Airborne radars

Overview

Airborne Radars were added to the game in Update 1.87 "Locked On". Airborne Radars are found on aircraft at both low and high ranks, if an aircraft is equipped with radar then a radar display will be present in the left portion of a player's screen, there will also be compass displaying the player's current heading at the top of the screen.

There are two main types of airborne radar in the game, target detection (search) radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars will detect aircraft (both friendly and hostile) and display them as a "blip" on the radar display, it will also place a triangle on the compass showing what direction the detected aircraft is in. Target Tracking radars are more advanced; they allow the player to "lock-on" to a target. Once a target has been locked on to, a box will appear around it on the HUD and a read out will provide the distance to the target and the closing speed between the player's aircraft and the target. Depending on the aircraft being flown tracking radars may also be able to provide an accurate firing lead indicator, once the player closes to within approximately 0.7 km.

Airborne radar controls

Airborne Radar Controls
Control name	Default Keybind (PC keyboard & mouse)	Description
Switch radar search on / off	Alt + R	Turns the vehicle's search radar on or off
Change radar mode	Unbound	Switches the radar between search mode and tracking mode (only applies to multi-mode radars)
Change radar search mode	Unbound	Toggles between the radars search modes e.g. narrow scan or wide scan
Change radar scope scale	Unbound	Changes the range scale of the radar display
Select radar target to lock on	Alt + T	Selects which target on the display to lock on to
Lock radar target on	Alt + F	Locks onto the selected or nearest target on radar display or turns tracking radar on

Airborne radars user interface

Basic user interface

The HUD for aircraft equipped with Radar

As previously mentioned aircraft equipped with radars can be identified by the presence of the radar display and compass on the HUD (see image to the right).

Below the compass rose there is a small arrow which displays the aircraft's current heading. Targets detected by the radar will also have their bearing displayed on the compass as a triangle.

One or two radar scopes will be present in the left hand portion of the screen; they are discussed in detail later in the article. A lightning bolt above the radar display indicated that one or both of the aircraft's radars is activated. If the radar is experiencing surface clutter interference than another icon (visible in the image to the right) will be present next to the power indicator, consisting of two arrows and a series of bars. The number of bars illuminated indicates how severe surface clutter is (one bar means minor interference, four bars means major interference); if the aircraft has two radars activated then each one will have its own surface clutter indicator.

There are several different types of radar target which can appear on the radar display and compass. A basic radar target will appear as a smudge on the radar display and a triangle on the compass. The radar target which is selected will appear with a vertical line either side of it; and the radar target which is locked on to will appear with a box around it. Some radars are fitted with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, these radars will display friendly radar targets with a horizontal line below them.

The different types of targets. Instead of a dot targets on the radar display will appear as a sort of smudge, and targets on the compass as a triangle, but designations will remain same

Radar display types

Plan Position Indicator (PPI)

The plan position indicator radar display

The default display is a "Plan Position Indicator" (PPI) type display. It is a in the shape of a circular segment and represents a top down view of the area around the aircraft. The radar is located in the bottom centre of the display; the distance a target is from the centre point shows how far away it is, while it's angle from the centre line shows it's azimuth.

The PPI can display the range and azimuth of a target, but not it's elevation

When the radar is turned on a bar representing the current scan angle sweeps back and forth, radially, about the centre point. A series of four concentric range rings can be used to determine how far away the detected targets are (to get the distance between rings divide the range scale by 4), and a series of bars (at 15-degree angles) help tell the azimuth of detected targets. If a radar has an azimuth scan angle of less than 180 degrees then the display is still a semicircle.

The readout to the left of the scope shows the azimuth and elevation scan angles, while the readout to the right shows the currently selected range scale.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all approximately 4.5km away from the player. Once target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's elevation from the player using only the PPI.

C-scope

The C-scope radar display

In addition to the PPI some aircraft have access to a C-scope type display (positioned underneath the PPI). The C-scope displays the same radar targets as the PPI, but in a different format. Whereas a PPI is a top-down view, the C-scope is forwards-looking. It is a rectangular display where how far from the azimuth centre line a target is shows its azimuth and how far from the elevation centre line a target is shows its elevation.

