Non-cooperative target recognition coming to DCS: F-16C!

1–2 minutes

This is a short one but an interesting one for DCS: F-16C pilots as Matt Wagner is back with a new video covering the topic of non-cooperative target recognition. Let’s have a quick look!

NCTR for the F-16

Non-cooperative target recognition is a feature that some modern aircraft posses and it lets the radar scan for the signature of the turbine blades on the engines of an unknown target. In Matt Wagner’s video, the aircraft is an Su-27 and the signature that it returns positively ID’s it as an Su-27. This is one or a two part process which compares the database for both the type of aircraft and the presumed friendly or hostile nature of said aircraft.

Check out the short video below to see it in action. Look forward to having this feature on the F-16!

9 responses to “Non-cooperative target recognition coming to DCS: F-16C!”

  1. CanadaOne Avatar
    CanadaOne

    I would imagine if you are in an F-16, all Su-27s are non co-operative.

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      Maybe it’s Ukrainian?

      What I’m curious about is if a mission designer can adjust what’s in the table for this feature.

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  2. busdriver Avatar
    busdriver

    Waaaay back 36 years ago in the Jurassic era, NCTR was Top Secret. As an F-16A guy, we could NOT watch F-15 HUD tapes because we didn’t have “a need to know.” Eagle drivers wouldn’t/couldn’t say ANYTHING about it. We asked to see their tape in a debrief, “Sorry, you’re not authorized.” Of course that piqued our interest. Even after we heard from a Squadron “Target Arm” (Weapons School graduate) about some nebulous fan blade RPM measuring voodoo for newer Block F-16 radars, NCTR remained one of those things you just didn’t talk about.

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      Fascinating stuff! I can only imagine what they can do with the sensors they have now.

      Thanks as always for sharing!

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    2. Blue 5 Avatar
      Blue 5

      NCTR complimenting AWACS was fairly new for GW1, I recall? Allowed engagement of targets with far higher certainty whereas a viz ID could have been required in the ’80s

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  3. Pet Avatar
    Pet

    Wow,… this Technology shocks and excites me at the same time. How sensible and precise is a radar today. :-O I really have to study a bit about radartechnology soon.
    Crazy how much I learned the last years because of DCS.

    Thanks for the News.

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    1. Blue 5 Avatar
      Blue 5

      This is old tech. newer AESA is a leap beyond such capability.

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  4. Urgent Siesta Avatar
    Urgent Siesta

    Glad to see it come to Viper!

    Kinda surprised at the timing, since Hornet has had it for so long I just assumed it had made it’s way over months and months ago…

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      I guess there’s a fair bit to the programming of it. Or they just got around to it.

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