on these pics it can be even just 5km. maybe more, but who knows
The F-22 was built with not only a reduced RCS, but also a reduced IR signature in mind as well, so being picked up by an IRST is something, especially if the image was zoomed in (so the F-22 was actually further away than 5km).
Define resolution
→ the detection range of AESA Radars drops with angle, the maximum range of an AESA radar can only be accomplished by Removing the only advantage it has and focusing all Beams in the same direction
→ TWS with an AESA radar is only better at short ranges because the actual Power that the tracking Beams have shrinks with the number of beams, and if we use just one beam then the scanning speed is identical to that of a modern Mechanical Radar
all measures for Jamming resistance ane Jamming capabilities applied by AESA Radars (Frequency hopping, continuously decreasing power of the locking beam etc.) can be Applied by Mechanical radars too
thats identification range and not detection range
this is its detection range:
bro doesn’t even know how ancient the idea of an Array radar is
detection range → the Machine can Identify that there is something at this point under optimal circumstances → one distinct Pixel
F-22 IR stealth only really helps farther out. If it’s more than 5km, I’m going to be generous and say 10, it’s still not very far
i have yet to see any numbers for the f-14
and he can tell us anything he wants without us being able to check the information
the antenna type, the principle behind it hasn’t changed
the advantages of mechanically focused and steered radars over timing based focused Array radars are still there and undisputed today
those are → Vastly Increased Range with the same Output Power and an Equal detection range at all angles
That’s why I @ MikeyPlayz, he knows a lot of tomcat stuff
not stated about target altitude. but 35km for quite large and hot aircraft - sounds bad.
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it sounds like your average open for Public sales IR device
likely an imported one
Ok then why has every half competent military already switched to -ESA on fighter radars?
damn are you saying most of the african militaries aren’t competent?
While it’s true that AESA radar range decreases when beams are spread (like wide angle search), this is a trade-off for unmatched flexibility. A mechanical radar can’t even attempt multi-beam tracking it’s stuck sweeping like a lighthouse. AESA can instantly switch from wide search to focused tracking without wasting time repositioning a dish. And if max range is critical? AESA can still focus all beams forward like a mechanical radar but with no inertia, no lag, and the ability to jump back to scanning in microseconds.
TWS on an AESA is not just about raw power it’s about efficiency. Even with split beams, an AESA’s LPI modes and adaptive dwell times let it maintain tracks at longer ranges than a mechanical radar can manage. A mechanical radar must spend precious milliseconds physically moving, while an AESA time-shares seamlessly.
Mechanical radars theoretically could use frequency hopping or power management but in practice, they don’t because their slower scan rates and fixed beam patterns make them easier to predict and jam. An AESA can randomize scan patterns, spread emissions across hundreds of micro beams, and adapt in real time to jamming, something a rotating dish physically cannot do fast enough. That’s why modern EW systems prioritize AESA threats over mechanical ones and actually use AESA systems for jamming.
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to AESA because of it’s one real advantage: Multi Beam scanning
perhaps being much lighter due to not having a heavy mechanical gearbox and Several motors and the by now Similar range due to now being able to just give the radar 20KW if it needs them are also good reasons
Jamming ressitance?
better EW capabilities
on the last part: and what if I tell you that this specific one… in theory, without Breaking NDAs, could maybe have some of those characteristics?
Are they?