15's vs 2 MiG-29's in Balkan Op. AWACS didnt see the MiG all the time.

NOT [AS IT IS]

Found it, wrong elevation limits values (only -15/+10 degree) in DCS Lua code, and found more things are wrong in code, like missile sensors FOV defined as full 180 degree.

In real world, E-3C and E-2D have ground stabilized AESA radar in all 3 axes, so standard turn bank angle is not a limit. AESA radar have ability to set almost any elevation angle (like -70/+70 degrees). Even wings cant obscure target, because the radar array is much wider than length of wing profile.

On top of that both E-2D and E-3C has an ability of detecting cruise missiles at long ranges.

https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=72

APS-138. This variant introduced the low side-lobe antenna (Total Radiation Aperture Control Antenna (TRAC-A)) first delivered in late 1982, and was designed to track cruise missiles at long distances (150 nm).

Also I think, that E-2C in DCS should be equipped with AN/APS-145 radar, intstaled from year 1991.

Now found, that in scripts DCS have defined E-2C with APS-138 UHF doppler radar , but in game and in Enycopedia it shows E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, equiped with AESA

AN/APY-9.

One small note at the end: Russia A-50 AWACS have in DCS defined vertical limits by -30 and +30 degree (vs E-2D and E-3C with only -15 and +10 degree)!!!

Hello? Is there anybody out there?

NOT [AS IT IS]

Found it, wrong elevation limits values (only -15/+10 degree) in DCS Lua code, and found more things are wrong in code, like missile sensors FOV defined as full 180 degree.

In real world, E-3C and E-2D have ground stabilized AESA radar in all 3 axes, so standard turn bank angle is not a limit. AESA radar have ability to set almost any elevation angle (like -70/+70 degrees). Even wings cant obscure target, because the radar array is much wider than length of wing profile.

 

On top of that both E-2D and E-3C has an ability of detecting cruise missiles at long ranges.

 

https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=72

APS-138. This variant introduced the low side-lobe antenna (Total Radiation Aperture Control Antenna (TRAC-A)) first delivered in late 1982, and was designed to track cruise missiles at long distances (150 nm).

Also I think, that E-2C in DCS should be equipped with AN/APS-145 radar, intstaled from year 1991.

Now found, that in scripts DCS have defined E-2C with APS-138 UHF doppler radar , but in game and in Enycopedia it shows E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, equiped with AESA

AN/APY-9.

One small note at the end: Russia A-50 AWACS have in DCS defined vertical limits by -30 and +30 degree (vs E-2D and E-3C with only -15 and +10 degree)!!!

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I have subscribed to this thread to know news from the devs.