In data/cfg/contact.cfg is defined the range around your sub inwhich those contacts of opportunity are reported. The default Sh4 value is significantly larger (1000km) than what Sh3 had (250km or so). Probably because the Pacific is a tad bigger than the Atlantic. Personally I would rather have the choice to intercept them, than it being made for me.
In Sh3 I don't intercept targets if I can't reach them before they have trafeled 175km. That is the range where my best sensor (hydrophone range: 34km radius ) still fits in between the 'possible course' wedge (11.25 degrees either side). For a contact with a speed at the upper limit of his speed range, 7.5 knots for slow (in SH3 but the Sh4 files doesn't seem to be different in this), it means I have upto 12 and a half hours before his uncertain course allows him to escape my sensor range. Since US subs can max out at roughly 21 knots (German type 7 at about 17-18 knots) you can cross more water in the same time.
I don't know what the best sensor range is in Sh4 so I can't judge what should be possible to do. But I hope to find out soon as I have a better pc that could run Sh4 (I hope). It makes a big difference where you are in relation to his course. If you are in front the opposing speeds allows you to be further away than if you are chasing him. Then the difference in speed determines the range where you can catch him. To me that 1000km area sounds reasonable.
As for the course uncertainty. I don't know what was custommary in the real world. But I suspect it wasn't easy to judge course by patrol aircraft so high up there. Wether it was stated as a number or as a NNE, SWW etc. is moot in my opinion. It just means the same and signifies the course had some uncertainty. A given number could give the false impression of accuracy.
|