The C-scope can display the azimuth and elevation of a target, but not its range

In addition to the azimuth and elevation centre lines there are two other horizontal lines on the display, these show the minimum and maximum elevation scan angles of the radar. It should be noted that the degree values shown to the right of the C-scope are the minimum and maximum elevation angles of the scope, not the radar.

In the image to the right there are three targets, all slightly below the player (they are below the elevation centre line). Once target is at an azimuth of 0° (directly in front of the player) while one is at an azimuth of approximately -30° (30° to the left of the player), and one is at an azimuth of approximately +30° (30° to the right of the player). It is not possible to tell the target's range from the player using only the PPI.

By using a combination of the PPI and C-scope you can work out the range, azimuth and elevation of individual targets.

B-Scope

The B-scope radar display

The key-bind to switch radar view type has been removed, meaning the B-Scope view is currently inaccessible.

An alternative radar display (instead of the PPI) used to be available in the form of a "B-Scope" type display. It is a square display providing a 2-D "top-down" representation of space, the vertical axis represents the range to the target and the horizontal axis represents the azimuth (angle) of the target. The maximum and minimum azimuth scan angles are displayed in the top corners of the display, as is the range setting. A series of four range bars can be used to determine how far away detected targets are, and vertical bars can be used to determine what direction the target is in. When the radar is turned on a vertical bar representing the current scan angle moves horizontally, back and forth, across the display.

Radar operation

Basic radar operation

Diagram showing the scan angles of a radar

When turned on radars will scan a pyramid or cone-shaped area in front of the player's aircraft (illustrated in the image to the right). Radars can only detect targets which fall within their scanning area, the size and shape of which varies depending on the model of radar. Each radar has a maximum and minimum azimuth scan angle (how far to each side it will scan); and a maximum and minimum elevation scan angle (how far up and down it will scan). Radars also have a minimum detection range (typically 150m - 300m), below which targets will not be detected (not that you should need a radar to see an aircraft that close).

As with other characteristics the maximum detection range varies greatly between radars (from as little as 4 km, to in excess of 40 km). Targets are not guaranteed to be detected at the radar's maximum detection range. The range at which a target is detected will depend on how much radar energy it reflects back to the radar, which is in turn determined by its Radar Cross-Section (RCS). Generally larger aircraft have a larger RCS so will be detected at greater ranges; for example the AI Mk. X radar (fitted to the Sea Venom FAW 20) can detect the large G5N1 bomber at its maximum detection range of 14 km, however, can only detect the much smaller He 162 A-1 at approximately 9 - 9.5 km.

When a radar detects a target it appears as a "blip" on the radar display. Its position will not be updated until the radar detects it again (usually on the next scan, as indicated by the sweeping bar). When the target is re-detected it's old blip is removed and a new one plotted at the location it was re-detected at. If enough time elapses without a target being re-detected (either due to the target now being outside of the radar's scanning area, or simply the radar not scanning fast enough) then the target's blip will fade and disappear from the radar display. Likewise after a period of not being detected a target which has been locked onto will be lost.

Radar range scale

Some radars allow for the range scale of the radar scope to be changed, in order to change the range scale a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar scope scale" control. The currently selected range scale is shown on the radar display, if the range scale is changed then the display will stay the same size, but the targets will be placed on the display according to the new scale. It is worth noting that the default range scale may be less than the radar's maximum detection range, so you may need to increase the range scale in order to make full use of your radar. Some radars can be set to a range scale far in excess of the radar's maximum detection range; targets will not be detected outside of a radar's maximum detection range, regardless of range scale setting.

