DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum | Defensive Systems
[p][/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyiWR8UYfS4"][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Hey everyone, Wags here from Eagle Dynamics. In this DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum video, we’ll discuss the defensive systems of the Fulcrum, the SPO-15LM Radar Warning Receiver, or RWR, and Countermeasure Defensive System, or CMDS. We’ll also discuss some of the Mission Editor options and Data Transfer Cartridge, or DTC, settings.[/p][p][/p][p]The SPO-15, LM version, is an older RWR that detects radar signals in the centimeter band that provides the pilot notification of hostile radar signals in search and track modes. It does not provide launch indications, minus a single SAM type not currently in DCS. It provides indications of threat azimuth, radar mode (search or track), threat type, highest priority, threat closure, estimated weapon employment zone of some SAMs, and relative elevation to your aircraft.[/p][p][/p][p]This RWR can detect radar emitters operating between 4.45 to 10.354 GHz in over-lapping sectors and + and – 30-degrees in elevation. Note that the RWR has blind spots directly above and below the aircraft, at very long ranges, and it is less sensitive and accurate to emissions abeam of the aircraft. As such, it cannot be relied upon for accurate notching maneuvers.[/p][p][/p][p]Please also note that this version of the Fulcrum did not support full synchronization between the radar and the RWR, thus, the RWR cannot detect and process threats in its forward hemisphere when the radar is radiating.[/p][p][/p][p]Let’s get started.[/p][p][/p][p]I’m here over Groom Lake in the Nevada desert, as part of the Foreign Materials Exploitation, or FME, of the MiG-29. Let’s first talk about the RWR. I’ll be going over the basic, practical applications. If you really want to get into the weeds of its operation, I’ve linked a white paper on this topic.[/p][p][/p][p]As discussed in previous Fulcrum videos, the SPO-15LM is in the bottom, right corner of the instrument panel. Forward of the Navigation panel though is the SPO-15 power switch and the switch to filter out radars operating in search mode. To the left is the SPO-15 volume knob. From some of the player videos I’ve seen, some of you may really want to start using this knob.[/p][p][/p][p]In the bottom, right portion of the SPO-15 panel is the brightness knob, then the manual and automatic test switch in the center, and the audio warnings disabled lights that is lit when the SPO-15 volume knob is set to zero. We discussed the automatic and manual tests in the Fulcrum Start up, Taxi, and Takeoff video, but I’ll include a card and a link in the video description.[/p][p][/p][p]Above the Test, Brightness, and Audio Status Light is a listing of the six radar types that are indicated as green letters. Moving from left to right:[/p][p][/p]- [p]Low Pulse Repetition Frequency, LPRF, radars that are equipped with a continuous wave illuminator. Such an indication is indicative of a missile launch with CW illumination like an F-4E, or a ship equipped with an Aegis system and SM-1 missiles. This appears as an П type indication. When such radars are in search mode, they will appear as a C type indication that we’ll discuss in a bit.[/p][/*]
- [p]The next symbol is for short-range triple-A and SAMs systems like the Vulcan, Gepard, and Shilka tracking radars (not search) and some naval air defense radars. Note that the tracking radar would need to be in the frequency band covered by the SPO-15 and this does not include the search radar for such units. Further, the tracking radars are quite short-ranged, and they can easily be within the blind zone below the aircraft if the aircraft altitude is too high. This appears as a 3 type indication.[/p][/*]
- [p]To the right is the type for the Hawk SAM using continuous wave. This type can also appear when other HPRF and MPRF radars are detected at low power levels, like many 4th generation fighter aircraft radars. This appears as an X type indication. If the X type symbol is flashing, it indicates low power mode, search, or a scan period that does not match the Hawk SAM.[/p][/*]
- [p]Next is the type for a tracking Nike-Hercules SAM system, which is not at least currently in DCS. When in Automatic mode, this can indicate other long-range SAMs. \[1] This appears as an H type indication. However, for SAMs like the Patriot and S-300, it will also indicate a flashing X type when in search mode.[/p][/*]
- [p]The F type symbol will be a common one, and it generally indicates 4th generation fighter aircraft in HPRF and MPRF and closer ranges. This includes aircraft like the F-14, F-16, F/A-18, F-15 and others. At longer ranges, they may first appear as a flashing X type symbol.[/p][/*]
- [p]Last is the symbol type for LPRF radars equipped with continuous wave illuminator but operating in search mode. \[2] This can also indicate a radar track with no continuous wave illumination. This appears as a C type symbol.[/p][/*]
- [p]When the onboard radar is operating, the forward hemisphere of the SPO-15LM is disabled due to limitations of this version of the MiG-29.\[10][/p][/*]
- [p]The threat relative elevation lights only operate when the threat signal is quite high. As such, by the time you receive relative altitude information, you may already be within threat weapon range.[/p][/*]
- [p]It’s possible for the SPO-15LM to incorrectly classify HPRF signals as continuous wave signals. In such a case, you may see a flashing ‘X’ Type indication. This is something to keep in mind when you have both 4th generation aircraft and Hawk SAMs in a mission.[/p][/*]
- [p]A continuous wave radar and a pulse radar along the same azimuth and mode, could be mistakenly classified as a Type C and trigger a П type indication.\[11][/p][/*]
[olist][*][p]The type is reused to indicate other strategic range SAMs with pulse radars.[/p][/*][*][p]Also operating in track mode without illuminator (not launching missiles) as well as any other radar that doesn’t fit in other categories, such us LPRF surveillance radars[/p][/*][*][p]Worth noting that they are not intentionally included in threat program. This is by convention: no type recognition means that it’s either an unknown threat, or a friendly emitter.[/p][/*][*][p]They indicate all threats. Priority threat appears on both scales, same with its type lights.[/p][/*][*][p]It’s highest measured peak power, not average power. That’s actually important, because not only are these two different quantities in case of pulse radars, but this also has implications for the behavior of the device: if the signal power drops, the main threat will stop updating until the next main threat memory dump.[/p][/*][*][p]The whole ring is not flashing, only the light corresponding to WEZ border. This indication is present regardless of radar mode or weather or not the aircraft is inside the zone or outside of it.[/p][/*][*][p]This is a cyrylic Х, equivalent of English H, pronounced ”kha”. Franky I’m actually not sure how to even present this.[/p][/*][*][p]Correction: AMRAAM is absolutely in range, however it is impossible for SPO-15 to distinguish between different radars in this range, so it’s just recognized as type F together with all gen 4 fighters (including friendly, as they also cannot be distinguished from the enemy).
The same applies to the Phoenix, which I have doubts would be distinguishable from F-14 for most RWRs, not just SPO-15.
A sudden lock followed by a rapid increase in signal power can and should be interpreted as AMRAAM going pitbull.[/p][/*][*][p]This probably needs to be discussed further within the team, cause it wasn’t initially intended for this to be included in DTC.[/p][/*][*][p]Again, this is not a limitation of the SPO-15LM but a limitation of how it’s integrated with the MiG-29 and its N019 radar in particular.[/p][/*][*][p]Not two continuous wave radars, but a continuous wave radar and a pulse radar identified as type С (S). These conditions trigger type П, as they are characteristic of a radar in SARH guidance mode (but also of an unrelated pulse and CW radar that just happen to be in the same place at the same time).[/p][/*][/olist]