DWReese wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2017 7:59 am
To simplify the conversation using some random numbers, if an attacking unit can see its target at 60 miles without the defending unit jamming, but he can't see it until 40 miles away with the unit jamming. Forget the numbers, I'm just trying to put it into perspective. So, the jamming reduces the distance. If that is the case, when the attacking unit is now capable of "seeing" its target, does the jamming do anything else, or is it now just useless?
Yes. That's accurate. The way to think of it is that jamming power goes as 1/R^2, but radar signal power goes as 1/R^4 so where the radar signal power is greater than the radar jamming power, the target can be seen. Command does "barrage" noise jamming. You'll also get a bigger effect when the aircraft you're trying to protect with the jammer is aligned with the jamming platform. This is because jammers are more effective when the radar is pointing it's antenna main lobe at the jammer, and not the side lobes. Sometimes side lobe jamming is all you need, sometimes not.
Also, I notice many many ships have jammers that they turn on while under attack. Obviously, the ships are already under attack, so the attackers have already seen the ships, so if what I said in the first paragraph is true about the jammers no longer having any effect, then why would the ships have jammers at all? They have already been seen to be attacked, so what's the point?
It might prevent the radar on the missile seeker from acquiring the warship, or it's in formation, from acquiring the vessels nearby. For example, if you are a DDG escorting a half dozen VLCCs, and you see a cruise missile fired at you, then you might want to turn on your jammer, partially to prevent acquisition of you, but also to prevent acquisition of the vessels you're escorting.
Also, be aware there's often a down side to jamming. If the threat has missiles with home-on-jam capabilities then maybe it's better to not jam because it can seduce the weapon. It all depends..
I believe that if jammers have some kind of effect, beyond the scope of just blocking observation, then it should somehow be revealed during the attack (if you choose to watch the actual mathematical breakdown) so that you would "know" that it is working. This could be like the other modifications that you see like being reduced due to speed, or size. perhaps it could say that the results are denigrated by 5% due to jamming.
I know that it's working when my aircraft hit their targets without the enemy firing a shot at the manned platforms. I know that it's working when I see missiles that are fired at my aircraft lose guidance and explode harmlessly after going autonomous.