Radar search mode

Some radars allow for different search modes to be activated. The default search mode on radars usually (although not always) makes use of the radar's full scanning area. While this is useful for detecting targets in a wide area this can come with the drawback of each scan taking longer to complete (as the radar has to scan a larger area), meaning that targets are updated less frequently on the radar display. Some radars allow the operator to change the search mode so that the radar only scans a smaller area, this means that targets can be updated on the radar more often, but has the drawback of targets only being detectable in a more narrow area in front of the player's aircraft. This ability is primarily useful for keeping track of fast moving or manoeuvring targets, where the slower scan time associated with a full scan, would make tracking the movement of such a target difficult. When the radar mode is changed the PPI will remain the same size / shape, but two hard lines will appear indicating the new scanning limits; rang rings and azimuth bars will not be drawn outside of the lines. In order to change radar scanning mode, a key needs to be bound to the "Change radar search mode" control (located under the "Weaponry" heading of the aircraft controls menu).

The modes available vary depending on the specific radar. Some radars change the azimuth scanning angles, while others change the elevation scanning angles.

Clutter

Surface clutter is not present in Arcade Battles.

Radars operate by emitting radio waves which then reflect off of targets and return to the radar. Unfortunately the radio waves also reflect off the ground, and other objects, leading to unwanted returns known as clutter. The type of clutter modelled in War Thunder is surface clutter (radar returns from the ground or sea).

In game surface clutter is modelled as a green haze covering areas of the PPI, the more severe the ground clutter the more intense the haze gets. Anything more than mild surface clutter is usually enough to prevent the radar from picking up actual targets in the area the clutter is affecting. Likewise clutter can prevent tracking radars from effectively tracking targets.

As surface clutter is caused by reflections from the ground it is more pronounced when the radar is pointing downwards, and as such can prevent you from detecting targets which are below you in some situations. Different radars are affected by ground clutter to different extents, usually more modern radars are affected less than earlier ones.

Detecting / tracking ground targets

Some search radars and tracking radars are capable of detecting and locking on to ground targets. For these radars ground targets appear on the PPI the same as air targets, and can be locked on to the same way. This functionality is not massively useful, but can come in handy when trying to find player controlled tanks to kill. Ground clutter also limits how effective these radars are at finding ground targets. See individual radar pages to find out if they can detect ground targets.

Radar scan patterns

This topic is included for those who want a better understanding of how different radars scan for targets, it is not essential knowledge, but may be useful.

Raster Scan

A 4 bar, one-way, bi-directional raster scan pattern; the green square represents the radar beam.

Most search radars in the game use what is known as a bi-directional raster scan (see image to the right). The radar beam starts in the top corner of the scanning area and moves horizontally until it reaches the other side of the scanning area; it then drops down and moves horizontally in the other direction until it reaches the original side of the scanning area. The process repeats until the radar beam has reached the bottom corner of the scanning area. At this point the beam will do one of two things; if the radar uses a one-way raster scan then the beam will move directly upwards from it's finishing position until it reaches the top corner of the scanning area, where it starts the process again. If it is a two-way raster scan then when the beam reaches the bottom corner it's movement will reverse and it will work its way back up to the top of the scanning area, following the path it just took in reverse.

The raster scan pattern allows the radar to identify targets on different elevations. Each sweep the radar makes on a different elevation is known as a bar; for example the scan pattern shown in the image to the right has 4 bars as the radar completes 4 scans in the process of covering the scan area. The number of bars in the scan, and the height of each bar (measured in degrees) width of the scan in the elevation axis; the width of the scan in the azimuth axis is determined by how far to each side the radar scans.

The PPI shows the radar sweeping over each bar, so on a 4 bar scan a target on the PPI may only be refreshed once every 4 sweeps (due to the radar sweeping over a bar the target is not located in).

If you know the number of bars in the radar's scan pattern, the height of each bar, and the vertical offset (more on this later) then you can calculate the minimum and maximum elevation scanning angles of the radar (how far up and down the radar see). You start by calculating the elevation width of the radar as follows:

elevation width = number of bars * height of each bar

At this point it is tempting to just divide the elevation width by 2 and conclude that the resulting number is how far off the elevation centre line in each direction the radar can see (e.g. for a elevation width of 30° the radar can see 15° up and 15° down), however this is not always the case. Some radars have more bars above the elevation centre line than below it (or vice versa), that is to say they can look further up than they can down or vice versa. This gives rise to the concept of a "vertical offset" (measured in degrees), i.e. how far upwards (or downwards) the bars are shifted from being evenly distributed either side of the elevation centre line.

