Radar lock-on: Difference between revisions

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Lock-on is a feature of many radar systems that allow it to automatically follow a selected target. Lock-on was first designed for the AI Mk. IX radar in the UK, where it was known as lock-follow or auto-follow. Its first operational use was in the US ground-based SCR-584 radar, which demonstrated the ability to easily track almost any airborne target, from aircraft to artillery shells.

History

In the post-WWII era, the term became more widely used in connection to missile guidance concepts. Many modern anti-aircraft missiles use some form of semi-active radar homing, where the missile seeker listens for reflections of the launch platform's main radar. To provide a continuous signal, the radar is locked-onto the target, following it throughout the missile's flight. Ships and surface-to-air missiles often have a dedicated illuminator radar for this purpose.

In older radar systems, through the 1980s, lock-on was normally assisted by a change in the radar signal characteristics, often by increasing the pulse repetition frequency. This led to the introduction of radar warning receivers that would notice this change and provide a warning to the operator.^[1]

Modern radar systems do not have a lock-on system in the traditional sense; tracking is provided by storing radar signals in computer memory and comparing them from scan to scan using algorithms to determine which signals correspond to single targets. These systems do not change their signals while tracking targets, and thus do not reveal they are locked-on.

Types

With a semi-active radar homing system, the launch platform acquires the target with its search radar. The missile is then powered up while the launch platform's illuminator radar "lights up" the target for it. The illuminator is a radar transmitter with a narrow, focused beam that may be separate from the search radar and that can be directed at a target using information from the search radar. When the passive radar of the missile's guidance system is able to "see"/detect the radio waves reflected from the target, missile lock-on is achieved and the weapon is ready to be launched.^[2]

Detection by the target

The subject of a radar lock-on may become aware of the fact that it is being actively targeted by virtue of the electro-magnetic emissions of the tracking system, notably the illuminator. This condition will present a heightened threat to the target, as it indicates that a missile may be about to be fired at it.

Notes

^ R. P. G. Collinson (2003). Introduction to Avionics Systems. Springer. ISBN 1-4020-7278-3.
^ Carlo Kopp (June 1982). "Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance". Australian Aviation.

[1] R. P. G. Collinson (2003). Introduction to Avionics Systems. Springer. ISBN 1-4020-7278-3.

[AA-2] Carlo Kopp (June 1982). "Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance". Australian Aviation.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Feature of a type of military offensive technology}}
-{{Otheruses|Lock On (disambiguation)}}
+{{Redirect|Radar lock|the video game|Radar Lock}}[[File:F218 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Radarantenne.jpg|thumb|right|Search radar (large black dish) and illuminator radar (small grey dish) on board a German frigate. The illuminator locks onto the target.]]
+'''Lock-on''' is a feature of many [[radar]] systems that allow it to automatically follow a selected target. Lock-on was first designed for the [[AI Mk. IX radar]] in the UK, where it was known as '''lock-follow''' or '''auto-follow'''. Its first operational use was in the US ground-based [[SCR-584 radar]], which demonstrated the ability to easily track almost any airborne target, from aircraft to artillery shells.
+== History ==
-'''Missile lock-on''' refers to a scenario where the guidance system for a [[missile]] (or its associated launch vehicle) can accurately track a target, and a [[fire-control system]] can calculate the required flightpath for the missile to hit the target.  Missile lock-on is typically indicated to the pilot or missile operator via an audible tone, a [[head-up display]] or a [[Helmet mounted display|helmet-mounted display]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1Cb4ldbxdNMC|title=Introduction to Avionics Systems|author=R. P. G. Collinson|publisher=Springer|year=2003|isbn=1402072783}}</ref>
+In the post-WWII era, the term became more widely used in connection to [[missile guidance]] concepts. Many modern anti-aircraft missiles use some form of [[semi-active radar homing]], where the missile seeker listens for reflections of the launch platform's main radar. To provide a continuous signal, the radar is locked-onto the target, following it throughout the missile's flight. Ships and [[surface-to-air missile]]s often have a dedicated [[illuminator radar]] for this purpose.
-==Semi-active radar homing==
-[[File:Hawk-radar-hatzerim-1-1.jpg|thumb|Radar of a [[MIM-23 Hawk]] missile battery]]
+In older radar systems, through the 1980s, lock-on was normally assisted by a change in the [[radar signal characteristics]], often by increasing the [[pulse repetition frequency]]. This led to the introduction of [[radar warning receiver]]s that would notice this change and provide a warning to the operator.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Cb4ldbxdNMC|title=Introduction to Avionics Systems|author=R. P. G. Collinson|publisher=Springer|year=2003|isbn=1-4020-7278-3}}</ref>
-With a [[semi-active radar homing]] system, the launch platform acquires the target with its search [[radar]].  The missile is then powered up while the launch platform's illuminator radar "lights up" the target for it.  The illuminator is a radar transmitter with a narrow, focused beam that may be separate from the search radar and that can be directed at a target using information from the search radar. When the [[passive radar]] of the missile's guidance system is able to "see" the radar return from the target, missile lock-on is achieved and the weapon is ready to be launched.<ref name="AA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Radar-AAMs.html|title=Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance|publisher=Australian Aviation|month=June|year=1982|author=Carlo Kopp}}</ref>
+Modern radar systems do not have a lock-on system in the traditional sense; tracking is provided by storing radar signals in [[computer memory]] and comparing them from scan to scan using algorithms to determine which signals correspond to single targets. These systems do not change their signals while tracking targets, and thus do not reveal they are locked-on.
+== Types ==
+With a [[semi-active radar homing]] system, the launch platform acquires the target with its search [[radar]].  The missile is then powered up while the launch platform's illuminator radar "lights up" the target for it.  The illuminator is a radar transmitter with a narrow, focused beam that may be separate from the search radar and that can be directed at a target using information from the search radar. When the [[passive radar]] of the missile's guidance system is able to "see"/detect the radio waves reflected from the target, missile lock-on is achieved and the weapon is ready to be launched.<ref name="AA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Radar-AAMs.html|title=Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance|publisher=Australian Aviation|date=June 1982|author=Carlo Kopp}}</ref>
 ==Detection by the target==
-{{main|Radar warning receiver}}
+{{main|Missile approach warning}}
-The subject of a lock-on may become aware of the fact that it is being actively targeted by virtue of the electro-magnetic emissions of the tracking system, notably the illuminator.  This condition will present a heightened threat to the target, as it indicates that a missile may be about to be fired at it.
+The subject of a radar lock-on may become aware of the fact that it is being actively targeted by virtue of the electro-magnetic emissions of the tracking system, notably the illuminator.  This condition will present a heightened threat to the target, as it indicates that a missile may be about to be fired at it.
 ==See also==
@@ Line 16: / Line 24: @@
 *[[Air-to-air missile]]
 *[[Surface-to-air missile]]
+*[[Radar jamming and deception]]
+*[[Radar warning receiver]]
+*[[Lock-on after launch]]
 ==Notes==
 {{reflist}}
 [[Category:Aerial warfare strategy]]
 [[Category:Air-to-air missiles]]
-[[Category:Military terminology]]
+[[Category:Surface-to-air missiles]]
+[[Category:Military radars]]
-{{mil-aviation-stub}}