DCS: F-16c Viper: How useful is the ALQ-184? ECM: Effectiveness study

Quick study into how well the Jammer works against hostile radars trying to shoot you down. Generally we see a reduction in range, but some more than others!

[RedKiteRender]

As an update, the Long Pod variant doesn't appear to change anything, so for the moment I'll be leaving further research on the topic. When we see some more updates, perhaps an increase in fidelity of the ECM simulation in general I'll re-visit it!

[Deltarious]

Excellent tests, these sorts of jamming vs AI tests are one of the things that keeps me coming back, and are the type I always find myself tooling around with a lot either in the editor or flying a fixed mission in MP over and over. It's probably worth having a look at how significantly the AI's skill level affects the effectiveness of jamming, as in my previous tests with the Hornet's SPJ the difference was massive, meaning that if the AI are set to something like average, which is the case in many actual missions I've flown in MP, the difference may be even more extreme.

[therocinante]

I'm very excited for ED to implement more complicated ECM functionality. I have the feeling it's really gonna up the immersion and fun. :)

[thomasbessis]

Fantastic, thanks a lot.

Makes me wish there was some sort database for this stuff, I'd love to see how effective the F-18 and Jeff's jammers are in comparison.

[Maverickf]

I was flying yesterday on hoggit PG with the jammer for the first time. I was trying to do some sead on the Kirov battle cruiser fleet, and i noticed some weird things. The jammer definitely does work and is the only way to get within range. The strange thing is that the ships kept locking me for half a second, then the jammer would break the lock. This kept on repeating fro about 10 miles until the jammer became ineffective.

[colo]

Thank you RedKite - as always perfect and to the point ! Merry Christmas !

[theflyingfool]

Spot on info RedKite! Merry Christmas to you too!

[jasons]

Thank you for the hard work! Hope you have a great holiday season

[tehbigshow]

Has anything changed in the year since this video was uploaded? I using an ECM pod worth it at all?

[neelakiller]

How did that increase in ECW in 2022 turn out?

[kazansky]

Can you do this test with the JF-17 jammer/elint pod?

[reichenwald-gmqd]

Cool video. Ever thought of doing this in the JF?

[elorock]

Good video, cant wait to test the Pod out on some SA-5s. Quick question though, as you showed us in the vid you can equip the pod on stations 3 and/or 7, but can you actually use them on those stations? (If you only take one)
Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[spikef]

The Sa-10 results I found most interesting. and well PESA based semi modern strategic SAMs need so much work in dcs and it so bothers me. we currently have modeled a very early S-300PMU/B thats still using original 5k55 not the newer 5k55R which for sure limits range and performance but even then I feel the 30N6E flap lid B should be alot better at filtering jamming than it is. i mean tbh the 184 pods have questionable effectiveness in other sims and in real life against the 10 series SAM systems so im just iffy with it. this isnt an issue with the vipers ecm suite but with the way ED models radar ecm and sams in general and I know thats going to change soon but im just talking to my self. Any way its great to see an ecm suite in dcs work well against sams thats for sure!

[abaile]

One thing I'd like to know is would it be effective in protecting a flight (in a tight formation) when mounted on just one jet?

[SkyToutBleu]

Hello RedKite 👋🏻 I’ve heard that the Wingwing’s F-16 throttle is launching very soon, do you plan to make a review on it ? Have a good day 😄

[HopcxSyvoalw]

Does this work against enemy air craft ?

[HobelDcs]

Will there be a video of how effective it is against other planes? I'm curious to see what they get out of it ;)

[gibbon]

What do you guys suggest to use on the A10c2: the ALQ131 or the 184?

[macieksoft]

ECM works only in forward and rearward hemisphere. When you are notching a radar like in 1:07 ECM won't be any useful.