Understanding Modern Naval Warfare Tactics

[Catalina]

Question Thread: EMCOM

Situation:
Open conflict. The Blue frigate is EMCOM. The Red frigate is actively radiating.

ROE/Orders:
Weapons free. Sink any enemy vessels.

Q1. Would the Blue Frigate passively detect via ESM the active frigate from further away than the active Red Frigate will actively detect it?

Q2. Would Blue frigate passively ESM detecting Red's active radar signal provide sufficient targeting data for Blue Frigate to launch a SSM strike?

Q3. Imagine the Red Frigate launches at SSM strike at the EMCOM Blue frigate. Being under EMCOM would the Blue Frigate be able to intercept the incoming Red missile strike or would the Blue Frigate need to have its radars on active to detect and respond to the incoming vampires?

 

[Todjaeger]

The immediate and off the cuff answer is the same answer on how long a piece of string is. Namely, it all depends.

Q1: It is certainly possible that the ESM aboard Blue Frigate might detect emissions from Red Frigate before Red Frigate could detect Blue Frigate. Some of potential variables at play that spring to mind have to do with the type, capability and location of Blue Frigate's ESM, as well as what signature reduction measures Blue Frigate has.

Q2: AFAIK it is possible that Blue Frigate's ESM might be able to provide data on where the source of emissions is, and depending on what ROE's are in place Blue Frigate could launch AShM at that location which could then detect Red Frigate.

Q3: Again, it would depend on the capabilities of the ESM, as well as the capabilities of any inbounds. If the inbound missiles are using some sort or IR terminal guidance for precision targeting of a set of coordinates, then the ESM would have less to work with to detect and permit a response. As a practical matter, I would expect that Blue Frigate would need to have radars active to provide any sort of practical defence since missile intercepts would need time/distance to respond.

 

[spoz]

1. Probably given range advantage. But ESM is subject to the same restrictions as radar in terms of beyond the horizon detection.

2. It would give bearing but not range. A smart enough missile could be launched down the bearing.

3. Probably. Appropriate passive sensors, not only ESM, exist to detect, but engagement of the missile would almost certainly require it to go active.