How well does DCS model radar cross section?

[Chico Rodriguez]

I'm interested in how well and accurate DCS is with modeling RCS. Back in the day there was this game called "F-19 Stealth Fighter" made by Microprose, later updated to F-117A Nighthawk. The game was awesome. The premise was deep strike missions far behind enemy lines and you had to slip in and out, undetected, without getting wasted. There were a lot of techniques that could be used to increase the odds by reducing RCS.

Flying the AV-8b, I'm aware of my limitations. If I decide to try and take on a Mig-29, he can easily launch a slammer in my face before we even manage to merge. Stuck with Aim-9Ms, I can fire off an all-aspect shot but the detection capabilities seem rather suspect, and if it is dawn or dusk, there's a reasonable chance the seeker might lock onto the sun instead of the target provided they're in the same field of view.

Limitations... and how to overcome them.

The AV-8b isn't stealth, so I'm not expecting much, but one thing I did learn in the past was radar detection is dependent somewhat on airspeed, particularly when flying below 200 ft altitude to take advantage of the backscatter from the ground. One can notch but as soon as you're off notch, detection resumes. I'm not sure if DCS takes into account airspeed or not when modeling RCS, or what other factors it considers.

When the AI messes up and 10 flights refuse to take off from a carrier deck leaving you naked, deep in enemy territory with no BARCAPs to cover you, dozens of wolves suddenly try and chase the lonesome hare. This can be fun, but can also turn into a horror slasher film, except there's twenty Jasons versus a lone camp co-ed.

[fikmeinshizer]

stuff like ground clutter and notching are very much modelled. as a harrier driver I would stay in the weeds, use ground masking to keep yourself hidden and make sure you turn to notch the missile when it is incoming. that should suffice for most scenarios. airspeed isn't that relevant so long as you notch correctly since the radar tracks you based on closure rate. if you're notching correctly your closure rate matches that of the surrounding ground clutter and you "disappear". another important point is that you will be tracked by 2 radars. the launch aircraft and the missile. you need to notch the aircraft first but if the missile still acquires a lock you need to adjust your notch to counter the missile rather than the plane

[Zero]

Originally posted by fikmeinshizer:

stuff like ground clutter and notching are very much modelled. as a harrier driver I would stay in the weeds, use ground masking to keep yourself hidden and make sure you turn to notch the missile when it is incoming. that should suffice for most scenarios. airspeed isn't that relevant so long as you notch correctly since the radar tracks you based on closure rate. if you're notching correctly your closure rate matches that of the surrounding ground clutter and you "disappear". another important point is that you will be tracked by 2 radars. the launch aircraft and the missile. you need to notch the aircraft first but if the missile still acquires a lock you need to adjust your notch to counter the missile rather than the plane

that's not RCS, what they are referring to is what you'd look like on a radar screen generally they can get the cross section down to a small flock of birds so it tends to get filtered out.

as for the RCS, its a flat number that's checked every sweep i've been assuming to see if it can detect you,