FFG help

[RedMenace]

Anyone have any tips to using the FFG, all autocrew off?

I've pretty much figured out all the platforms EXCEPT the FFG. It's very complicated.

My biggest problem, of course, is detecting anything. I can't figure out how it works. And the passive hull sonar doesnt work for me at all, I can't see anything. The towed array stuff is completely confusing, especially the part with the 22 screens. And what does "SLAVE TO TAG" do anyway?

I'm completely confused, help would be appreciated.

[ASWnut101]

well, to start... ill help

first: what sensor are you having most trouble with? (besides the TA. i know little on this, so maby someone else can fill you in on this)

the primary surface sensor is your RADAR.

---RADAR---

RADAR stands for "RAdio Detection And Ranging." It works by emitting a beam of high intensity radiation from a device mounted on the ship's masts. the energy is easily reflected by metal surfaces, and a computer calculates the time it takes for the energy to hit the target and come back, giving a VERY accurate range.

1. Go to the Weapon's Coordinator.

2. At the bottom of the screen, you will see Three butons labled something like SDT, ADT, and REMRO.
-the one with the "S" is the surface search radar. It's completely line of sight, so its effective range is at most like ~60 miles.
-the one with the "A" is the air search radar.
-REMRO stands for "REMote Radar Operator" This is the deployed onboard Helo's radar. Ill go into it later.

3. Once they are on, be patient and go do something else for about a minute. The RADAR's are of the 'doppler' type. this means that they will scan the same target for a few sweeps of the RADAR beam. This is to reduce false contacts and such. The confirmed RADAR 'detectee' will appear on screen soon.

4. Targets are automatically tracked, and you don't really need RADAR info in the TMA.

5. Be aware that the RADAR is an 'active' sensor. It can be detected by any vehicle with an ESM sensor (more on this later). If you plan on being 'stealthy', which IS possible in the FFG, leave them off. otherwise, turn them on.

-- More on Surface Search RADAR --

1. The FFG-7 uses the AN/SPS-55 Surface Search RADAR. It is capeable of detecting targets as close as 50 yards and as far out as 50 miles and beyond.

-- More on Air Search RADAR --

1. The FFG-7 uses the AN/SPS-49 Very Long Range Air Survailence RADAR. It operates on the "L" band, and has a maximum range of ~250 miles.

---ESM---

The FFG comes with an onboard ESM sensor, just like the subs and aircraft. It's called the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare (EW) system. It detects RADAR energy that is derected at your vessel. It is automatically on, and cannot be turned off. It's completely passive, and emits nothing that can be counter-detected. Notice that the ESM sensor can easily detect energy from very long ranges, even long enough that the incoming energy may not even be capeable of detecting you, making the ESM very effective.

1. Go to the ESM station.

2. When RADAR energy is detected by the sensor, a 'spike' is displayed on the circular screen, and is projected on the heading of the incoming energy beam. When the spike is displayed, a noticeable 'buzz' is also sounded. The intensity of the 'spike' tells the strength of the incoming energy, and the weaker, more narrow spikes usually means that the emitting station is probably far off.

3. move the triangle thingy over the spikes to detect and mark the contact.

4. the other screens are for classifing the incoming energy's possible source.


---THE HUMAN EYE---

Yep. Visual detection, as it is more commonly known, is possibly THE most reliable source for close range detection. You can't foil them with 'chaff', they don't emit anything (duh), and when properly trained, can provide a near instant classification capeablility.



I have to go now, and will finish this lesson later.

[RedMenace]

What about FFG hull sonar and sonarbuoys, and if you can explain the TA at all, help me out.

[ASWnut101]

--- Hull Mounted Sonar (Active) ---

The Oliver Hazard Perry FFG uses the AN/SQS-56 Sonar Array. The system is an Active/Passive system capeable of detecting and tracking sub-surface and sometimes surface contacts at a medium to long range (dependent on the sea floor and sub-surface enviromental conditions [ie. water temprature, density, ect.]).

1. Go to your Sonar Station.

2. The default setting for your sonar is in an active, single beam, single ping mode.

3. The Sonar station consists of a large rectangular display (when inactive it shows black), two collums of buttons, and a smaller rectangular display at the top right of the screen.

4. First, we will try the active sonar. Press the "Active" button to begin.

5. Now, the four buttons under "Active" say in this order: "Single Beam," "Omni," "Omni Rotational," and "High Frequency."

6. The first mode, "Single Beam," Projects a Sonar ping into the water, and the display only shows a Twenty (20) degree wide beam of what is reflected from the ping. This is a good way to narrow a search for a target down to a specific bearing. Notice that while you only see the small beam projected onto the large display, the Sonar Ping will be heard outside of that area shown, alerting all to your presence.

7. The Second Button, "Omni," projects a full-width ping into the water at once, and the display shows all that is reflected. Reflected contacts, like subs, are usually clearly shown as wide "blips" on the screen.

8. The Third, "Omni Rotational," projects a 'beam' of sound, almost like a underwater RADAR, in a sweeping motion through the water. It does this quite fast though, so its hard to notice it directly. Because it directs the noise, it's much more accurate and has a bit farther range than the 'Omni' mode.

9. The fourth, "High Frequency," emits a undetectible (I think), very high frequency, continiuous sound directly forward and down, and can be used for very close target tracking in a real time, actual imageing, of what's right infront of you. Use it to detect mines and, if you are really good, to track a shallow sub that is infront of you.

10. The Buttons "Single Ping" and "Continuous Ping" are pretty self explanitory.


--- Hull Mounted Sonar (Passive) ---

Although you may hear alot about how the FFG's Passive Sonar sucks really bad, it still DOES work!

1. Select "Passive" on the Sonar Sation.

2. Contacts appear as virtical lines falling downward on the display.

That simple really, there isn't much left to the passive sensor.

[Nexus7]

ASWNut you could've written an addendum to the manual lol, sort of "field manual"

[ASWnut101]

really?:hmm: maby I should create a FFG field manual like this and the mods will come around with their magic wand and make this a sticky (*cough*gizzmoe, TK, Neal*cough* )

-may I please?

[Nexus7]

This could become a sticky if you manage to add the towed array part for the frigate

[ASWnut101]

oh god, the one part i am no good at. I'll try, I guess.

[kage]

Maybe I can provide the FFG TA part. Or at least, you could look at my older ffg guide, if you can find it anywhere. I think an old version is mirrored at subguru's.