does EMS help wirh spotting ships and submarines?

[zomberdeath]

I always start a game by going up to 50 ft and deploying sonar, EMS and radar. I just dont know if EMS is needed as when I go to the help tab it says “detects communications with other vessles” or something like that

[The Inept European]

ESM?

You can sometimes see a bearing line towards the target when its radar is detected. Certainly this is true for planes. I never tried it against surface ships.

I don't think it adds to your target solution in the way that radar and lidar do.

[knighttemplar1960]

ESM (Electronic Support Measures) doesn't help with submarines unless the sub is surfaced and using radar. The game also classifies a contact by how it was first detected. (Sierra) S1 means that it was the first contact detected by sonar (either active or passive). (Echo) E1 means that it is the first contact that was discovered by ESM (think of it as passive radar). (Victor) V1 means that it was first detected visually by the periscope. (Romeo) R1 mans that it was first detected by radar. if the designation is M1 or changes to become M plus some number that means the contact has been detected by more than one type of detection system.

Passive sonar and the towed array detect vessels and biologics without giving away your position. The more water between you and the contact (ie: the deeper you are) the less likely you are to be detected by the enemy vessels especially if there is a duct or thermal layer between you and your target.

Going to periscope depth increases your chances of being detected. Raising the periscope or ESM mast increases that chance of being detected. Even though the mast and periscope are smaller than your sub they can still be detected by enemy radar when they are above the water's surface. Using the radar mast actively gives away your position as does using the active sonar. This makes you an instant target for torpedoes dropped by aircraft or missile launched torpedoes from ships and subs.

The only time you should use the radar mast and active sonar are when you are sure there are no war ships or subs left in the convoy and all the aircraft and helicopters have splashed.

You should mainly be relying on your passive sonar and towed array by going 5 knots and ultra quiet.

[The Inept European]

Excellent summary!

One thing I would add is that all the masts will show a bar with the strength of EM (radar) detection. The further to the right this bar is, the greater the chance of you being detected. So the very first thing to check when raising any mast is the level of this risk. If it is high, lower the mast immediately (and probably move position quickly just in case).

[rokvam]

I second the cudos on knighttemplar1960's sumary.

I would add though that using the periscope is an underestimated way to ensure good target sollutions in game.

If used the wrong way, using the scope can turn ugly real fast, but when used the right way, I have found it super efficient and quite safe.

Before rising the scope to laze a contact, make sure to use external wiew and point it in the bearing of the contact. This reduses the time of mast exposure.

Then rise the scope and press the laser key multiple times. When you hear a "beep" you have nailed the contact,and then lower the scope quicly. Try avoiding longer scope exposure times (try to avoid having the scope raised more than three to four seconds.

For multiple contacts in the ca. same bearing, just scan the horizon left and right whilst pressing the lazer key multiple times, and chances are you will get a good solution on several contacts.

Then after finding their correct position, you use the sonar panel to classify them all and then proceede to sink them in order of priority / threat level.

- Dolphin 38

[The Inept European]

Yes a quick use of the laser is a great way to get a perfect solution on surface contacts.

[ppakur]

doesn't it actually make things too easy?

[The Inept European]

Not really because you're taking a fair risk when you raise your scope to use the lidar.

[Dot]

Originally posted by The Inept Ex-European:

Not really because you're taking a fair risk when you raise your scope to use the lidar.

Risk is fairly low. Under normal conditions Knox can detect player's periscope at aprox 2-3 km. But some random factors are modelled in the game, so this range could be greatly increased for a brief time. This happens rarely, but always in a bad timing))

[Lakel]

Just to add on, the VLS cruise missiles and the radar mast certainly play well together.
Pop up to periscope, pop the radar for a second to establish ship positions, make sure to retract the radar, fire like a maniac, then forget stealth and dive as fast and deep as you can before the return fire arrives.

Bonus if you change directions post-launch as well to throw them off that much more.