Manual

THE AWG-9 RADARThe radar system on the F-14 Tomcat is theAWG-9 (Air Weapons Group-9) radar. It isan integrated radar/weapon system able totrack up to 24 different targets at one time.Six of these targets can be attackedsimultaneously using the AIM-54 Phoenixmissile. The system can also use targetinginformation provided by other aircraftthrough a data link.The AWG-9 does have certaindrawbacks, though. This radar and itscomponent systems represent 1960stechnology, long before the term “userfriendly” was ever heard of. It shows.There is nothing friendly about the AWG-9 radar. The complexity of the AWG-9’sdisplays requires a second set of eyesandhands. Luckily, FLEET DEFENDERgives you the option of turning overcertain radar duties to your RIO by settingthe level of RIO assistance.If this is your first time in an F-14 cockpit,you can avoid a great deal of confusion bylearning how to operate the radar inStandard Mode first. This mode is the leastdifficult level of operation. It represents astreamlined version of the more advancedmodes. Only after you are completelycomfortable with using the radar inStandard Mode should you begin toexperiment with the more realistic (andcomplex) modes.Moderate Mode radar represents a big stepup from Standard Mode but it is still only anintermediate level of difficulty. The ultimatechallenge in FLEET DEFENDER is to playthe simulation with the radar set toAuthentic Mode. Authentic Mode is - well,authentic. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.Next to carrier landings, becoming proficientwith the radar system is admittedly the mostdifficult part of FLEET DEFENDER.The term “mode” is used frequently in thefollowing text to describe the variousoperative functions of the radar. It isimportant not to confuse these “modes”with the different levels of difficulty;Standard, Moderate, and Authentic Mode.Difficulty levels and operative modes aretwo entirely different concepts. Therefore,the term “mode” is always useduppercase when referring to levels ofdifficulty and lowercase when describingradar functionsSTANDARD MODE RADARMODES OF OPERATIONStandard Mode radar has two basicmethods of operation, known as operativemodes; Search and Track. Your radarspends the majority of its time in Searchmode. That is, the radar beam justsweeps back and forth looking for targets,sending out energy. This is the radar’snormal mode of operation.When your radar is operating in Searchmode, it is detectable. In most cases itdoes not cause the enemy pilots to reactwith undue alarm. They are only awarethat a radar is operating in their vicinity.Once a target enters a piece of sky beingcovered by your radar, the target isdetected. Detected targets appear on theDDD as tiny green squares (radar blips).The radar’s other operative mode isknown as Track mode. This mode is usedwhen you wish to concentrate your radarbeam on a particular target. Concentratingyour radar beam (locking-up a target) is anecessary prerequisite for using radarguidedmissiles. The radar switches fromSearch mode to Track mode when atarget is locked. Enemy aircraft react tobeing locked-up. Don’t you? Therefore, itis in your best interest to remain in Searchmode for as long as possible.