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I´ll do it... I think it´s worth a look. But my case is weak: my main source can´t be proved beyond doubt, and the PDF is speculation on my part.

The other thing to consider is that its not all about straight radiation power. One of the biggest changes from A to D was signal processing power. Also consider that the SPY-1 is located relatively low on the ship for a large radar. Its the one main downside of the SPY-1. It significantly lowers its reach. So when people talk about the range...is it effective range, practical range, or theoretical range?

Of course, the increase in radiation power doesn´t mean that the range gets increased automatically, but it wouldn´t be that surprising. I´m just trying to make sense of the 175 nm range mentioned on sources back in the 80s.

Regarding the location of the phased arrays on the ships, I don´t think that this is relevant in this case, because I´m talking about the theoretical max range (I mean: against a big high-flying target with no jamming at all).

That is my point. Are you sure who is talking about theoretical and who's talking practical. That might be the first question to ask before throwing sources around.

I´m talking about detection range. The guy that told me first about the 256 nm range said especifically that the SPY-1D can detect planes at that distance. Of course, the smaller the target, the shorter the range... not to mention low flying targets that take advantage of the Earth curvature... but that´s not the point.

On CMANO, an AEGIS ship will not detect a 747 flying high at a 190 nm range... in the real world, as far as I know, it would detect it.

ORIGINAL: sergiopl
I´m talking about detection range. The guy that told me first about the 256 nm range said especifically that the SPY-1D can detect planes at that distance.[...]

On CMANO, an AEGIS ship will not detect a 747 flying high at a 190 nm range... in the real world, as far as I know, it would detect it.

Depends on the class and production batch.

Early Tico CGs had/have an SPS-49(V)5 for long-range air search to supplement the SPY-1. This can easily detect a B747 at max range (I just checked - 248nm head-on). SPY-1 subsequently picks it up at 175nm. SPY-1 deliberately trades max range for greater agility and scan/refresh rate; this is a known and accepted compromise.

Later Ticos and Burkes dispensed with the SPS-49 and instead rely on the SPY-1 for first-detection volume search in addition to tracking & engagement (or they rely on offboard information for initial detection - AEW, DSP & SBIRS, SBX etc. etc.)

ORIGINAL: thewood1

The 256 you are talking about is an upper range for a programming matrix. Not the range of the radar. Just look at the code around it.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I saw that. 256 is not a number you're going to find for range, except by complete accident. A power of 2, on the other hand, is a programming/systems number, pretty obviously.

That's why I am pushed back a little on it. To find the range is the exact same as 2^8 and a 16x16 table makes me a little suspicious that that particular source isn't very valid.

ORIGINAL: mavfin
256 is not a number you're going to find for range, except by complete accident

Or because it is a conversion from a metric spec...

For whatever reason, 475km comes up more than once.

But he specifically mentioned the SPY-1. Your link is the SPS-48. I suspect that is where the confusion sets in, as you can get from Dimitris post. Aegis incorporates multiple sensors. SPY-1 is a specific sensor. So, again, its semantics.

Just for info, I've played around quite a bit using the S-300s. That system is a medium/long range shooter. The default is set to maximum distance. If the system shoots at long range, the target a/c often dive down,breaking the missile lock, and the gargoyle is wasted.

So, I decided to try a different tactic and not fire until the incoming strikers were about at the halfway point of the S-300's range. Success. There was no place to dive to, and many of the strikers were knocked out of the sky. The S-300 still managed to fire off all of its missiles, and the kill-rate went way up.

The bottom line, at least as far as I am concerned, is that it isn't always BEST to shoot at the longest distance (or down the street). Sometimes it's better to shoot them as they entered your yard, and then again as the rest try to get into your door. I really think that systems like the SA-15 and SA-22 (short-ranged, but deadly accurate) kind of work in tandem with the S-300.

So, by waiting the missile kill rate goes up, and the waste goes down.

JMO.....Doug

Did you post in the right thread. That looks like it was for the WRA thread.

ORIGINAL: ExMachina

ORIGINAL: mavfin
256 is not a number you're going to find for range, except by complete accident

Or because it is a conversion from a metric spec...

For whatever reason, 475km comes up more than once.

475 is not a power of 2, either. I'd figure that for a range. You're missing the point on this one, imo. If it was 512, I'd wonder about that, too, or 768, etc.

I was discussing the 256 in the programming guide. It was 256 because it was a table 16 x 16.

Again, your link is to the wrong radar also.

ORIGINAL: Dimitris

Depends on the class and production batch.

You´re right, the Tico would detect the 747... but not with her SPY-1 radar, that´s my point. And I´m talking specifically about ships equipped only with the SPY-1 (as the Burkes, for example).

On the other hand... I have to recognize that thewood1 is probably right with his questioning of the "256" that appears on the PDF, and I was wrong: it could easily be a coincidence (moreover, is a 1983 doc... so it is probably talking about the SPY-1A, the one that possibly has the 175 nm range). Notwithstanding this, the other online source that I linked states clearly a 475 km range for a SPY-1D on a Spanish F-100-class frigate (without a SPS-49, like the Burkes).

PS: I´ve send you a pm... or so I think, since it doesn´t appear in my "sent" folder [&:]

Another source that quotes a range of "250+ nm": https://www.forecastinternational.com/a ... RC_ID=1812

The AEGIS system can track over a hundred targets simultaneously (ranging from surface to subsurface to airborne) at ranges of over 250 nautical miles. This range limit is specifically set, with the radar receiver unable to accept returns from outside this range limitation since the radar is only able to generate a set number of beams or dwells per second. The AEGIS computer assigns high rates of dwell coverage to new targets until tracks are established. There is immediate digitization of any signal sent out and returned so it can be identified.

I was told the same thing by a guy who actually works with the system: that the range could be even greater, but that it was limited by software at 256 nm (and to 100,000 ft in altitude, if I recall well).

Again, that is Aegis, not just SPY-1. There are multiple radars on most of the platforms at that time. The 48 does have the longer range as a more traditional mechanical scan radar.

WRT to SPY-1 detection, it also depends on what search mode the radar is using. If the radar is using a simple velocity (Doppler) search (which is great for BMD), you'll get much greater detection ranges than modes optimized for detection of air threats.

ORIGINAL: thewood1

Again, that is Aegis, not just SPY-1. There are multiple radars on most of the platforms at that time. The 48 does have the longer range as a more traditional mechanical scan radar.

The article talks specifically about SPY-1 (read the Technical Data section)... and don´t forget that I know for sure that the range is 256 nm.

I´d being only looking for online sources to support my claim, but in the end I´m not really worried about this. I´ve been playing CMANO for more than 2 years knowing that the SPY-1´s detection range is wrong, and I will continue to play entirely happy even if it shrinks 10 nm more [8D]

I am not saying its right or wrong, but there are online sources stating 175nm also. You don't know. You think you know.