DETECT TO ENGAGE SEQUENCE FOR FIRE CONTROL

DETECT TO ENGAGE SEQUENCE FOR FIRE CONTROL This chapter has covered the radar systems you will see as an FC in the Fleet today. You have been given a brief overview of the radar systems and their functions and uses. You have also learned the associated weapon systems and ship types associated with each radar system. Now that you have an understanding of these radar systems, you need to know how these systems are used in an actual combat scenario. The following section gives you an imaginary scenario of what might happen if you were to detect an enemy target, from beginning to end. THE DETECT-TO-ENGAGE SEQUENCE The international situation has deteriorated and the United States and Nation Q have suspended diplomatic relations. The ruler of Nation Q has threatened to annex the smaller countries bordering Nation Q and has threatened hostilities toward any country that tries to stop him. You are assigned to a guided missile cruiser that is a member of Battle Group Bravo, currently stationed approximately 300 nautical miles off the coast of Nation Q. The battle group commander has placed the Battle Group on alert by specifying the Warning Status as YELLOW in all warfare areas, meaning that hostilities are probable. You are standing watch as the Tactical Action Officer (TAO) in the Combat Information Center (CIC), the nerve center for the ship’s weapons systems. Dozens of displays indicate the activity of ships and aircraft near the Battle Group (fig. 2-20). As the TAO, you are responsible for the proper employment of the ship’s weapons systems in the absence of the commanding officer. The time is 0200. You are in charge of a multi-million dollar weapon system and responsible for the lives and welfare of your shipmates. The relative quiet is shattered by an alarm on your Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment indicating the initial detection and identification of a possible incoming threat by your Electronic Support Measures (ESM) equipment. The wideband ESM receiver detects an electromagnetic emission on a bearing in the direction of Nation Q. Almost instantaneously the ESM equipment interprets the emitter’s parameters and compares them with radar parameters stored in its memory. The information and a symbol indicating the emitter’s approximate line of bearing from your ship are presented on a display screen. You notify the commanding officer of this development. Meanwhile, the information is transmitted to the rest of the Battle Group via radio data links. Moments later, in another section of CIC, the ship’s long-range two-dimensional air search radar is just beginning to pick up a faint return at its maximum range. The information from the air search radar coupled with the line of bearing from your ESM allows you to localize the contact and determine an accurate range and bearing. Information continues to arrive, as the ESM equipment classifies the J-band emission as 2-15 Figure 2-19.—Artist’s conception of DD-21 land attack destroyer.