Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: norton@manta.nosc.mil (Scott Norton)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Radars in Fighters, AWACS, etc.
Keywords: bi-static radar, Link-4A, Link-16, JTIDS
Message-ID: <1991Mar25.064854.29313@amd.com>
Date: 25 Mar 91 06:48:54 GMT
References: <1991Mar12.232220.29870@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar18.135333.19904@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Space & Naval Warfare Systems Command
Lines: 28
Approved: military@amd.com



From: norton@manta.nosc.mil (Scott Norton)

	[Please watch the amount of quoting; I've edited out 15 lines
	 of unnecessary intro from two previous articles.  This sort of
	 thing is very time-consuming, so I'd appreciate it greatly if
	 everyone can exercise discretion when quoting. -- CDR]

There is a technique called bistatic radar, where the transmitter
and receiver are not in the same place.  It's not easy, particularly
if you want accurate range AND bearing.  I recall the phrase
"pulse-chasing" to describe the problem of pointing your receive
antenna at the transmitted pulse as it speeds along.  But if you
can tolerate some losses due to looking occasionally in the wrong
direction, or from a large beamwidth, it is do-able.

But I can tell you that the F-14 has a data link called Link-4A, 
that allows the E-2C or ship controller to send targets and orders
to the F-14.  Link-4A is also used for automatic carrier landings, 
flying the aircraft down to the deck (the last command given is a
full-throttle and climb, in case the tailhook misses a wire.

My office is now working on the follow-on data link, Link-16, 
as part of the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System.

LT Scott A. Norton, USN  <norton@NOSC.MIL>
JTIDS Ship Integration Officer