Would use of an active jamming pod preclude the use of an anti-radiation missile from the same or co-located aircraft?

Would use of an active jamming pod preclude the use of an anti-radiation missile from the same or co-located aircraft?

 

Excellent question. I really don't know, but my gut feeling is no. After all, HARMs have broadband seekers (more recently with a "home on jam" mode) and are regularly mounted in conjunction with jamming pods aboard the EA-6B Prowler and will be aboard the EA-18G Growler.

 

For that matter, even the old Wild Weasel carried narrowband AGM-45 Shrikes along with a defensive ALQ-131 ECM pod.

 

It would seem nonsensical if a Prowler or similar offensive jamming aircraft would have to shut down its jammers to shoot a HARM at a priority radar target. I know they did both in Iraq, ie. conduct jamming and shoot HARMs on the same mission. Maybe there would be some electromagnetic interference if the Prowlers was jamming across a wide range of frequencies, that would have to be controlled by software to prevent a conflict, but I'd be guessing at that.

Would use of an active jamming pod preclude the use of an anti-radiation missile from the same or co-located aircraft?

 

Excellent question. I really don't know, but my gut feeling is no. After all, HARMs have broadband seekers (more recently with a "home on jam" mode) and are regularly mounted in conjunction with jamming pods aboard the EA-6B Prowler and will be aboard the EA-18G Growler.

 

Thanks Brad, that is what I thought, just wanted to hear some other opinions.

 

As a corollary, do SAM units have some variation of ESM such as a RWR to detect when they may be detected by radar or "locked" on by an Anti-radiation missile, i.e. what would prompt a SAM crew to power-down the radar other than by visually spotting a threatening aircraft?

As a corollary, do SAM units have some variation of ESM such as a RWR to detect when they may be detected by radar or "locked" on by an Anti-radiation missile, i.e. what would prompt a SAM crew to power-down the radar other than by visually spotting a threatening aircraft?

 

I doubt it, at least in the case of some warning from the attacking missile, as ARM's generally employ passive seekers.

 

I'd say in most cases, the first warning that a SAM system crew has about an incoming ARM is when they actually detect the attacking aircraft or its anti-radar missile with their own radar, or alternatively, when a neighboring radar or SAM site suddenly and unexpectedly goes off the air. It seems the method of turning SAM radars on and off in an attempt to avoid coming under attack has generally been rather haphazard.

As a corollary, do SAM units have some variation of ESM such as a RWR to detect when they may be detected by radar or "locked" on by an Anti-radiation missile, i.e. what would prompt a SAM crew to power-down the radar other than by visually spotting a threatening aircraft?

 

I doubt it, at least in the case of some warning from the attacking missile, as ARM's generally employ passive seekers.

 

I'd say in most cases, the first warning that a SAM system crew has about an incoming ARM is when they actually detect the attacking aircraft or its anti-radar missile with their own radar, or alternatively, when a neighboring radar or SAM site suddenly and unexpectedly goes off the air. It seems the method of turning SAM radars on and off in an attempt to avoid coming under attack has generally been rather haphazard.

 

Thanks again Brad. Using the the Air Strike rule set, the fidelity is a bit sharper, don't know if its more accurate or not, just individual aircraft conducting maneuvers, launching ordnance, hex scale at about 1/3 mile - these questions come up.

So as not to totally hijack this thread, FA http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showtopic=1951

So as not to totally hijack this thread, FA http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showtopic=1951

 

LOL.