When this is factored in we get the following equations for working out the minimum and maximum elevation limits of the radar:

maximum elevation angle = (elevation width / 2) + vertical offset

minimum elevation angle = (-1 * (elevation width / 2)) + vertical offset

For example if we take the AN/APS-21 radar. It's scan patter uses 15 bars, each 2° in height, giving us an elevation width of 30°; with a vertical offset of +5°. If we put this into the equations above we get the following:

maximum elevation angle = (30 / 2) + 5 = 20°

minimum elevation angle = (-1 *(30 / 2)) + 5 = -10°

This means the AN/APS-21 radar can detect targets up to 20° above the player and 10° below the player.

Conical Scan

A conical scan pattern; the green circle represents the radar beam.

Tracking radars in the game use what is known as a conical scan, instead of a raster scan. In a conical scan the radar beam rotates around a central axis, with a few degrees offset from the centre. The result of this is that the radar scans a narrow cone shaped area in front of the aircraft. The rotation of the beam also means the radar to tell where the target is within the cone, allowing the radar to effectively track the target.

Continuously updating radars

An example of a non-scanning radar, notice how the whole scan area is illuminated at once

The German Lichtenstein family of radars (the radars found on German WW2 planes) are unique compared to other radars currently in the game, in that they do not scan for targets. Instead, they constantly emit a cone of radar energy and detect the return. This gives them the advantage of having the radar constantly updating (instead of updating only when the radar scans over a target). However, as a trade-off, these radars have a poor range (only 4 or 5 km) and a narrow scanning area. When these radars are active, instead of seeing a sweeping line the entire scanning area of the radar is illuminated and radar blips update continuously. An example of this can be seen in the image to the right.

Types of airborne radars

The two main types of radar are target detection radars and target tracking radars. Target detection radars are found on vehicles from Rank 1, however, the more advanced target tracking radars are reserved for high-rank vehicles. Vehicles are typically equipped with target tracking radars in addition to target detection radars, with the two working in tandem.

Target detection radars

Target detection radars, also known as search radars, have no tracking ability and simply display detected targets on the radar display and compass. The basic operation of target detection radars has been discussed previously in this article. Target detection radars are available from rank 1, radars found at higher ranks have much better characteristics (larger scanning area, better range, etc.).

Target tracking radars

Lead indicators are no longer available for all aircraft, see specific aircraft pages to find out if that aircraft has a lead indicator

The HUD when a target is being tracked. Note: Lead indicator is no longer available for the Javelin.

Target tracking radars are fitted to some aircraft in addition to target detection radars. They typically have a short range compared to the aircraft's search radar (hence a search radar is equipped to find targets at long ranges), however, they have the ability to track and "lock-on" to targets. Tracking radars typically have different scanning areas than the search radar equipped to the aircraft; when an aircraft is equipped with a tracking radar it's tracking area is shown as a darker area within the radar display (as seen in the image to the right).

A target can only be locked onto if it is within the tracking radars maximum range and search area (the dark section of the radar display). Once a target is locked on to a box will appear around it, as well as around its icon on the radar display and compass (to differentiate the locked target from other radar targets). An accurate distance to the target will be displayed next to the locked target on the HUD, as well as an accurate closing speed (speed will read negative if the target is moving away from you). If your aircraft supports a lead indicator then an accurate firing lead indicator will appear one you close to within 500-700 m of the target.

In order to maintain a lock on the target, you need to keep it within the tracking radars maximum range and tracking area; if the target is not detected by the tracking radar in too long the lock will be lost.

