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#11
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"Brian" wrote...
The Prowler's SIGINT capability is nil. There is almost no analysis capabilty nor does there need to be. Sending info to a *ARM isn't the same thing as ELINT/SIGINT. Even the shipboard system I worked wasn't considered a full blown SIGINT/ELINT system without a few add on's and even then it wasn't a preferred platform. To really do SIGINT/ELINT, you need receivers that are very sensitive and can measure incredibly minute differences in signals. The ALQ-99 and other EW platforms can pick out signals but they don't need the razor accuracy of a ELINT receiver. Take a look at the equipment that was in the ES-3 and look at the ALQ-99, they are completely different systems. When the Navy gave up the ES-3, they gave up tactical airborne ELINT. I never claimed that the Prowler had a capability equivalent to the ES-3, EP-3, or EA-3. I firmly believe that such dedicated ESM systems are needed. However, your counterclaim that the Prowler's SIGINT/ELINT capability is "nil" shows you do not know the system's full capability, and/or you do not appreciate the time sensitivity of tactical ESM. You don't always need a "full blown" system or a "preferred platform." Sometimes you only need a capable platform with an operator that knows what he's doing. I've worked with more than a few EA-6B ECMOs who knew how to wring a few extra data points out of the ALQ-99... Once in a while, you only had to have a capable system and a lucky operator... We were flying around one day with an AWG-21 and a STARM on board, and picked up a signal that shouldn't have been where it was. Turned out to be a Bear coming from an unexpected direction, and we were the first ones to detect it. Other sensors picked it up well after we reported back to the ship... |
#12
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Good one Chad! LOL
On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 22:27:24 GMT, Chad Irby wrote: In article , Peter Kemp wrote: It's the difference between - "oh, there's an SA-6 radar over there" (OPELINT) and "What the hell's this signal? Better record the pulse shape, prf and so on for analysis" (TECHELEINT). Not to mention the much more common Direct Radiation Yoke Emission Recording/Locating Intel, or DRYERLINT. |
#13
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Exactly Brian, thanks.
On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 20:09:52 -0500, "Brian" wrote: "John R Weiss" wrote in message news:9f6%b.408640$na.796343@attbi_s04... "fudog50" wrote... You really are out of the loop R.David. 1.) The Prowler was never a a SIGINT/ELINT platform and never will be, nor will the "Growler". Maybe you are the one out of the loop... The Prowler has significant SIGINT/ELINT capabilities, even though it is not a "dedicated" SIGINT platform. When I was flying Standard ARM equipped A-6s in the early 80s, we worked closely with the Prowlers to develop tactical capabilities in those regimes. Even the AWG-21 system in the A-6 had some SIGINT/ELINT capability (better with the missile seeker)... The Prowler's SIGINT capability is nil. There is almost no analysis capabilty nor does there need to be. Sending info to a *ARM isn't the same thing as ELINT/SIGINT. Even the shipboard system I worked wasn't considered a full blown SIGINT/ELINT system without a few add on's and even then it wasn't a preferred platform. To really do SIGINT/ELINT, you need receivers that are very sensitive and can measure incredibly minute differences in signals. The ALQ-99 and other EW platforms can pick out signals but they don't need the razor accuracy of a ELINT receiver. Take a look at the equipment that was in the ES-3 and look at the ALQ-99, they are completely different systems. When the Navy gave up the ES-3, they gave up tactical airborne ELINT. |
#14
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Nice tap dancing there John R.
