RWR Threat Rings
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Hello,
Can someone please clarify this? The real manual says the inner ring on RWR represents 25nm but the simulator manuals say it does not.
“The inner ring represents 25nm and the outer ring (at the edge of the display) represents maximum detectable range.” “If a threat’s estimated range is greater than 50nm, it is displayed at the edge of the display.” (Page 1-199_T.O. GR1F-16CJ-34-1-1)
“The ALR-56 RWR displays threat emitters depending on their azimuth relative to your aircraft. It does not though give distance information.” (Page 41_T.O. BMS1F-16CM-1)
“One important note, however, is that the TWS does not display range to the threat. In other words, the 360 rings on the scope do not represent a range scale. The TWS scope has two rings; the outside ring is used to show the pilot that the threat is inside lethal range. Although this sounds contradictory to the statement above, it is not. When a threat is inside lethal range, the TWS displays that threat inside the lethal threat ring on the scope. Since this range is different for each type of SAM, the ring itself does not correspond to a specific range.” (Page 7-6_Original Falcon 4.0 Manual)
Thank you
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It is widely known that RWR in our F16 don’t give range of threats, while HTS (which is at best a guess of the real thing) does.
What RWR model does this manual describe?
Hello,
Can someone please clarify this? The real manual says the inner ring on RWR represents 25nm but the simulator manuals say it does not.
“The inner ring represents 25nm and the outer ring (at the edge of the display) represents maximum detectable range.” “If a threat’s estimated range is greater than 50nm, it is displayed at the edge of the display.” (Page 1-199_T.O. GR1F-16CJ-34-1-1)
“The ALR-56 RWR displays threat emitters depending on their azimuth relative to your aircraft. It does not though give distance information.” (Page 41_T.O. BMS1F-16CM-1)
“One important note, however, is that the TWS does not display range to the threat. In other words, the 360 rings on the scope do not represent a range scale. The TWS scope has two rings; the outside ring is used to show the pilot that the threat is inside lethal range. Although this sounds contradictory to the statement above, it is not. When a threat is inside lethal range, the TWS displays that threat inside the lethal threat ring on the scope. Since this range is different for each type of SAM, the ring itself does not correspond to a specific range.” (Page 7-6_Original Falcon 4.0 Manual)
Thank you
Everything you need to know and links in my Youtube channel, "About" section.
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To keep quoting the same paragraph:
Threats are displayed at their approximate range based on received power. If a threat’s estimated range is greater than 50 nm, it is displayed at the edge of the display
Two pages above:
The ALR-66 (VH) I, a radar warning receiver (RWR) and a RWR display indicator
Everything you need to know and links in my Youtube channel, "About" section.
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The RWR is, as is well known, a simple receiver and the only thing it indicates is the power of the received signals( like in an amateur radio transceiver the S-METER indicator) Beside , of course, to identify / compare the type of pattern received. The closer you are to the threat of you, the more powerful signal you will receive your enemy that illuminates you (say an AA missile or enemy plane or terrestrial threat). Electronically speaking, signal/noise checks are made to determine or estimate in which circle the threat should go. Do not expect more from him because it not emitting anything, like a conventional radar, it is physically impossible to accurately discern the distance of the threat.
My advice is that if you have, for example, a enemy very close to your central point, forget about watching radars and get to work with your eyes because I’m sure you have it buzzing around your head or perhaps your tail. -
Signal strength correlation. The inner ring is correlated with 25nm. Think of the RWR like a microphone; it can’t measure distance but it can correlate distance with volume.
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Yes, but to be clear to possibly newbies using the RWR, the range is never precise.
Radar emitters are like peoples’ voices and are not all the same power (volume) and their power can vary over time. However, the RWR’s used since Vietnam for such things as Wild Weasels, etc. have been very helpful even if the distance to the emitter is not precise.
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For those “Real Lifers” out there, most of these statements are less true in modern RWR systems. For most of those modeled in BMS, the statements above are true. The system uses a set of antennas, or a movable antenna, to determine azimuth. Systems which are integrated into the rest of the aircraft have the capability to triangulate distance based on multiple azimuth beams, but this is not common in the era of aircraft modeled in BMS. Modern RWR systems use an array of antennas to calculate azimuth and altitude, then correlates the data between pulses to build a (relatively) accurate range.
More modern systems, such as the ALR-94, are much more integrated into other systems so the information collected is just another data point used to build the whole picture, and the data displayed is a representation of that whole picture, with a bias placed on the native data stream from the piece of equipment.
Regardless, in BMS, the answer is the RWR does not provide range data of any value other than the “Lethal Range” ring, which is really more of cross check to make sure your butt puckered a little. If the first time you get any indication of a threat is when it’s inside the inner ring, you’ve already done something wrong.
Or you deal with a smart operator, whatever the source?
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Regardless, in BMS, the answer is the RWR does not provide range data of any value other than the “Lethal Range” ring
Not entirely true. For most RWR, it is, but the Belgian F-16AM have the CARAPACE which is able to show exact range in PRIO mode.
Example: SA-6 located at steerpoint 59, 15NM out on heading 100
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Not entirely true. For most RWR, it is, but the Belgian F-16AM have the CARAPACE which is able to show exact range in PRIO mode.
Example: SA-6 located at steerpoint 59, 15NM out on heading 100
Yeah, and it can also show you the range of incoming ARH missiles. Now, how realistic is that? Triangulating static ground radars is one thing but giving you the exact range of air contacts?
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It’s pretty accurate IRL ;).
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Ignore if classified: What method is used in carapace to determine range? Multi ship data linked triangulation? single ship triangulation? TMA? (submarines in the sky, yay!)
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Single ship, the aircraft have various antenna and it will be computed with the variation of signal received by each antenna.
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That sounds like interferometry such as was used by F-4Gs. While angular accuracy from the antennas is high, triangulation isn’t instantaneous, it takes some time.
