A OH Perry FFG (4th gen cmbt sys) launches its SH-60B Seahawk Blk 0.  The Seahawk flies 60nm at 270 degrees and lights its APS-124 SS radar.  It detects a contact at 15nm at 270 degrees (75nm at 270 degrees from the OH Perry).  The OH Perry has its radar dark so can't detect the target.

The Seahawk detected the target with its radar.  Is there a data link between the Seahawk and the OH Perry?  If not, what kind of useful data can be relayed to the OH Perry by the Seahawk about the contact?  Useful for targeting?

I think if it had been another OH Perry that made active radar contact then there would be a data link (since they both have 3rd generation or better combat systems) but I'm not sure.  I also don't know what a data link range might be and whether/how it is impacted by weather, sea state, clutter, etc.

 

Any help is appreciated.

Even without a data link, the SH-60 could relay radar information to the ship.  He will know the contact's position, and after one Tactical Turn, the speed and course.  This is enough information to cue the OH Perry for a missile shot.  The free H-V Jumpstart shows how to do this.

BTW, there is a data link between them, but it is very limited, so you do not get the Helicopter bonus when calculating a firing solution.

I've found the whole datalink thing the hardest bit of H-V.  I feel like some essential information is missing or hidden in the rulebook and the databooks that would make it all clear.  Kevin, you say "there is a datalink between them, but it is very limited..." - where are you getting this information from in the rules or in the data books please?

Why can't I use 6.3.10 in this circumstance?

On 8/7/2020 at 7:19 PM, Onkle Karl said:

I also don't know what a data link range might be and whether/how it is impacted by weather, sea state, clutter, etc. Any help is appreciated.

The original Seahawk equipment was the ARQ-44 radio data link, transmitting in the C band.

The main range limiter - then and now - is the horizon.  SH-60s (and Seasprites before them) had to stay at a range with the ship on the horizon or climb to a greater height in order to keep the ship in view for the datalink to work.

Most data links are limited to radar LOS. Link 22 can use any communications method.

Yes, but where is this noted in the Harpoon-V rules?  I can't see it, and in fact the whole datalinks issue seems underspecified to me.  If you're going to include it, and make it such a limiter on engagements as they have, you need to do it well.

Hi Dylan,

The way I read the rules about Data Links, you don't need to know the exact Link system used as they are automatically included in the quality of the surface fire control solutions for the generation of the Combat System. On page 6-6, where it discusses Data Links and the three types, time late systems are in all combat systems prior to Gen 3 Semi-automatic. Near real time in Gen 3 semi-automatic up to Gen 5 automatic. Real time links are Gen 5 automatic and later. The only one that helps develop a solution is the Real Time data link. As it says in the rules: "Real time systems are included in the Combat Systems of the ship data."

Thanks, yes you're absolutely correct - that is how they're doing it.  For aircraft it is a bit of a mystery, and subsequent clarification has said that for helos that are ship-based they take the combat system generation of the ship.

Thanks . Good to know on the helos.