If I put up an E-3 Sentry in the Formation Editor, does it automatically turn on its sensors and fly at the right height? Or, should it be positioned manually? What about the Prowler and the Raven? What about if I put any of them in groups with other planes?

 

The ingame db for the EF-111A Raven says that it can collect intelligence. Does this mean it can used as an E-3 Sentry? If so, do I just turn on the sensors?

 

I've never used a Prowler or a Raven, how should they be used? I think they're primarily radar jammers, but I'm not sure how to use them.

 

Thanks for the help!

If I put up an E-3 Sentry in the Formation Editor, does it automatically turn on its sensors and fly at the right height? Or, should it be positioned manually? What about the Prowler and the Raven? What about if I put any of them in groups with other planes?

 

It will energize its radar and perform a High altitude airborne early warning (AEW) patrol if you set the associated Installation radars to active. Alternatively, you can click on the E-3 Sentry in the Unit Map window and activate its radar.

 

The ingame db for the EF-111A Raven says that it can collect intelligence. Does this mean it can used as an E-3 Sentry? If so, do I just turn on the sensors?

 

It can collect intel in the sense that it is equipped with ESM (Electronic Surveillance Measures) and can detect enemy radars from well beyond their own effective range, but is it not like the E-3 Sentry. The EF-111A is a jamming platform, not an AEW platform.

 

I've never used a Prowler or a Raven, how should they be used? I think they're primarily radar jammers, but I'm not sure how to use them.

 

Yes, they're both jamming platforms, useful in the suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) role. Activating their surface search radar will likewise activate the jammers, and you can use the aircraft to reduce the effective range of enemy radars. In the escort role, they can be used to provide somewhat of a 'shield' for friendly aircraft. Be careful, though, they are vulnerable to enemy fighters.

I've never used a Prowler or a Raven, how should they be used? I think they're primarily radar jammers, but I'm not sure how to use them.

 

Yes, they're both jamming platforms, useful in the suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) role. Activating their surface search radar will likewise activate the jammers, and you can use the aircraft to reduce the effective range of enemy radars. In the escort role, they can be used to provide somewhat of a 'shield' for friendly aircraft. Be careful, though, they are vulnerable to enemy fighters.

So (in HCE) 'jammers' like prowler have to have their surface radar on to jam enemy radar, if I try to sneak them in low and 'quiet' (all radar off) they have no effect. Yeh, is this true, have I been stuffing up all this time?? (Don's bungle No. xxx)

So (in HCE) 'jammers' like prowler have to have their surface radar on to jam enemy radar, if I try to sneak them in low and 'quiet' (all radar off) they have no effect. Yeh, is this true, have I been stuffing up all this time?? (Don's bungle No. xxx)

 

Yup, gotta energize the radar to energize the jammers.

So (in HCE) 'jammers' like prowler have to have their surface radar on to jam enemy radar, if I try to sneak them in low and 'quiet' (all radar off) they have no effect. Yeh, is this true, have I been stuffing up all this time?? (Don's bungle No. xxx)

 

Yup, gotta energize the radar to energize the jammers.

 

Of course, in most cases coming in low and quiet is actually the right thing to do, up until you figure you are getting into detection range or coming over the horizon. No point in advertising your presence any sooner than necessary ...

So (in HCE) 'jammers' like prowler have to have their surface radar on to jam enemy radar, if I try to sneak them in low and 'quiet' (all radar off) they have no effect. Yeh, is this true, have I been stuffing up all this time?? (Don's bungle No. xxx)

 

Yup, gotta energize the radar to energize the jammers.

 

Of course, in most cases coming in low and quiet is actually the right thing to do, up until you figure you are getting into detection range or coming over the horizon. No point in advertising your presence any sooner than necessary ...

Well I didn't scratch too many then, fwew

Question though: is there an easy way to tell which planes have jammers (other than open up the database)? I look at the written description and the 'weapons' in the load out, any thing else I should do?

So (in HCE) 'jammers' like prowler have to have their surface radar on to jam enemy radar, if I try to sneak them in low and 'quiet' (all radar off) they have no effect. Yeh, is this true, have I been stuffing up all this time?? (Don's bungle No. xxx)

 

Yup, gotta energize the radar to energize the jammers.

 

Of course, in most cases coming in low and quiet is actually the right thing to do, up until you figure you are getting into detection range or coming over the horizon. No point in advertising your presence any sooner than necessary ...

