Radar and RWR detection ranges

[Knock-Knock]

Was a bit curious about the F/A-18C radar detection ranges, in more or less optimal conditions.

Nothing scientific, but discovered well potentially one anomaly, the range at which the F-14 (AI) appears on the RWR. Hence the extra tests further down, incase it was related to the TWS Auto which Jester tends to use.

But also, seems a bit hard to believe that the F-5 and F-14/F-15/Su-27 would be so close in detection ranges?

F-18 radar was in RWS, 1 bar, 40 azimuth. Just let it run and paused when detected, and measured in F10 map:

F/A-18C at 25K @ Mach 0.7, headon with 25K @ Mach 0.7 bogey:
		RCS		RDR	RWR	
F-5E		5		41nm	27nm
MiG-21		3		41nm	14nm
JF-17		3		41nm	China
F-16CM		4		44nm	73nm
M-2000C		4		45nm	55nm	
F-18C		5		47nm	73nm
MiG-29S		5		47nm	73nm
F-15C		5		47nm	114nm
SU-27		5.5		48nm	115nm
F-14B		6		49nm	55nm


Human F-14 RIO Using TWS Auto
F-18C				89nm

Human F-14 RIO Using PD Search
F-18C				114nm

M-2000C
F-14B				49nm	64nm

Radar Cross section I took from this: https://www.reddit.com/r/hoggit/comments/h9c9mi/dcs_aircraft_rcs_radar_cross_section_and_ir/
- more for own curiousity.

 

[SirJ]

1. Does the F-5E has the same RCS like a Hornet, Eagle or Fulcrum?  That is quite interesting... The same detection range of 41nm would indicate a RCS of 3...Since the detection range is directly correlated to the RCS in an all equal scenario.

2. Did you use the 2.7 Update? They changed the hornets detection ranges quite a bit.

3. Regarding the Tomcat - perhaps Jester in AI aircraft is doing some strange stuff...did you set it to the highest AI-Level?

4. What does RWR detection range "China" for the JF-17 mean?

 

You did a good job to get those numbers! Now I will rougly now how far away hot pop-ups are. Thanks!

[Knock-Knock]

1. Id imagine size plays in too, there overall size * RCS or something? Dont know if it does in DCS though?
2. Yes latest 2.7.
3. Dont remember, which ever it defaults too. Think its High? Mirage kind of falls into that 55nm category too, since its radar detects at the same range as the Hornets (F-14 test there), yet its RWR detected the F-14 at 64nm. So something is off I guess.
4. Hehe, was because I was going west to east on Syria map, and no matter how far east I would pull the JF-17 AI in ME, it would instantly show up on my RWR. So faaar away.

[DLEGION]

lol

[Harlikwin]

You know that Quaggles has a radar detection range chart like the one you showed. To say it shows some "annomalies" between planes is an understament, esp when you consider the likely radar performance for that plane. 

 

Also RCS as part of the radar equation, its not a massive difference if its 5m vs 6m... Its things like .001 or 100 that have a big impact. Plus DCS doesn't model the effects of stores on RCS and I don't think they do aspect, (unless its just a multiplier of the base RCS which I assume is frontal).

 

Plus then there are minor details like this:

 

I find your RWR chart pretty interesting too. It also likely varies by plane RWR I'd bet.

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2021 by Harlikwin