Obtaining and maintaining a radar lock

The "lock-on box"

There are two ways to lock on to a target when using a tracking radar. When a search radar has detected targets which are within the tracking radar's tracking area one of them will be selected (have a vertical line either side of it). You can change the selected target by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key, when the "Lock radar target on" key is pressed it will turn on the tracking radar and automatically attempt to lock on to the selected target. Alternatively you can press the "Lock radar target on" or "Change radar mode" key (depending on radar type) to turn on (or switch to) the tracking radar. When this happens the tracking radar will begin a conical scan pointing directly forwards; a flashing green square will appear on the screen (image to the right). If you place the box over an aircraft then the tracking radar will try to lock on to it; note that surface clutter and other factors may inhibit the radar from locking on. The target you want to lock on to using this method then the target should be within the range limits listed to the right of the box.

Like with real radars, multiple targets in close proximity to each other can confuse the tracker. If a target is locked and another aircraft flies past it, it is possible for the tracker to lose the lock on the target, or even transition the lock onto the other aircraft (something which also happens to real radar systems). In the previously described scenarios (or depending on how the target is moving relative to the player's aircraft), it is also possible for the target lead indicator to become temporarily inaccurate.

In order for a radar lock to be maintained, the target needs to be kept within the tracking radar's tracking area. If the target leaves this area for more than a short period of time, the lock will be lost.

Multi-mode radars

Some radars such as the AN/APQ-100 (found on the F-4 Phantom) are what are known as multi-mode radars, the same radar antenna functions as both a search and tracking radar, although not at the same time. These radars can be toggled between search and tracking mode by pressing the "Change radar mode" key. Overall they function pretty much the same as aircraft with independent search and tracking radars, however as the antenna is being used for both searching and tracking it cannot do both at the same time. If you are tracking a target then you will lose search functionality.

Note: The RP-5 does not count as a multi-mode radar as although it is responsible for both searching and tracking it does so using two separate antennas.

Radar gunsights

The indicator present when a radar gunsight is fitted

Radar gunsights are fitted to a number of aircraft in the game, these aircraft can be identified by the presence of the radar gunsight indicator (see image to the right). A radar gunsight is very similar to a regular gyroscopic gunsight, however whereas on a regular gunsight the pilot would have to manually dial in a range, radar gunsights use a small ranging radar to automatically input the range for the target the pilot is pointing his guns at.

In game radar gunsights will automatically adjust the aircraft's gyroscopic gunsight in the cockpit view, making it more accurate. They are of no real use in third person view, aside from perhaps being able to tell you if there is a target in front of you when flying in heavy cloud for example.

You can turn the radar gunsight on and off by pressing the "Lock radar target on" key.

Radar gunsight tutorial by TeaRex

Factors affecting radar performance

There are a number of factors which affect the performance of airborne radars. The details of different radars can be found on their individual pages, this section explains what the performance characteristics mean and what their significance is.

Search radars

Maximum detection range

The maximum range of the radar is the maximum theoretically possible distance at which a search radar can detect a target. It is unlikely however that aircraft will be detected until they are much closer than this range. The range at which a target will actually be detected depends on its radar cross section (in basic terms how big it is), and other factors such as surface clutter.

Base detection range

This is the range at which a target can be detected regardless of how small it's radar cross section is before taking into account surface clutter and other factors. If the radar is not being affected by surface clutter or you are playing arcade battles (where surface clutter is not modelled) then this is effectively the range at which you are guaranteed to detect a target aircraft, no matter how small it is; larger aircraft may be detected further away than this range.

In Realistic and Simulator Battles where surface clutter is modelled, targets may not be detected until they are much closer than this range

Minimum detection range

Radars have a minimum range, at which they can function, targets closer than the minimum range cannot be detected by the radar.

Azimuth scan limits

The azimuth scan limits are how far to each side the radar can scan. For example scan angles of ±75° means that the radar can see targets up to 75° to the left and 75° to the right.

Elevation scan limits

The elevation scan limits are how far to up and down in total, the radar might take multiple scans to cover its entire elevation range, see the raster scan section for more information.

