Quote:
Originally Posted by Julhelm
It acts just like it did in Red Storm Rising.
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What he said.
In Cold Waters, TMA is not very accurately portrayed. Actual TMA is very accurately portrayed in both Sierra's FAST ATTACK, and The Sonalysts sims.
TMA is a pretty tedious process.
In reality, with all sensors in passive mode you can only get a bearing from which the sound arrives. As your target and own ship manuever, this bearing changes. TMA is done by taking a history of these bearings and estimating course and speed to the target
As you plot these bearing lines you began to notice a pattern. On a plot table, you begin to guess the target speed and course by comparing the plotted bearing lines with little rulers called speed strips. By rotating these strips and comparing them against the bearing lines, you begin to suss out a speed, course and range.
You can also maneuver your own ship to force the bearing lines to "cross". If the target has not changed course, these crossing lines can represent either a minimum range or maximum range which helps you bracket the target
An FT also does the same thing but he does it on the FC station. He can adjust speed, course and range settings on the computer to "stack dots" on the FC station. These dots represent the historical bearing lines on the chart. When the dots are lined up vertically with little or no deviation, it means it's a good solution. Only one course, speed and range will allow all the dots to stack properly.
The FT and people tracking on paper often "compare notes". The chart table will often ask the FT to enter "their solution" to see how it looks. We also chart the FT's solution to see if it makes sense on the charting paper.
Tracking a contact is truly a team effort with at least 4 people involved.
Now if only I could tell my Chief of the watch to make turns for so many knots and maintain a desired depth....yeah, that'd be great..... :-)