THREAT WARNING SYSTEMS

THREAT WARNING SYSTEMS

General Description

These systems are intended for detecting radar emitters and to identify various threat types. The modifications implemented in the simulation have similar characteristics between the Western and Russian systems and include the ability to place the systems in one of two modes. Each system is capable of detecting pulse and continuous wave (CW) radar signals, as well as missile command guidance signals.

For better situational awareness it is recommended that the system be set to the All Mode. This default mode will detect all threa 12312n1319m t signals to include scan and lock signals and, most importantly, missile launch signals.

The second mode is Lock Mode and is helpful in a complex radar threat environment. This mode filters out threats transmitting in search or detection radar modes and will only detect threats that are locked on your aircraft. Use this when you wish to filter out other detections and are only interested in those threats that have locked onto your aircraft.

Note: IFF is not a function of the threat warning systems!  The signal will be identified by type but it will not determine friendly signals from enemy signals if both sides are using similar radar or missile systems.

The warning system can be placed in either mode using the SHIFT-R key to toggle between modes.

All of the implemented warning systems are capable of selecting a primary threat by following priority logic for the various threat detections in a descending order:

1. The threat is either an active homing missile, or a radar is transmitting in CW mode (Semi-Active, Radar Homing (SARH) missile guidance mode of the radar), or if  missile command guidance signals are detected;

2. The threat radar is transmitting in Single Target Track (STT) mode (or any other lock mode);

3. The threat has a highest priority that determined by 'common type' of the threat. Here is the list of the types:

a) The threat is an airborne radar;
b) The threat is a long range radar;
c) The threat is a mid range radar;
d) The threat is a short range radar;
e) The threat is an early warning system;
f) The threat is an AWACS;

4. The threat is the maximum signal strength.

SPO-15LM System

Implemented modification of the warning system is very close to the actual system installed in the MiG-29A and MiG-29S (9-12, 9-13).

The system provides a steady detection of radar signals at the following angles:  Azimuth - +/- 180, and Elevation Range - +/- 30.

The maximum number of threats on screen: Unlimited.

The threat history display time: 8 seconds.

Working modes: All (search) or Lock (the "OBZOR/OTKL" switch in MiG-29 cockpit).

Symbology

Threats types:

- airborne radar

- long range radar

X  - mid range radar

H  - short range radar

F  - early warning system

C - AWACS

"Relative elevation" lights, "power of emission" gauge lights and "Lock/Launch" lights are intended to show particular parameters only for the current primary threat.

If a time between spikes of threat radar is not more than 8 seconds, azimuth lights will not blink. In case of search-type spike detection, the low frequency audio tone will sound.

If detected radar is in a lock mode, the "Lock/Launch" indicator will light up steadily and the high frequency continuous audio tone will sound.

If a missile launch is detected, the "Lock/Launch" light flashes and a high pitched audio tone will sound.

An active homing missile can be detected by the system after a missile establishes a lock using its own radar seeker. In this case the missile will become the primary threat.  The cue to recognize an active homing missile is the rapid increase in signal strength ("power of emission" lamps).

AN/ALR-56C and AN/ALR-69 RWR Systems

The AN/ALR-56C radar warning receiver is a part of TEWS (Tactical Early Warning System) for the F-15C/D Eagle.

The AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver is installed in the A-10A/OA-10A.  It is a modified and improved version of the AN/ALR-46 RWR.

Implemented modifications of the systems in the simulation are very close to the actual system installed in the A-10A/OA-10A aircraft.

The system provides a steady detection of radar signals in following angles:  Azimuth - +/- 180, Elevation range - +/- 45.

The maximum number of threats on screen: 16.

The threat history display time: 7 seconds.

Working modes: All (search) or Lock (the "Search" button and RWR control panel in the A-10A).

Symbology

The relative positions of threat symbols depend upon the strength of the signal being emitted. A rule of thumb is: "Closer to center - stronger emission".

AN/ALR-69 (A-10A) has azimuth marks on screen (at 15 grad intervals) and two zones (or "rings") divided by circle. A threat in the inner ring is an immediate threat to your aircraft. Early Warning and AWACS radars symbols will never be displayed in the inner ring area.

When a new threat is detected, the high pitched audio tone is heard once, and the threat symbol displays a hemisphere mark at the top of the symbol.

In case of search-type spike detection, the chirp audio tone will sound.

When the threat locks on to your aircraft, the RWR tone will change from a periodic chirp to a constant chirp sound.

If missile launch is detected, the missile launch tone is will sound with an interval of 15 seconds.

If an active homing missile is detected, the "M" symbol will be displayed in the inner ring and the missile threat will receive the highest priority.

The initial position of the active missile detection for an air launched threat is close to the attacking aircraft symbol and about half the distance from the inner ring border.