Well I didn't scratch too many then, fwew

Question though: is there an easy way to tell which planes have jammers (other than open up the database)? I look at the written description and the 'weapons' in the load out, any thing else I should do?

In the loadouts, a weapon with target expressed as RADAR and with a range value other than HORIZON (i.e. a range expressed in a numerical value) is a jammer. Also, dedicated airborne jammer platform are expressed as EW as plane cathegory.

If I put up an E-3 Sentry in the Formation Editor, does it automatically turn on its sensors and fly at the right height? Or, should it be positioned manually? What about the Prowler and the Raven? What about if I put any of them in groups with other planes?

 

It will energize its radar and perform a High altitude airborne early warning (AEW) patrol if you set the associated Installation radars to active. Alternatively, you can click on the E-3 Sentry in the Unit Map window and activate its radar.

 

 

 

Additionally, if you launch it on a 'Patrol' mission (where you pick a point on the map for it to go to and patrol) it will light up its sensors automatically when it reaches the patrol point.

If I put up an E-3 Sentry in the Formation Editor, does it automatically turn on its sensors and fly at the right height? Or, should it be positioned manually? What about the Prowler and the Raven? What about if I put any of them in groups with other planes?

 

It will energize its radar and perform a High altitude airborne early warning (AEW) patrol if you set the associated Installation radars to active. Alternatively, you can click on the E-3 Sentry in the Unit Map window and activate its radar.

 

 

 

Additionally, if you launch it on a 'Patrol' mission (where you pick a point on the map for it to go to and patrol) it will light up its sensors automatically when it reaches the patrol point.

 

Just to make sure, I'll ask a dumb question: I can put a Raven or a Prowler up over a formation w/o radars/jammers on as an ESM platform, right?

... I can put a Raven or a Prowler up over a formation w/o radars/jammers on as an ESM platform, right?

 

Yes, you can.

... I can put a Raven or a Prowler up over a formation w/o radars/jammers on as an ESM platform, right?

 

Yes, you can.

 

Next question: I think I saw in the patch notes somewhere that ECM pods now work on aircraft loadouts? Or did I imagine that? Also, do the aircraft sensors have to be on for those to work? What about aircraft w/o any sensors to turn on? (For example, the Jaguar A in some battlesets has no sensors to turn on, but it has an ECM pod in the loadout.)

 

And the last question on the subject: If ECM pods work, do they only do so in the commondb, or do they work in the older battlesets, too?

 

Thanks for any answers.

 

PS: I have to say, one of my favorite changes is that vlow aircraft are not fired on till they come over the horizon now, instead of being fired at at 50 miles by Grumbles if they had a Mainstay detecting them. i.e. proper horizon for missile fire and detection. That does bring me to the question: how can I tell which aircraft are good at vlow altitude? I know Tornados are, for example, as well as 'truders, but how do I tell that they can handle it w/o crashing, other than just trying it and losing a/c if they can't?

 

In addition, I notice that ships show ECM in their loadouts in the newer DBs and the commondb. Does this mean that the old battlesets have no ECM aboard ship for incoming missiles? Again, just gathering information for tactical considerations. Also, in the ones that show ECM, do they require sensors turned on, or are those automatic? (the decoys and naval ECM mk X)

Next question: I think I saw in the patch notes somewhere that ECM pods now work on aircraft loadouts? Or did I imagine that? Also, do the aircraft sensors have to be on for those to work? What about aircraft w/o any sensors to turn on? (For example, the Jaguar A in some battlesets has no sensors to turn on, but it has an ECM pod in the loadout.)

 

And the last question on the subject: If ECM pods work, do they only do so in the commondb, or do they work in the older battlesets, too?

 

Yes, ECM pods have worked for quite a long while (added during the WestPac beta in the 2003-2005 timeframe). The capability was added to mounts (ships, installations, probably subs too) in 2007 after the HCE release.

 

Interesting that SAMs aren't firing beyond the horizon, can't say I remember that being limited by code but the detection sure is. There isn't a way to know which aircraft are VLow capable unless you use the Platform Editor (PE).

Next question: I think I saw in the patch notes somewhere that ECM pods now work on aircraft loadouts? Or did I imagine that? Also, do the aircraft sensors have to be on for those to work? What about aircraft w/o any sensors to turn on? (For example, the Jaguar A in some battlesets has no sensors to turn on, but it has an ECM pod in the loadout.)

