They have to model ECM at some point. Otherwise the game will just don’t proggress anymore.
I understand that ECM already exists in the Rafale at least
All planes that have chaff and flare have ECM
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It’s called “passive ECM”
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Exactly, I understand that, but the WT Rafale has ECM due to the LWR and MAWS systems, the action of launching Chaff and Flares when it detects the approaching missile is part of ECM systems. This is active ECM against IR radiation.
Active ECM refers to the active radar jammers (that transmit something) and DIRCMs etc
We do have active IR jammers on stuff like Su-39 and helicopters
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EDIT:
Actually some sources consider Flares as active ECM:
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Well I think I must be confused, but I did a lot of research on this topic (Related to the Kfir C10) and I found that active ECM refers to interference through signals received from the defender (Radar and/or IR) and passive ECM refers to physical countermeasures through RWR actions.
RWR itself is irrelevant here … It’s just a warning system
Whether you deploy the chaff/flare because you see the incoming missile visually or whether because you see the warning on RWR or if you have automatic deployment enabled makes no difference, in terms of it being ECM or not, or being passive or active …
Passive / Active refers to the thing that does the deception or jamming; And seems like different sources classify them differently …
E.g. Some classify flares as passive ECM, and some consider them active ECM (regardless of it being deployed automatically or manually).
Yes, you’re correct, but what I mean is that “ECM” isn’t a thing; it’s an integrated action of the aircraft’s self-protection systems (active and passive). When you refer to “jamming,” it’s a process exclusive to electronic warfare in conjunction with ECM. For example, the ECM process (active or passive) against a radar missile requires information from the RWR to act accordingly. That’s what I meant.
I’ve always placed stuff into three categories;
Expendables - flares, chaff and Britecloud decoys
Active ECM - Jamming, DIRCM, PD MAWS etc
Passive ECM - RWR, LWR, UV/IR MAWS.
Britecloud is an odd one in being an expendable that is an active ECM category of system at the same time.
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Some sources divide them into onboard active, onboard passive, off-board active and off-board passive.
You could say it’s “off-board active ECM” … Essentially flare but for radars …
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MICA NG is not in service in either category for now.
It was supposed to enter service in 2026, but considering the current context, the french gov decided to accelerate its delivery to the end of 2025. It remains to be seen if they will be on time.
In any case, this missile won’t be necessary in the few months that separates us from the end of the year.
For now there are videos of DGA testing the propellant reaction to shocks (making a model of the missile filled with propellant fall on the ground), and calibrating/testing the proximity fuze by flying it low to the ground on an helicopter.
More news should arrive soon
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Problem with ECM and active/Passive EW is it is designed to primarily counter Russian systems.
I see EW/ECM in the same category as anti era tipped darts…NATO use them but they would make Russian armour obsolete.
Wake up baby, Dev Server is coming, time to buff Rafale again /s.
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Waiter waiter please more buffs.
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I was playing the mb157, i mentioned i was grinding for the rafale and a good chunk of my team were pretty angry that the rafale exists lol.
I cannot wait to unlock it.
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It’s the best aircraft in game, and pretty much doesn’t have competition at top tier except for maybe typhoon when the radar works
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oh i know, they made that abundantly clear by how many insults they typed.
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Personally I think of it still as expendable, it’s the logical next step to decoy improving radar seekers that are resistant to chaff, and it’s surely less effective than onboard ECM
For example, Spectra is surely more potent than Britecloud in power, but Britecloud has advantage of physically being in a different place
Brite cloud works like MALD it is programmable to mimic an RCS. I dont think you will fool AESA seekers they scan so quickly and will make the distinction between why I have 2 aircraft shapes when I expected one?
Its a combination effect, BriteCloud, chaff, TRD and onboard jamming. The idea is to make the situation as noisy as possible where in its almost impossible to pick the real target.
Shouldn’t look at BriteCloud being using in isolation on platforms like Typhoon, its always part of a larger operation by DASS.
If you were tracking a Typhoon you’d be contending with TRD, BriteClouds, Chaff and the onboard jammers all at the same time. The FCS looking at that would have a hard time sorting the real target from the sheer number of EW options being deployed.
Edit also, BriteCloud completely defeats HOJ systems.
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