Period

The period of the radar is how long it takes to complete one scan of its entire scanning area. This will take multiple individual sweeps, if the scan pattern has more than on raster bar.

Tracking radars

Maximum tracking range

The maximum tracking range is the maximum range at which a radar can maintain a track on a target.

Minimum tracking range

Tracking radars have a minimum range, below which they are unable to track targets. You cannot initiate tracks on targets closer than the minimum range, and if a tracked target comes closer than the minimum range the track will be lost.

Azimuth tracking limits

The azimuth tracking limits determine how far to each side the radar can track targets.

Elevation tracking limits

The elevation tracking limits determine how far up and down the radar can track targets.

Airborne radars tips and ticks

Useful information to know about airborne radars:

• If your radar is damaged (by gunfire or otherwise) you will not be able to turn it on until it is repaired
• Left and right, up and down, on the radar display are relative to your aircraft, so if you roll the aircraft it can affect where targets are drawn on the radar display.
• Consider chaining the default target locking key from Ctrl+ F to stop yourself from accidentally breaking you flaps if you mis-press the key combo.
• Due to the raster scan pattern targets may not be updated on every radar sweep, if you need more rapid updates try narrowing the search area.

Aircraft equipped with radars

As of Update 1.93 the following vehicles have radars:

Aircraft with radars
Aircraft	Radar Gunsight	Search Radar	Tracking Radar	Comments
A2D-1	N/A	AN/APS-19	AN/APS-19	Search radar with tracking capability
Do 217 J-2	N/A	FuG 202	N/A
Do 217 N-1	N/A	FuG 202	N/A
Do 217 N-2	N/A	FuG 220	N/A
F-100D	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
▄F-100D	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-4C Phantom II	N/A	AN/APQ-100	AN/APQ-100	Multi-mode radar
Phantom FGR.2	N/A	AN/APQ-100	AN/APQ-100	Multi-mode radar
F-84G-21-RE	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
␗F-84G-21-RE	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
▄F-84G-21-RE	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-2	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-25	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
␗F-86F-30	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-30 ▅	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-35	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-40 ▅	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-86F-40 JASDF▅	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
▄F-86K	N/A	AN/APS-21	N/A
▄F-86K	N/A	AN/APS-21	N/A
◄CL-13A Mk 5	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
◄CL-13B Mk.6	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
CL-13 Mk.4	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F-89B	N/A	N/A	AN/APG-33
F-89D	N/A	N/A	AN/APG-33
F2H-2	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
F3D-1	N/A	AN/APS-21	AN/APG-26
F6F-5N	N/A	AN/APS-6	AN/APS-6	Search radar with tracking capability
▄F6F-5N	N/A	AN/APS-6	AN/APS-6	Search radar with tracking capability
F9F-8	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
FJ-4B	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
FJ-4B VMF-232	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
He 219 A-7	N/A	FuG 202	N/A
Hunter F.1	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
Hunter F.6	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
Hunter FGA.9	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9	N/A	AN/APS-21	AN/APG-26
Ju 388 J	N/A	FuG 202	N/A
J-7II	SRD-5	N/A	N/A
La-200	N/A	Toriy	N/A
Super Mystere B2	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
J-6A	N/A	RP-5	RP-5	Separate search and track antennas
MiG-19PT	N/A	RP-5	RP-5	Separate search and track antennas
MiG-21F-13	SRD-5	N/A	N/A
◊MiG-21MF	N/A	CD-30	CD-30
MiG-21SMT	N/A	Sapphire-21	Sapphire-21
P-61A-11	N/A	AI Mk. X	N/A
P-61C-1	N/A	AI Mk. X	N/A
J32B	N/A	PS-42	PS-42
Sea Venom FAW 20	N/A	AI Mk. X	N/A
Swift F.1	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
Swift F.7	AN/APG-30	N/A	N/A
T-2	N/A	AN/APS-21	AN/APG-26	Has lead indicator

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

• SPAA radars

External links

• [Devblog] Radar Station: New opportunities in the game