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So just some testing and it looks to me like a Ch-53k at 566' over the ocean is detected by a type 052d at 40.2nm.... but radar horizon calculators say it should be 26nm ( I am saying the radar on the type 052d is 50 feet and the heli is at 566'. ) This includes the best case for the Type 052d as the it assumes refraction and 50ft I think may be generous. (It is NOT detected at 560').
The type 346A radar would have to be 120+ feet in the air to see this heli according to horizon calcs (below)..... Are we off on this?

https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/radar-horizon
https://www.translatorscafe.com/unit-co ... e_vignette

They seem to agree fairly closely.

Yes, it's only 4nm or so, but it is 15% or more than the 26nm . I'm usually missing something though... anyone?

Interesting post.

In same topic I tried to fly a CH-53K (also tried several helicopter including UH-1Y) at 20 ft ASI but the minimum altitude allowed was 200 ft. Shouldn't a helicopter that is used in covert low level infiltration missions be able to fly lower than 200 ft? Maybe I'm doing something wrong to not allow lower flight altitudes?

In one word.... refraction.

All sensor type horizons (visual too, but especially radar & ESM) extend much further out than the math nominal. The radar waves creep on the sea surface, especially in calm waters.

pboiler wrote: Mon Feb 09, 2026 8:58 pm Interesting post.

In same topic I tried to fly a CH-53K (also tried several helicopter including UH-1Y) at 20 ft ASI but the minimum altitude allowed was 200 ft. Shouldn't a helicopter that is used in covert low level infiltration missions be able to fly lower than 200 ft? Maybe I'm doing something wrong to not allow lower flight altitudes?

This is a different question; please post it on a separate thread. Thanks!

Attached is the scenario. Maybe it's user error but I can't get the helicopter to fly lower than 200 ft.

See UH-1Y in Coral Sea on Blue side.

EDIT=- Thanks for correcting me. I created new post on tech thread.

pboiler wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 5:29 pm Attached is the same. Maybe it's user error but I can't get the helicopter to fly lower than 200 ft.

See UH-1Y in Coral Sea on Blue side.

Dimitris wrote: Mon Feb 09, 2026 9:51 pm This is a different question; please post it on a separate thread. Thanks!

Dimitris,
I ran both online calculators WITH Refraction. The numbers are still off in CMO. Any thoughts??? I think CMO was unsing miles vs Nm and are thus off by 15% maybe?


Thanks

You are assuming that CMO is using the same estimates about the "refraction bonus" as that webpage you keep referring to. It is not.

Our numbers come from highly reliable sources. And we'll leave it at that.

Copy that. Thanks for putting it to bed.

John