Communications, Radar & Electronic Warfare (201.. - Index of

Communicatiom Electrol1JC Warfare 311Apart from the design considerations to optimise the DF network coverage, it is alsoimportant that the DF system is sited in the best possible manner:• The system should be placed in as quiet a radio noise environment as possible,subject to the antenna having a clear view all around.• The antenna must be clear of obstructions and as far as possible above the terrain andclutter as possible.• The antenna must be well away from power lines and large bodies of water (standfast, maritime systems).• Each asset in the DF system either must be able to communicate their data to eachother or to a remote control centre (often called EWCC - Electronic WarfareCoordination Cell). This is required to collate the data to localise targets.17.3.8 Airborne DFAirborne DF systems have a couple of natural advantages over ground based systems.The first is that by flying they can be well away from terrain and clutter obstructions,giving them a tremendous range advantage. The second is that the aircraft can form itsown baseline within a short timescale, allowing a single asset to localise enemytransmissions as shown in Figure 17.27. In order for thi s information to be timely,Ai rcraft pathDF hit 2 DF hit 1Figure 17.27Illustration of a single aircraft forming its own DF baseline.