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When a sonobuoy is dropped in game, a datalink is established with the aircraft that dropped it. Which makes me wonder:

1. Will other aircraft, who do not show a datalink to the sonobuoy, be able to receive data from it -- or is there a strict mother-daughter relationship that only allows the dropping aircraft to collect data?

2. In real life, do sonobuoys broadcast data that other aircraft can receive?

Couldn't find the answer on-line, and given the knowledge base here I am sure someone knows.

Thanks.

Regards,
Feltan

ORIGINAL: Feltan

When a sonobuoy is dropped in game, a datalink is established with the aircraft that dropped it. Which makes me wonder:

1. Will other aircraft, who do not show a datalink to the sonobuoy, be able to receive data from it -- or is there a strict mother-daughter relationship that only allows the dropping aircraft to collect data?

2. In real life, do sonobuoys broadcast data that other aircraft can receive?

Couldn't find the answer on-line, and given the knowledge base here I am sure someone knows.

Thanks.

Regards,
Feltan

The datalink is a secure radio frequency that can only be used by aircraft, ships, submarines and land based facilities that have the frequency, the equipment and software to interpret the information sent from the sonobuoy.
The system is jam resistant, highly secure and will only allow those that have the correct equipment to use the information.

ORIGINAL: AdmSteebe
The datalink is a secure radio frequency that can only be used by aircraft, ships, submarines and land based facilities that have the frequency, the equipment and software to interpret the information sent from the sonobuoy.
The system is jam resistant, highly secure and will only allow those that have the correct equipment to use the information.

Just have a look on Google with the following keywords: 'navy wants secure sonobuoys'. It was a month ago.

In real life, anyone close enough to the float of a sonobuoy and with a line of sight (water and high frequency radio waves do not mix) can pick up the (mainly analogic) transmission from the sonobuoy, provided it knows the channel used amongst the 99 channels. Then, it's analysed onboard the helo or relayed to a ship where it's analysed. Once the data have been analyzed, the informations about the contacts are retransmitted to each network participant through digital datalinks.

--
4rk

No question that sonobuoys are designed to work as AdmSteebe & 4rk describe, but to Feltan's original question #1, is data linking to other units modeled in CMANO?

ORIGINAL: Mitchell

No question that sonobuoys are designed to work as AdmSteebe & 4rk describe, but to Feltan's original question #1, is data linking to other units modeled in CMANO?

I am not sure that it is. However, it is difficult to say with certainty.

Generally, observations indicate that once the launch vehicle lands I'll get no more new contacts from a sonobuoy field -- and current Goblin contacts will age. If the parent a/c takes off again (specifically a SH-60), then the sonobuoy field becomes "active" again.

The rub here is that I picked up a new torpedo contact on what I thought was a sonobuoy who's parent aircraft had landed -- but I am not 100% certain.

Continued observations seem to indicate that a sonobuoy only transmits to its parent launcher, which if I understand correctly, is not how things work IRL.

Regards,
Feltan

ORIGINAL: Feltan

When a sonobuoy is dropped in game, a datalink is established with the aircraft that dropped it. Which makes me wonder:

1. Will other aircraft, who do not show a datalink to the sonobuoy, be able to receive data from it -- or is there a strict mother-daughter relationship that only allows the dropping aircraft to collect data?

As far as I can see, any unit that is on the side that dropped the sonobuoy can receive information from it. Also, the side posture will determine who else can use the information.

ORIGINAL: AdmSteebe

ORIGINAL: Feltan

When a sonobuoy is dropped in game, a datalink is established with the aircraft that dropped it. Which makes me wonder:

1. Will other aircraft, who do not show a datalink to the sonobuoy, be able to receive data from it -- or is there a strict mother-daughter relationship that only allows the dropping aircraft to collect data?

As far as I can see, any unit that is on the side that dropped the sonobuoy can receive information from it. Also, the side posture will determine who else can use the information.

In order for the information picked by a sonobuoy to be passed along its side or friendly-side, that sonobuoy has to be data linked with a plane or a helicopter (not sure if a ship is equally valid, don´t think so in any case)... in other words, if you drop some sonobuoys in the middle of the ocean by a P-3 and then that P-3 is shot down... your sonobuoys are useless until another P-3 or a data link equipped unit establish contact with the sonobuoys... as in RL....