Radar Range

[Sniper31]

Okay folks, what are the ranges of the AI's radar (roughly). As a rule of thumb, I use 5nm as a visual cue to dive (weather and time of day dependent), but I am not sure what to use as a reference when dealing with radar equipped enemies. Any and all input welcomed.

[Torplexed]

To tell you the truth I don't think I've ever encountered any radar-equipped Japanese escorts. They didn't start getting fitted with radar until late in the war and from what I've read Japanese radar sets weren't too effective on small surface targets like subs. They do eventually get radar detectors that can tip them off to your presence if you're using it constantly.

[MonTana_Prussian]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

To tell you the truth I don't think I've ever encountered any radar-equipped Japanese escorts. They didn't start getting fitted with radar until late in the war and from what I've read Japanese radar sets weren't too effective on small surface targets like subs. They do eventually get radar detectors that can tip them off to your presence if you're using it constantly.

The IJN gave priority for Radar to CV,BB,CA. Escorts were far down the list.

Some aircraft started getting sets in 1944,Jills,Judys,Bettys for example.

[Torplexed]

Yeah...they also tended to prioritize air search radars over surface search types. Understandable considering the devastating Midway experience. Surprisingly, some Japanese planes had MAD gear, but I don't know if that's in the sim.

[Akula4745]

If my targeting chart is to be believed I have been within 6000 yards of an escort on the surface at night and not been detected. I would imagine a sub would not create much of a radar target... but at such a short range you would think I would stick out like a sore thumb! No surface radar would certainly explain it...

Akula4745

[Sniper31]

All good points and info guys...much thanks. I did not think that escorts were using radar, but in SHIV, one never knows.

[LukeFF]

Originally Posted by Akula4745

If my targeting chart is to be believed I have been within 6000 yards of an escort on the surface at night and not been detected. I would imagine a sub would not create much of a radar target... but at such a short range you would think I would stick out like a sore thumb! No surface radar would certainly explain it...

Japanese surface search radar (Type 22) was only good to about 7000 meters (a shade under 4 miles) against submarines and was blind under 1500 meters, not to mention it had only about an 80% reliability rate (all of this is modeled in RFB, except for the reliability part). That, and the radar fitted to their ASW aircraft was generally deemed by the pilots to be practically worthless. All said, the picture one gets is that radar was only a minor annoyance to American sub crews in the last months of the war (with notable exceptions, of course).

[LukeFF]

Originally Posted by MonTana_Prussian

Some aircraft started getting sets in 1944,Jills,Judys,Bettys for example.

Bettys were captured early in 1944 with radar sets fitted, so it is safe to say they had been operating with radar since at least late 1943.

[MonTana_Prussian]

Originally Posted by LukeFF

Bettys were captured early in 1944 with radar sets fitted, so it is safe to say they had been operating with radar since at least late 1943.

True,but thyose were mostly,IIRC,experimental sets,and it did not become more common until mid 1944.

Good point though. I wonder if this is contained in the game though?