It's all good, can we move on? On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 04:41:02 GMT, "John R Weiss" wrote: "Brian" wrote... The Prowler's SIGINT capability is nil. There is almost no analysis capabilty nor does there need to be. Sending info to a *ARM isn't the same thing as ELINT/SIGINT. Even the shipboard system I worked wasn't considered a full blown SIGINT/ELINT system without a few add on's and even then it wasn't a preferred platform. To really do SIGINT/ELINT, you need receivers that are very sensitive and can measure incredibly minute differences in signals. The ALQ-99 and other EW platforms can pick out signals but they don't need the razor accuracy of a ELINT receiver. Take a look at the equipment that was in the ES-3 and look at the ALQ-99, they are completely different systems. When the Navy gave up the ES-3, they gave up tactical airborne ELINT. I never claimed that the Prowler had a capability equivalent to the ES-3, EP-3, or EA-3. I firmly believe that such dedicated ESM systems are needed. However, your counterclaim that the Prowler's SIGINT/ELINT capability is "nil" shows you do not know the system's full capability, and/or you do not appreciate the time sensitivity of tactical ESM. You don't always need a "full blown" system or a "preferred platform." Sometimes you only need a capable platform with an operator that knows what he's doing. I've worked with more than a few EA-6B ECMOs who knew how to wring a few extra data points out of the ALQ-99... Once in a while, you only had to have a capable system and a lucky operator... We were flying around one day with an AWG-21 and a STARM on board, and picked up a signal that shouldn't have been where it was. Turned out to be a Bear coming from an unexpected direction, and we were the first ones to detect it. Other sensors picked it up well after we reported back to the ship... |
#15
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See, here is what currently happens there, I'm sure you knew this but
are forgetting Thomas? The tanker does not fly with the strike package. The S-3's launch first then go to a designated rendevouz point All the talk about tanker speed is irrelevant. Then "most" of the time the airforce tankers are at their designated hookup points on the way in to the box right before the push, then on the way out. On the way home, the S-3's are waiting to give a last drink if needed before and during recovery ops. Which A/C in the package launch last? The Prowlers! They have the most fuel onboard. S-3's, then the E-2's, then Hornets ( the F-18's head straight for the tanker), then Tomcats and last, Prowlers. Of course planeguard is already out there, and maybe if in range, the COD will launch. Of course this will change slightly with the Rhino's, I haven't done a cruise with the E/F's onboard yet, but I will be making Lincoln's next cruise. Thu, 26 Feb 2004 00:14:00 GMT, "Thomas Schoene" wrote: Thomas Schoene wrote: Charlie Wolf wrote: On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 04:50:21 GMT, "Thomas Schoene" wrote: R. David Steele wrote: snipped... The S-3 is even slower than the EA-6. That's why they weren't able to use the S-3 as a mission tanker for strike fighters like the F/A-18. Where did you get that from? S-3's have been tanking Lawn Darts since the RAG stood up at Cecil Field in the early 90's. S-3 has a dash speed of 450 kts. It can easily do 400 kts straight and level. That is way above tanking speed. Right. That's why I said *mission* tanker. And reading the rest of the thread, I think I was probably confusing my terms. I think "escort tanker" is what I should have been saying here. |
#16
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Thank you - you put it much better than I could have...
Regards, On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 17:11:25 GMT, fudog50 wrote: See, here is what currently happens there, I'm sure you knew this but are forgetting Thomas? The tanker does not fly with the strike package. The S-3's launch first then go to a designated rendevouz point All the talk about tanker speed is irrelevant. Then "most" of the time the airforce tankers are at their designated hookup points on the way in to the box right before the push, then on the way out. On the way home, the S-3's are waiting to give a last drink if needed before and during recovery ops. Which A/C in the package launch last? The Prowlers! They have the most fuel onboard. S-3's, then the E-2's, then Hornets ( the F-18's head straight for the tanker), then Tomcats and last, Prowlers. Of course planeguard is already out there, and maybe if in range, the COD will launch. Of course this will change slightly with the Rhino's, I haven't done a cruise with the E/F's onboard yet, but I will be making Lincoln's next cruise. Thu, 26 Feb 2004 00:14:00 GMT, "Thomas Schoene" wrote: Thomas Schoene wrote: Charlie Wolf wrote: On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 04:50:21 GMT, "Thomas Schoene" wrote: R. David Steele wrote: snipped... The S-3 is even slower than the EA-6. That's why they weren't able to use the S-3 as a mission tanker for strike fighters like the F/A-18. Where did you get that from? S-3's have been tanking Lawn Darts since the RAG stood up at Cecil Field in the early 90's. S-3 has a dash speed of 450 kts. It can easily do 400 kts straight and level. That is way above tanking speed. Right. That's why I said *mission* tanker. And reading the rest of the thread, I think I was probably confusing my terms. I think "escort tanker" is what I should have been saying here. |
#17
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Actually, what you are referring to is called a 'Wet Wing tanker' like the
old KA-6 that could fly with the strike package. S-3B do indeed mission tank on a regular basis, usually at a fixed point in space or 'dragging' the fighters toward an objective but never once the strike package has begun their route. "Thomas Schoene" wrote in message ink.net... Charlie Wolf wrote: On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 04:50:21 GMT, "Thomas Schoene" wrote: R. David Steele wrote: snipped... The S-3 is even slower than the EA-6. That's why they weren't able to use the S-3 as a mission tanker for strike fighters like the F/A-18. Where did you get that from? S-3's have been tanking Lawn Darts since the RAG stood up at Cecil Field in the early 90's. S-3 has a dash speed of 450 kts. It can easily do 400 kts straight and level. That is way above tanking speed. Right. That's why I said *mission* tanker. AIUI, the S-3 was fine for tanking around the carrier, but did not have the speed to keep pace with a strike package en-route to the target area. -- Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail "If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed) |
#18
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Scott wrote:
Actually, what you are referring to is called a 'Wet Wing tanker' like the old KA-6 that could fly with the strike package. S-3B do indeed mission tank on a regular basis, usually at a fixed point in space or 'dragging' the fighters toward an objective but never once the strike package has begun their route. Well, I'll admit I've gotten quite an education in tanker ops overt the last couple of days. Thanks guys. -- Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail "If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed) |
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