ESM

[Elinter]

After looking at the sensor.ini file, I have determined that ESM in this game has not been implemented at all or at least very well. Testing surface esm in mission mod you dont detect anything until you get visuals. Please correct me if i'm wrong. Even changing ESM setting in sensor.ini No effected change is noted. this would make stealth missions against a force using radar a waste of time.

[Der_Richter]

When i try it i pick stuff up at range, depending on what it is of course and if they are running sensors. You still have to get visual id of it though to determine exactly what it is.

[Elinter]

You should be able to use ESM way further out than visual range.

[Cap'n Darwin]

ESM can only detect what can make an LOS line to the ESM system. Anything broadcasting EM signals has to be able to "see" the ESM system to be detected. So a ship outside of 25-35nm with radars on won't be detected until they they get close enough to be visible on the horizon. Now, ESM on aircraft should be able to see much further as they are much higher in the air. There you might be able to get hundred plus nm of detection distance assuming the enemy is broadcasting a radar.

[guanotwozero]

I've been getting approximate contacts from ESM, e.g. in the Dong Hoi scenario I can pick up the radars while I'm still on EMCON and they're clearly reported as ESM contacts.

[Lanner]

Detection is limited by the horizon but other than that ESM works fine for me. For example in the Don't Mess With Texas (blue) scenario it is possible to track the enemy MiGs and P-42RLDN using ESM only while under EMCON, and if you activate your radars the AI's ESM will counter-detect, ID you as hostile, and engage

[supersound99ss]

I have not experienced anything like this yet (though I have experienced weapons that should be emitting are not in specific cases). Can you elaborate on your test scenario?

My hunch is you aren't taking into account the radar horizon like Cap'n Darwin explained. Even a helo has much better ESM detection than a ship.

[Cladecq]

ESM IS implemented.
For example, with a sub on periscope, raise the ESM mast and suddenly you will pick up aerial contacts (if there is any...)
Exactly the same for air : If you use a RA-5C from a carrier, in EMCON, this (excellent) reco plane is able to ID quite quickly all the emitting contact your E2C has detected but not identified.
RA-5C is really a fantastic reco plane.
Your problem certainly come because you try to use ESM with ships not able to use it.
ESM for sub/surface ships (able to...) /planes IS fonctionnal and VERY usefull if you know to use it properly.

[drunkblackstar]

ESM is absolutely overpowered, you don't need radars ot active sonars. You can pick up enemmy signals from dozens of miles.

[Cladecq]

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

ESM is absolutely overpowered, you don't need radars ot active sonars. You can pick up enemmy signals from dozens of miles.

That's the same as IRL : with ESM contact you won't have an accurate position and you can't launch SARH missile on targets, but you can launch missile with their own terminal seekers
As IRL.
Not overpowered at all...

[Der_Richter]

Originally posted by Cladecq:

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

ESM is absolutely overpowered, you don't need radars ot active sonars. You can pick up enemmy signals from dozens of miles.

That's the same as IRL : with ESM contact you won't have an accurate position and you can't launch SARH missile on targets, but you can launch missile with their own terminal seekers
As IRL.
Not overpowered at all...

This. Including the fact that even IF you can detect stuff from the signals, like IRL it IS a guess should you decide to take the shot without visual id.

[drunkblackstar]

Now there is basically no trade-offs between radars on\off and passive\active sonar.

ESM gives you enemy location with pinpoint accuracy.

Personally, I NEVER turn them on and usually win all the missions with ease.

[supersound99ss]

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

Now there is basically no trade-offs between radars on\off and passive\active sonar.

ESM gives you enemy location with pinpoint accuracy.

Personally, I NEVER turn them on and usually win all the missions with ease.

What you said doesn't make sense. You do not get exact location on ESM. There is always a yellow circle. Multiple vectors on detection and tracking for some time can definitely give you more than a reasonable location, but never exact enough for a weapon without it's own sensor.

And there is a huge trade off for emitting. Go play Valuable Target and radiate the whole time. You will not find the enemy, but they will be sending you a slew of Harpoons on your bearing.

[drunkblackstar]

Originally posted by supersound99ss:

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

Now there is basically no trade-offs between radars on\off and passive\active sonar.

ESM gives you enemy location with pinpoint accuracy.

Personally, I NEVER turn them on and usually win all the missions with ease.

What you said doesn't make sense. You do not get exact location on ESM. There is always a yellow circle. Multiple vectors on detection and tracking for some time can definitely give you more than a reasonable location, but never exact enough for a weapon without it's own sensor.

And there is a huge trade off for emitting. Go play Valuable Target and radiate the whole time. You will not find the enemy, but they will be sending you a slew of Harpoons on your bearing.

LOL This "yellow circle" is always at the exact location of the target. And basically all of the missiles\torpedoes in Sea Power have seaker, it's not WW2 game.

The only purporse for turning radar on in Sea Power is to attract enemy missiles. It's hilariosly uselles.

[guanotwozero]

The yellow circle is just how this game represents the guess/approximation - other games do so differently. ESM measures a signal so the direction is usually pretty accurate - the uncertainty is the distance as there's no good way of measuring that without additional sensing. One solution is to use triangulation, where a second ESM unit allows the two directions to cross over, narrowing down the location. But it's still a guesstimate.

[supersound99ss]

Originally posted by drunkblackstar:

Originally posted by supersound99ss:

What you said doesn't make sense. You do not get exact location on ESM. There is always a yellow circle. Multiple vectors on detection and tracking for some time can definitely give you more than a reasonable location, but never exact enough for a weapon without it's own sensor.

And there is a huge trade off for emitting. Go play Valuable Target and radiate the whole time. You will not find the enemy, but they will be sending you a slew of Harpoons on your bearing.

LOL This "yellow circle" is always at the exact location of the target. And basically all of the missiles\torpedoes in Sea Power have seaker, it's not WW2 game.

The only purporse for turning radar on in Sea Power is to attract enemy missiles. It's hilariosly uselles.

You don't know what you don't know. Have fun.