 

And the last question on the subject: If ECM pods work, do they only do so in the commondb, or do they work in the older battlesets, too?

 

Yes, ECM pods have worked for quite a long while (added during the WestPac beta in the 2003-2005 timeframe). The capability was added to mounts (ships, installations, probably subs too) in 2007 after the HCE release.

 

Interesting that SAMs aren't firing beyond the horizon, can't say I remember that being limited by code but the detection sure is. There isn't a way to know which aircraft are VLow capable unless you use the Platform Editor (PE).

 

I'll have to test the detection on the vlow issue. I was playing Alpha Strike and noticed my vlow 'truders weren't fired on at 35 miles by the Patriots. I'll use the SE to add an E3 to it and see if the Patriots fire at range at the vlow a/c. Also, did you see my question about shipboard ECM I edited in just as you were answering? (basically, in the older DBs, where there's no ECM weapon loadouts for ships, does that mean there's no ECM at all vs incoming missiles, or is it just not visible in those?)

Next question: I think I saw in the patch notes somewhere that ECM pods now work on aircraft loadouts? Or did I imagine that? Also, do the aircraft sensors have to be on for those to work? What about aircraft w/o any sensors to turn on? (For example, the Jaguar A in some battlesets has no sensors to turn on, but it has an ECM pod in the loadout.) And the last question on the subject: If ECM pods work, do they only do so in the commondb, or do they work in the older battlesets, too?

 

Aircraft sensors need to be active for any offensive ECM to work. (Defensive ECM will work without active sensors). Aircraft lacking sensors won't be able to use offensive ECM, so in those cases I guess the DB author needs to add a null radar of some sort.

 

In addition, I notice that ships show ECM in their loadouts in the newer DBs and the commondb. Does this mean that the old battlesets have no ECM aboard ship for incoming missiles? Again, just gathering information for tactical considerations. Also, in the ones that show ECM, do they require sensors turned on, or are those automatic? (the decoys and naval ECM mk X)

 

Shipboard jammers and decoys are fully automatic, and do not require active sensors.

Interesting that SAMs aren't firing beyond the horizon, can't say I remember that being limited by code but the detection sure is.

 

I'll have to test the detection on the vlow issue. I was playing Alpha Strike and noticed my vlow 'truders weren't fired on at 35 miles by the Patriots. I'll use the SE to add an E3 to it and see if the Patriots fire at range at the vlow a/c. Also, did you see my question about shipboard ECM I edited in just as you were answering? (basically, in the older DBs, where there's no ECM weapon loadouts for ships, does that mean there's no ECM at all vs incoming missiles, or is it just not visible in those?)

 

MODALPHA.SCb.zip

 

Using the file above (HDS2 NACV, mod of Alpha Strike) I tested the missile firing with a known detection while over the horizon from the SAMs. It's simply the original scenario with an added E3 on formation patrol within a few miles of the base to give detection of vlow aircraft before they come over the horizon for the base radars.

 

First run: I set the two antiradar groups just outside AAW range of the base and waited till the A-6s with guided loadout got to firing range (35 nm). Jammers were active on the Prowlers, but I still got told to turn on radars at launch anyway. At 33 nm, I fired all the Walleyes, and also all the HARMS from the groups hovering outside AAW range. The AI didn't fire any SAMS till it saw missiles in the air. It expended a lot of missiles trying to kill 26 HARMS, and ended up with a dead radar, but, the E3 was still up. Finished off the base with iron bombs, as the Patriots had no radar, I guess, even though the AAW range hadn't reduced to Hawk range.

 

Second run: Just to make sure that the SAMS *would* fire at vlow targets as they came over the horizon, I launched 6 A-6s with an ironbomb loadout, changed them to vlow after launch, and sent them in to attack without jammers or anything else up. They were asked to turn on radars at ~50 miles, and were fired on and killed by SAMs somewhere in the 20-25 nm range, which is about right for vlow coming over the horizon. I guess I might need to test this on a commondb scenario if you think I should, but it seems to work right in my testing.

 

(Oh, and this is all in 2010.006, btw)

 

PPS: Another note on things that worked: The actual first run, I RTBed the A-6s as soon as I fired the Walleyes, at VLow altitude. The Walleyes lost datalink before they got to the target, and I lost them. So, that worked properly. The 'First run' above, I kept them loitering in range, and the missiles impacted. Thought you'd like to know.